this is bbc news. i'm lewis vaughan jones with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. election officials in georgia confirm that mr biden beat president trump in the state. as hospitals try to cope with 50% more covid patients, americans are asked to stay home for thanksgiving and joe biden says the president won't cooperate. it will be another incident where he will go down in history as being one of the most irresponsible presidents in american history. this is bbc news, the headlines: shuggie bain by douglas stuart. georgia's secretary of state, and douglas stuart's novel about growing up in glasgow brad raffensperger, wins one of the world's has announced a hand recount of ballots confirms mr biden top prizes forfiction. as the winner of the presidential election in the state. around 15,000 votes out of a total of five million separated mr biden and president trump, prompting a recount

as per state—law. the number of patients in american hospitals with covid—19 hasjumped nearly 50% in the last two weeks. it comes as people are urged not to travel during next week's thanksgiving holiday. hello, welcome to the president—electjoe biden has called for unity in what he described programme. georgia's secretary of state brad raffensperger has announced a hand audit of ballots has confirmed joe biden as the winner as a national emergency. of the presidential election in georgia. mr raffensperger said there's "no doubt" the state philippines president will certify biden‘s rodrigo duterte has declared a ‘state of calamity‘ victory on friday. for the island of luzon joining me now is our after it was hit by devastating correspondent in washington will grant. typhoons gonni and vamco. hello. talk us through what has gone on there in georgia? well, luzon is the country‘s as we know, the margin of most populous island, victory was pretty slender the now on bbc news: first time of asking. it was below the 0.5% which meant that a recount could be put forward and the trump campaign called for that to happen, as was the right, but ultimately all that has happened is that has

confirmed what we already knew, as you explained just there, that this state goes to joe biden. we knew that, this is confirmed and the only margin of error in a couple of places was the greatest margin of error was 0.73% in one county, but the vast majority of counties remained exactly as they had been. on election night, essentially. so this is a blow, clearly, for the trump's bid to try and overturn the result of this election? undoubtedly. there is a variety of places where they are trying. but georgia will now go forward to certification. there is still a minor avenue for him to call for another manual recount to call for another manual recou nt after to call for another manual recount after certification but you have to wonder there whether or not they would find it worth the while, considering what has happened on this recount. so, you know, yeah, it is one of the avenues he has

left is now closing so where is left? i mean, pennsylvania, michigan has already gone against him, so you know, it is now looking like the end of the road for a variety of these legal challenges but as always, there are other things that can be done and it will take time. and it will take time for all of the states to certify and that, i think, of the states to certify and that, ithink, will of the states to certify and that, i think, will be the point where the trump campaign really has to decide whether or not they are going to sort of accept, even though they have to a cce pt accept, even though they have to accept the overall result, but accept that their legal challenges may have run their course. as one commentator put it, a couple of hours ago, effectively they are making all of the trump supporters watch biden win twice over. but we saw rudy giuliani's press conference, that has got quite a few people talking as well. yeah, it was unconventional, to say the least, wasn't it? it was supposed to be the point, after the votes were counted on

all of these unsubstantiated allegations of electoral fraud, he was supposed to come out and those to bed and show the evidence that the trump campaign says is there. and he simply did not. the evidence was not there, they could not show it, he started to go into far foremost show it, he started to go into farforemost as he is quoting my cousin billy, the hollywood comedy film, he is railing at the press and —— vinny. and railing at hugo chavez the late venezuelan leader. it does not look coherent when you put it next to the fact that the evidence has not been presented by their side, you put it next to the fact that georgia has again shown thatjoe biden has won the state and you do wonder where the cut—off point will come for the white house where they say enough is enough. we now accept that, i do not think they will say they have lost they will say they have lost the election but i think what they might do is say we cannot ta ke they might do is say we cannot take the legal process any further. thank you, well. —— will. well, earlier i spoke to dr ralph reed, the former

