>> this is "bbc world news america." funding of this presentation is made possible by the freeman foundation, newman's own foundation, giving all profits from newman's own to charity and pursuing the common good, kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's 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. >> and now, "bbc world news america." laura: this is "bbc world news america." reporting from washington, i laura trevelyan. amwarnings about conditions in the city of aleppo. citizens struggling to survive without electricity and running water. thawing relations between turkey and russia. should the west be worried about this budding friendship? the u.s. women's gymnastic team fights for gold in rio. the latest on their olympic success.

laura: welcome to our viewers on public television in america and around the globe. it is hard to believe the conditions inside the syrian city of aleppo could be any worse. the u.n. says too many people don't have electricity or clean water, putting civilians, especially children, at risk of disease. without food or medical supplies, the humanitarian crisis could be even more dire. reporter: aleppo is a city in ruins. after 4 years of fighting, these anti-assad rebels are under intense pressure. but still, the greater might of the government and its allies cannot crush them. civilians are at graver risky than ever. electricity networks and water pumping stations are so damaged by bombardment, the u.n. says cease-fires, even short ones,

are vital to allow in humanitarian supplies. >> the cuts are coming amid a heatwave, putting children of aleppo at great risk of waterborne diseases, and getting clean water running again cannot wait for the fighting to stop. reporter: the battle for aleppo is seen as critical to the eventual outcome of the wider or -- wider war for syria. aleppo is the country's largest city. you can see the appalling deadlock very clearly. rebels, some western-backed, still control substantial areas shown in orange. east of aleppo, they have been encircled by syrian government forces backed by russia and iran. an estimated quarter million people are trapped in the rebel-held eastern part of the city. a crucial corridor of supplies was cut off last month and then reopened by rebel actions.

overall, this battle ebbs and flows with devastating consequences to the civilian population. vladimir putin's role is essential and today's reconciliation with turkish president erdogan is significant. on opposite sides of the divide, they share a desire to punish the west. just another complication in the syrian stalemate. >> the balance of the war was taping before aleppo. the rebels managed a final desperate push from which saw the make some gains at a huge price. it is not clear whether president assad and his allies can completely retake syria militarily. reporter: opposition fighters have been celebrating their ability to hang on. but for now, aleppo and its people are trapped in a disastrous deadlock. if the city does eventually fall, it could be a pivotal moment in the civil war which is laid waste to so much of syria and forced millions to flee. james robbins, bbc news.

laura: as you just saw, the presidents of turkey and russia met in st. petersburg and talked about finding common ground. quite a turnaround from a few months ago, when they were trading insults over the shooting of russian jet over turkey. today president erdogan went out of his way to repeat that president putin was a good friend and offered his support after an attempted coup in turkey's government. the former u.s. ambassador to russia. thank you for being with us. why inviting president erdogan to st. petersburg? what kind of message is president putin trying to send to the world? >> the first is perhaps a bit demise to buy the tale of 2 lonely cowboys. they have found each other. the second is more worrying.

the wedge between nato members is here. a new refugeeeking after he attacked america for leastng the coup, or at supporting gulen, whom he believes plot of the coup. to do with this has other deeper questions. how to deal with the kurds, s yria, how to restart their economic relationship. this is an artichoke. the various leaves of which are significant on their own and as part of a whole. --ra: let's on peel them let's unpeel them. turkey forswear the

u.n.? that --not think he is the sellout to the bear is not wise, but to have a bear in their corner dealing with questions that disturb them is a useful development. it is clear that erdogan and been at this for some time. the president of cause extend played an intermediary role. about the coup and the turks feeling cross but, how can pals whenesidents be they have such opposing views on syria with the russians supporting the president? >> i have not seen a shoe drop on that question. they postponed a discussion of that to a later "private" meeting, which they will seek to

move. the challenge in syria is that neither have a military solution. each is dependent on diplomacy. the u.s. lays a major role in that diplomacy. erdogan is seeking to enlist mr. putin. laura: the americans will not like that? the americans have their own airbase inside turkey, which is used in syria. it is all quite complicated, isn't it? would they throw the americans and their airbase out? >> i do not think the turks will throw us out of the airbase. they will want to see if a solution in syria can do several things: slow refugee flow, which they can no longer push to europe, tighten the borders, their back,ds off and see if the solution will be

a solution without assad. to make awill have solution that suits his long-term interest, keeping his airbase in syria, keeping his ship visits, keeping his role in syria. his ability to influence situations of the middle east here and we can go back to his actions in the fall when he used military force the layer the -- to level the playing field for diplomaticpen the channel to see if we can move this process ahead. this plays into that game. laura: it is a chess game. thank you very much. senators susan collins added her name to those who will not be voting for donald trump. she says she decided because of her fear that mr. trump would make the world more dangerous than it is. security national experts who served in the

