saw that starts to shift. we saw that starts to shift. we saw that in 2020. in the end joe biden didn't win the state by about 20,000 votes, less than i%. about 20,000 votes, less than i%. that's how close the state was. and remember, if we are once again under that i% once again under that 1% difference, that threshold, one of the candidates could request a recount. that could extend things even further. so it is similar. in north carolina where helen is and in many of the battleground states it is very close. we could very well see an unprecedented situation where we are still waiting for those results to come in in many of the states. make a cup of coffee and stay with us on the bbc, it could be a long night on november the 5th. don't go away, i'm going to ask you a quick cash gin after speaking to helena but for the moment, carl nasman, thank you. —— going to ask you a quick question. helen is in gastonia waiting for donald trump to appear on the stage. first of all, where you are, how easy is the early voting? we all, where you are, how easy is the early voting?— the early voting? we really have seen _ the early voting? we really have seen a _ the early voting? we really have seen a high _ the early voting? we really have seen a high level -

the early voting? we really have seen a high level of i have seen a high level of turnout _ have seen a high level of turnout in the early voting. over— turnout in the early voting. over 51 _ turnout in the early voting. over 3.1 million people coming out in — over 3.1 million people coming out in north carolina, breaking records — out in north carolina, breaking records despite the fact, as you — records despite the fact, as you know, in the western part of the — you know, in the western part of the state, north carolina, there — of the state, north carolina, there was_ of the state, north carolina, there was a lot of devastation from — there was a lot of devastation from hurricane helene which we had been — from hurricane helene which we had been looking at and speaking to people in those areas — speaking to people in those areas. there were some concerns about _ areas. there were some concerns about practical hurdles, literally, getting down mountains in areas like the blue — mountains in areas like the blue ridge mountains where you have big — blue ridge mountains where you have big potholes in the roads, trees— have big potholes in the roads, trees felled, lots of debris stitt— trees felled, lots of debris still can_ trees felled, lots of debris still can and then on top of that— still can and then on top of thatiust _ still can and then on top of thatjust the kind of perception really among voters, could _ perception really among voters, could that affect them in terms of coming out. there was misinformation that were spread in the _ misinformation that were spread in the wake of that hurricane. donald — in the wake of that hurricane. donald trump saying that the ferna — donald trump saying that the fema funds were redirected to undocumented immigrants. could that change how people vote at the ballot box? but turn out, as you — the ballot box? but turn out, as you know, is so key in this election. _ as you know, is so key in this election, particularly in the red county is worth hurricane helene — red county is worth hurricane helene hit hard. that's what donald — helene hit hard. that's what donald trump is hoping to hold

onto _ donald trump is hoping to hold onto cart— donald trump is hoping to hold onto. carljust mentioned when he was — onto. carljust mentioned when he was speaking that if kamala harris — he was speaking that if kamala harris loses one of those blue watt— harris loses one of those blue wall states she would have been depending on an area like this, a state — depending on an area like this, a state like this, north carolina, in the sunbelt strategy where you have some 16 electorat— strategy where you have some 16 electoral college votes up for grabs — electoral college votes up for grabs. that's one of the reasons— grabs. that's one of the reasons that this battleground state — reasons that this battleground state is — reasons that this battleground state is unique and why the harris — state is unique and why the harris campaign is hoping that they— harris campaign is hoping that they might be in with a chance of flipping it in this election.— of flipping it in this election. �* , , ., election. briefly, before i brina election. briefly, before i bring carl _ election. briefly, before i bring carl back _ election. briefly, before i bring carl back in, - election. briefly, before i l bring carl back in, helena, election. briefly, before i i bring carl back in, helena, i wanted to ask when we might expect to result in north carolina. how long is a piece of string. but if it all went to plan. i of string. but if it all went to ian. . of string. but if it all went to plan-— of string. but if it all went to ian. ., ., , , ., to plan. i am always tempted to sa how to plan. i am always tempted to say how long — to plan. i am always tempted to say how long is _ to plan. i am always tempted to say how long is a _ to plan. i am always tempted to say how long is a piece - to plan. i am always tempted to say how long is a piece of - say how long is a piece of string _ say how long is a piece of string. like karl said, you have _ string. like karl said, you have to _ string. like karl said, you have to make sure you have the coffee _ have to make sure you have the coffee maker on because although people in these counties when we ask them, bride — counties when we ask them, pride themselves, once the polls— pride themselves, once the polls have been closed, counting quickly and they emphasise thoroughly due to some — emphasise thoroughly due to some of— emphasise thoroughly due to some of the devastation that we