chair of the georgia republican party. we were looking ahead to the georgia senatorial run—offs. he says the impact of the state secretary confirming biden‘s win in georgia depends on the various other legal challenges. what we do know is whether or notjoe biden ultimately prevails — and certainly, he is ahead in these states right now — and the trump legal team is attempting to reverse those gains. or if donald trump were to prevail, there is no question these two senate seats in georgia are of apocalyptic dimensions for both parties. because should joe biden prevail, losing both of these would mean that he would not have control of the senate, mitch mcconnell would control the us senate, and that could have huge consequences for court appointments, for his executive appointments, and for legislation. there is absolutely no doubt of the significance —

i have never heard a senate race being described as apocalyptic! it is certainly significant. how do you view both candidates' chances now then in january? well, i think that we have to assume that this is basically a rerun of the general election that we just had. you know, the separation between president trump and joe biden is 13,000 votes and change out of 5 million. the votes separating senator david perdue from his challengerjon ossoff is 86,000 out of 5 million. and the governor's race was decided in this state two years ago by only about 50,000 votes out of 4 million. so it is going to be very close,

very competitive, hard —fought, and it's going all the way down to the wire and be a photo finish. a photo finish. are you prepared to call either race? no. irun i run scared and like i am behind. my organisation, faith and freedom coalition, which is a faith—based evangelical christian organisation in the united states, we will knock on 500,000 doors, make over a million phone calls, and put over 1.5 million voter guides in about 2000 churches in the state. we expect a huge turnout of conservative, socially conservative, evangelical christians and their roman catholic allies. i think that will make the difference on january 5th. just want to bring you some breaking news now from australia and that is the state of south australia there will come out of its hard lockdown on saturday night three days earlier than originally

planned. local authorities have revealed the state went into lockdown after one person lied to co ntra ct lockdown after one person lied to contract traces. while some of the restrictions will stay in place until saturday. south australia and are allowed to leave their homes to exercise with immediate effect. —— south australians. in a sign ofjust how serious the coronavirus pandemic has become, the us centers for disease control has urged americans not to travel during next week's thanksgiving holiday, america's most important family holiday of the year. the number of patients hospitalised with covid—19 in the united states has jumped nearly 50% in the last two weeks. in california, the state's department of public health has ordered an overnight curfew in most areas. here's the head of infectious disease in the us, dr anthony faucl we're not talking about shutting down the country. we're not talking about locking down. we're talking about intensifying the simple public health measures that

we all talk about — mask wearing, staving distance, avoiding congregate settings, doing things to the extent that we can outdoors versus indoors. if we do that, we'll be able to hold things off until the vaccine comes. that news conference followed one by the president—electjoe biden, in which he laid into president trump for blocking the transition, which he said would make fighting coronavirus more difficult. and there is no excuse not to share the data and let us begin to plan. because on day one, it's going to take us time — if we don't have access to all this data — it's going to put us behind the eight ball by a matter of a month or more, and that's lives. how many would be lost as a consequence of that? i can't tell you. president—elect biden on coronavirus in america. across the atlantic, the world health organization is warning one person

is dying every 17 seconds in europe from coronavirus. our science editor david shukman reports on the global second wave. intensive care in italy is under pressure yet again as the second wave of coronavirus breaks across europe. medical staff have learned new ways of caring for covid patients, but they can't save them all. last week, europe registered over 29,000 new covid—i9 deaths — that is one person dying every 17 seconds in the european region from covid—i9. un, deux, et trois... as in many countries, doctors and nurses in switzerland are exhausted from the first wave, and they're now stretched again. the numbers being admitted to hospital with covid—i9 give a good sense of how serious things are.

these lines show how in france, spain and belgium, there was the peak earlier this year, then a drop in the summer. next, a second wave and, more recently, signs of numbers starting to fall again. for comparison, this is what has been happening in the uk. hospital admissions are still rising. and let's take a look at the united states — numbers there still climbing very fast. in maryland, huge lines for coronavirus testing and the grim certainty that among the people infected, some won't make it. in el paso in texas, mobile morgues have been brought in. the covid death toll across the nation is set to rise. unless there is a concerted effort by all the governors in all the states to get on top of this virus quickly, within the next 60 days, we're going to see widespread death, suffering, sadness.

