again, breezy across the again. again, breezy across the far north—west. temperatures 12 to 15 celsius. as we head on friday into the weekend, different areas of weather friends coming our way. some of them could make inroads. the jury them could make inroads. the jury is still out on that. as we head into friday and into saturday and sunday, we hang onto a lot of cloud. the chance of some rain coming into the west. the temperature is still about the seasonal average.

this is bbc news, the headlines... it's election day in america —— voting is already under way in some of the key battleground states. in their closing rallies late last night, donald trump and kamala harris made theirfinal pitch to voters. it is one of the closest and most consequential elections in modern history. spanish prime minister pedro sanchez announces an aid package worth 10.6 billion euros — to help regions affected by devastating flash floods. and prince william is continuing his four—day tour in south africa — as part of the earthshot biodiversity prize.

hello. staying with the us election, democrats are hoping its older women voting for harris who will make the difference in this election. this is an incredibly consequential election so consequential election so consequential some say in generations. just to let you know, 82 million people have voted already in the selection but still some people like the very act of showing up on voting day. as we can see they're passing the ballot. it's notjust a choice between kamala harris and donald trump today, lots of other things are let s talk to our correspondent trump kamala harris and donald trump today, lots of other things are on the ballot and in swing on the ballot and in swing states such as abortion rights. states such as abortion rights. democrats are really helping democrats are really helping older women voting for harris older women voting for harris are going to make the are going to make the difference in the selection and difference in the selection and abortion rights of course play abortion rights of course play

into that as well. into that as well. let s talk to our correspondent in washington who 5 been following this, ana faguy. in terms of early voting patterns, what are we seeing from women? in pennsylvania, more than enough voting that men, that is on par with 2020 as well but a number of people there is quite large. there is a huge gender gap between men and women supporting in the selection so harris has around nine points in leads of the mother to son trump is about an eight—point lead in male voters. trump is about an eight-point lead in male voters.— trump is about an eight-point lead in male voters. what role is this issue _ lead in male voters. what role is this issue of _ lead in male voters. what role is this issue of abortion - lead in male voters. what role is this issue of abortion and i is this issue of abortion and reproductive rights playing for women deciding to cast their vote? it women deciding to cast their vote? , , ., ., women deciding to cast their vote? , , ., . ~' vote? it is pivotal. ithink it could end _ vote? it is pivotal. ithink it could end up _ vote? it is pivotal. ithink it could end up deciding - vote? it is pivotal. ithink it could end up deciding the l could end up deciding the selection. especially kamala harris has been since the us

supreme court overrode roe v wade, we've seen voters talking about this and much larger numbers and politicians have been to this of us as well. we now in ten states across the us and millions of voters are going to be making their voice heard on this issue. there is a large amount of abortion access in this country, about 66% of american support access to abortion. american support access to abortion-— american support access to abortion. ~ ., ., abortion. abortion right on the ballot as you _ abortion. abortion right on the ballot as you mentioned - abortion. abortion right on the ballot as you mentioned in - abortion. abortion right on the ballot as you mentioned in ten j ballot as you mentioned in ten states including this battleground state of arizona and nevada. —— are democrats hoping that they put, they make choices around that decision and around harris as well? we soke to and around harris as well? - spoke to experts who told us that because we have seen abortion on the ballot already in some states that when it is

on the ballot it helps candidates who support access to abortion but then it also really helps candidates who are women. people associated the issue with female candidates. there's also been a campaign and it seems an interesting out around women and voting and how their vote is secret. they don't need to tell anyone about it. tell us about that campaign and whether or not you think that has been influential. i have to find out weather extremes influential but we have seen on social media on talktalk and instagram videos of women putting sticky notes on bathrooms your vote is a your husband your father but know you voted for and it's giving this conversation is happening among american whether women prison has one foot differ trump i don't know whether i want to put the tram. cannot for the club? other

