Crystal blue caribbean sea. Nonstop flights are available from most major airports. More information for your vacation planning is available at aruba. Com. And now, bbc world news america. Katty this is a special edition of bbc world news america, live from Hofstra University in new york. I am katty kay. Ahead of the first u. S. President ial debate the candidates make their final preparations. Millions are expected to tune in. Making history in colombia after years of fighting. The government and the farc rebels have reached a truce. And remembering a golf legend. Arnold palmer dies at the age of 87. Those remember can call him the king of the sport remembering him call him the king of the sport. Katty welcome to our viewers on Public Television in america and around the world. They have traveled the country for over a year studiously avoiding each other at every campaign stop. Tonight, Hillary Clinton and donald trump will meet on stage at Hofstra University in new york for the first president ial debate. A Staggering Number of American Voters are expected to watch on television, possibly 100 million. The stakes are enormous. Jon sopel starts our coverage. Up they have clocked thousands of campaign miles but not before have they come together facetoface on the debate stage. Both have immense challenges. Donald trump knows what he wants kick out illegal immigrants, ban muslims, bring back manufacturing jobs. How is he going to do that . He also has to show he has the temperament to be commanderinchief. If trump completes a sentence with the right grammar and a punctuation or two, that is a success for him. He is the one with the mountain to climb. But the opportunity to do it. With expectations so low, if he is articulate and knowledgeable, he wins. Jon ah, expectation. That is one of Hillary Clintons problems. She knows policy backwards but must not come across too much as a wonk. Her more fundamental difficulty is that she is seen as divisive and untrustworthy. Something her Senior Campaign staff recognized. He has done a lot of attacking on her and that has taken a toll. We dont think the attacks are fair but they have hurt her. She says i understand people have concerns, people have questions. And she will work to earn their trust. Jon once upon a time they socialized together. Now they are engaged in the most polarizing and unpredictable political battle america has seen. And that is because there has never been a candidate like donald trump. Yes, bute charming, most often in debates he has been a street fighter and a bully. Mr. Trump dont worry about it, little marco. Senator cruz voters have a right to know mr. Trump ive given my answer, lyin ted. Mr. Bush you said mr. Trump am i talking or are you talking . You can go back. You interrupted me. Will you apologize, jeb . No. Mr. Bush you will not be able to insult your way to the presidency. Jon but he has come a lot further than anyone expected. And that is the thing. A lot of experts say that what happens tonight wont affect the outcome of the race, but those pundits have been wrong throughout. What unfolds tonight really does matter and both candidates know it. Sopel, bbc news, Hofstra University, new york. For more on what to expect i spoke short time ago with Washington Post political reporter dan balz and i started by asking how this may be different from other campaigns. Dan there is always hype around a president ial debate but it is as if everything has converged to make this one truly significant. The polls have tightened, Hillary Clinton has come off a tough three weeks, donald trump has become a more disciplined candidate. Each has an audience have to reach. Katty put this in Historical Perspective because political scientists seem to be divided on whether these kinds of debates, despite all the attention they get, actually change election results. Dan historically they dont. What you see in the polls just before the debates is generally where they are right after the season. What we have been wrestling with since donald trump came down the escalator, how different is this year . What makes this campaign different from others . That is the question that these debates will begin to answer. Are we still dealing with an unusual candidate that has the ability to break the rules and succeed, or are things heading ultimately towards a more conventional conclusion . I dont think we know right now. Katty what are you expecting from both donald trump and Hillary Clinton when they stand on that stage . Dan i think for donald trump what we would expect is for him to try to be more disciplined, to project the kind of stability and temperament that Hillary Clinton has said for months doesnt have a therefore is not qualified to be president. I think that is his number one goal. The second thing about donald trump is he is an unpredictable performer in these live events. He is comfortable in them, he likes them, he did well in the primary debates. I would expect showmanship from him as well. For Hillary Clinton, it