joe biden pledges to heal america, as president trump refuses to admit defeat. the president—elect went to church in his home town today, after an address in which he appealed to supporters and to tens of millions of americans who did not vote for him. i pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide, but unify, who doesn't see red states and blue states — only sees the united states. he's known every british prime minister of the last four decades and once called borisjohnson a donald trump clone. he was asked about that today. there is far more that unites the government of this country and government in washington, any time, at any stage, than divides us.

president trump has been out on the golf course and made further claims of election fraud without offering evidence. we'll be live in washington and explore what a biden presidency will mean for america in the world and for us here. also tonight: remembering the fallen — on a socially distanced remembrance sunday. another victory for marcus rashford, as the government funds meals in the christmas holidays through councils in england. all we want is to be able to get on the bus the same as every other member of the public! if you want to get on the bus, get on the bus! the activists who fought for the disability discrimination act — on its 25th anniversary.

good evening. joe biden is america's president—elect, but in washington donald trump has not as yet accepted that and is continuing to allege that the election was stolen. in his first speech after the result became clear, mr biden told supporters that he wanted to restore the soul of america and told those who didn't vote for him that they should give each other a chance. he was projected as the winner after getting 279 electoral college votes, past the crucial number of 270. but that looks likely to increase, with a few states, seen here in grey, yet to declare. our north america correspondent nick bryant is in wilmington, delaware, mr biden‘s home town. nick, over to you. president—elect biden is preparing to ta ke president—elect biden is preparing to take power, stating that on the first day of his presidency, he will send a letter to the united nations

indicating that america will rejoin the paris climate change agreement, a substantive and highly symbolic move which would underscore how the united states is under new management. now, there are a few blea ry management. now, there are a few bleary eyes management. now, there are a few blea ry eyes in management. now, there are a few bleary eyes in delaware today, not just because of the sleeplessness of the past few days, but because last night they got to throw a party. cheering. for democrats across america, a night both of celebration and catharsis. joy borne of the certainty thatjoe biden will become the occupant of the white house, relief that donald trump will soon have to make his exit. the coronavirus turned this into a drive—in victory party, social distancing temporarily cast aside, but cheers still muffled by masks. a multigenerational gathering that looked like a tableau of modern—day america. ..kamala harris! the night began with a historic first. never before has a woman become

vice president—elect, or a person of colour. kamala harris, joe biden‘s running mate, has achieved both. but while i may be the first woman in this office, i will not be the last. because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities. the president—elect of the united states of america, joe biden. after nearly 50 years in public life, no wonderjoe biden was in a hurry to reach the stage. and he did so wearing what has become his trademark face covering, a piece of fabric that has become a political symbol in a polarised country the pandemic has driven even further apart. tonight, we're seeing all over this nation, all cities in all parts of the country, indeed, across the world, an outpouring ofjoy, of hope, renewed faith in tomorrow being a better day.

he presented himself as an elder and a healer. folks, i'm a proud democrat. but i will govern as an american president. i will work as hard for those who didn't vote for me as those who did. let this grim era of demonisation in america begin to end here and now. a leader who can restore the soul of america. the bible tells us, to everything there is a season. a time to build, a time to reap and a time to sow, and a time to heal. this is the time to heal in america. joe biden says he wants to bring this country together, but it's in such a state of disunion. there isn't even agreement on who has won this election.

the white house is looking more like an elegant bunker, under siege from democrats calling for donald trump to concede. but the president took to the golf course this morning, continuing to make unsubstantiated claims that the election was rigged, that some giant fraud has been committed. the president—elect attended mass and then visited the grave of his son who died from cancer. a reminder of how his story of personal grief finds a model echo in these sorrowful times. his party last night ended with the kind of made—for—television spectacular that we normally associate with donald trump. a show of the democratic reality — thatjoe biden is the winner. nick bryant, bbc news, delaware. presdient trump was out on the golf course again today but then returned to the white house.

