E freeman foundation. By judy and Peter Blum Kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for americas neglected needs. And by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. Thank you. Laura i am Laura Trevelyan and thiss bc world news america. Reth six days to go behe thelection more an 70 million and counting, early voting is all the rage across the United States. Dormany and france impose a Second National wn as covid19 cases in europe continue to rise. What you need tonight. We will meet the guitar girls who are using music to change their lives. One day i am be a famous. Not just in afghastan. Laura welcome to world news america. It is just six days to go until the official u. S. Electiobut more than 70 million he already voted including President Trump and joe biden, ballot as a u. S. Citizrst ever i went to downtown boklyn in the cold and rain to find out what was getting everyone out and about so early. The line in ooklyn for early voting goes around thendlock and beyo. New york is hardly a battleground state. Joe biden is counting on winning here, but w yorkers are turning up to have their say. 7 00 a. M. , cold, dark and look at this enthusiasm for democracy. It is my first time voting in a u. S. President ial election as an erican citizen. Im so excited to be online with my fellow americans. Is important to y to vote in this election . Nt it is imporo vote in every election, but this one in particular i felt was important. I felt like democracy was at stake. I feel there has been a level of chaos i have not seen before in government and i feel like i would like to at least get it back to what, i feel like, is a normal presidency. [laughs] laura what has motivat you to get out so early . Of to get trump ou office. Laura why . He is a white supremacist and doing so many bad things i do not even know where to start. Laura good morning. Voting itself was very straightforward and having done my civic duty it was time to head to staten island. They were the only to vote for donald trump in 2016. Support is still strong. I do not like what is haening in my country so i voted down the line. Laura what are you hoping for as an outcom donald trump to win and move forward with the economy, jobs, get rid of all the racism. Just to be cohesive. Laura many new yorkers have waited in line for hours and the board ofnolections was prepared. The top officialenies. We had folks showing up saturday morning when the pollsa open 10 00 a. M. At 6 00 a. M. The lines were forming. Thisportant to people. They are willing to put the time into it and they are going to make their vois heard. Laur in new york city and pandemic, millions are voting in for a president ialion. Turnout that solemn moment that the people give their verdict on their leaders. As americans flocked to vote the rest o close eye on what it means. We are talking to our correspondence around the globe and tonight, we go to south korea and germany, countries that were ruilt after world war ii with the help of american leadership. We begin with the bbc south korea correspondent. How is trumps style of leadership gone down . Reporter when itomes to the alliance publicly peoe will tell you it is ironclad, but there number of reasons. Or a first, the cost of sharing thenu er o troops, u. S. Troops, based on the peninsula that donald trump has pushed for a c billionase. Many see that as extortion. It is still an issue that has not been resved. His words have been quite harsh when it comes to south korea the most recent of which was at dinner when he called themai terrible andhe disliked i was with officials yesterday and all they could ask was, whoi is to win . We have to work out strategy. It has led the south korean amssador to the u. S. To eve question whether the alliance will still be there in 70 years. Laura he what is feeling about a possible joe biden presidency and what it could mean for south korea . Reporter first they are hoping it will heal the rift within the alliance and second, they are looking toward north korea. The president has made clear that is one of his priorities. Adhe is alasked the United States to look again at speaking to kim jongun and looking at the end of war declaration. Theoretically, this peninsula is still at war. I ow this is not the feeling but here although Donald Trumps execution of the meetings were flawed in describing him as a Good Relationship and a good friend, perhaps the meetings themselves, if they had bee more substantial and they appear to come close to a deal in february 2019, they would like more done by the u. S. Push with a deal. Laura thank you so much. Moving on to germany where there is a lot riding on the outcome of the u. S. President ial race. Prident trump is unpopular after withdrawing from the paris climate changegreement and threatening to leave nato. We are joined by berlin correspondent, jenny hill. German politicianseel the u. S. Has stepped back from its traditional leadership role in the world . Reporter very much so. The geral consensus is the last four years have beenem exy disruptive and destructive. There is a concern that were there toe another four years of the trump administratn not only would we see more of the same, but there might be an acleration in terms of the way the u. S. Administration has bear behaving tgermany. Initially, behind the scenes in berlinhe were efforts to try and make a connection with the trump administration. It was not easy. That was the experience for many european capitals, but germany was dismayed because it habeen singled out sony times o many times. The gas pipeline that will double the amount of russian gas ming in, and they feel that maybe they have more to lose from a second term for donald trump in office. What that might mean. About i suppose you cannot really imagine two leaders less alike than Angela Merkel and donald trump. There was never really a and it came in stark contrasthem between Angela Merkel and barack obama who woed together very well and fged a deep and trusting relationship. There is a lot of concern about what happens next. Nald trump threatened and said he is going toemove u. S. Troops from german soil. That i do not think is so much of an iss but symbolically is huge. There is a huge amount of