is twofold, to see if she can continue to disqualify him, which she has done with a lot of the electorate but not enough yet. The other thing he has to do make the case for herself. She has struggled with that the day she got into the campaign. Katty im sure you have been speaking with them as well, Clinton Campaign people who keep saying we will have a disciplined donald trump today and we are preparing her for someone who is respectful and dignified, and in a sense that is the hardest person to have a debate against. And if that iss, the case, somehow she has to make the debate about herself. She has to make her own case. If donald trump is doing what they kind of expect, she has an alternative course, which is to jab jab jab at him. But we have seen in the Republican Debate candidates who tried to do that were not very successful with that strategy. She has to find something that is more about herself. Balz from the Washington Post. After such a campaign it may seem extraordinary that anyone has not made up their minds but polls show a percent of voters have not made up their minds. 8 of voters have not made up their minds. Russia is warning that the chance of peace in syria could be endangered by british and american claims that they committed work times in aleppo. Moscow committed war crimes in the Northern City of aleppo. The bbc has been following the lives of residents in aleppo. This report from Quentin Sommerville contains right from the start images you might find distressing. Quentin aleppo has never been more overwhelmed. At this hospital, wounded lie in corridors without any beds. They are running out of medical supplies. 4 days of relentless russian and syrian bombings have led to a grisly sight. Hospitals are awash in blood. These men unconscious, curse president assad. God is watching you, you are opressor, he says. 61 children were admitted to City Hospitals overnight. Five died over the weekend because there were no stop the bbc has been following a rescue worker. The regime dropped 2 barrel bombs here. More than 15 people died. They had been attending a funeral for victims of an earlier bombing. Sometimes i got the feeling that i am living the last days of my life. Without any mercy, killing everything. Quentin armageddon, apocalypse. Strong words are being used to describe what is happening here. Sometimes it is the quietest moments that reflect aleppos despair. This man calls for his son. Hes lying inside the body bag. Quentin the family moved here five years ago. They never thought it would end like this. But then, who could have predicted aleppos horrors . Quentin sommerville, bbc news, beirut. Katty years ago aleppo was a rival to damascus, a thriving commercial city. Today it looks much more like hell on earth. Humanitarian aid has reached other areas of syria that have received nothing for six months. The International Committee of the red cross said convoys brought food and medical supplies for 60,000 people for towns near damascus and villages in the idlib province. United nations suspended deliveries across syria for 48 hours after a deadly attack on an aid convoy. Tonight, an historic peace deal will be signed in colombia, ending more than 50 years of conflict between the government and rebel group the farc. During that time, more than 200,000 people have been killed and 8 million driven from their homes. The u. N. Secretarygeneral, the u. S. Secretary of state are there to witness the occasion, as is the bbcs lyse doucet. Set the stage for us on this extraordinary day for lumbee in history. Colombian history. Lyse what an next ordinary day, a peace deal signed between what had been at 2 bitter enemies, the government of colombia and the farc guerrilla movement. This externally seen you see behind me, all in white, including the uns secretarygeneral ban kimoon and secretary of state john kerry. It will be signed with a pen made from the bullets of the long and brutal war. 52 years of fighting. Colombia has been a byword for kidnapping, disappearances, massacres, the worst of the atrocities. They are hoping that this can beat the best of the peace deals, a deal that will stick. Katty lyse, what does this mean for ordinary colombians . President santos has been trying to make the case that this is good news, and that there will be an economic boon as a result of this. Do most people agree with him . Making peace with farc has divided colombia. This is a polarized debate. Even the pristine white scenes behind me, a scene of salvation, i can hear the protests outside say im goingey to vote no on the plebiscite october 2. Money for the present farmers who have been long neglected by the war, suffered terribly by the farc occupation of their areas. Also, i promise that farc will ave up criminal activities promise that farc will give up criminal activities and become members of society, members of parliament. It is a big ask of the farc and not everyone is convinced that they can shift and being one of s most notorious terrorist groups