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announcer: funding for presentation of this program is provided by... woman: a law partner rediscovers her grandmother's artistry and creates a trust to keep the craft alive. a raymond james financial advisor gets to know you, your passions and the way you enrich your community. life well planned. announcer: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. announcer: and now, "bbc news" >> i'm caitríona perry in washington on this is bbc world news america. polls show u.s. voters preferred kamala harris' in the

presidential debate to donald trump. david lamb be and anthony blinken visited kyiv. mexico's senate passes controversial judicial reforms even as a protesters break into the lawmakers chamber. hello. welcome to world news america. i'm caitríona perry. the campaigns for u.s. presidential election rivals donald trump and kamala harris are each claiming victory in the pivotal presidential debate. former president donald trump says he believes he did a great job on stage. the republican nominee claims the debate was rigged and accused moderators of bias. the harris campaign posted a photo of newspaper clippings praising the vice presidents performance captioned "winter

god" a pool of more than 200 thousand registered voters that watched at least some of the debate found at least 54% taught harris one while 34 percent thought trump did so. for harris supported the night probably went better than even the most optimistic hoped for. for trump supporters of the reaction was less favorable and some have turned frustrations to the two moderators. david muir and linsey davis. is that criticism fair? >> donald trump says the debate was rigged against him. he was asked afterwards. >> what did you think of the moderators fact checking you? >> i think the moderators were very unfair. >> trump supporters described the debate as a three against one in part because donald trump wasn't fact checked more than harris but he said much more that was not true. >> in springfield they are eating their dogs.

the people that came in are our eating the cats. the people are eating the pets of the people that live there. >> and that prompted one of the more unlikely fact-checks. >> bbc news reached out to the city manager here. he told us there were no specific credible reports of pets being injured, harmed, or abused by individuals in the immigrant community. >> after sourcing the claim to people on television donald trump said this. >> her vice presidential picks as abortion in the ninth month is fine. he says execution after birth. it is execution no longer abortion because the baby is born. it's ok. that's not ok with me. >> the moderators didn't let this past. >> there is no state in the country where it is legal to kill a baby after it is born. >> the moderators the fact checked from five times and kamala harris not once despite her making statements that

required correction. for example, she said donald trump left the worst unemployment since the great depression. that's not true. and she said "if donald trump were to be reelected --. >> if donald trump were reelected he would sign a national abortion ban. >> that statement was misleading. also many trump claims went unchecked. for example, he said, we have millions of boring into our countries from prisons, jails, mental institutions and insane asylums. it's not supported by evidence. during one attack of biden and harris donald trump claims there has been the worst inflation we have ever had and that's not true. how abc approached this was different from cnn in june. it decided not to fact check biden and trump during their debate, though it did so afterwards. this illustrates how since trump ran in 2016 journalism has wrestled with how to respond to

the volume of false and misleading claims he makes. it was tweeted that the moderator arguing with trump will fuel the narrative that moderators are biased against him. maybe it well. while both candidates made statements that required correction donald trump did so much more and it is not biased to point that out. >> it's a close contest that will be fought and won in several battleground states in arizona, michigan, nevada, pennsylvania, and north carolina. we have spoken to congresspeople in some of the states to get a sense of how they felt the debate went. first, north carolina congress man edwards. i asked him if he thought donald trump could have done better. >> i think the former president has the message that resonates with the american people. i don't trust the polls. the ultimate pool is november 5

where voters will say they have had enough. and they simply cannot take the harris/biden administration policies anymore. >> your state of north carolina is one of the battleground states. it is currently too close to call going on the polls. what do you think will have appealed to undecided voters in north carolina from what they saw and heard it last night? >> i think every voter, republicans, unaffiliated, democrats, will vote on what they have seen it taking place. the miserable failures that they have seen taken place under harris and biden. mortgages are up exponentially. folks can't afford groceries. gas is up. there are all kinds of concerns across the entire political spectrum over the issues at the

border. and no one owns the issues at the border anymore than kamala harris. >> do you think anything said in the debate last night will have changed their minds at all or is it purely about the issues that exist? >> political debates are something we have to do. but, i think that we have learned over the last several years that it is more political gamesmanship. it gives a chance for folks to at least know who their candidates are and hear about some of the issues. but, ultimately, folks who are going to vote on november 5 based on the fact that their life is no better off than -- in fact, far worse, than we were three years ago. >>: aside, from your experience in north carolina is the race as

tight as it appears there? >> it seems close now. but, what you had are a lot of folks out there that aren't coming out for one reason or another for any candidate. the closer we get, the more convinced i am that folks will go to the gas pump and make up their mind that they will vote for donald trump. they will go to the grocery store and realize how much mess they are carrying home for their -- unless they are carrying home for their $100 than they were three years ago and they will let that decision to determine who they will vote for. >> what does donald trump need to do now moving into the weeks ahead to target those voters in north carolina? >> i think he needs to continue the message that he has been on for the last several weeks. under his administration,