republican administration saying they would not vote for trump either. gavin hewitt reports. reporter: donald trump's supporters capturing their candidate on their phones. the reality is that he is facing unprecedented attacks from within his own party. a moderate republican senator said she was dismayed by his constant stream of cruel comments. and 50 former national security officials, some of them heavyweight figures, signed a letter saying he was unable to separate truth from falsehood. >> those of us who have the experience, who have worked in administrations, worked in the government, worked closely with cabinet secretaries of the president, feel he is not fit and not ready to be president of the united states and is not changeable. gavin: just yesterday, donald trump tried to in effect relaunches campaign. he was more disciplined, sticking to a prepared text. he largely ignored protesters. and he focused on traditional

republican themes like tax cuts and less regulation. it was all an attempt to reassure his rattled party that some republicans doubt he can -- but some republicans doubt he can reset his campaign. >> or think he can, because it is not an issue of policy at this point. it is an issue of personality. donald trump, the man himself, has shown himself incapable of the type of self-restraint that is necessary to exercise the power that comes with sitting in the white house, in the oval office. ms. clinton: i'm hillary clinton and i approve this message. >> if he governs consistent with some of the things he said as a candidate, i would be very frightened. gavin: hillary clinton's campaign is airing tv commercials that play on the attacks on donald trump from his own party. what does donald trump make of this? he dismisses his critics as insiders. "i'm running against a failed washington elite," he says. that may resonate with core supporters, but he is the candidate of increasingly

-- of an increasingly divided party. laura: this afternoon, donald trump drew more controversy when he had this to say about a rally of hillary clinton. to trump: hillary wants abolish the second amendment. judges,ets to pick her nothing you can do, folks. the second amendment people, maybe there is, i don't know. trump with this statement his campaign says points to the political power of advocates. the clinton campaign says a person running for president should not suggest violence in any way. among those not voting for donald trump is james jeffrey,

the national security advisor for george w. bush. i spoke to him earlier. of his statement, particularly on foreign policy, which made you sign the letter warning that he would be the most reckless president in american history? amb. jeffrey: exactly, laura. those of us who signed the letter are focusing on foreign policy unlike in domestic , policy, there is no restraint on a president or commander-in-chief's authority. he or she doesn't have the right constitution, willing to listen to other people, willing to control his own emotions, you are heading for danger. laura: is there a tipping point for you with donald trump that made you want to sign this letter and stick your neck out? amb. jeffrey: i think it was the attack on the parents, the khans, of the soldier who died in iraq. when i was serving there, i remember the fighting in the province that took his life. secondly, it was his call on the russians to hack senator clinton's e-mail.

laura: donald trump has it back -- has hit back saying that the world is dangerous because of foreign policy experts like you. >> he doesn't know what he's talking about. two, we are not doing this because we are partisan -- at least i am not. i'm doing this because i'm worried about the country if we have somebody in there who does not know how to control himself and to listen to good advice. laura: what is very striking about reading the letter is -- one particular bit it is quite similar to hillary clinton's line of attack, that donald trump is not a person who should have the nuclear codes. is that something you feel extremely strongly about? amb. jeffrey: i am less worried about the nuclear codes per se than i about the everyday am conduct of foreign policy. presidents make life or death decisions, deploying troops, responding to insult and provocations all around the world. that is the role of the american president, to deal with that in a responsible, reasonable way. i don't think we will get that with him.

laura: you and 49 others that you will not vote for donald trump. what will you do in november? will you vote for hillary clinton? amb. jeffrey: that is not the issue. everyone will take his or her own decisions. laura: let's say he is elected. who is he going to draw on for institutional knowledge of foreign policy when all these people who signed the letter presumably won't be part of his administration? amb. jeffrey: let me make two points. first of all, one or two levels below people who sent a letter and people who didn't send a letter, there are enough people to help if you will listen to them. secondly, if he is president we all have to do everything we can to ensure that the public remains safe and secure. laura: so you would serve under him or advise him if he were elected? amb. jeffrey: i would not serve under him but i would hope he would get good advice. laura: foreign policy is not a hugely popular issue. it is more the economy that people vote on.

are you trying to influence the outcome of the election with this letter and get people to sit up and listen? amb. jeffrey: it is not that ambitious, at least for me. any national election for president is an opportunity for all american citizens to educate each other and to provide information. then the american people absorb all of that and make their own decisions and decide who they are going to vote for. laura: you are a loyal soldier. did you think long and hard before sending this? amb. jeffrey: of course. laura: what made you feel you had to do it? amb. jeffrey: this is a unique situation, unique individual. i've never seen anything like this since i began my involvement voting for president in 1968. laura: ambassador, thank you for joining us. you are watching "bbc world news america." still to come on tonight's program, from spending to gymnastics, we have the latest on the olympic action and what to watch for.