to being a positive contribution to colombians society. President santos said this was the best deal for colombia and colombia should seize it and make it work. Katty we all remember the stories of people who were kept as hostages by the farc for years in the jungle and suffered a terrible atrocities. Are there colombians who say, look, they are getting off scott free and being allowed to be a political party, where is the retribution . Lyse that is, of course, the refrain of the opposition, the no campaign, including 2 prominent president s who fought the farc as hard as they could. Over the past two days in bogota, i have met victims of the farc, ive met people who were kidnapped by the farc. One man who was kidnapped was the only member of his group to come out alive. Said to me, 8 million victims is enough. No more victims, no more violence, we must accept this peace deal. And this morning i met a man whose father had been murdered by the farc, and he said we cannot accept this deal, we cannot let them get away with it, we cannot let the young generation live in a country that allowed impunity. Deep divide about a very dark path. Everyone wants that path to end. The question is what is the best way to do it . In less than half an hour there will be a very strong signal saying is the best chance for peace, take it. Katty ok, the end of the last of the cold war conflicts. Thanks very much. You are watching bbc world news america. Still to come on tonights program, counting down to the big debate. More on the meeting between Hillary Clinton and donald trump here at Hofstra University in new york. Littleknown animal is the most trafficked mammal in the world, leading to fears that it could become extinct. A meeting of the convention on International Trade in endangered species is being held in south africa and it could make trading them illegal. It is the most trafficked mammal in the world, and you probably dont even know its name. They are usually nocturnal and very shy. They only eat ants and termites, and the demand for their scales for medicine is driving them towards extinction. The most enduring, mystical, unbelievable species of animal you will ever encounter in your life. Asains use the scale asians use the scales for a multiple range of purposes, for cancer to swelling to arthritis. There is a whole array of different things. Reporter and so it is hoped that the convention on International Trade in endangered species will step in and agreed to ban their sale. Have also been hit incredibly hard by traffickers and poachers asia is the main market for their ivory. The killing continues. Rhinos are also being targeted. Their horns are worth more than twice their weight in gold on the black market. The proposal to open up sales is unlikely to pass. Most countries believe that the best way to save the animal is to stop trade and destroy the market in countries like china and vietnam. It is not just about protecting african wildlife, of course. Over the next 10 days, trees and plants, reptiles and other creatures around the world will be discussed, and more endangered species protected. Katty he was the king of our sport and will always be that was how Jack Nicklaus described fellow golf legend Arnold Palmer, who has died at the age of 87. President obama described him as the American Dream come to life. Arnold palmer, golfer, aviator, man of many paths. Reporter they said he could so capture the public he could run for president. Arnold palmer, the champion golfer whose charisma drew a legion of fans known as arnies army. He won his first majors in 1958 and two years later the cameras followed. Golf had found its star of the screen. He was 510, very much the middleweight. Big arms, huge hands. He was sort of a broadsword man. He wasnt a flashing rapier. And he caught the imagination of people. Reporter his nickname was the king, and it was fitting. From 1958 to 1964, he won seven major titles, including 4 masters and 2 chips. Open checking chips. His success spread beyond the fairways. Adverts and endorsements made palmer golfs first millionaire, and those who followed in his footsteps said they would not be competing for such riches were it not for him. When golf needed him in the 1960s and 1970s, he brought golf to the masses and leaves a others canmany leave. Reporter today president obama paid his own tribute to a man whose appeal endured even when the victories dried up. This was his final u. S. Open appearance in 1994. I have not won all that much. Ive won a few tournaments, won some majors. I suppose the most important thing is the fact that it has been as good as it has been to me. Reporter there have been better golfers than palmer, but there may never be one more popular or one who loved the sport as much as he did. Katty Arnold Palmer remembered. Story, theo our top First American president ial debate, which will take place in a few hours time at Hofstra University. The candidates are getting ready making final preparations. Sopel joins me now. Set