woman say yes can. harris campaign to she can. husband and wife going to vote, the husband puts the tram, she was harris, and he says did you make the right choice? she says yes. make the right choice? she says es. �* , ., make the right choice? she says es. , , yes. i've been asking people throughout _ yes. i've been asking people throughout the _ yes. i've been asking people throughout the day - yes. i've been asking people throughout the day in - yes. i've been asking people throughout the day in the i yes. i've been asking people| throughout the day in the us how they are feeling and i know you are a —— met in regular contact with voters. you are a -- met in regular contact with voters.- you are a -- met in regular contact with voters. some folks are feeling _ contact with voters. some folks are feeling nervous _ contact with voters. some folks are feeling nervous and - contact with voters. some folks are feeling nervous and some l are feeling nervous and some folks are feeling, voters who live in swing states are certainly quite excited for this to be over. just because of the courting of these filters has been so extensive and intense everyday there candidates, candidates, spouses, celebrities, and mailboxes are full with flyers trying to get them to vote. it

is an exhaustive process and voters are obviously at the other end of that and they are ready for that to be done. thanks so much forjoining us. this has been filled with campaigns with hours to go. three issues which have been central to the campaign. in an election with many twists and turns, they've been fact checking speeches made by both candidates. these are some of the key claims they've been making. trump has repeatedly attacked government over illegal and crime. she attacked government over illegal and crime.- attacked government over illegal and crime. she let in the thousands _ illegal and crime. she let in the thousands of _ illegal and crime. she let in the thousands of convicted | the thousands of convicted murders. the thousands of convicted murdere— the thousands of convicted murders. , . ., , the thousands of convicted murders. , , .,

murders. this many people coming with this many people coming in. it includes people entering the us under previous administrations, notjust bidens harris. he also told bbc verify that just because bidens harris. he also told bbc verify thatjust because they went into tension, that does not mean they are all on the loose. many will be held by other agencies or in prison. abortion rights are a quiche should the democrat with kamala harris. �* . . harris. i'm certain he will sin a harris. i'm certain he will sign a ban- _ harris. i'm certain he will sign a ban. we _ harris. i'm certain he will sign a ban. we can - harris. i'm certain he will sign a ban. we can add i harris. i'm certain he will| sign a ban. we can add -- sign a ban. we can add —— outlaw abortion. he sign a ban. we can add -- outlaw abortion.— sign a ban. we can add -- outlaw abortion. he did not say this. instead, _ outlaw abortion. he did not say this. instead, he _ outlaw abortion. he did not say this. instead, he said _ outlaw abortion. he did not say this. instead, he said as - this. instead, he said as abortion rights should be left to individual spencer trump has given mixed messages on this the past. this is the first election since the court. including three judges who overturned the abortion ban. the cost of living is a big

issue for both of the candidates. trump has repeatedly highlighted issues. they cause the worst inflation in american history. this they cause the worst inflation in american history.— in american history. this is false. inflation _ in american history. this is false. inflation isn't - in american history. this is false. inflation isn't the - false. inflation isn't the worst in the us on record. inflation is currently 2.1i% in us but it has been much higher under president biden. it peaked at 9% in 2022 as the us led other countries affected by supply chains and the one ukraine. harris has a focus on what is happening on the border with mexico. we what is happening on the border with mexico.— with mexico. we have cut the flow of the — with mexico. we have cut the flow of the illegal _ with mexico. we have cut the | flow of the illegal immigration by half. flow of the illegal immigration b half. , by half. this need context because _ by half. this need context because it _ by half. this need context because it doesn't - by half. this need context because it doesn't give i by half. this need context because it doesn't give a l by half. this need context i because it doesn't give a full picture of a lean immigration and the biden harrison restriction. the flow of migrants encountered was down by half in august 2024 compared to the end of last year which was the highest on record. if you look at the biden's

administration, compared to the 4 million the trump administration. these are just some of the claims that have been made across the campaign. the real question is, what will voters make of them. what they make a difference at the polls? if you look at the qr code on the side of the screen there, if you scan that you can go to some of our podcasts and a radio coverage as well. the global story is an episode that i have recorded with everything you need to know about the us election whether it about what's happening in battleground states, turnout, the all—important question of timing and when we might get a result and i even addressed the issue of what happens when there is a tie but mathematically it could happen.