our north america editor, jon sopel, is there now. jon, any idea what is going on behind the scenes, is he coming under pressure to concede? there is undoubtedly pressure, mishal, for president trump to concede, we have had president george bush coming out and congratulating joe biden today on his victory, not waiting for any legal mechanisms that the president is currently going through. there are also reports that the first lady, maloney, believes that the president should concede and so too his son—in—law, jared kushner, who was a key adviser. against that, his two son sing, no, you have got to fight this to the end, and other senior republican voices saying that. but i have read some commentary today saying thatjoe biden‘s election victory was a repudiation of donald trump and trumpism. i think that's wrong. donald trump got more votes in this

election than he did in 2016, and donald trump marches to the tune of what is base wants to hear, and if they believe that he's still fighting on immigration and still fighting on immigration and still fighting on immigration and still fighting on economic nationalism, the messages that donald trump has made his own, they may encourage him to fight this all the way in the courts. and so this could go on for some time. that said, there are a couple of fixed points on the calendar with marking. in the middle of december, the electoral college, this complicated mechanism for choosing the president, is meant to deliver the verdict from each particular state, and thenjanuary the 20th, his term expires, and if it is not resolved, he will be turfed out, it is not resolved, he will be tu rfed out, they it is not resolved, he will be turfed out, they will change the locks on the white house door, how farare we locks on the white house door, how far are we from a phone call where president trump picks up the phone and says, president—elect biden, many congratulations, i was wrong about the flawed allegations, i concede? not any time soon, and i can't even see it happening. jon

sopel can't even see it happening. jon sopel, thank you very much. we will have another report from the united states, from clive myrie, later on in the programme. what kind of relationship is president—electjoe biden likely to have with borisjohnson? the prime minister said today that he was looking forward to working with mr biden on climate change, as well as on international trade and security. but as our diplomatic correspondent james landale reports, there are some tricky issues ahead. from the days of margaret thatcher, joe biden has been no stranger to britain, making it his business to know the prime ministers of the day. at least, until now. for borisjohnson has yet to meet the president—elect, and the two men have their differences. mr biden has described the pm as a "physical and emotional clone" of donald trump. and as for brexit... had i been a member of parliament, had i been a british citizen, i would have voted against leaving. views shaped in part by his ancestry. mr biden, a quick word for the bbc? bbc? i'm irish! he's made clear that peace

in northern ireland should not become a casualty of brexit, with a uk—us trade deal very much on the line. a warning repeated by allies. there are, of course, significant concerns here about how any departure arrangement, final status, between the uk and eu might impact the border in northern ireland. from downing street, the prime minister insisted the us was britain's closest, most important ally and there was a good chance of a trade deal. there is far more that unites the government of this country and government in washington, any time, any stage, than divides us. we have common values, we have common interests, we have a common global perspective. there are issues where mr biden agrees with mrjohnson — being tough on russia, reviving the deal curbing iran's nuclear programme and agreeing new carbon reduction targets at a big climate summit in britain next year.

above all, a president that supports multilateral organisations such as nato, unlike his predecessor. but... the hard truth is that britain outside the eu is less useful to washington, and so whenjoe biden wants to influence europe, he will go to paris and berlin, not london. there was a time when american presidents were so important to britain that 160,000 people paid a few pounds to build a statue of one, like franklin roosevelt here. but those days are gone. joe biden's priorities will begin at home — fixing covid and the economy. allies, trade deals, they have to take second place. so, for now, a relationship not as special as once, but more predictable than of late, with perhaps fewer tweets. james landale, bbc news. let's explore further what a biden presidency could mean for the chances of a us trade deal with darshini david,

our global trade correspondent, for china with our correspondent john sudworth in beijing, and first with our political editor, laura kuenssberg. laura, do you think this is going to be awkward to beauty in boris johnson and joe biden? well, they are certainly not political powers, and the gap between the political styles is about as wide as the atla ntic styles is about as wide as the atlantic ocean that separates our two countries, and joe biden has made it perfectly clear he is no fan miller of the brexit project, which propelled boris johnson miller of the brexit project, which propelled borisjohnson to downing street in the first place. but pretty soon those caricatures will be replaced by a real—life working political relationship, and as james was suggesting there, there is a tricky list where you have to trade deal, the relationship around brexit, particularly northern ireland, but then also a list of chances and opportunities for the uk where the government hopes they may be able to make more progress under a biden presidency, whether that is on climate change, iran or the

