this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. the us decides — will it be time for a change or four more years for the president? after a whistle stop tour of battleground states, donald trump told supporters at his election head quarters he deserves another term. winning is easy to think losing is never easy. not for me, it's not. joe biden spent the day in his home state of delaware — he said he was hearing of an overwhelming turnout. the things that are happening bode well for the base that has been supporting me. we will see. we will see. a hundred million americans cast their ballots early. millions more have just hours left

to make their vote count. it looks set to be a record—breaking turnout. and i am live from the battleground state of wisconsin where voting continues. at stake — the most powerfuljob in the world — and four years in charge of the white house. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world — and stay with us for the latest news and analysis from here and across the globe. we're just an hour away from the first polling stations closing on america's east coast — marking the end of the most divisive presidential election campaign of modern times. it's been held during a pandemic — and has seen record—breaking numbers of people casting early votes. both donald trump and joe biden have continued to make their case

to the public throughout the day. we begin our coverage with this report from our north america editor, jon sopel. a pandemic, the president hospitalised in the middle of the campaign, racial unrest, economic shutdown, liens of dollars spent by the two candidates and now, today, finally, the sun rises on polling day. america's exhausting, seemingly endless election has reached its climax. unprecedented numbers, over 100 million voted early to but big numbers are turning out today as well. i voted for the greatest president in history, donaldj crump. tom has done nothing for us. "j crump. tom has done nothing for us. ——jcrump. crump. tom has done nothing for us. —— j crump. —— trump. crump. tom has done nothing for us. --j crump. -- trump. donald trump was firing on all cylinders yesterday. you know, we went pennsylvania we win the whole deal,

you know that. but today, at republican party headquarters it was a weary sounding and more downbeat president as he contemplated the day and night ahead. i am president as he contemplated the day and nightahead. iam not president as he contemplated the day and night ahead. i am not thinking about a concession speech yet. hopefully we will only be doing a winning speech and winning is easy, losing is never easy. not for me it is not. joe biden was also in pennsylvania today, returning to his childhood home of scranton. he took his megaphone over the state. pennsylvania is key to this election. by the way, folks. if you do not have that comic get your boat out. get your vote out. the first place to vote is the

small village of dixville notch. small village of dixville notchm opens and closes a short time later. i am a lifelong republican voting for joe a short time later. i am a lifelong republican voting forjoe biden. a short time later. i am a lifelong republican voting forjoe biden. and thatis republican voting forjoe biden. and that is the key to this election. how many people feel like that. is it time for a change, or portray more years? but divided america is bracing for rest. weather here in the nation's capital. the shops in beverly h ills the nation's capital. the shops in beverly hills or the financial centre of new york, this is a nation thatis centre of new york, this is a nation that is not at ease with itself. live now to milwaukee in wisconsin and yalda hakim. what is voting day been like? what

we have been reporting, what you have just we have been reporting, what you havejust said, we have been reporting, what you have just said, what has made this particular election extraordinary is the sheer number of people who have been coming out to vote. 100 million people, either early voting or mail in. 9 million of those were here in wisconsin. that number and those results cannot be released until every single ballot is counted. they have until 8pm to get their ballot in, that is a three hours away so we won't know the result until the early hours of the result until the early hours of the morning. anything that comes out from exit polls in the counties that are so from exit polls in the counties that are so crucial here for donald trump, whether it is the suburbs on the out skirts of milwaukee which is really the republican base here in wisconsin, if any results come out of that it may be misleading at this point in time because we are still waiting for those 1.9 million votes

to be counted in the wings. many people have been coming out today as well and we expect more than 3 million people here in wisconsin, based on the polls, and based on things that happened in 2016. don't forget that donald trump won this state, narrowly, in 2016 with under 23,000 vote. this state has been important to him. he has come here at least five times in the last week and a half which gives you a sense of how important it is. you spent a lot of time reporting in wisconsin recently. what is the one thing that strikes you above all about the state ? strikes you above all about the state? i found the state really fascinating. i went to the north and the west, to the rural communities and, remember, that part of this state is very much part of donald trump ‘s story. he captured that non— college educated white voters,

the blue—collar workers, the working class we often talk about who were traditionally democratic voters. heavily unionised and they had voted for obama heavily unionised and they had voted forobama in heavily unionised and they had voted for obama in 2008 and 2012 and then donald trump flip them in 2016. many told me they were happy with the way he led this country and the things that happened in their state over the first three years of his administration. but the last year of his administration has been dominated by the coronavirus and there is no way you could go in this state whether was not a talking point. wisconsin is one of the worst affected states when it comes to the pandemic so the people who will go into the ballots, that is the one thing they will think about more than anything health.

