And crime have dominated talking points, along along with two people not there us President Joe Biden and leading 2024 republican candidate former president donald trump. The debate, televised by the Fox Business Network and univison, features seven candidates. They were required to reach polling and donor threshholds set by the Republican National committee. In order to take part. But, for the second time in his 2024 campaign, donald trump isnt taking part in the debate. The 77 year old has suggested sharing a stage with what he deems low polling rivals could only hurt his commanding lead. It comes as he faces mounting legal challenges, and indictments, and just four months before the Iowa Caucuses begin that formally launch the gops nomination process. Mr trump instead is in detorit where he talked to car workers and blue collar employees. It comes Afterjoe Biden became the first sitting us president tojoin a picket line on tuesday at the invitation of the united auto workers, the Union Striking at three major carmakers. Earlier, i spoke with cbs news senior white house and Political Correspondent ed okeefe. Ed okeefe, thanks Forjoining Us for the second debate. What can we expect from tonight . I think you are going to see these are seven that are on stage tonight, some call them the jv team, some call them the Vice President ial tryouts, what they are really trying to do is get it from seven to maybe two or three byjanuary, when iowa and New Hampshire start really voting and thinking about this more seriously. It is still very early. So keep plodding along, trying to make their points, hoping that others ran out of money, out of polling steam, and can no longer make the stage. And continue drawing, if not shy, then gentle contrast with President Trump. For a number of primary voters across the country, especially in iowa and New Hampshire, who continue to say im thinking about the former president , but im open to somebody else, and a quarter of the electorate continues to say i dont want him. I am looking for somebody other than him to eventually become the nominee. There is plenty of time. They will be having one of these each month going into january and beyond and it will help eventually winnow the field. With the exception of nikki haley, who has moved up a little bit, theres very Little Movement in all of the polls. Are we kind of suggesting here that ignore all the polls and wait for the voters to get into those caucuses . If youre somebody outside the United States looking at this and wondering what is the best way to gauge how this is going, dont look at those national essentially Beauty Contests and name identification figures. Look at how they are doing in the states of iowa and New Hampshire, which will go first and second, those are the two most recent reliable states to poll right now. And what youre seeing is a tighter race. You saw a slight uptick for nikki haley, but you still see Florida Governor ron desantis is in second. So, inevitably, among the other five on stage, the two of them are likely to get the most heat from everybody else. Or if you are one of those lower tier ones you want to knock out someone else to get to hayley and desantis. And theres still plenty of time to do that. How can they set themselves apart from each other . Talk about what means to be a conservative. Talk about Abortion Access in this country are you for more or less of it . Stricter Abortion Laws or more lenient ones . You talk about the fact that while it may be a Bedrock Principle of the Republican Party to restrict abortion services, it is politically tricky for them to do it right now when polling shows there is broader support for broader access. On foreign policy, do you see them discuss future funding for the war in ukraine more, less, or about the same . And what does it mean to be a republican . That is still a big part of what is going on any gop. Yes, former President Trump dominates, but he wont always be there. So what will the future of the party look like . More populist or more traditional conservative like Ronald Reagan was . In many ways, though, it feels like the Main Campaign has kicked off. We sanoe biden on the picket line. We see donald trump tonight in a non union house but still talking to auto workers. Like, those two have decided to leave everyone else behind. Sure, because month after month hes leading by double digits. And it very well ultimately may be, if he pulls it off. Certainly, democrats and the white house hope its him. They know how to beat him. They did it before and they can they believe they can do it again. They get more worried and concerned and confused if somebody else starts to emerge, in part because it becomes a generational contrast and that is when they know right now they probably would lose. So, youre seeing the president s Campaign Running ads in michigan tonight calling out trump. Youre going to see him go to arizona tomorrow to call out his concerns about the future of democracy, reminding people what happened on 6january, who they were doing that for, and what trump and his supporters have