attitude towards russia. so while borisjohnson attitude towards russia. so while boris johnson might have attitude towards russia. so while borisjohnson might have lost something of a politicalfellow traveller in donald trump, who shared something of a global political moment, i think there is actually quite a widespread welcome around these parts for a political partner who will be seen to be much more predictable, more dependable, and a promoter of those really important global institutions, like the un or nato, where britain is able to express its power. and the truth of the matter is that while the chemistry between the two leaders in the white house and downing street does always matter, the partnership between the two countries is always much more complicated, more permanent, and also much more extensive than any two individuals will actually be. but perhaps in the 21st century, the railand but perhaps in the 21st century, the rail and first challenge for boris johnson will be persuading joe biden, at a time when so many nations will be clamouring for his attention, that britain is somewhere that should come near the top of the

list. laura kuenssberg, thank you very much. let's explore the tried aspect of all of this with dharshini david. 0ther chances of a trade deal higher or lower under president trump... under present biden! it is the $220 billion question, thatis it is the $220 billion question, that is how much the trade in goods and services is worth between the two countries, the us is the uk's biggest destination for exports, our biggest destination for exports, our biggest foreign investor, and they help to support more than 1 million jobs here. talks have been ongoing right up until the election, i understand they are at a pretty advanced stage, but behind the scenes the uk trade team has also been tapping up the biden team as well, and i understand there quite similarto trump's, so well, and i understand there quite similar to trump's, so perhaps we are going to see demand is still for more are going to see demand is still for m ore a ccess are going to see demand is still for more access for us farmers, but with the uk government doubling down on that pledge not to lower food standards and giving ourfarmers more powers of scrutiny, chlorinated chicken may be off the menu anyway. but the real differences help us

farmers, but with the uk government doubling down on that pledge not to lower food standards and giving our farmers more powers of scrutiny, chlorinated chicken may be off the menu anyway. but the real differences have passed a deal may be done. now, uk officials want to see it done by the middle of the uk, when a deal to fast—track the deal through congress expires, but the potential iceberg now on this transatlantic trading route could be joe biden, as we have been hearing, his disapproval of brexit. if we don't see a deal between the eu and the uk, and is looking tight, and we see the good friday agreement looking at risk, he may knock us off that list altogether. 0n the other hand, the us economy, just like i was, is seeing its biggest crisis in yea rs, was, is seeing its biggest crisis in years, decades, possibly centuries. any opportunity to boost trade may be too good to pass up. with that, let's turn tojohn sudworth in beijing. 0ne let's turn tojohn sudworth in beijing. one of the most striking aspects of trump policy was the trade war with china, what happens to that under president biden? well, so to that under president biden? well, so far, mishal, there has been no

official comment or congratulations from beijing forjoe biden, and an administration that you might think would be delighted to see the back of donald trump. 0ver would be delighted to see the back of donald trump. over the past four yea rs, of donald trump. over the past four years, he has hit them with a trade war, punitive economic and political sanctions, and has consistently blamed them for what he calls the china virus. but in this deafening silence, there are some who see signs that china may be slightly disappointed that mr trump has lost, not because they hold out any lasting sympathy for him, of course, but because in four more years, they saw the tantalising prospect of a greater prize — divisive at home, isolationist abroad, isolationist abroad, mrtrump isolationist abroad, isolationist abroad, mr trump seemed the very embodiment of the long anticipated and long hoped—for decline in us power. for now, though, chinese state media is doing what it's a lwa ys state media is doing what it's always been doing, focusing not on the policies but on the chaos and

confusion, posting pictures, for example, of gun toting trump supporters outside polling stations, and the mouthpiece of this authoritarian superpower, the people's daily, even trolling him on their own social media platforms, with tens of millions of followers. to one of his recent tweets where he said that he had won by a lot, the people's daily responded with just two words, ha—ha, it said. people's daily responded with just two words, ha-ha, it said. john sudworth, thank you. the queen led remembrance sunday commemorations today, as people around the uk paid their respects to the fallen largely from home because of coronavirus restrictions. at the cenotaph on whitehall in london, she wasjoined by other members of the royal family and political leaders. 0ur royal correspondent nicholas witchell was watching. music: nimrod by elgar. the numbers were depleted, but for all that the massed bands and everyone else had to be socially distanced and