concern abt what might happen next and what that will mean for germany. Laura jenny, and 30 seconds, determineshank a biden presidency will be radically di erent . Report in the words of one senior diplomatic figure, do not expect a return to a trans atlantic paradise. There is a lot of passion for a, biden presideut there is support because it will not be a trump presidency. I think the last four years have served as a wakeup call to rlin. America can no longer be counted on as the traditional ally that it once was and it served to highlight emerging differences betweenll those olds. There are concerns here that diplomatically life will be much easier to handle between the two countries, but there are issues like climate change, the relationship with china, russia, and so on. Those differences are not going away anytimeoon. Laura jenny hill, thank you so much. Ro virus cases are rising fast across europe and leaders are scrambling stop the spread with new restrictions. Earlier today, germany announced a partial lockdown nationwide that will come into force xt it will see bars, restaurants, and cinemas close their doors. To give you a sense of how fast the virus is spreading the areas in dark red show where infections are over 240 per 100,000 of the population. In france, officls announced 244 deaths,n from over 500 on tuesday. In rponse to the growing numbers, the french president , emmanuel macron, announced a lockdown will be in place for at least the month of november. Our prayers correspondent explains paris correspondent explains. Reporter it will be similar to the lockdown we went through in april and may. We will be required to be in our homes and produce a piece of paper for police if we leave our mes. There will be the possibility of leaving your home wialid reason. Die reasons will be essential shopping, l visits, work, and school vs. That is going to be the reality. Bars and restaurants are shut down across the country. Iothis is not region by r this is nationwide. We reallyke feel e are moving back in time in the face of this worrying acceleration of the virus. E key difference is that schools willemain open. That is obviously going to make li easier fo families and also make it easier for people to work. Thats part of the measures to keep the economy moving. More, generalthough we did not go into detail, there will be greater scope for businesses to keep going. Home working, using factories, oid the Civil Service are to be encouraged to stay open. Less restrictive but in day to dayiv it is a step back. Laura that was hugh repeating reporting preparest. The heads of google, facebook, twitter or grill by senators. Ey faced lawker questions for almostdeour hours and nded a law enabling them to moderate content without being responsible for what users post. Republican lawmakers used most of their time to accuse the compans of selective censorship against conservatives. Democrats focused on insufficient action against misinformation tha tinterferes wi election. U. S. Officials have arrested five chinese agents for the roles in an operation targeting beijings oppents in the United States. They are accused of spying on and harassing a chinese Family Living in america. The plot was aimed at coercing the family members to return to china to face charges. The Justice Department announcement comes at a time os rising tensitween the u. S. And china over the pandemic. President donald repeatedly blamed this on the president of s africa isso selfilating after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for covid19. It happened at a fundraising dinner last saturday. He is reported to be showing no symptoms. A Spokesman Says he will be tested if he shows signs and will continue toorwhile in isolation. America. Atching bbc world news still to come. I. I. I believe. I believe. Laura black voters in the u. S. Play a huge role in thect president ialion after protests for racial justice. We are in arizona to find out. Laura after 112 days of lockdown covid19 restrictions have been lifted in melbourne. Some bars and restaurants are opening at midnight to welcome them back. The second wave in the sta of victoria claimed 800 lives. Reporter many people could not e of until the str midnight they were at restaurants, pubs popping champagne and celebrating the very fact many people take for granted of being able to go out and meet friends and have a night out. Remember, this has been one of lockdowns, not just in victoria or australia, but in the world. 112 days of everything being closed. People almost being confined to their homes. Even when they left they had a five kilometer radius away from their homes where they could go. Laura philadelphia has put a curfew in place after experiencing the protests and looting following another Fatal Police Shooting of a black man. Walter wallace diedn monday after two Police Officers shot him responding to a call porting a man with a knife. The familyays he was suffering a Mental Health crisis. Larry reports from philadelphia. Areporter er 9 00 p. M the city is asking pharmacies and restaurants to b open at their own discretion for delivery and have measures in place to proteli staff and faes. The curfew will run until 6 00 there have been protests across the city where more than 170 were arrested, half of them last night. 53 different officers were also injured and most have been discharged after treatment. Nwever, there has been looting over the past twhts including at a walmart where people were captured on video carting away teon sets and other items. One ofng the tactics b used is blowing up atm mhines. 