it is on the global story podcast and also our americas team have a great absence well. scan the qr code and it will take you to the abc —— might be news.

the polish authorities have warned that incendiary packages placed on cargo flights earlier this year were possible practice runs by russia's spy agency for attacks on tra nsa ntla ntic planes. one package caught fire in a warehouse in birmingham injuly, another on the ground in germany and two more were found in poland. russia has denied involvement. with me is our security correspondent frank gardener... this will be very worrying for many people. this will be very worrying for many people-— many people. let's break it down between _ many people. let's break it down between the - many people. let's break itj down between the different facts and what people are alleging which russia denies

the facts are that there were three ignitions and would not call them explosions but there were three packages self ignited in cargo warehouses. earlier this year, injuly sold july 22 to dhl which is a company warehouse in the suburb of birmingham, that was put out, nobody was injured but it has since been the subject of a metropolitan police counter terrorism investigation to find out if anybody deliberately placed incendiary devices on century devices and it was not at the same time, another one exploded ignited in the container in leipzig in germany. another one morsel. the fourth and was intercepted by the polish authorities. they have now arrested four people on suspicion there and that some were sent allegedly from the when you're and polish prosecutors i know alleging

that this could be a dummy run test run to see if it was possible to get his packages on planes at the us and canada. what would happen if ignited in the air? it what would happen if ignited in the air? ., , the air? it would be catastrophic - the air? it would bel catastrophic because the air? it would be i catastrophic because the contain a magnesium compound. it burns with a very strong white light and if you spread water on it, it only aggravates the fire. it would be very difficult for a crew especially on a cargo plane to put this out. unique powderfor it, on the certainly the german authorities have said the pilot would have to make a forced landing and it's quite possible that the whole plane would either blow up in the air scattering debris or it would come down and so it's really serious. the facts are, these things ignited. if you remember

just under a month ago, the director—general of m15 security service in britain alleged that his statement, this was his assessment of threats facing britain, and then look to religion. he says that the g are you in particular that is russia's military intelligence, it is on a sustained mission to generate mayhem on british and european streets, we have seen arson, sabotage and more. he is referring partly down to an arson attack where somebody was convicted, an attack on me on the ukrainian business in london. he was convicted under the national security act but the national security act but the suspicion by polish, us, british and german authorities is that this is part of a wider hybrid warfare concerted campaign by russia to punish those countries that are

supporting ukraine. russia denies it. supporting ukraine. russia denies it-— supporting ukraine. russia deniesit. ., . the world's first wooden satellite, built by researches injapan has been launched into space, in what will test in using timber to explore the moon and mars.(oov)the the palm—sized "lingosat" will stay in orbit for six months to work out whether the material will last in space and if it can put up with extreme temperatures. the kyoto university research team says tests so far have been surprisingly successful and it's a step closer let's speak to director of kyoto university 5 office of global communications david kornhauser who has been working with the team since on the satellite where did you get this idea from? the idea that putting timber in space could be something viable! it actually started with _ something viable! it actually started with something i something viable! it actually started with something very | started with something very naive in a way which was some of these scientists working with woods were just wondering