the pavements were empty of crowds, the purpose was unchanged. 0n remembrance sunday, in a year when loss has been more keenly felt than most, the ceremony of remembrance at the cenotaph had a particular power and poignancy. as 11 o'clock approached, the queen took her place on a balcony, as the prince of wales led other senior members of the royal family to their places in readiness for the two minutes' silence observed in whitehall and around the nation. big ben chimes the hour. music: last post.

in whitehall, the prince of wales placed the queen's wreath against the cenotaph's northern face. other members of the royal family followed. absent, for their different reasons, were princes harry and andrew. the wreath—laying by the politicians, a small group of commonwealth high commissioners and the military chiefs would normally have been followed by the march—past by thousands of veterans. the record will show that in 2020, 100 years after the cenotaph was unveiled, things had to be done differently. the veterans were represented by a group of 25. yet for all the changes required by the pandemic, lives lost in war and more recently were recalled and honoured, for remembrance is carried in the heart.

nicholas witchell, bbc news. the latest government figures on coronavirus show there were 20,572 new infections in the latest 24—hour period. it means the average number of new cases per day in the past week is now 22,4113. on average, 1,490 people were admitted to hospital each day in the week to last friday. another 156 deaths were reported for the last 2a hours. that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. that means an average of 332 deaths per day in the last week. it takes the total number of uk deaths to 19,0114. children who qualify for a free school meal should be able to access the service during the christmas holidays after the government pledged an extra £170 million through a winter covid grant for local councils. the move comes after a campaign by the manchester united striker

marcus rashford to extend the programme outside of term time. here's our education correspondent elaine dunkley. these are the volunteers on the front line of food poverty. so we help about 160 families in the school holidays, and then through the non—school holidays, it's 20 to 50 families depending on need. the cherry tree project in stockport provides emergency supplies for those in need. we've come across huge amounts of people where they've been made redundant, where they've lost jobs, where theirjob has changed so they've now got less hours or they're on furlough and they're on less money. gemma, who is looking for work, is worried about providing for her children over the christmas holidays. it takes off a lot of pressure from a lot of parents, especially single parents or people that have just lost theirjobs around all this as well. and it's notjust parents who are

worried — children feel it too. it'sjust helpful, because my mum has been poorly and stuff, like they've been giving us food and they've just been making sure my mum is ok, been coming round and things like that. marcus rashford is used to getting around opponents on the pitch to score — and now the same tactics with politicians. last night, he spoke to the prime minister. 0n the phone, he kept thanking me, but then in the back of my mind i'm like, "it's the families that deserve the u—turn," and i actually thanked him on behalf of the families. during half term, some local councils, restaurants and cafes provided food for struggling families after the government ruled out extending free school—meal vouchers across england beyond term time. now the plan is for local authorities, rather than schools, to distribute funding over the christmas holidays. there will be a £170 million grant scheme run via councils to help with food and bills

until march. an existing holidays activity and food programme will be expanded across england next year. healthy start scheme payments, which help pregnant women and young families, will go up from april. support has already been announced for children in scotland, wales and northern ireland. marcus rashford is seen as a hero by many, but as the pandemic pushes more families into hardship, his focus is on widening the safety net for those on the lowest incomes. elaine dunkley, bbc news, in stockport. it is exactly 25 years since the disability discrimination act was passed — landmark civil—rights legislation which, for the first time, protected disabled people in relation to employment, education and the provision of goods and services, such as transport. it came after a group of campaigners had taken their fight for equality onto the streets in protests that helped to change the law. 0ur correspondent nikki fox has been speaking to some of those who played a leading role. what do we want?