—— else. well, the winner needs 270 electoral college votes to secure the presidency. here's my colleague, christian fraser, breaking down the numbers across the battleground states and looking at how this race compares, to 2016. remember that on the night one of these candidates needs to reach 270. that is the magic number. in 2016 you might remember that hillary clinton was short of that mark by 38 so clinton was short of that mark by 38 so that is the workjoe biden needs to do. where he might pick up those votes ? to do. where he might pick up those votes? i put on the board here the states we consider battleground states. what i am going to do isi battleground states. what i am going to do is i will bring up 2016 because i want to show you the various routes thatjoe biden has two the white house, as opposed to donald trump. here is a 232. i take my pen and colour in some states that a polling well forjoe biden. wisconsin, michigan and then flip

arizona, perhaps, which has looked competitive forjoe biden and you will see that he is nowjust short by one. maybe he takes iowa which is close at the moment. another way, return these to read and we will leave wisconsin and michigan there but maybe we turn georgia. turn georgia blue. and that takes him over the magic 270. maybe he doesn't win georgia. maybe he takes north carolina, the changing face of america, more urban, more college voters. again, 273. you get a feel for it. there are different ways to the white house forjoe biden because the number of states that make because the number of states that ma ke safe because the number of states that make safe states puts him higher up on the electoral college. let's reset that. let's take the red pen,

no, let's take the blue pen and i show you how difficult it becomes for donald trump if we take out florida. he is now down to 277 and then we put wisconsin and michigan backin then we put wisconsin and michigan back in the blue—collar and they are pulling very well forjoe biden. and without florida very difficult indeed for donald trump. again if he wins florida but maybe does not win pennsylvania, again he is short and it is very difficult. that is a plausible map at this moment. you can see that pennsylvania and florida become crucial for donald trump on the night. i want to show you one other scenario. let's turn this blue look at that. 269 each. that is the fun of the electoral college. suddenly nebraska, where donald trump was last week,

campaigning in omaha for one vote, that becomes important. and this is why you must union on the night. —— tune in on the night. tony fratto is a former aide to president george w bush — but in 2016 and 2020 he pledged not to vote for donald trump. hejoins me now from washington. great to have you with us. we have heard of the phenomenon of the shy donald trump photo. is there such a thing as a biden voter? there are biden voters out there, they are more vocal than we saw in democrats in trump counties but there are republicans voting for biden this time around as well and they have been fairly public and vocal as well. we saw the creation of groups who are even

taking to social media. the lincoln project. that is one and there are others. former bush administration officials and others who have been unafraid to be public in their support for biden. it is really unprecedented. and when you talk to those people, some of whom must be your friends, what sort of conversation are you having? there has been a lot of concern over whether the republican party —— where the republican party has gone. there are concerns that it has turned away from the clear direction of the country on large issues and on issues that have historical roots of support in the republican party, like on trade and the american role in the world, our relationship with ourallies, immigration, in the world, our relationship with our allies, immigration, these were positions that the republican party, people forget that george h w bush

george w bush and ronald reagan were pro— immigration presidents. so there has been concern and they would like to see the party turned back to its traditional positions that were mostly disrupted i donald trump. is not part of the normal cycle of politics that every few yea rs party cycle of politics that every few years party shed some people who vote for them. i can remember the mayor of york switching parties,: powell into thousand and eight he said he would vote for barack obama. isn't this just a natural cycle? said he would vote for barack obama. isn't thisjust a natural cycle? a function of a 2—party system. in parliamentary systems you have a little more consistency over the parties and they can build coalitions. the big tent parties, republicans and democrats, have tended to evolve their positions and we may be seeing some of that in the democratic party as well so there is something natural to it.

democratic party as well so there is something naturalto it. one group of voters that seem always up for grabs our hispanics who traditionally, because they have been immigrants, have found a home in the democrat party. the george w bush wanted to appeal to their social conservatism. where does that contest for the hispanic vote stand? even more than social conservatism was, if you look at hispanics in america and they are not homogenous it depends on which country you come from, they tend to be more religious, faith —based, they serve in the armed forces, they have a high degree, a high incidence of entrepreneurship. these are the qualities that george w bush tried to appeal, quite successfully, to the hispanic community to attract them. in the republican party has gone away from that. george bush in