how would it stand up in the rears of space. then, they began to realise that this might be something that would be useful as a building material.— be useful as a building material. ~ ., , , material. whatever benefits them of using _ material. whatever benefits them of using timber. i material. whatever benefits them of using timber. one | material. whatever benefits. them of using timber. one of them of using timber. one of the most _ them of using timber. one of the most obvious _ them of using timber. one of the most obvious ones i them of using timber. one of the most obvious ones that's| the most obvious ones that's been reported already by the end of the life cycle the shape of the vessel or whatever it builds up very clearly in the atmosphere. so, it is about reducing spacejunk. but atmosphere. so, it is about reducing space junk. but they are other things to like the material can be grown if there are hot houses or other facilities for rearing plants in space. i5 facilities for rearing plants in space-— facilities for rearing plants in sace. , ., ., in space. is that the long-term coal? in space. is that the long-term goal? that _ in space. is that the long-term goal? that will— in space. is that the long-term goal? that will be _ in space. is that the long-term goal? that will be able - in space. is that the long-term goal? that will be able to i in space. is that the long-term goal? that will be able to grow trees in space?— trees in space? some of the thinkin: trees in space? some of the thinking is _ trees in space? some of the thinking is also _ trees in space? some of the thinking is also if _ trees in space? some of the thinking is also if you - trees in space? some of the i thinking is also if you imagine living in the mars colony or at the colony, if you are

surrounded by essentially concrete or sterile looking living spaces it starts to wear on the psychology of the people who are there. so, having wood as a building material might potentially actually make it more livable for people who are there. ~ . ., more livable for people who are there. ~ _, ,., ., , there. when could potentially ha--en? there. when could potentially happen? the _ there. when could potentially happen? the idea _ there. when could potentially happen? the idea of - there. when could potentially happen? the idea of growing | happen? the idea of growing plants and trees in space? whenever we have some type of building where we can spend a lot of time there.— lot of time there. this particular _ lot of time there. this particular satellite i lot of time there. this j particular satellite has lot of time there. this i particular satellite has been launched, how long to be expected to be in space for? just until next summer. it has quite a bit of electronics and tenants and it should be reachable by people with radio so it will be a bit like sputnik and the sense that you can hear signals and get communications back from it. have a test you've done so far been pretty successful? are you

confident that the project is going to do well? confident that the pro'ect is going to do well?i confident that the pro'ect is going to do well? yes, several ears going to do well? yes, several years ago _ going to do well? yes, several years ago are _ going to do well? yes, several years ago are a _ going to do well? yes, several years ago are a number - going to do well? yes, several years ago are a number of i going to do well? yes, several. years ago are a number of wood samples were sent up and exposed to the environment and space for about ten months. actually, the magnolia used came back without any obvious signs of damage. if lexapro is the scientist, they were expecting it to go so well. thank you very much forjoining us. prince william is continuing his four—day tour in south africa as part of the earthshot biodiversity prize — where today he will visit signal hill in cape town. yesterday the prince of wales challenged a group of local school children to a game of rugby and met with young environmentalists. today he'll meet with park rangers and conservationists to discuss the importance of biodiversity. our royal correspomndent daniella relph has the latest from cape town.

prince william has been climbing table top mountain today. it has been described as a biodiversity hotspot. he has been talking about the endangered plant species here. he has been doing it with people who know all about it. they spend their time looking after it stopped caring for it and nurturing it. the conservationist, the park rangers and firefighters who protected. this is the environmental park of prince william's to appear today. young people has been another focus for him. he had a roundtable discussion with again climate leaders from across south africa and southeast asia. he was quite direct with them. he told them that they are the future, you are the generation that will

make life better for everyone. it has been very much a theme about the power of young people during this visit. tonight, it is his eight shot prize award here in cape town. it is being held in a nicojoan which is usable and recyclable. it will be used again after the event. it is a green carpet event. everyone has been told to wear something eco friendly, something sustainable. including prince william himself. we have been told that all of his wardrobe is sustainable. we will find out tonight what you are the winners of the hr price. there is a really big challenges around climate change. each of the winners will win a really big challenges around climate change. each of the winners will win £1 million.

people go to vote on the east coast as what has been described as the most consequential election in a generation. they are notjust voting for the president of course they will decide who will control congress, and the polls are suggesting a possible change in both chambers. what has been seen in the us and the whole world is following, the media is descending on washington. they will come to the american president will have an impact on the world. it will go through the night.