there are countries getting things right. in taiwan, the new normal means masks everywhere and rapid tracing of new infections. the total today, just eight — the result of responding quickly. by moving very early on in the pandemic, it did help them probably continue to have a hold on the virus within their country. but i think what this virus is showing us is that you just can't become relaxed, you cannot become complacent. in south australia, the whole city of adelaide is in a six—day lockdown after a new cluster of cases. it's one of many different approaches while we wait for the vaccines. david shukman, bbc news. let's get some of the day's other news. the us secretary of state mike pompeo has become the first top us diplomat to pay official visits to both a jewish settlement in the occupied west bank and to the golan heights, seized by israel from syria in 1967. the trump administration has

taken a staunchly pro—israel position, both on settlements and onjerusalem in defiance of international law. negotiations on the future trading relations between britain and the european union have been suspended after a member of the eu team tested positive for coronavirus. the british team is returning to london and the talks, which are at a critical stage, will continue remotely. ethiopian forces say they are closing in on the capital of tigray region, where they've been fighting a two—week offensive against local rulers. the conflict has now killed hundreds of people and sent 30,000 refugees into neighbouring sudan. the united nations estimates that an additional 4,000 people are crossing the border every day. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: a state of calamity is declared for the filipino island of luzon. we'll have the latest live from the capital.

benazir bhutto has claimed victory in pakistan's general election and she's asked pakistan's president to name her as prime minister. jackson's been released on bail of $3 million after turning himself into police in santa barbara. it was the biggest demonstration so far of the fast—growing european anti—nuclear movement. the south african government has announced that its opening the country's remaining whites—only beaches to people of all races. this will lead to a black majority government in this country and the destruction of the white civilisation. part of the centuries—old windsor castle, one of the queen's residences, has been consumed by fire for much of the day. 150 firemen have been battling the blaze, which has caused millions of pounds worth of damage.

this is bbc news. the latest headlines: georgia's secretary of state has announced that a recount of ballots by hand confirms joe biden as winning the presidential vote. americans are urged to stay at home for thanksgiving, asjoe biden lashes out at president trump for failing to co—operate over covid—19. researchers in oxford, in southern england, who are working with the pharmaceutical company astrazeneca say trials have so far shown a promising immune response for people in their 60s and 70s. final data on how well it works should be ready by christmas. britain has ordered 100 million doses of this vaccine. here's our medical editor fergus walsh.

it is volunteers like ian, from southampton, who are crucial to vaccine trials. how are you feeling today? we were there injuly when he received the first of two doses as part of the oxford astrazeneca trial, but we're only finding out today how the over—70s are responding to the jab. why did you sign up for the trial? i've become aware that the side effects of this disease are so much more than just a respiratory illness. you know, if i can help, here i am. the phase two study involved 560 volunteers. 240 were aged 70 or over. they were given two injections a month apart. the results showed the covid vaccine produced a robust immune response across all ages, including the over—70s. older adults reported fewer side effects, which were, in any case, generally mild,

and included sore arms, fatigue and headaches. as you get older, your immune system becomes less effective and that leaves you more vulnerable to infections, and it usually means that you're also less able to respond to vaccines. so our results are really, really encouraging, because this means that we might be able to offer protection to the vulnerable age groups, the elderly, who are particularly susceptible to severe disease. vaccines work by training the immune system to recognise and remember the enemy — in this case, coronavirus. the oxford vaccine stimulates the creation of specialist y—shaped proteins known as neutralising antibodies. in the event of future exposure, these should latch on to the coronavirus and prevent infection. it also stimulates the creation of t cells, another key part of the immune system.

