will this is bbc news, broadacasting to viewers in the uk and around the globe. to viewers in the uk i'm clive myrie. to viewers in the uk our top stories on an historic day for the us... congratulations, mr president. joe biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the united states, saying democracy has prevailed and pledging to dedicate himself to healing the nation. on this january day, my whole soul is in this, bringing america together, uniting our people, uniting our nation, and i ask every american tojoin me in this cause. kamala harris is sworn in as vice—president, becoming the first woman and the first person of colour to hold the post.

we'll get the thoughts of former us secretary of state madeleine albright and get global reaction to the new administration from brussels, havana in cuba and here in london. lady gaga performs the star spangled banner amid the tightest security in living memory on capitol hill. this is the scene live, as president biden and vice—president harris prepare to attend a wreath laying ceremony at the tomb of the unknown soldier at arlington national cemetery.

hello and welcome to bbc news. we are going to take you back to the capitol in washington where there is a military parade taking place as we speak. a military parade taking place as we seak. �* , , ., ., . ., speak. and this is in advance of the official residential _ speak. and this is in advance of the official residential motorcade - official residential motorcade making its way to arlington national cemetery for a wreathlaying ceremony which will involve the now president biden, vice—president harris and interestingly, former presidents obama, george w bush and bill clinton. and of course, as we know, the former president donald trump is not in the washington area, he was not in the washington area, he was not at the swearing—in ceremony, he has not attended the inauguration, he left the white house earlier on today. he flew back to florida, two

largo. and there, you see the massed bands in revolutionary gear. and facemasks. a feature of today's events, no crowds on the washington mail, usually you would see hundreds of thousands of people, close to a million i remember when i covered the inauguration of barack obama. no crowds down there today, just flags signifying the terrible toll of coronavirus on so many thousands of people. but there they are, president biden and the new first lady, about to enter their cars, we think, to make that trip to a very solemn ceremony, the laying of a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier. as i say, you would normally have hundreds of thousands of people in the area waving,

banners, celebrating the peaceful transfer of power. every four or eight years in the united states. and this time, of course, coronavirus has put paid to all that. i will be finding out a little bit later on actually if it would be normal, i and bit later on actually if it would be normal, land not bit later on actually if it would be normal, i and not sure, bit later on actually if it would be normal, land not sure, maybe viewers can get in touch and tell us if it would be normal to have former presidents attend the wreathlaying ceremony on this inauguration day. actually, i probably should know, but i don't know if this is actually something that has now taken place, or will take place, because of the absence of the former president donald trump. but certainly it will be a sight to see presidents obama, bush, bill clinton, former president jimmy carter, he's very frail these days, jimmyjoe biden made it clear earlier that he had spoken to the former democrat president, who

wished him well, but was unable to attend events today. and a sense of the long line of history putting its hand on the shoulder of president biden. as he begins a herculean task of trying to bring together a country riven on so many levels, politically, racially, economically. and of course, uppermost in the minds of lots of people, the fact that many millions of americans voted forformer that many millions of americans voted for former president trump, and do not believejoe biden became president fairly. let's go to our washington correspondent gary o'donoghue, who has been watching events on the mail throughout the day. gary, it is good to see you, thank you for being with us. a curious day, no crowds, no sitting president handing over power, as it were, what curious times these are?

yes, it has been a curious... not an anti—climax, i wouldn't say, but an absolutely unique inauguration, in the sense that when you were here for barack obama, whatever it was, 12 years ago, this place would have been absolutely packed to the rafters, wouldn't it? there would have been hundreds and hundreds of thousands of people from the capitol all the way down to the monument down there. and all we have here is a field of flags, symbols of the people that should be here. and as you say, donald trump, not present at the inauguration himself, flying off to florida in air force one. having that very curious little sendoff rally, i suppose you would call it, at andrews air force base, sort of riffing a speech, replaying some of his greatest hits, that kind of thing, tiny little crowd there.