there hasn't been a close race so far, that polls are stagnated ready with kamala harris and donald trump at a time. even if you kamala harris a bit ahead all we know is that this is going to come really right down to the wire. we will have a tonne of information coming into the bbc. it is about getting it out as much as possible. about getting it out as much as ossible. ~ ., i. ., about getting it out as much as ossible. ~ ., , ., ., ., possible. would you have done something _ possible. would you have done something differently? - possible. would you have done something differently? there'sj something differently? there's not a thing _ something differently? there's not a thing that _ something differently? there's not a thing that comes - something differently? there's not a thing that comes to i something differently? there'sl not a thing that comes to mind. they— not a thing that comes to mind. they are — not a thing that comes to mind. they are eating the cat, they are eating _ they are eating the cat, they are eating the _ they are eating the cat, they are eating the dogs. - they are eating the cat, they are eating the dogs. i- they are eating the cat, they are eating the dogs.- are eating the dogs. i will be here going — are eating the dogs. i will be here going through - are eating the dogs. i will be here going through all- are eating the dogs. i will be here going through all the i here going through all the results as they come in. of

course, we're going to be focusing the senate. i'm here and i've been travelling around all the key swing state. i want to get a sense of how voters are feeling. i think thing to look out is the result in the state of pennsylvania. it's the biggest and most important swing states and the vote suggests that absolutely so. whoever wins, suggests that absolutely so. whoeverwins, it suggests that absolutely so. whoever wins, it is history. both candidates are setting out but either way you're going to have the first female president in the country, the first black woman, the first indian american stop or you're going to have an individual who was already president sat out for one term and is back in again. twice impeached and convicted, it is a dramatic time. of

course, what that means the world as well. more from the us coming up. it will be mostly dry with a lot of cloud around, some mist and merck, some low clouds around the coasts may be a bit of drizzle with the cloud will be around. it will be relatively mild for the time of year. we've got a few weather fronts trying to work in after the atlantic but it will be until around friday, we could see a few showers across northern ireland and wasn't looking. most of the afternoon will be cloudy with glimmers of some. temperature sat around low to mid—teens. if you're heading out for bonfire night it's good to see mostly cloudy

and a bit of mist and fog here and a bit of mist and fog here and there. wins will be light. through the night, it stays largely dry and you will see variable close, a few clear spells where sky is clear and built in chile. seven to 11 degrees. into wednesday, it starts to pick up more of a breeze across northern and western areas, restarting some warmer air pushing up from the azores and that might feel notable particularly if you get any clouds but again wednesday is looking mostly cloudy with a bit of mist and fog. favourite spot for some sunshine in northern and western wales, northern and western wales, northern england and scotland. if you do see the sunshine it could be up to 70 celsius. firstly, is a similar story, we got more of a breeze from the south particularly breezy towards northern and western areas with favoured spots

across northern scotland perhaps nobbled to. again, up to the high teens which is high too. there is weatherfronts encroaching into western areas but because they are bumping up again high—pressure ill man space in most places will be rather grey and gloomy but dry. the temperatures at around 15 or16 the temperatures at around 15 or 16 degrees. with high—pressure is a lot more dry weather around and hopefully you'll see more brightness in the north and west.

after one of the most extraordinary campaigns in recent memory, election day voting is now under way to choose the next president of the united states. donald trump and kamala harris have delivered their final pitch to voters, hoping to win over those who are still undecided. i'm in washington, where opinion polls suggest the result is on a knife edge. polling stations are already reporting a high turnout. and more than 80 million americans voted by post or in person before today. also on the programme this lunchtime... the health secretary orders an nhs review into earlier testing for prostate cancer, after sir chris hoy calls for improved screening. just get the test a little bit earlier, catch it before you need

to have any major treatment.