these should sweep up after the antibodies and destroy any cells that have become infected. but we don't know yet whether the oxford astrazeneca vaccine actually protects against disease. those vital results from bigger trials are due soon. if it works, there could be three effective covid vaccines coming on stream before christmas. we need about 60—70% of the population to take up the vaccine. so once the vaccines get approval, it's really important to get the message out that these vaccines are safe and we do need people to have the vaccine in order that we can start to relax all these social distancing measures in the new year. astrazeneca said tonight it has delivered 4 million vials of its vaccine for the uk. the government's ordered 100 million doses, which cost around £3 each. it's cheaper, easier to produce and store than the pfizer and moderna vaccines, but they're both more than 90% effective.

the hope is the oxford astrazeneca jab will work just as well. fergus walsh, bbc news. philippines president rodrigo duterte has declared a ‘state of calamity‘ for the entire island of luzon after it was hit by devastating typhoons gonni and vamco. luzon — the country's largest and most populous island, which is home to the capital manila — has been badly affected by widespread flooding. more than 70 people have died. our correspondent howard johnson is one of the first foreign reporters to visit the worst affected region of cagayan in the north of the island. he is back in manila now and joins us from there. tell us what you have been witnessing. yesterday i saw pa rt witnessing. yesterday i saw part of the cagayan valley resembling a sea of mud. it was

everywhere and covered agricultural fields. everywhere and covered agriculturalfields. i saw everywhere and covered agricultural fields. i saw a cornfield that had been com pletely cornfield that had been completely devastated with water on the surface and not a single crop inside that could be taken to market. i also visited a town where you could see the mud had made its way into people's homes, wrecking a marketplace where there was nothing left. it wasjust overturned, all the stalls along the marketplace and i spoke to some of the stall owners who said their houses have been destroyed and their livelihoods are now completely devastated and they were searching for funds, loans, anything to get their lives back and running again. at the moment, let's not forget, this isa moment, let's not forget, this is a country that has been hit by long lockdowns as a result of covid—19 and that has caused the economy to go into recession so many people are needing financial support. we saw the philippine red cross handing out cash aid of $75 per family but there are remote

parts of the cagayan valley and families there who still need support. we have seen pictures as you talk of how damaging the devastation is. how prepared is the country? they are normally well—prepared, they the country? they are normally well—prepa red, they have the country? they are normally well—prepared, they have a disaster council ready to deal with stuff like this as well as evacuation centres but this has been storm after storm and yesterday, speaking to the chairman of the philippine red cross, he believes climate change has caused these storms to become increasingly more aggressive in the last 50 years of his career. he said he saw more storm surges and higher wins and, now, the big threat of all this water on the fields and streets, there is a concern that there may be a rise in dengue fever cases. a mosquito borne disease that affects this region this time every year and now we see a lot of the area covered in water, there is concern that dengue could be

the next threat. and what has been the president's response? the president has been having a spat with the vice president here, he has been back and forth over who got there first, the vice president did. it has been political this week but he has declared this a state of calamity meaning more funds can be pushed to the region to support them to get back on their feet and the economy kickstarted again. it is the story of a young boy growing up in glasgow in the 1980s with an alcoholic mother. shuggie bain was written by the scottish writer douglas stuart — based on his own childhood. it is his debut novel and it's just won him the uk's most prestigious literary prize — the booker. our arts editor will gomperz has been speaking to him. covid restrictions meant the champagne wasn't flowing and the shortlisted authors weren't present, but the booker prize show still went on, and with a sense of occasion, as the winner was announced.

shuggie bain, by douglas stuart. the glasgow—born author now lives in new york, where he's a successful fashion designer. douglas, congratulations. that looked like a genuine surprise? i was incredibly surprised. i think part of the reason that it took me so long to write the book is because i felt like an imposter. i've felt that way since i was a young man, to be honest. books were never really seen as something that a boy from the east end of glasgow should be doing with his life. i wasn't sure that my voice would be welcomed within publishing circles. and so this isjust beyond my wildest expectations. douglas stuart's novel, shuggie bain, which took him a decade to write, is a compelling, moving, unflinching account of working—class life in 1980s glasgow. at its heart is a relationship between the alcohol—dependent agnes and her young son shuggie, who has his own issues to resolve. shuggie stood on the bed and put his arms on her shoulders.