one of india's best known medical activists who has been on hunger strike for 16 years is ending her fast so she can contest the next election. she has been force-fed in the hospital. she was protesting against a controversial law that gives the indian army sleeping power to an insurgency. our correspondent sends this report from that state. >> the supporters are upset at a decision to end her fast after 16 years. they believe it is a step she should not have taken. is removal of a law that still in the books and has not been removed. a short while ago inside the . said she is standing by

the decision. he announced that he signed the pr bond. that it was found correct and accepted. officially, irom sharmila is on bail. abouter: she was upset the pressure and criticism she has received, not only from supporters, but her family who made a last ditch attempt to change her mind. she said "why can't anyone treat me like a human being?" she is being taken back to the hospital to be checked medically to see if she is healthy enough to leave medical supervision. she has furnished a bail and will be set free. as for her political battle, it is obvious that there is a long

and difficult half ahead. -- path ahead. laura: it is day 4 of the olympics in rio. the american women's gymnastic team took gold in the team competition. simoneves superstar biles are first metal. from on what to watch for we go to chris mitchell, who is in rio. tell us about the golden girls of the u.s. gymnastics team. we knew they would win gold from the moment the contest started. best. simone biles at her the commentators, the team, i was tuning in to them saying it was the best they have ever seen.

.he united states has dominated this is their fifth global title in a row. simone biles, since she came into the sport in 2013, has won everything. complete domination. they did it with grace. simone biles was on the floor last. the gold was already in the bag. her routine was perfect. she does it with such grace. alexander, the grandmother of the team, her routine was great. lori hernandez -- laurie hernandez was winking at the camera before her routine. they are confident, but they deserve to be. simone biles will be a star of this olympics, and beyond. laura: it was good for the french and germans, too?

chis: a fantastic day for the french with 2 golden medals, one in the canoe slalom and in the equestrian. they won the team event. it was a nailbiter. the french did not have the gold in the bag and the australians ride.till to if christopher burton had had a flawless ride they could've gotten the gold, but rest of her bars. knocks it down 2 that was unexpected. also the british team finished out of the medals, the first time since 1996. , the flagabout rami bearer for the refugee team, he swam in the 100 meter freestyle. he did not get through to the semifinals. he said before the games it had been his dream since leaving aleppo to make it to an olympics. he has fulfilled his dream and looked delighted.

even though, his olympics is over. laura: someone who's olympics is not over is michael phelps. what can we expect? .his: my goodness i'm so looking forward to this. i have followed michael phelps since 2004. i spoke to him in 2005. he looked as clean and fresh then as now. he was not the favorite going into the 200 meters butterfly final tonight, but i think he has an excellent chance of gold. who took theican title from him in london 2012 is in the final. a slim side-by-side. he loves to look. michael phelps will be eyes ahead, like an eagle. do not discount on gary and that comes as the european and world champion. -- the hunt gary and -- the

that comes as the european and world champion. laura: thank you for joining us. scientists have returned exploring the u.k.'s tallest mountains in the sea. they used underwater technology. they have been logging marine life with many new species being discovered. our correspondent has more. reporter: plunging the need to the waves.- beneath a submarine going to britain's mountains of the deep. exposition -- expedition has revealed life. the mountainn tops, teaming with creatures in these cold waters. they're living on the u.k.'s highest mountains. the biggest is 1700 meters tall.

totally submerged. located off the west coast of scotland, they were explored over the course of six weeks. on board the ship, the scientists controlled the underwater robots, watching the images streaming back. >> it is so exciting to do the research. you see the seafloor and you don't know what you're going to find. this is the first time that anybody has seen the animals that live there and how they live and what they live on, who lives with them. that is really exciting. we saw some incredible things. rebecca: now the research ship is back, docked in southampton and getting unpacked. during the six weeks at sea, scientists collected thousands of samples that are being unloaded now. here is a small collection. possibly thousands of years old. this one here can grow several meters tall.

a sponge with tiny creatures growing inside. it will take months to analyze all this but even now the team thinks that some of these species may be new to science. >> these animals here are basket stars. rebecca: researchers say the seamounts are a biodiversity hotspot. >> lots of people think the deep sea as a desert of mud and these are far from that. so many animals, so much life. rebecca: now the hard work begins. the scientists need to work out exactly what it is they have found. understanding what is living on britain's deep-sea mountains will be vital for protecting them in the future. rebecca morelle, bbc news. laura: that was gorgeous down there. that brings today's broadcast to a close. you can find out more on all of that day's news, including the

latest on the olympics. to reach me and the team go to twitter. i am @lauratrevelyan. tune in tomorrow. >> make sense of international news at bbc.com/news. >> funding of this presentation is made possible by the freeman foundation. newman's own foundation, giving all profits from newman's own to charity and pursuing the common good. kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's 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 tradewinds, 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, i'm judy woodruff. >> ifill: and i'm gwen ifill. >> woodruff: on the newshour tonight, growing g.o.p. defections: we sit down with senator susan collins, the latest in a group of republican leaders refusing to support a donald trump presidency.de >> ifill: also ahead this tuesday, turkish president erdogan and russian presidentd putin work to mend ties. what renewed relations could mean for the two countries, and the u.s. >> woodruff: plus, what happens: when children with autism reach adulthood, in the first of our two part series we look at a pilot program for a group that's often ignored. >> there are so many ways that he has changed and grown. he's going to school he's learning classes. he's taking responsibilities for his homework.