done and said in the years since. That is an issue that still polls very well and is of concern to the majority of americans. Its one republicans dont necessarily want to talk about, but its what the white house and democrats certainly do. Sojoe biden is very much in Campaign Mode then . Little by little hes getting there. Hes spending time here in california and across the country raising the millions of dollars he is going to need for next year. But every so often he holds an event like the one he will tomorrow to start to remind people that this is what i look like as a candidate next year. Speaking of money, there is a fundraising deadline looming as next week. How are all the republican candidates doing in terms of the financials that mean they can stay in or get out . Its a good question. And its less to me about how much they � ve raised but how much they have in the bank. Can you afford to keep travelling to iowa and New Hampshire and thinking ahead to South Carolina and to other states that will vote in one Big Day Of March next year . Or are you seeing them have to pare back, lay off staff, and travel less and get more face time perhaps on television in order to get the word out . Those that have enough in the bank to continue going through the fall are the ones that will survive. Those that dont, it will be increasingly hard to give you 5 let alone 5,000. So you will start to see the field shrink as the year progresses. We will see what happens tonight. Ed okeefe of cbs news, thanks Forjoining Us. Great to be with you. Earlier, i spoke with marc short, former chief of staff to then Vice President mike pence. Mr pence has only been polling in the single digits, as he looks to break from the pack. We talk about the impact mr pence needs to make before this debate finishes. What does he need to do at tonights debate . He what does he need to do at tonights debate . He needs to sta the tonights debate . He needs to stay the course tonights debate . He needs to stay the course and tonights debate . He needs to stay the course and remind. Stay the course and remind American Voters that he more than anyone on that stage inherits the legacy of Ronald Reagan, Spectrum Conservative across the board, whether or not how to address national security, the failing economy, the family issues confronting our nation. I think that is the cost, continually reminding the voters that is who we years. More than anyone else he also inherent the legacy of donald trump. Inherent the legacy of donald trum. ,. ~ inherent the legacy of donald trum. ,. ~ , trump. Sure, and i think he is roud trump. Sure, and i think he is proud of trump. Sure, and i think he is proud of that trump. Sure, and i think he is proud of that legacy. Trump. Sure, and i think he is proud of that legacy. I trump. Sure, and i think he is proud of that legacy. I think i proud of that legacy. I think he feels in those four years a lot was accomplished that was good for our country, making us more competitive on the global stage. That separation is mikes commitment to constitution. Unfortunately donald trump violated his. It is an important part. I5 donald trump violated his. It is an important part. Is it hard for is an important part. Is it hard for him is an important part. Is it hard for him to is an important part. Is it hard for him to ask is an important part. Is it| hard for him to ask voters is an important part. Is it hard for him to ask voters to separate that . I hard for him to ask voters to separate that . Separate that . I think it is but at the separate that . I think it is but at the same separate that . I think it is but at the same time separate that . I think it is| but at the same time most elections are about the future not the past that it is important that he continues to tell what his vision is for the nation going forward, how his policies would solve issues. Ronald reagan stood over a very different Republican Party than the one we have today, particularly around foreign policy. Mike pence is one of the few candidates who want to bring america back into that role as the welder� s policeman. Will he be seeking to exercise that tonight . It will he be seeking to exercise that tonight . That tonight . It is a fair oint. That tonight . It is a fair point i that tonight . It is a fair point. I do that tonight . It is a fair point. I do not that tonight . It is a fair point. I do not think that tonight . It is a fair| point. I do not think that that tonight . It is a fair point. I do not think that he views us as the welder� s policeman but he believes the world is safer when america is a strong and when america retreats from that role, just as the same as the uk, we believe the world is less safe so it is important that america continued to stand for freedom and the principles that have always drawn people to our country and if we abandon that and shirk from our responsibilities, i think the world is less safe for everybody. World is less safe for everybody world is less safe for eve bod. ~. , everybody. We have seen the republican everybody. We have seen the Republican