they swayed that way for a while. she kissed his nose, he kissed her nose. the chair ofjudges said the decision to give the award to shuggie bain was unanimous. if you like fine writing, read it. if you like to connect emotionally with the characters, read it. shuggie bain is a character that is unforgettable. the 2020 shortlist was the most diverse in the prize's 52—year history — a reflection, according to last year'sjoint winner, of a publishing industry changing, albeit very slowly. we shouldn't be seduced into thinking that the publishing industry has revolutionised its practices simply because i won the booker, and because the list this year is very diverse, and because we know that there have been breakthroughs. because when you do look at the statistics, you realise there is still a very, very long way to go. shuggie bain will no doubt go on to enjoy the famous booker bounce, with a significant increase in sales. those readers will discover

a troubled love story set in a bleak landscape, told with remarkable compassion. will gompertz, bbc news. congratulations there. i just wa nt to congratulations there. i just want to remind you, quickly, of our breaking news this hour from australia. south australia, the state they are, will come out of a hard look down on saturday night, three days earlier than originally planned. local authorities revealed the state went into lockdown after one person lied to co nta ct lockdown after one person lied to contact traces. they were misled by someone working in the epicentre of the recent outbreak, a pizza shop. that person originally said he only purchased a pizza from that place when, in fact, he worked several shift their. some restrictions will stay in place until saturday but south australia is and allowed to leave their home to exercise with immediate effect. plenty more on that on our website

along with many other stories. you can reach me on twitter — i'm @lvaughanjones and hello there. the short—lived cold snap, it's on its way out now, as we start to see mild air making inroads off the atlantic but laden with moisture. we'll see a lot more cloud and outbreaks of rain spreading eastwards across the country during the course of today. you can see the cold air still looms across the eastern side of the country to begin today, but gradually, that milder air will move in on a strengthening west—southwesterly breeze. so it starts off dry and chilly, maybe some early brightness in the east. very soon, the cloud thickens, with patchy rain spreading eastwards. mainly light and patchy, a few heavier bursts across scotland, perhaps even some brief wintriness briefly over the higher ground, before that mild air moves in. the winds also picking up, particularly out across the north west, gusts of 40 to 45 miles an hour into the evening.

and here, it will be turning milder by the end of the day — 12, 13 degrees — but further east, still quite chilly under that cloud and rain. but as we head through the course of tonight, it does look like it'll turn milderfor all. it stays rather cloudy, but drier for england and wales. scotland, northern ireland, a new cold front will be sinking southwards, bringing outbreaks of rain. behind it, it will turn cooler with some blustery showers, but double figure values for most. so into the weekend, then, we've got that new cold front sinking southeastwards across the country gradually. behind it, the air will be turning cooler. and along that cold front, there will be a band of cloud and some patchy rain moving out of northern ireland and southern scotland and heading south into england and wales through the day. behind it, skies brighten up. we'll see sunny spells but some blustery showers for scotland and northern ireland. it'll be very windy here, particularly northern scotland, with widespread gales. so, turning a bit cooler later in the day across the north, but mild for england and wales. quite a bit of cloud around, 13—14 degrees. that cold front then moves southwards and ends up lingering across southern england on sunday, but behind it, you'll notice we're

in that cooler air mass, so it could be cloudy across southern england throughout the day. but for much of the country, actually bright on sunday with some good spells of sunshine. but it stays breezy in the north, with further blustery showers across northern and western scotland. winds lighter in the south. those temperatures lower than on saturday — eight to around ten or 11 degrees in the south. and then as we head on into next week, it looks like it turns milder again, with south—southwesterly winds moving in, but a low—pressure system will bring outbreaks of rain, 00:28:24,258 --> 2147483051:50:56,844 particularly to the north 2147483051:50:56,844 --> 4294966103:13:29,430 and the west of the country.