94 were blown up. The family of Walter Wallace junior saying he had Mental Health problems, they asked for an ambulance, and got the police instead. Now he is dead. Laura that was larry reporting from philadelphia. Arizonis a key swing state in the selection. That is why President Trumpai caing today as well as kamala harris. Clive myrie has been looking at rates in this election. Reporter this cuts the stillness. The light is dimming but not the memory of those beaten or killed at the hands of Police Officers. Remember. Reporter his words are powerful. We are not going nowhere. Reporter he was arrested in august for taking part in a peacefularch. He is innocent. Reporter he leads a protest outside th courthouse after the jailing of another protester. We fight and we are building fighting a battle in a war where thenever get to s outcome. If i continue to fight, hopefully that pastill belong to my five kids. If they continue to fight, they pass it on to their kids. We get to a point where may we why are you doing this . Reporter untilhen this is what must be overcome. Before george fyd, in01 [heavy breathing]in arizona. Relax, dude. Reporter the unarmed black man died aftereing held down by four Police Officers, one of whom put his knee on his neck for close to eight minutes. I cannot breathe reporter nobody was disciplined and you are hearing about this w because of controversy over george floyd. It was in this area where he wad pinnedn in a clearly said, i cannot breathe. Henows his life is going to be taken. Reporter jasmine is 21 and pa of a younger breed of civil rits activists, spurred by the urncy of the moment. It makes me feel like my life can be taken at any given time just because i have brown skin. Reporter not far away, a reunion. A proud father embraces a relieved son who is fresh out of il. His name is Percy Christian and hes 27. Jail is a place where they opnt to rob you of your h reporter the subject of the courthouse protest. He served seven day arrested during a demonstration against police violence. I am willing to do whatever it takes. The line to bring awareness to the issue and that is that Police Brutality israel. Is real. Our Police System is designed to hold a certain o Group Individuals back and that is my people. Reporter what of the dreams of the father . A pastor having seen his son fight the same battles he thought years ago. He battle has not changed, but what has happened is that there is a denial of the reality that people of color experience in this nation. We are proud of our son. I would not be ok if he decided to shrink back. He cannot shrink back now. [door opening] reporter gentle tales of africanamerican manhood rarely reported. They are the normal and well both candidates for president say they want to banish racial injustice, brucerank says he will not wait for others to act. His own sons future is on the line. I just goto make sure he is equipped and ready for. I am not fearful bemause i teach ow to love and what love is and how to have love for his people. Reporter clive myrie, bbc news, phoenix, arizona. Laura the iortance of the icack vote in arizona and across am at this election. Do you remember the 1980s pop song sweet dreams . It has been covered by a band who are afghan teenage girls. The girls used to work on the street in one of the most dangerous capitals in world. Our correspondent has beer following thurney. Sweet dreams are made of this. Reporter sweet dreams are made of is, and number one hit from the 1980s now and inspiration girls. E bu some of them want to ase you. Reporter they are part of a band called the miraculous love kids and they just recordedhis against the machine f andu rage fighters. The music reflects their own insufferand the resilience. Getting here has not been easy for any of them. I first met this girl four years ago. In 2012, her two sisters were killed by a suicide mber. Their death abou brought this american musician to the streets of afghanistan. Shwas his first student. This whole idea was about giving a voice to kids that do not have a voice and using the m power ofic to bring people together. Reporter despite the fragile situation in afgha girls have made striking progress. Love and mercy that is what tonight. Reporter now marcel ha become qata qatar coach. She has big dreams. One day i will be famous. Not jt in afghanistan. All of country. I was standing in a 90 reporter their lifes been full of nightmares. Musicians. Y is inspiring other working with these girls is part of a Lifetime Mission do use mic as dividing rod for truth and justice and to see thatn connectd how they are inspiring to me. The way they have embraced music and using it to transfortheir lives. All they have done. Reporter f she and hends look toward a future where they could be the voice of other girls suffering around the world. With their voice and guitars. Laura beautiful. Before we go the show must go on at the cannes film festival. Fans are getting a tes taste ofe festival showcasing for movies and a short film competition. E lavish after parties are cut short due to frances 9 00 p. M. Curfew. The extravaganza was canceled in may due to the pandemic. The hope is the slimmeddown event will ge the hardhit industry a boost. I am Laura Trevelyan. Thank you for watching bbc world news america. Have a great nig narrator funding for this presentation of this program is provided by. Language specialists teaching spanish, french and more. Raymond jame the freeman foundation. By judy and Peter Blum Kovler foundation; pursuing solutionsglor americas ted needs. And by contribations to this pbs n from viewers like you. Thank you. Yuyi i came to the unitedpbs. States when i was 24 years old. I did not speak any english. I felt very, very lost, really not knowing what to do with my life. One day on tv there was sesame street. Ernie and grover and cookie monster. And its not only that i learned to speak in english, now i know how to live in the United States. D so this is how yit now im powerful. Now i know i can do anything i want. I will make myself lear. And i got that from pbs. I bought my first set of paints and brushes and i practiced. My path is childrens books. And i have found wi wante. Which is that person who has something to say. Pbs and sesame street, they opened all the rld to me. Judy good evening ijudy woodruff. On the newshour tonight, the election approaches the stark divide in visions for americasa futu on full displ as the candidates continue their final sprint in critical swing states. Then, the inrmation war the heads of google, facebook, and in american politiout their role disinformation abounds ahead of the election. Plus, battle for the senate t the tice in montana between a sitting senator and a governor has more ads ruing than any other contest. And, in protest, a trumpap pointee resigns from his position in opposition to an executive order targeting federal workers