Party everybody. We have seen the Republican Party sent everybody. We have seen the Republican Party sent back i everybody. We have seen the i Republican Party sent back from finding ukraine. There are divisions arising over that. There are important Policy Debates and that is understandable. Ever since 9 11 we have been asking our Men And Women to serve overseas and i think america is tired of that and it is understandable, but at the same time there has to be a leader who stands up and explained that vladimir putin, his ambitions are beyond ukraine and if we think hes going to stop there, we mistaken an event american Men And Women will be sacrificed to protect freedom whereas now the investment is that russias the second Largest Military end of the world, is now perhaps the second largest in ukraine. I5 second largest in ukraine. Is there a point at which mike pence would step out of the race of make it easy that till the end . Race of make it easy that till the end . A,. ,. , the end . More uncertainty than ever before the end . More uncertainty than ever before because the end . More uncertainty than ever before because so the end . More uncertainty than ever before because so many i ever before because so many legal hurdles donald trump still faces. Many feel these indictments are politically charged but there are so many more hurdles ahead. There is a lot for this race to go. Lot for this race to go. Thank ou so lot for this race to go. Thank you so much lot for this race to go. Thank you so much for lot for this race to go. Thank you so much forjoining lot for this race to go. Thank you so much Forjoining Us. I now to mr trumps counter programming, where he addressed workers at a plant in michigan, after touring a manufacturing facility. Hes been talking about protecting us workers from foreign competition. I want a future that protects american labour, not foreign labour. A future that puts American Dream overforeign profits and a feature that raises american wages, that strengthens american industry, that builds National Pride and defend this countrys dignity, not squanders it all to build up Foreign Countries that hate us. Live now to luigi gjokaj, Vice President of the United Autoworkers Union local 51. You had a little bit of what donald trump has been saying. What is your reaction . Mr; what is your reaction . My reaction what is your reaction . My reaction is, what is your reaction . My reaction is, we what is your reaction . Ij� i reaction is, we have what is your reaction . M reaction is, we have had what is your reaction . M1 reaction is, we have had four years of donald trump, we have had almost four years ofjoe biden, and the otter bikers are going to have to look at that and see who really has our back. A lot of people are going to come at the 11th hour and throw their weight and support behind us, now that we have gone on this massive strike, this undertaking, we willjudge them on what they do not what they say. Them on what they do not what the sa. ,. ,. , them on what they do not what the sa. , ~ them on what they do not what the sa. , 1, they say. Going on strike is not they say. Going on strike is rrot easy they say. Going on strike is rrot easy for they say. Going on strike is not easy for workers they say. Going on strike is not easy for workers but i they say. Going on strike is i not easy for workers but when you see the former president there, although he was at a non union house, the current president there last night, the first question at the debate here tonight has been about the striking workers, all of that attention must be welcomed though, is it . Attention must be welcomed though. Is it . Attention must be welcomed though, is it . Yes, were glad that it is though, is it . Yes, were glad that it is focusing though, is it . Yes, were glad that it is focusing on though, is it . Yes, were glad that it is focusing on the that it is focusing on the ottowa could struggle and what we are trying to accomplish with this strike but, again, were looking for more than just words. Were looking for more than just words were looking for more than just words. Donald trump did mention the just words. Donald trump did mention the threat just words. Donald trump did mention the threat of just words. Donald trump did mention the threat of jobs i mention the threat ofjobs moving to china, the threat to the traditional Auto Industry from electric vehicles, some things that you and your members feel strongly about as well . ~. ,. , members feel strongly about as well . ~. ,. , members feel strongly about as well . ,. ,. , well . We are always looking out for what the well . We are always looking out for what the next well . We are always looking out for what the next straight well . We are always looking out for what the next straight deal l for what the next straight deal is. We never want to go backwards. We never go back to the era of the giant sucking sound of the Auto Industry going offshore. We want to make sure it is going to keep employing Union Workers and were not going lose anyjobs over it and also that materials are going