and with five days to go until the us presidential election, we'll bring you the latest from the key battleground states. hello, i'm lewis vaughanjones. welcome to the programme. more than 1,000 emergency workers have been deployed to valencia — and other affected regions — after devastating flash flooding killed at least 158 people across southern and eastern spain. some residents have accused the regional civil protection agency of not being prepared enough — saying it only issued its highest emergency alert on tuesday evening, when the flooding had already caused widespread damage. this is the european space agency's satellite image of the area south of valencia taken earlier this month before

— in this second image taken on wednesday, you can see the extreme level of flooding that vividly illustrates the scale of the disaster that has transformed the landscape dramatically. on a visit to the region, spain's prime minister, pedro sanchez, said the authorities were using all resources at their disposal to rebuild infrastructure, restore basic services, and find people who remain unaccounted for. steve knibbs reports. this flooding is one of the worst natural disasters in recent spanish history. more than 90 people so far confirmed to have died. emergency teams are working around the clock to try to find the missing and rescue others trapped by the flood water. some places are only accessible from the air, residents winched into helicopters to escape the devastation. hundreds of soldiers have also been deployed to help in the rescue effort. working in difficult and dangerous conditions. the prime minister, pedro sanchez, warned today the crisis is far

from over, and he urged people to stay safe. translation: please, do not go out, stay - home, follow the alerts from the emergency services, follow all the requirements, all the recommendations, because at the moment, the most important thing is to save as many lives as possible. in valencia, the floods caused havoc never seen here before. washing away cars that were left piled up on the streets as the waters receded. the aftermath, broken roads, homes and businesses covered in mud and silt. in some areas, more than a year's worth of rain fell in a few hours. translation: never before in history hasl there been so much rain. can't even imagine the amount of rain that fell here yesterday. translation: it is a catastrophe. the floods we had in 1982 when i was ten years - old were a joke compared to what happened - here yesterday. the streets here are now a dumping ground, for cars, furniture and belongings

destroyed by the floods. translation: yesterday, this was full of people - i and today it is still empty, utter desolation. with time, everything will go back to normal just like the river. translation: the day before esterda translation: the day before yesterday was _ translation: the day before yesterday was bad, _ translation: the day before yesterday was bad, very - yesterday was bad, very horrible. we've never experienced anything this before _ experienced anything this before. this is something that came — before. this is something that came to — before. this is something that came to us, and it is a ruin for— came to us, and it is a ruin forthe— came to us, and it is a ruin for the town. meanwhile, spain has declared three days of national mourning as it comes to terms with the aftermath of this deadly force of nature. steve knibbs, bbc news. these are the live pictures we have — these are the live pictures we have coming in these are the live pictures we have coming i— these are the live pictures we have coming in from spain, the valencia area. _ have coming in from spain, the valencia area. this _ have coming in from spain, the valencia area. this is _ have coming in from spain, the valencia area. this is part - have coming in from spain, the valencia area. this is part of i valencia area. this is part of the clean—up operation — so many roads still blocked, meaning rescue operators and emergency workers cannot get to the areas affected, but we've

seen many roads cleared of the debris as part of the clean—up operation there. let's speak to the bbc�*s guy hedgecoe, who's in madrid. just talk us through what the latest is there.— latest is there. well, the death toll _ latest is there. well, the death toll continues - latest is there. well, the death toll continues to l latest is there. well, the i death toll continues to rise, and that's because the rescue emergency services are still finding people who went missing on tuesday and wednesday. there are still dozens of people missing. today we've been hearing some of the stories behind this tragedy — for example, the bodies of eight people who had apparently taken refuge in a garage in one town, they were recovered from that garage, they obviously weren't able to get out before the waters caught up with them, as floodwaters rose up and caught up floodwaters rose up and caught up with them. we've heard lots of stories like that. a lot of people are becoming increasingly desperate because there are not basic goods that