air force one flying off to frank sinatra's my way, it was a sort of theatrical performance, as we have come to expect with donald trump. and now, joe biden, president biden, as we can now call him, starting to conclude some of these more ceremonial elements of the day, having completed business here at the capitol they will head off to arlington cemetery, just across the potomac in virginia, to pay their respects at the tomb of the unknown soldier, the term established after the first world war, which has come to symbolise all those fallen american service people in combat all around the world. but then the business, clive, of governing begins in earnest. straightaway after that. so, today, all sorts of measures being brought in by the new president, many of them aimed at undoing things that donald trump set

in place, some of those very controversial policies of his. interesting, gary, you were talking about the atmosphere. without thousands and thousands of people there, you're saying it doesn't feel flat, it doesn't feel like an anti—climax, given how important and significant a moment this is? i think that's right, and i think that is the power of virtual, isn't it? we saw the power of ritual, even though there weren't very many people present, it is human being is going through those things that are time—honoured, in a certain order, in a certain way, with a certain level of decorum, that gives those situations and those events a certain dignity and coherence of their own. and that is what i think was brought to the four today, even though we didn't have the surrounding joy if you like of

hundreds of thousands of people out here, and we are not going to have the huge parade up pennsylvania avenue. and the great and the good of washington are not going to have their fancy balls later on this evening, as they would expect to have. but still in essence, the core of the day, the core of the meaning, was preserved. ida of the day, the core of the meaning, was preserved-— was preserved. no parade, no fancy balls, i remember _ was preserved. no parade, no fancy balls, i remember some _ was preserved. no parade, no fancy balls, i remember some of- was preserved. no parade, no fancy balls, i remember some of those i was preserved. no parade, no fancy balls, i remember some of those in | balls, i remember some of those in my time as washington correspondent. sorry, gary, you won't be able to attend any yourself, they're all off! the motorcade of president biden heading off to arlington cemetery to lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier. gary, thanks for talking to us. butjoe biden has taken the oath of office, becoming the 46th president of the united states.

nick bryant now reports on an historic day for america. the american story has taken an ugly turn, its capital city under what looks like military operation, a wire and clapboard citadel. the trump years ended with an attack on us democracy, the storming of the capitol, the backdrop for these inaugural commemorations, so troops are on the streets to stop american fighting american. the tradition is for departing presidents to meet their successor at the front door of the white house, but donald trump left out the back, the first us leader not to attend the inauguration in more than 150 years, his snub tojoe biden part of a graceless exit. in his last minutes in power, he continued to trash the norms of presidential behaviour, staging this farewell ceremony before

boarding air force one. the reality tv president choreographing his season finale. it is my greatest honour and privilege to have been your president. the future of this country has never been better. i wish the new administration great luck and great success. goodbye, we love you, we will be back in some form. he left washington to the strains of the village people's ymca, upbeat music for a president with an impeachment trial hanging over him which could disqualify him from running for office again. he remains an heroic figure for many conservatives, an american strongman they would love to see return. he flew out of town

with a final showman flourish. # i did it my way... he did it his way. joe biden began the day in prayer, a father who lost a baby daughter and a grown—up son, a husband who lost his first wife. in this time of so much mourning, his personal anguish became part of his political appeal. then he was driven to capitol hill and greeted by an honour guard of the police officers who were overrun by the pro—trump mob. only two weeks ago, the platform for the inauguration became a staging post for the assault on the us capitol, a site of insurrection. but now it filled up with america's political establishment, three of the former living presidents, and republican, observing

the long—held tradition that the transfer of power should be bipartisan. also here, donald trump's vice president mike pence, himself a target of the mob. he decided to attend the inauguration rather than his boss's farewell. covid has made this a crowdless ceremonial, the place on the national mall normally occupied with supporters of the new president planted with flags in honour of the 400,000 americans who have died of the coronavirus. joe biden, accompanied by his wife doctorjill biden, this is the culmination of an almost 50—year politicaljourney that included decades of public service as a senator on capitol hill and vice—president under barack obama. his candidacy didn't generate huge excitement, and today, he co—opted the star power of lady gaga to perform the national anthem. # for the land of the free... then came the swearing—in of kamala harris,