to be ethically sourced. The strike is notjust for Union Workers but for middle class everywhere, we created the middle class and we want to really focus on what were to accomplish here. You are two weeks were to accomplish here. You are two weeks or were to accomplish here. You are two weeks or so were to accomplish here. You are two weeks or so into the strike. In terms of what youre trying to accomplish, how the negotiations going . Negotiations going . From but the leaders negotiations going . From but the leaders have negotiations going . From but the leaders have told negotiations going . From but the leaders have told us, i negotiations going . From but the leaders have told us, it i negotiations going . From but the leaders have told us, it isj the leaders have told us, it is looking like there is more progress than the other two. The other parts plants inaudible and waiting for an update from the president to see where were at, and optimistically waited to see where were. If we have a big deal, were ready to vote in a big deal. The members have the right to vote it in or voted down. The deal is not what we have been talking in the last few years, we are willing to go on the strike as well. [30 few years, we are willing to go on the strike as well. On the strike as well. Do you think the on the strike as well. Do you think the strike on the strike as well. Do you think the strike will on the strike as well. Do you think the strike will be i think the strike will be expanded . As always a possibility. We really dont know. The negotiations are not being kept as tight as they should. We are getting updates as we should. Everything is going real good as far as communication but they will not give hourly or daily updates. And it is time to hear something our leaders will have something to notify the as they have over the past 12 days. The as they have over the past 12 da s. ,. , the as they have over the past 12da s. ,. , ~ ,. , 12 days. For those workers who are not striking 12 days. For those workers who are not striking but 12 days. For those workers who are not striking but who 12 days. For those workers who are not striking but who are i are not striking but who are continuing to work under expired contract, how is that working out . It expired contract, how is that working out . Expired contract, how is that working out . It has presented some unique working out . It has presented some unique issues. Working out . It has presented some unique issues. Its i some unique issues. Its something ive never, you know, seenin something ive never, you know, seen in my 13 years. I ate dont believe some of the more legacy workers with 20 30 years have seen that also. As presented some unique challenges. But we were prepared for it. We have resources at our disposal. We are working through that on a day to day, plant by plant basis. But, at ali watt, i am that i have a union that is that i have a union that is that a vote for me every single day. Id tell you what. That a vote for me every single day. Id tell you what. Day. Id tell you what. From the united day. Id tell you what. From the united workers day. Id tell you what. From the united workers union, i day. Id tell you what. From l the united workers union, thank you for bringing us up to date on bbc news. And a quick programming note. Well have an hour long look at the second Republican Debate here in simi, california at 11pm here on the east coast. Thats 4am in london or about 45 minutes from now. Well break down the winners and losers of the evening with a panel of experts, and highlight the most memorable moments. So please tune in for that. Around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. Lets look at some other stories making news. In the iraqi city of hamdaniya, mourners gathered to bury the People Killed in a fire at a wedding. The blaze killed more than 100 people in the countrys biggest christian town. The fire started when flares ignited a ceiling decoration. The red crescent says hundreds were injured. Gb news has suspended two of its presenters, dan wootton and laurence fox, after sexist comments fox made on woottons programme tuesday night about a female political journalist which the channel said were completely unacceptable. Wootton apologised for what he called a very unfortunate lapse injudgement. The reporter ava evans said she feared for her safety. The channel has opened an investigation. Storm elias flooded parts of Central Greece wednesday. Heavy rain in the city of volos flooded several roads near the port there. Video shows vehicles trying to manoeuvre through the floods, as Emergency Crews patrol the area rescuing people trapped. Landslides and Power Outages have also been reported. It comes just weeks after deadly flooding from storm daniel, in the region. Youre live with bbc news. In washington, theres been no clear progress in efforts in the house to avoid a partial Government Shutdown by sunday. Republican hardliners have been threatening to block the passage of spending legislation unless there are significant budget cuts. President biden said key Government