have _ some of the devastation that we have seen— some of the devastation that we have seen with hurricane helene as welt, — have seen with hurricane helene as well, some of those ballot papers, — as well, some of those ballot papers, particularly when it cornes— papers, particularly when it comes to the postal votes, for example. _ comes to the postal votes, for example, might ta ke take longer to count, so really peobie — take longer to count, so really people are going to have to have — people are going to have to have a _ people are going to have to have a little bit of patience. that's — have a little bit of patience. that's what officials are reminding people, because it is taking _ reminding people, because it is taking a — reminding people, because it is taking a little bit longer, doesn't _ taking a little bit longer, doesn't mean to say that there is an— doesn't mean to say that there is an issue _ doesn't mean to say that there is an issue here. there's waiting _ is an issue here. there's waiting for donald trump, the video— waiting for donald trump, the video message is telling people that 2020 was a stolen election, false claims calling on people to vote, saying democrats are cheating and they like cheating in this election. again, — like cheating in this election. again, misinformation and lies in this campaign. just very briefly, i wanted to ask both of you, not asking for a prediction because i know you will not give me one, but if you both had to say one thing to watch out for in the states

you are both covering at the moment, what would it be, starting with you, carl? well, there are _ starting with you, carl? well, there are a — starting with you, carl? well, there are a couple _ starting with you, carl? well, there are a couple of - starting with you, carl? well, there are a couple of areas i starting with you, carl? well, there are a couple of areas toi there are a couple of areas to watch, one of them will be milwaukee, how much of the turnout do we see, how much of the african—american vote goes for kamala harris, another area to watch. dane county, the second—biggest area here, that's around madison and another blue area, but i think the donald trump campaign will watch the turnout in the suburban areas, those areas that have traditionally gone very heavily republican but over the last few years have been drifting more blue, more towards the democrats. if donald trump isn't around 60% in some of those counties it could be a sign of trouble for him. those are three things to watch for on election night. 0k, helena, overto you. fit 0k, helena, over to you. of course i'm _ 0k, helena, overto you. of course i'm not going to make a prediction— course i'm not going to make a prediction either, i have to say, — prediction either, i have to say, but _ prediction either, i have to say, but gastonia here is trump country— say, but gastonia here is trump country but _ say, but gastonia here is trump country but if you look at somewhere like greensboro tonight— somewhere like greensboro tonight where there will be a rally. — tonight where there will be a rally, look at the african—american vote, is there a significant level of turnout that — a significant level of turnout that is— a significant level of turnout that is needed in these kind of urban— that is needed in these kind of urban areas for kamala harris to have — urban areas for kamala harris to have a _ urban areas for kamala harris to have a chance with flipping the vote? winning the voters in rural— the vote? winning the voters in rural areas— the vote? winning the voters in rural areas in particular, the messaging from the democrats has been — messaging from the democrats has been you don't need to tell anyone — has been you don't need to tell anyone what you do in the

privacy— anyone what you do in the privacy of the voting booth. witt — privacy of the voting booth. will women decide perhaps to depart— will women decide perhaps to depart with some conservative values — depart with some conservative values and vote for kamala harris _ values and vote for kamala harris. and then of course, young _ harris. and then of course, young voters as well. they will be key— young voters as well. they will be key in — young voters as well. they will be key in this in terms of turnout _ be key in this in terms of turnout where every vote matters. will we see the mobilisation? 0ne lasting particularly in the sunbelt state. _ particularly in the sunbelt state, what we call covid migration, people who moved to places— migration, people who moved to places like north carolina away from _ places like north carolina away from places like new york, washington, la, for example, where — washington, la, for example, where the _ washington, la, for example, where the cost of living is higher. _ where the cost of living is higher, they tend to be more iiberat— higher, they tend to be more liberal voters. will they make the difference? just a few things— the difference? just a few things to watch out for. ok, thanks very _ things to watch out for. ok, thanks very much, - things to watch out for. ok, thanks very much, helena l thanks very much, helena humphrey and carl nasman, good to talk to both of you. let's ta ke let's take a look at the polls and where they stand. in the national picture, vice president kamala harris�*s early lead is down to around a single point. both of the candidates' share of the national votes

isn't going to determine the winner. it all comes down to who wins in those key battleground states. seven of them which we were talking about just them which we were talking aboutjust now. let's look at the polling for those. you can see the seven states and you can see that donald trump has the edge in a few of them, georgia, arizona and north carolina. pennsylvania. and nevada. kamala harris slightly ahead in wisconsin and michigan. but i think the key point to make is that all of those polls are still within the margin of error which means it really is at the moment still way too close to call. we of course we'll find out, let's hope. 0n we of course we'll find out, let's hope. on tuesday after the polls close you can watch our live coverage as the results come in, here on bbc news, and also on bbc one in the uk, and on the iplayer where my colleagues sumi

somaskanda, caitriona perry and christian fraser and katty kay as well as a whole host of others around the united states will steer us through the election result from 10:1i0pm gmt until whenever we get it. now it's time for a look at today's sport with gavin. thanks very much indeed. we'll get an update from the football in a moment — but in the early premier league kick off — a further blow for arsenal in their title hopes. they were beaten at newcastle — and now without a win in their last three league games. newcastle went ahead in the first 15 minutes, alexander isak with a superb headed goal, his return to form helping his side to a 1—0 win at st james' park. arsenal failed to fire in the match, just the one shot on goal, despite dominating possession. the loss could see them eight points off the lead, come the end of the day. today's performance was based on hard work and desire, motivation. a really difficult game, two very good teams, i thought, there was not a lot of chances, not a lot of goalmouth action,