2000 got 40% of the hispanic vote andi 2000 got 40% of the hispanic vote and i don't think we will see that again for some time unless the party changes. talking about president george w bush, you work for him for some time. what were elections like for him and did he have those phone calls afterwards with opponent in a different atmosphere then we see at the moment? i remember 2000 very well and what you were seeing i remember 2000 very well and what you were seeing on i remember 2000 very well and what you were seeing on tv, going back and forth on just one stage, florida. vice president gore conceding and then pulling back his concession. we may see that in multiple states. i was told that night, go pack a bag because tomorrow you are going to florida. florida was nicer at that time of

year than wisconsin or pennsylvania but we may see that kind of thing. a lot of controversy. a lot of first—time voters. pennsylvania is my home state. the mass mail—in vote is not usual so the likelihood of controversy potentially ending up backin controversy potentially ending up back in the cause. pack your bags, tony fratto, thank you so much. eric bolling is the host of america this week and he is a close friend of president donald trump — hejoins me now. how do you think the president is today? i think he's nervous. very nervous. he has put a lot of time into this. he was coasting into victory at the beginning of the year

and then covid structure. it came from china, neither side saw it coming. arguments on both sides... let's talk about today. i think covid booking by surprise and all the wind in his sales deflated. he came back very strong. if you look at the rallies, tens of thousands of people coming out. joe biden maybe had 15-20 people coming out. joe biden maybe had 15—20 people... people coming out. joe biden maybe had 15-20 people... he asked fewer people to come for safety reasons. add they did not show up. ——. you try telling donald trump supporters not to turn up. i will tell you, all these people watching these polls are making the same mistakes as 2016. watch the enthusiasm behind

donald trump. it is palpable, it is real and it turns into votes. if your phone rings, what are you going to say, the media has painted donald trump is such a racist, xenophobic, misogynist. no—one is going to say... we seem to have drifted into a conversation about the polls but will the president hold off in calling himself the winner or loser until every calling himself the winner or loser u ntil every vote calling himself the winner or loser until every vote is counted? no, no, what should he? because you have to count the votes. no-one is better at counting the votes. i called the race at 11 o'clock at night and they pulled me back and say, do not do that. if he went florida, north

carolina and nevada and one of the rustbelt states, he went the election. if that happens... is he going to wait until all the votes? 270 electoral votes in declare yourself the winner. a declaration does not have any legal value. nor does not have any legal value. nor does anything. it is really whatjoe biden does if he is losing. what would trump to if he is losing?m he has 270, he will give it tojoe biden. he says there is not going to be any drama. you guys are making this out to be, that he's some sort of evil monster that is to change the ways we have done politics for 200 and more years. ifjoe biden

went florida, will concede because there is no path for donald trump. if florida turns out badly for the president, that's it? there is virtually no path if he loses florida. it would have to win both pennsylvania and north carolina, on the east coast. it is over, you will see trump conceding. since 1896, you will know this better than me, m essa 9 es will know this better than me, messages have been passed between losers and winners. do you see president trump continuing that tradition by a phone call either way? yes, but he has to wait to see. the bottom line is, when one of the two candidates hits 270 electoral college, the other one will do it at their leisure. hillary clinton

waited till 2am and she was a loser at 11 waited till 2am and she was a loser at11p.m.. waited till 2am and she was a loser at 11 p.m.. great to talk to you, eric bolling. of course, we will continue to bring you all the very latest information on the election. our special programme starts in just a few minutes, at 23.30gmt, bringing you all the results as they come in from around the united states with real—time analysis from the experts. that's here on bbc world news. you can also follow the results and get much more background on our website — bbc.com/us2020. o nto onto other news. the government of austria has now confirmed the attack in vienna was carried out byjust one gunman. he's been identified as a 20—year—old son of migrants, with dual nationality, who had previously beenjailed for trying tojoin a jihadist group in syria. four people died after he opened fire on monday evening. jenny hill reports. violence, confusion on the streets of vienna.

people fled as shots were fired, and armed police raced to secure the city. it was the eve of a corona lockdown. many had gathered for a last night out in a city with a reputation for safety. just heard shots everywhere and the police, the helicopters were flying around us, and we got really afraid, so we decided to hide ourselves in the restaurant. gunshots. caught on camera, a man thought to be the perpetrator. gunshots. this rabbi told us he looked out of his window to see him shooting, apparently at random. i saw the attacker with a long weapon, a rifle or a gun, running around shooting at people, targeting people sitting outside the bars and pubs which are lined along the street.