Services could be disrupted. A loss of vital work in science and health could be impacted, from Cancer Research to food safety. So the American People need our American Friends In The House to do theirjob. Republican friends. House speaker Kevin Mccarthy says he plans to introduce a stop gap spending bill friday, but its still not clear on whether that could pass. The us soldier travis king, who was being held in north korea, is on his way home right now. Private king entered north korea by running across the demilitarised zone in july. He had been due to be flown to the us, to face military disciplinary proceedings, when he escaped his escort. On wednesday, north korea said it would expel the soldier for illegally entering its territory. He was taken to china, placed in us custody and is now on his way to an American Military base. National security Adviserjake Sullivan thanked sweden and china for their assistance in gaining private kings release. Now to a crisis unfolding in a region disputed by both armenia and azerbaijan. The exodus of Ethnic Armenians from Nagorno Karabakh surpassed 50,000 on wednesday. More than a third of residents have fled in the aftermath of azerbaijans Military Takeover Last week. Many have ended up in the town of goris, from where our correspondent, Sarah Rainsford reports. Well, the flow of refugees from Nagorno Karabakh is not only continuing, its increasing and intensifying. You can see behind me here, just one car, but theres streets full of cars like this piled up with peoples possessions, roof racks piled high, boots jammed full, and the cars themselves full of families. Weve seen seven or eight people squeezed into some cars. We even saw a dumper truck yesterday with children on board, a couple of dozen Children Peering over the top of that truck, because people are using any transport and any means they can to leave Nagorno Karabakh and come here to armenia. Because what theyre telling me, when they get here, is that they dont feel safe to stay in that enclave now. They have been told by the azerbaijani authorities that they would be protected, that their human rights are guaranteed, but nobody ive spoken to believes that information. They cant trust that there have been so many wars between armenia and azerbaijan and in Nagorno Karabakh specifically, that the people who have lived there for decades, now say they have to leave. And there have been a lot of tears its a really depressed mood as people flood over into armenia. These are people who dont believe theyre ever going back to Nagorno Karabakh. And a lot of them have said its kind of like its an exodus. You know, its not a temporary evacuation they dont believe theyll see their homes again. And that means a huge amount, people have left their graves behind of their loved ones, theyve left some of them, the graves of people who died fighting for Nagorno Karabakh. This is a piece of land that means a huge amount to armenians. Of course, it means a lot to azerbaijanis too, around about a million azerbaijanis were actually forcibly displaced from that same territory back in the early 1990s. It is a hotly disputed piece of land, but it is now the armenians who are being forced to leave. And this area where we are now is struggling to cope with the exodus. There are refugees staying in all of the hotels here, in some of the other facilities too, and even people sleeping in their cars overnight. And theres now another town thats opened up for refugees, a couple of hours from here, because the intensity of that flow now is so huge. Ukraine has wrapped up oral arguments in its ongoing case against russia before the International Court of justice. Kyiv has tried to demonstrate that russias Military Intervention is based on unfounded allegations of genocide and therefore within thejurisdiction of the court. Our correspondent Anna Holligan was there. This represents the end of a small but critical part of the process. The legal arguments have been extensive and complex. Let me bring you right up complex. Let me bring you right up to date on the final day of these jurisdiction hearings. Ukraine told the judges that breathtaking atrocities continue to this day. And going back to february 2022, gives rise of systematically abusing the genocide convention, recognising sham republics, brutalising civilians, all for the apparent purpose, ukraine said, preventing a non existent genocide when, in truth, executing a self serving invasion. He haves representatives represent when a record 32 countries stood with one strong and united dignified voice. Ukraine said in support of their claim. Russia had dismissed this united action, saying it was part of a darker conspiracy. But what gear� s representatives pointed out was one of the country was prepared to stand inside the peace palace and speak in support of russia. They said that was because of so many countries wanted to preserve and protect the integrity of this vital convention, the genocide convention. Ukraines allegiance ended the session by juxtaposing the days in court with events happening almost simultaneously on