civil rights! when do we want them? now! in 1995, disabled activists brought central london to a standstill. they were fighting for the right to do what everyone else could — by targeting a public transport system that was completely inaccessible. listen, we're not interested in sympathy, all we want is to be able to get on the bus the same as every other member of the public! if you want to get on the bus, get on the bus! how?! how?! 0h, dragging me up the stairs, he's got another thing coming. at the time, disabled people were excluded from society — from work, from education, to even having a social life. i want to be able to go nightclubbing, i want to go to restaurants, i want to go to the cinema, without being a fire risk. back then, there was nothing they could do about it, and there was nothing in law to protect them. it was important to go to the heart of government, it always is.

in the end, we were saying that we want a law that protects our rights. we had nothing. i've just chained myself to it... it was their action, along with other campaigners who worked tirelessly behind—the—scenes, lobbying those in power, that eventually led to a change in the law. hello! hi, guys! we got together some of the activists involved to celebrate 25 years since the disability discrimination act was was passed — the very first time disabled people had civil rights. i just thought it was, like, a really significant moment. it meant that we got attention. if other ways had worked, we wouldn't have needed to do that, you know, if people had just had some common sense and included us in society, we wouldn't have had to do that. i'm getting unapologetically emotional now. we absolutely need disabled people to be free. and that is why we needed to keep going. how many times did you get arrested?

i got arrested eight times... those who fought so hard for this landmark legislation are proud. but despite the protests, despite a change in the law, for so many, equality is still a long way off. we achieved something significant, but it hasn't gone far enough, so we're still fighting for better legislation. if you look at the design of that bus now, there is no point at which to handcuff yourself. a hell of a lot of disabled people live in poverty because of the way that we treat disabled people as a society, so we're not finished, not by a long way. nikki fox, bbc news. let's return now to the united states and what happens now that joe biden is the next president. 7a million americans voted for him, more than 70 million for donald trump. can mr biden do as he pledges, to bring a divided country together, especially amid another surge

in covid cases? in the final report of his series, here's clive myrie. america has always been an unruly place. when the sun rises, it warms a land of competing ideas — of states and minds determined to show their independence. but this fractured existence was held together by a common thread — that all are equal, that all can dream. but recent years highlight the fraying of the thread. in the years up to the era of donald trump, americans ate the same brunch but too often talked past each other — left and right on parallel roads. canjoe biden wipe away the stain of divisiveness? eileen weisberg is a retired former hospital worker, and she voted for the democrat here in philadelphia. her recollection of recent american history is wasteful.

they forget that when bill clinton was in office, everyone made money, and people seemed to be united. now it's... all these people coming out, these groups that are for trump and causing problems, it'sjust... it's a sad thing, i don't remember it being like this. tony picks up the bill — he wouldn't tell us his surname — and the sting of defeat as one of the 70 million who voted for donald trump leaves him in little mood to hear the arguments of the winning side. he got the economy going, more people are working today than ever before — forget about the covid—19, before that. he might go down as one of the best presidents for the working people. history'sjudgment on this age is to come, and it won't be kind on the handling of the coronavirus.

there will also be a truly damning verdict of america if this new opportunity many believe has now come with the election isn't seized — to bridge the parties and divide, if this generation fails to truly reflect on the legacy it wants to leave. laurie matarano voted forjoe biden and expresses the hopes of millions. in a lot of ways, he wasn't, like, my first choice, i'll be honest. but i think to unite people, he is excellent for that. i think that he will do really well. we have to come together. we have to. as the light fades on america's election campaign, wherejoe biden says he wants to lead, will america follow? clive myrie, bbc news, in philadelphia. there's more throughout the evening on the bbc news channel. now on bbc one, it's time for the news where you are. goodbye.

hello and welcome to our look ahead to what the the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are the parliamentary broadcaster tony grew, and the journalist and broadcaster caroline frost. tomorrow's front pages then, starting with. .. let's start with the telegraph — it reports that donald trump is under mounting pressure to concede, as congratulations continue to pour in forjoe biden. but the metro says donald trump is refusing to accept defeat, as he criticises — what he calls, "thieves" who "stole" his presidency. mr biden is determined to hit the ground running, despite the prospect of a turbulent transition — so says the guardian. there's a different story in the mirror.