the stage in terms of the stakes. Llsgo in with a slew of po showing the race is tightening. Jon the anticipation is off the scale. The anxiety is immense. I have been speaking to senior clinton people. One of them looked at her watch and said my god, it is another five hours, i just want this to happen now. There is anxiety and it really does matter. You read people saying how much do these debates affect the outcome . Potentially quite a lot. This election cycle has been like no other. We just dont know what could happen on that stage tonight. Will donald trump be gracious, calm, mildmannered . Could it be explosive like he was in the primary season . We just dont know what to expect. There is a sense of jeopardy and risk around tonight. Katty how have they been preparing . From what the campaign have been telling us, the prep has been going on right to the last minute. Jon there is a demonstrative in the two candidates and a bit of a difference between men and women. The man goes into the studio prepared to wing it and that is how donald trump has been preparing. He does not want to lose himself in the process. And Hillary Clinton will have reversed every scenario and have every policy detail at her fingertips and she will be prepared for more or less any eventuality. I think what the clinton camp are banking on is he is going to be gracious katty that is a tough donald trump to go up against. Jon he is going to come up, be polite, be nice, be generous. Where does hillary counterpunch on that . They are fearful that because the bar has been set so low for donald trump and so high for her, all he has to do is walk on stage and walk off stage without screwing up in any particular way and he will be declared the victor. I think you are seeing the clinton camp trying expectation management, saying it will be much easier for donald trump than for our person. Katty people also are saying that if he goes on stage and he can pronounce afghanistan, he has middle east policy down pat. That is the expectations game. You have been covering this, god, it feels like five years. It has only been a year and a half. How much does this matter to them . Jon i think theyre both trying to appear not nervous. What happens in the first halfhour will be allimportant. If you look at past debates, most of the highlights have come in that particular moment. Hillary clinton is hoping above all that she can come across as trustworthy and nice but most of all, that donald trump seen as not president ial, doesnt have the temperament to be commanderinchief. I think donald trump wants to come across as calm and reassuring whilst keeping all the people who support him thus far and maybe add a few more who think he does have the temperament to be commanderinchief. Katty are you watching substance or style . Jon apparently i should watch with the volume down. Katty i have tried that in previous debates and it doesnt work. Jon if you look back at previous debates, you can see what happens without having the volume turned up. I think the tone, the body language, the demeanor will account for huge amount. Katty in terms of body language, donald trump, television star, lots of experience. Are we going to see the apprentice star tonight . Jon but he has not done 121. No commercial breaks. He has got to have some detail at his finger tips. Katty jon sopel, thanks for joining me. You can follow it on the website as well. Kay, here at Hofstra University come in anticipation of the big debate, thanks so much for watching bbc world news america. Make sense of International News at bbc. Com news. Funding of this presentation is made possible by the freeman foundation, newmans own foundation, giving all profits from newmans own to charity and pursuing the common good, kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for americas neglected needs, and aruba tourism authority. Planning a vacation escape that is relaxing, inviting, and exciting is a lot easier than you think. You can find it here, in aruba. Families, couples, and friends can all find their escape on the island with warm, sunny days, cooling trade winds, and the crystal blue caribbean sea. Nonstop flights are available from most major airports. More information for your vacation planning is available at aruba. Com. Bbc world news was presented by kcet, los angeles. Captioning sponsored by newshour productions, llc woodruff good evening. Im judy woodruff. Ifill and im gwen ifill. Woodruff on the newshour tonight Hillary Clinton and donald trump are set to go head tohead in the first president ial debate amid a virtual tie in the publiche opinion polls. Ifill also ahead this monday we sit down with theow Vice President of south sudan to talk corruption scandals in the worlds youngest nation. Woodruff and. Maria, Maria Woodruff the modern tale off starcrossed lovers rob kapilow deconstructs the iconic song maria from Leonard Bernsteins west side story. One of the great things about bernstein was that he moved so effortlessly between the worlds