but a lot of really good defending in the second half, but also a lot of good attacking in both halves. maybe with quick attacks but still i thought we looked good. we want it down. we had to play different games and they try and drag you into a certain way of playing that game of playing the game and we didn't have enough answers to get out of their consistently enough to be more dominant and then more of a threat constantly to be able to score the goals. a goal would have changed completely the dynamic of that game. we had two or three big chances. we didn't put them away. but i think the level of consistency that we demand of ourselves to be more of a threat we didn't realise today. and we're into the second halves for most of the 3pm local time kick offs. bournemouth had the lead, against the leaders manchester city. antoine semenyo with an early goal. they have doubled that now, evanilson has made it 2—0 to

bournemouth, so a possible upset on the cards. not long for city to turn it around. they are the league leaders. liverpool, with a shock on the cards at anfield,. ferdi kadioglu with the goal. ipswich are a goal up against leicester city. forest 1—0 up against west ham. chris wood with the goal for them, set to go above arsenal into fourth. southampton against everton is still goalless. the late game sees wolves home to crystal palace. —— wolves home to crystal palace. a boost for lando norris ahead of sunday's brazilian grand prix — the british driver further cut max verstappen's championship lead, after winning the sprint race at interlagos. norris's victory takes him now 45 points behind verstappen with 132 points still available, his mclaren teammate 0scar piastri moved aside under team orders with two laps remaining of the 2a laps. verstappen crossed the line in third — but the dutchman faces

an investigation for an infringement under the virtual safety car. qualifying for the main race takes place later. jorge martin has moved a step closer to becoming motogp champion for the first time after winning the sprint race ahead of the malaysian grand prix. that's because his title rival and reigning champion francesco bagnaia crashed out on just the third lap. martin won to extend his championship lead to 29 points. if the spaniard scores nine points more than the italian in sunday's grand prix he'll become world champion with a round to spare. west indies are their way to building a strong lead against england, in the second of the one—day internationals in antigua. england took both windies openers early, but captain shai hope led the resurgence, he's on the way to his century with west indies 234—4 in the 41st over. a win would give west indies an unassailable 2—0 lead in the three—match series. follow it on the bbc sport website. katie boulter will break into the world's top 25 for the first time after reaching the final of the hong kong 0pen. the british number one beat china's yuan yue, which guaranteed she will climb to at least 23rd in the rankings on monday.

boulter is hoping to claim a third tour title, after victories in nottingham and san diego. she's never lost a tour final. she'll face russia's diana shnaider in sunday's final, after the world number 1a beat canada's defending champion leylah fernandez — 6—4, 6—2 in saturday's second semi—final. shnaider has three career titles to her name — all of which came this season. that's just about it. it's a really busy saturday of sport. england are currently taking on new zealand in the first of rugby union's autumn internationals at the allianz arena in twickenham. the all blacks currently down 19-14, the all blacks currently down 19—14, england leading. follow all the latest on the bbc sport website and app. and also all of the football updates. that's it for now. the world health organization has resumed

the delayed second phase of polio vaccinations of children in gaza. the who says it will be confined to gaza city. the immunisation campaign began in september but was suspended last week because of continuing israeli attacks on northern gaza. the who says it will still not be able to reach tens of thousands of children. meanwhile in lebanon, a government minister has confirmed that a senior official has been abducted in a raid on a house near the lebanese city of tripoli by a suspected team of israeli naval commandos. the identity of the abducted man hasn't yet been confirmed but he's reported to be a senior member of hezbollah's naval force. a lebanese minister representing hezbollah in lebanon's government has confirmed that cctv video of the incident is accurate. the scottish comedian janey godley has died at the age of 63. she revealed in november 2021 that she had ovarian cancer and documented her treatments. a tough upbringing in the east end of glasgow was the thread which ran through her humour, but she found viral fame during the pandemic

with her dubbed videos of nicola sturgeon's covid briefings. janey godley who died at the age of 63. i'm rajini vaidyanathan. i'll be back after a break. stay with us here on bbc news. hello. it remains very quiet on the weather front with rather cloudy skies across most of the uk. just a few breaks there in northern and eastern scotland where there's more of a breeze around this area of high pressure. but for most of us it's been a case of 50 shades of grey. and here's a picture from earlier on on saturday in london — the skyscraper the shard there with its tip inside the cloud at a height of 310m, meaning that the cloud base was around, say, 280, give or take. and we rather appropriately call this "anticyclonic gloom", the word anticyclone, another word for high pressure cloudy, drizzly, but look on the bright

side of life, at least it's not raging gales or torrential rain, rather usable weather, if you go out there. it's actually relatively mild, look at the morning on sunday, around ten or 11 celsius. 1548