before, our lives were so much better. inflation was at 1.9%. as opposed to the highest levels that we have now seen in 40 years under harris and biden. he needs to continue to talk about how much safer we were in our homes and on our streets under his administration. because, he had a policy in place to begin to shut down the border. he was supporting law enforcement. our energy in america was being unleashed under his policies. regulations were being rolled back. he needs, and he will continue to talk about those things that really are the things the election will come down to. >> we last spoke to you at a donald trump rally in asheville a couple years ago. do you expect to see the former

president in your state a lot? >> i think he realizes how important north carolina is. we never see the schedule too far in advance. but, i know he is really depending on north carolina. he likes north carolina. north carolina was good to him. really good to him in the last election. but, i also recognize that there are other battleground states that might need his time a little more. i would not put it past him or hold it against him if he spend more time in those states because we need him to win. >> to get perspective from the democratic party and another swing state i have been speaking with congressman dan kelce from michigan. -- dan kilby from michigan. the initial polling in the wake of the debate shows kamala harris performed better than trump. do you think she can translate that into votes?

>> i think it will make a difference. while she has been vice president, senator, and attorney general some americans out there have not yet fully formed their view of vice president harris. this debate was the first opportunity for those undecided voters to take measure of these two candidates. and, she did quite well. so, it sometimes takes a little time for this to sink in and be reflected in the polling. but from my point of view as a prison that is very enthusiastic about her candidacy, this was a good moment and i think it will translate to initial support. >> your state, michigan, is one of the battleground state at the moment looking too close to call, very tight. what will appeal to the undecided voters you are trying to attract in michigan? >> two categories. one is the measure of the character of the two candidates and then, the issues. on the issue of character,

donald trump was completely incoherent. kamala harris showed command of the moment, of the stage. she presented herself as an honest-to-goodness reasonable human being. donald trump was kind of scary. so, on the issue of these people and who they are, the donald trump we saw on television is in real donald trump. that is just too he is. so, on the issue of the personal characteristics of the two, he failed miserably. on the issues where people will really make decisions on these things, take, for example an important issue in the u.s., reproductive rights. the ability of a woman to make her own decisions about whether and when to have a family. donald trump refused to answer a very basic question, whether he would sign or veto a national abortion ban.

and, to the extent that foreign policy might matter, we are waging a war supporting ukraine in their war to try to retain their territorial integrity against vladimir putin. in this russian aggression. donald trump would not say he thinks ukraine should prevail. >> congressman, to jump in on the issue of questions that were not answered, whether she thought the american people were better or worse off now compared to four years ago. she did not give a direct answer to that. in your state, people prefer donald trump when it comes to handling issues of economy and inflation. what can she do their? >> resulting from the biden flashers administration, we expect even in the coming weeks, more announcements of new manufacturing jobs. i think the challenge for the

harris campaign and for democrats generally is to make sure we explain to people that when the big new factories are being built, when announcements are occurring, when our economy is showing the potential of growth, it is not just a piece of good luck or an accident, it is the result of intentional industrial policy. we have grown manufacturing jobs under the biden/harris campaign. people are making up their minds to let them come to their own conclusions. >> we saw a peaceful pro-palestinian palestinian protesters place a a few blocks from the debates into last night. kamala harris says she intends to continue this administration's policy with regards to support for israel. how much support could that cost her in michigan? >> it is an important issue. it is a policy area where i have some differences with the current administration.

i believe what we have been seeing is a need for the u.s. to take a different approach when it comes to israel. i support the ability of israel to defend itself. i definitely support its right to exist. but, that does not mean we as americans should have no opinion as to how israel conducts itself in achieving those goals. i would encourage vice president harris to take a new tact on this, not to walk away from our ally, israel, but to make sure american values and principles are being adhered to when it comes to the ability of israel to defend itself. we have seen some of her commentary. i think it is slightly divert from current u.s. policy. but it is a touchy issue. i think she has to take it head-on. >> uk foreign secretary david lammy and u.s. secretary of

state antony blinken are visiting ukraine meeting with president volodymyr zelenskyy who called for strong decisions about allowing his country to use a long-range weapons for strikes in russia. western allies have so far resisted the demands over fears of an escalation of violence. the top british and american diplomats each pledged major financial support to kyiv. david lammy said the u.k. would provide six hundred million pounds, $780 million u.s. to help ukraine's energy stabilization needs. antony blinken announced more than $700 million of assistance for kyiv for the purpose of energy and humanitarian support. in a joint press conference the allies underlined their backing of ukraine. >> the bottom line is we want ukraine to win and we are fully committed to keep marshaling the support that it needs for its great defenders and citizens to do that. >> the u.k. commitment isn't

just for this winter. we are talking about a 100 year partnership. because we stand with ukraine for the long haul. >> in an interview with the bbc in kyiv, foreign secretary lammy said the conversation has changed around the use of ukrainian long-range weapons in russia following concern among allies that around -- iran is supplying missiles to moscow. i spoke with a member of the ukrainian parliament about western support for ukraine. we saw big pledges today from the u.s. and ukraine for extra funding for ukraine. what difference will it make to your counteroffensive against russia? >> it's very important and i am so thankful to the people of the united states and united kingdom for their support announced today. it is important. both military support and support for energy infrastructure and to help ukraine come through this definitely very harsh winter.