they have access to, for example, whether it's food or drinking water. so there has been a lot of looting in some areas, and this town which has become well—known because of the number of people that died there, more than a0 people died in that town alone, there's been lots of looting. 39 people were arrested today for looting. so there have been quite chaotic scenes, infrastructure is still disrupted heavily across valencia, in terms of roads and rail links. and there really is a feeling of chaos across much of the region certainly. find of the region certainly. and 'ust of the region certainly. and just looking _ of the region certainly. and just looking ahead, - of the region certainly. and just looking ahead, what are we expecting next?— expecting next? well, there have been — expecting next? well, there have been some _ expecting next? well, there have been some weather i expecting next? well, there i have been some weather alerts down in the south of the country, the heavy rain spreading towards andalusia, and also up northwards, into the northeast to catalonia. so

there are weather alerts in those areas, and the authorities have issued those alerts — obviously they want to be extra cautious, given what's just happened. the hope is that the really heavy rain will stay away from the valencia region, but as we heard earlier, the prime minister has warned that this weather event has not yet finished. , , ., ~ this weather event has not yet finished. , , . ~' , ., , finished. guy, thank you very much for _ finished. guy, thank you very much for the _ finished. guy, thank you very much for the moment. - let's speak to julianne stockport, a volunteer at an animal sanctuary in carlet, valencia, which has been damaged and flooded. thank you for coming on the programme. thank you for coming on the programme-— thank you for coming on the programme._ sol thank you for coming on the i programme._ so talk programme. thank you. so talk us through _ programme. thank you. so talk us through what _ programme. thank you. so talk us through what weather - programme. thank you. so talk us through what weather hit - programme. thank you. so talk| us through what weather hit the animal sanctuary?— us through what weather hit the animal sanctuary? they were hit b two animal sanctuary? they were hit by two tornadoes, _ animal sanctuary? they were hit by two tornadoes, severe - animal sanctuary? they were hit by two tornadoes, severe rain i animal sanctuary? they were hit by two tornadoes, severe rain -| by two tornadoes, severe rain — within an hour, the sanctuary was completely underwater. we lost contact us before the tornado hit, and two tornadoes went over the whole area. so

the sanctuary is still somehow standing after two tornadoes. but when we got messages, there were chairs lying about, everything was coming off all the outdoor buildings, it was just crazy. we were seeing videos from the local area, roofs coming off industrial estates, it was just terrifying. estates, it was 'ust terrifying.�* estates, it was 'ust terri inc. , , terrifying. and presumably straightaway, _ terrifying. and presumably straightaway, you - terrifying. and presumably straightaway, you couldn't| terrifying. and presumably- straightaway, you couldn't get there clearly because of the weather. what happened? we still had to _ weather. what happened? - still had to get to the sanctuary. we had a person on site that's there with the animals during the storm, and she's 0k, and all the animals are ok. but we still can't reach them at the moment. luckily we knew the storm is coming, so we did stock up on food and supplies for everyone there, and tried to make provisions as best we could for the weatherhead. but we couldn't be prepared for what came — there were no preparations i could have been made to make it any better than

we are at the moment, but we still can't reach them. fin we are at the moment, but we still can't reach them.- still can't reach them. on that warnin: , still can't reach them. on that warning, what _ still can't reach them. on that warning, what kind _ still can't reach them. on that warning, what kind of - still can't reach them. on that warning, what kind of warningj warning, what kind of warning did you get? because some people we've spoken to suggest they were warned that bad weather was coming, but they had no idea about the extent or the intensity — what sense did you get beforehand? we the intensity - what sense did you get beforehand? we knew it was coming. _ you get beforehand? we knew it was coming, we've _ you get beforehand? we knew it was coming, we've been - you get beforehand? we knew it was coming, we've been here i you get beforehand? we knew it| was coming, we've been here six years and experience them before. so you expect heavy rain and localised flooding — but to the extent that we've seen, i've never seen anything like it in the six years i've been here, with the rain that fell. itjust came down so fast. the sanctuary has been hit before, and normally we have some areas of flooding and other areas are ok. but it was just completely underwater within hours. i'vejust never seen anything like it, there was no... we had warning, but not to the extent, and the actual there didn't come until 8pm in the evening — and by that point, the two tornadoes