the ground in ukraine, drone strays, ms alidad, civilian casualties, as she reminded thejudges alidad, civilian casualties, as she reminded the judges we came to you a year and a half ago, we still need your protection today. The judges have now retired. They will consider the points presented by both sides before deciding whether or not this case continues, whether or not they have a legal mandate to hear this case. The decision is expected within the next six months. Ukraines representative cautioned we do not have the luxury of time. To india, where demonstrators have clashed with police for a second day in the capital of the Northeastern State of manipur. India has reimposed an internet ban and schools have been closed. Protests began when photos emerged of the bodies of two students from the Meitei Community who went missing injuly. Israels Supreme Court will on thursday hear petitions against a new law passed by Benjamin Netanyahus coalition, which makes it more difficult to declare a Prime Minister unfit for office. The law states that only the Prime Minister himself or the cabinet can declare the leader unfit, and only due to physical or mental incapacity. The cabinet vote would then need to be ratified by a two thirds majority in the knesset. Petitioners have called for the striking of the law, arguing the legislaton was passed solely for netanyahus benefit, as he faces an ongoing corruption trial. Finally, us astronaut frank rubio said its good to be home. He spent more than a year on board the International Space station. His 371 days in space set a record for us space travel. Rubio and two russian cosmonauts touched down in Southeast Kazakhstan on wednesday. The crew was set to return six months ago, but a leak in their original spacecraft delayed their return. Iam i am Caitriona Perry at the Ronald Reagan president ial library in california. Thanks for watching. Library in california. Thanks forwatching. Do library in california. Thanks for watching. Do stay with us here on bbc news. Take care now. Hello there. Well, its rather stormy on wednesday out towards the north and the west, storm agnes clearing, of course, overnight. And then, thursday, its looking a lot calmer. Itll still be rather blustery, particularly through the morning. Still some coastal gales in northern scotland, but some sunshine around for most, clouding over from the west into the afternoon. So, there goes storm agnes, that deep area of low pressure, gradually filling the winds, lightning and the rain pulling away, too. It is a mild start to thursday morning. Temperatures no lower for most of us than 13 15 celsius, so more or less what some spots would expect to see by day at this time of year. Now, were between weather systems, so its a dry and a bright start. Still rather blustery out there. Brisk southwesterly winds, possibly some coastal gales for northern scotland. Clouding over from the west as we head through the afternoon and parts of Northern Ireland and western scotland, maybe western wales will see some showers a bit later on through the day as well. Temperatures a little lower than they were on wednesday, but still mild for the time of year 16 20 celsius for most. Now, on thursday night, it does stay very mild indeed. Well still see some outbreaks of rain, possibly a little feature just moving into the south and the east as we head into friday morning, too, potentially. A mild start to the day lows between 12 16 celsius at this time. Now, a little feature could possibly give us some outbreaks of rain towards the south and the east on friday morning, perhaps, but that is set to clear away. Some showers towards the north West Of Scotland again. But in the middle, therell be a lot of dry, bright weather, plenty of sunshine around. The winds are a lot lighter, and again, temperatures are expected to peak at around 17 20 celsius. So, again, above the seasonal average, and thats generally where theyre expected to stay as we head through the course of the weekend as well. Now, there will be some wet weather around at times, i think particularly on saturday, from this area of low pressure just pushing in from the west there. So, turning rather wet, rather windy, towards Western Areas of scotland, Northern Ireland, possibly western wales as well as we head through the afternoon. But further south and east, it does look as if it will stay largely dry. Again, temperatures in the mid to the high teens for most, maybe 20 celsius in the south. Those temperatures in the south and the east climbing further on sunday for the start of october. Bye bye. This is bbc news. We will have the headlines and all the main news stories for you at the top of the hour straight after this programme. You were shot at, shelled, bombed, mortared. And you had to let the bombs go from the aircraft. How many young people did we actually kill . We looked at the aircraft and the whole of the back of it had been shredded with the shell splinters. I if the sergeant says jump, you said, how high . We just did whatever we were told to do. In the sand, the only way to survive really seemed to be