the winter is coming for ukraine. definitely. we are very thankful. it's very important. >> british foreign secretary david lammy said around sending long-range missiles to pressure changes the debate about what ukraine it needs. he says it's important now to help ukraine. from your perspective does "to do more to help ukraine" mean lifting restrictions on weapons given to your country? >> yes, partly that's important. because it is ridiculous to have the weapon but not be able to use it the way we need to. it is like we have just one hand and the secondhand is tied behind their back and we can't drive. because we need more weaponry, we need more sanctions against russia, we need more political pressure on pressure, we need everything.

because, russia still tries to achieve their goals. and with iran delivering ballistic missiles to pressure there is an axis of power that is iran, north korea, russia, and behind them china. they are united on their efforts to win the war and destroy the international order. >> you mentioned winter is coming for and in ukraine. what kind of timeline would you put on it for making those changes? >> not much time. we have maybe one or two months left before it will be essential for us to just survive the winter. are there isn't much time. >> i want to ask you about the u.s. presidential debate last night. the republican nominee former president donald trump was twice asked if he wanted ukraine to be victorious in the war with russia. he didn't say yes either time he was asked. rather, he said he wanted to work for and negotiate a deal.

he said it was a war dying to be settled. what is it the ukrainian view of those remarks? >> we are very concerned, definitely. we are looking closely at following the u.s. elections. yes, president trump yesterday did not respond to this question , which was twice asked. but also, i am personally concerned because we don't understand what president trumbull he will do if elected. and, vice president kamala harris also didn't answer the question, how will her policy be different from the policy of joe biden? because it that's also the question. we are thankful for the u.s. for the support we are receiving and personally to joe by -- joe abide in. we are receiving just enough support from his administration

to survive, but not win. we are concerned. we are looking closely and we hope the new administration, whoever elected will make bold steps to stop the people to protect our own values and protect the civilized world. >> there have been widespread protests in mexico after the supreme court approved a bill saying all judges would be elected by popular vote. demonstrators broke into the building where the vote for the legislation was taking place. lawmakers moved to a different building to cast the vote following a dramatic late-night session paused by protesters chanting "the judiciary will not fall" in the senate chamber. supporters of the judicial reform says it makes judges more accountable to the mexican people. critics argue it undermines the countries system of checks and balances. the bill was promoted by outgoing president andres manuel lopez obrador who had previously

clashed with the supreme court over changes to energy and security policy. we will go to mexico city to speak to will grant the bbc mexico correspondent. why is this so contentious? >> well, i think the key bit that is a very, very controversial in mexico is the element of voting for judges. all 7000 judges and magistrates in mexico will be chosen by direct popular vote within a couple years. this is something that has obviously been championed by the outgoing president manuel lopez obrador. he hopes to make the system more democratic. all of the protesters you mentioned that tried to prevent the entire debate from being had and in the vote from going ahead believe it undermines the independence of mexico's judiciary and at that it will concentrate power in the hands of the ruling party. one of those leading voices is

at the head of mexico's supreme court herself, norma pena who has a pessimistic view of what may now come next. >> i think mexico's future will be affected by this, not just as a state, but the ordinary citizenry, the general public. at present, a federal judge can't overrule any arbitrary act carried out by the authorities. if they are going to be chosen by the popular vote they will have to serve and set well in their electorate. so the judge as a counter weight between the authorities and citizens will be deleted. >> given that level of protest, what is likely to happen next? >> first things first, now this moves to the president himself. he will simply rubberstamp it. it has been a key part of its project for some time. he has long said mexico's judicial system is simply not fit for purpose.

that it is deeply corrupt. but i think the problem lies in the fact that so many of those protesting more workers from the judicial system, from the supreme court. they have a very few intentions to make life easy for the incoming president claudia sheinbaum in enacting this piece of legislation. they really believe the fight won't end here. they will make like -- life difficult and continued to strike, in many cases. though the legal avenues, as it were, are beginning to close, the idea of continued protests, continued strikes, still lies open. >> will grant in mexico city, thank you. remembrance events are taking place across the u.s. in memory of the 23rd anniversary of the september 11 terror attacks. >> a bell tolled at ground zero in new york to mark the moment the first plane hit the world

trade center. 3000 people were killed in the attacks in new york, the pentagon, and pennsylvania on that day in 2001. more have died since from illnesses contracted from the site of the collapse. wednesday u.s. presidential campaigning was put on pause as donald trump and kamala harris took part in the remembrance service at memorial plaza. like every year, the names of the victims were read out as family members and officials held a moment of silence. as always, stay up-to-date with announcer: funding for presentation of this program is provided by... financial services firm, raymond james. announcer: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. ♪ ♪

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♪ >> good evening. >> tonight, the key takeaways from the debate. we delve into the issues and