had already hit, so at that point, it was far too late. it's extraordinary, and just talk us through what you're expecting to happen next — do you have any idea when you'll be able to get there and sort everything out?— be able to get there and sort everything out? yelled back at the moment. _ everything out? yelled back at the moment, we _ everything out? yelled back at the moment, we are _ everything out? yelled back at the moment, we are still- everything out? yelled back at| the moment, we are still being advised not to travel until everyone is safe and stocked up. we don't want to put anybody under any unnecessary risks. so at the moment, we're just hanging tight until we know the motorways are clear, then we can get through. but then we can get through. but the local area, the bridges are down, trees are spilt across most of the roads, the power lines are down, the metro tracks are completely destroyed. so at the moment, it's just waiting until we destroyed. so at the moment, it'sjust waiting until we hear the all clear. it'sjust waiting untilwe hear the all clear.— the all clear. julianne, thank ou the all clear. julianne, thank you very _ the all clear. julianne, thank you very much _ the all clear. julianne, thank you very much for _ the all clear. julianne, thank you very much for coming i the all clear. julianne, thank| you very much for coming on the all clear. julianne, thank- you very much for coming on the programme and talking us through that, thank you. the pound has fallen

to a two—month low following yesterday's budget by the uk chancellor, rachel reeves, government borrowing has also increased after bond yields went up to their highest level in a year. earlier, the chancellor told the bbc she hopes the budget — which includes tax rises of £a0 billion — or $52 billion — will "wipe the slate clean" and put public finances on a "firm trajectory." one of labour's annoucements yesterday was the introduction of vat on private school fees. in the last hour, the body representing i,a00 independent schools said it would press with a legal challenge the chancellor said she would restore economic stability to hit workers, in the form of lower pay rises. 0ur political correspondent iain watson has the latest. kier starmer and rachel reeves have been on something of a politicaljourney — they promised limited tax rises before the general election, but announced substantial tax increases just a few months later. the bulk of this, £25 billion, coming from businesses in the form of higher national insurance contributions.

while employees national insurance remains unchanged, this morning the chancellor admitted working people would pay a price. i said that it will have consequences. it will mean that businesses will have to absorb some of this through profits. it is likely to mean wage increases might be slightly less than they otherwise would have been. but overall, the office for budget responsibility forecast that household income will increase in this parliament. i was able to announce £22.6 billion of additional money for day—to—day spending in the health service... the prime minister and chancellor had travelled to the west midlands to meet nhs staff and to highlight their cash injection for the health service. kier starmer insisted higher taxes would provide better services. yes, difficult decisions, but we have taken difficult decisions now and i think everyone, many people, would agree health, education and housing and issues

like that are the really important things for our country to be driving towards. the chancellor has said she does not want to do another budget like this again. the red box packed full of difficult decisions. some of the independent experts have pored over the contents and think that further tax rises might be necessary. she is looking at significant. increases in spending this year and next but then the rate of increase really falls - sharply to the extent that it - might well mean cuts in budgets for unprotected departments over the next few years. - in reality, pretty unlikely - to happen, probably be topped up in the next year's spending review and it could _ have a knock—on effect - on higher taxes thereafter. the political divisions between the main parties seem even clearer now than they did at the last election. some measures suggest the budget is right on the inside as well as the outside, vat on private school fees, more tax on private jet

flights, for example. —— read on the inside. this weekend the conservatives choose the new leader and rachel reeves appears to have succeeded in uniting the remaining candidates. they both hate her budget. rachel reeves is a compulsive liar. she said in the election she was not going to raise taxes. she hasjust raised in by more than any other chancellor in 30 years. she said she would not increase borrowing. she has massively hiked borrowing. they do not understand what it is like to employ people. they do not understand what it means. one of the fundamental differences between conservatives and labour. labour say the big picture is the promise of change will become tangible through more investment in public services, but the budget does not in itself boost economic growth in this parliament and the chancellor may have to make more difficult decisions. iain watson, bbc news, westminster.