just days after terror attacks in france, another country mourns its dead. among the victims, an elderly man and woman, a young passer—by and a waitress. others are in hospital, critically injured. the hunt for suspects continues. detectives have made several arrests, but attention's focused on the 20—year—old gunman shot dead by police last night. the shooter was born in austria. he has a migration background from northern macedonia, and he was in prison because he's a supporter of the islamic state. but, of course, we will have to find out the details in the next days. vienna's streets quiet today. fear and corona have brought the city centre to a near standstill. but this doctor told us he felt compelled to do something. it's really hard to show that you're grieving,

because nobody should be outside. and i want to grieve, i want to show sympathy. as you'd expect, there's shock here, there's disbelief, but there's also a sense of resignation. this has become a depressingly familiar scenario for europe, a city centre street which felt safe transformed in a matter of minutes. the question for austria now is this — will last night's attack change the country, and if so, how? for now, though, a quiet defiance. last night, as violence raged outside, members of the city's philharmonic orchestra were trapped in their concert hall. they chose, quite simply, to play on. jenny hill, bbc news, vienna. the government of poland has delayed bringing a ban on abortion in almost all circumstances. there have been two weeks of mass

protests since the high court ruled that terminations due to defects in the foetus were illegal. a government spokesman said there was a need for peace, and more discussion around thejudgement. the world cup—winning argentinian footballer diego maradona is reported to be about to undergo surgery for a blood clot in his head. he was taken into hospital in la plata on monday evening, although his doctors say his condition has been improving throughout the day. hurricane eta has caused damage in nicaragua and honduras. the category 4 storm, with winds gusting at 140 miles per hour — that's 225 kilometres per hour — has caused several buildings to collapse, and caused at least one death. there are warnings of life—threatening storm surges, flash flooding and landslides. it is almost time, everybody is getting ready and voters on the east coast have about 45 minutes left to

cast their votes. in los angeles, a little bit more time. coming up next, our special programme, little bit more time. coming up next, ourspecial programme, us election 2020. to state with us. after one of the wettest october is on record, we are due something much quieter and over the next few days it should be largely dry and went lighter as well but it will be chilly, particularly at night, and there may well be some fog around as well. tuesday, a cold north—westerly wind replaced by high—pressure building in from the atlantic. the winds are turning lighter for most areas. the fog more likely to be in the centre of that high—pressure. for the first time this autumn, a widespread slight frost in some rural areas. showers in scotland

moving to the north sea and others fading away. lots of sunshine and dry weather for england and wales. the scotland and northern ireland, a bit of rain and drizzle. temperatures around 9— 12 degrees. they will fall quickly during the evening where we have the clearest quys evening where we have the clearest guysin evening where we have the clearest guys in the south. more cloud in the northern half of the uk. rain into scotland, pushing out to the north sea. further south, it scotland, pushing out to the north sea. furthersouth, it may scotland, pushing out to the north sea. further south, it may not be quite as cold on thursday morning. there is a risk of default. we are expecting more fog to be around england and wales. tuesday morning into friday morning in some areas. more cloud across the northern half of the uk on thursday. it should be dry. sunshine developing around england and wales with the fog slowly lifting. we may linger in the west country. — — it may linger. the

north—east of scotland could be quite warm for the time of year. when the fog is slow to clear, it could be quite chilly. more fog in scotla nd could be quite chilly. more fog in scotland and northern ireland on friday morning. it should clear through the day. sunshine developing more widely because the breeze will pick up the temperatures should lived in the south—east. high—pressure moving away in time for the weekend. falling pressure over iberia. light and patchy but at least it will not be as cold day and night.

the first polls are about to close in one of the most important elections in our lifetime. can donald trump win four more years in the white house? or canjoe biden pull off a historic victory? the eyes of the world are on this election. and both candidates have spent the last 48 hours in a final dash for votes. donald trump ended his campaign with a rally in michigan — a state he won four years ago by the narrowest of margins. he then headed back to the white house, where he'll give his verdict on the results when they come in. joe biden was in ohio and pennsylvania — midwest states that may hold the key to this election. he has enjoyed a lead in the polls for months,