around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

to ukraine — where two children are among three killed in a recent russian attack on the city of kharkiv. president zelensky said that moscow dropped a guided aereal bomb on a civillian block of flats — with dozens more injured. rescuers identified the bodies of two boys in the rubble, one of them was believed to be staying with his grandparents. russia denies targeting civillians. ukrainian defence force says it downed two missiles and i7 drones overnight. let's talk more about drones here. used extensively by both the ukrainian and russian militaries, they have changed how the war is being fought. there is increasing evidence that russia is using drones to target civilians. the ukrainian government says that in the past three months there has been a surge in drone attacks on civilians in the southern kherson region, where at least 30 people have been killed and more than a00 injured.

a warning — this report from kherson by yogita limaye contains disturbing images. another artillery strike on a city that's been ravaged by schelling. and now, kherson faces more terror. visible in this chilling footage captured by drones as they hunt for targets to strike. the bbc has verified that this is kherson. dozens of such videos have been shared in russian messaging channels. ukraine says they are evidence that civilians are being deliberately attacked. we met demetrio, a volunteer, in the relatively safe outskirts of the city. 0ne the relatively safe outskirts of the city. one of a00 injured since august, he shows us how terrifying it looks from the ground. in this video, a drone

can be seen as it buzzes over a makeshift bus stop. before it fires. "is everyone alive?" a man shouts. in the footage, demetrio can be seen bleeding. "the blast wave ruptured my eardrum. a piece of shrapnel is still lodged here," he tells us. dozens of civilians have been killed. this man, a local trader, was hit by shrapnel when a drone dropped a grenade in his back yard while he was out chatting with a neighbour. his he and his wife were married for 32 years. she sought happened. —— saw what happened. translation: ~ ., translation: when he heard the drone, he tried _ translation: when he heard the drone, he tried to _ translation: when he heard the drone, he tried to hide _ translation: when he heard the drone, he tried to hide under - translation: when he heard the drone, he tried to hide under a - drone, he tried to hide under a tree, but it was so quick. shrapnel pierced his heart. he was such a good man. if this is

the way the russians have decided to fight, by killing civilians who walk in the street. �* , ., ., street. as we move further into the ci , street. as we move further into the city. we _ street. as we move further into the city, we have _ street. as we move further into the city, we have to _ street. as we move further into the city, we have to drive - street. as we move further into the city, we have to drive at - street. as we move further into the city, we have to drive at a l the city, we have to drive at a high speed to protect ourselves from being followed by drones. at an age centre, we see residents hiding under the cover of trees — they are moving quickly inside. they ventured from their homes only out of necessity, to stock up on food and medicines. living in constant fear of being targeted by drones. translation: targeted by drones. tuna/mom- targeted by drones. translation: ~ ., ., translation: we are in a horrible situation. - translation: we are in a horrible situation. i - translation: we are in a horrible situation. i was i translation: we are in a | horrible situation. i was able to come here today only because there is fog. 0therwise, to come here today only because there is fog. otherwise, we cannot go out. every day, buses are attacks. every day, drones drop bombs on us. in are attacks. every day, drones drop bombs on us.— drop bombs on us. in the corner. — drop bombs on us. in the corner. a _ drop bombs on us. in the corner, a device -

drop bombs on us. in the corner, a device that - drop bombs on us. in the - corner, a device that confirms the threat outside — buzzing every time it detects a drone. there are three drones above us right now, and that's pretty much what it's like in the city of kherson all the time. the minute you step outdoors, you are at risk of being seen and potentially targeted by a drone. there's also the threat of artillery strikes. there are really few places to hide hide in the city — and 1534