in the spotlight of history, the first black, the first indian american, the first woman ever to serve as vice—president. so help me god. her story personifies the american dream and many see her as the face of the american future, the deputy to the country's oldest ever leader, a possible president in waiting. then it was time forjoe biden to take his solemn pledge. i, joseph robinette bidenjr, do solemnly swear... ..that i will faithfully execute... ..the office of president of the united states. and will to the best of my ability... ..preserve, protect and defend... ..the constitution of the united states. congratulations, mr president. cheering and applause. no modern day president has faced so many overlapping crises. this was a transfer

of diminished us power. democracy is precious, democracy is fragile, and at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed. here is my message to those beyond our borders. america has been tested and we have come out stronger for it. we will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again. not to meet yesterday's challenges, but today's and tomorrow's. his inaugural address spoke of his overriding mission to heal a broken land riven with so much political and racial division. this is our historic moment of crisis and challenge, and unity is the path forward. it is often said of successful presidential candidates

that they don't choose the time, the time chooses them. that might be true of presidentjoe biden, a man who has experienced so much personal grief. america has a new occupant of the white house and donald trump is now a former president. to many in america and around the world, it's his loss of power that is the most significant news of the day. nick bryant, bbc news, washington. joe biden has now signed his nomination papers, his first official documents as president from the capitol president's room. biden signed a proclamation on inauguration day as well as documents making official his nominees for cabinet and sub—cabinet positions. and he is going to be using that pen quite a lot, we understand, a raft of presidential orders. we can go to live pictures now showing the official motorcade of the new

president and the first lady, heading to arlington national cemetery. there they are preparing for the arrival of the first family. gary o'donoghue, our correspondent, a little bit earlier summing up the mood brilliantly as ever, he talked about the power of ritual, covid—i9, and the lack of crowds on the mall, dampening the spirits. this still a very important, solemn day, the peaceful handover of power. although the 45th president was not in attendance. and we are expecting president obama, former president george w bush and former president bill clinton tojoin george w bush and former president bill clinton to join president biden as they lay a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier. those are the live pictures from arlington

national cemetery. we can talk now to a former commanding general of the us army in europe. it is good to see you, thanks for being with us. joe biden said we will repair our alliances in his first inaugural, is that potentially one of the most important sentences he read out today? important sentences he read out toda ? ~ , ., ., today? well, first of all, congratulations - today? well, first of all, congratulations to - today? well, first of all, - congratulations to president biden and vice—president harris, i was very proud watching the ceremony, but of course i was very happy to hear the president specifically talk about our allies, and reaching out to the world and really restoring america's role as a leader in the international community for if you can imagine, in that speech, everybody is competing to get certain bits in there and the fact that he chose to emphasise alliances in his inaugural speech was music to my ears, and very encouraging. what my ears, and very encouraging. what hels the

my ears, and very encouraging. what helps the projection _ my ears, and very encouraging. what helps the projection of us power in europe is of course nato, and we know that president trump, former president trump, had a bit of a sticky relationship with the alliance. how isjoe biden going to go about trying to repair the relationship with washington? weill. relationship with washington? well, of course, relationship with washington? well, of course. first _ relationship with washington? well, of course, first of _ relationship with washington? well, of course, first of all, _ relationship with washington? well, of course, first of all, the _ relationship with washington? well, of course, first of all, the new - of course, first of all, the new administration, president biden and his team, are going to remove any doubt about america's�*s commitment to nato and to our allies, and also really remove any doubt about whether or not the united states is willing to work with europe, or the european union, all of our allies and partners in europe. it is such and partners in europe. it is such an important, so many important relationships for the united states, thatis relationships for the united states, that is the first thing, he is going to remove all doubt. secondly, the incoming administrations team for months has talked about the importance of working with allies

and getting back into international organisations, the paris climate accord, for example, trying to restart the iran nuclear deal. so, thatis restart the iran nuclear deal. so, that is also very encouraging, but it is also important to remember that this administration is going to be very tough on our allies. he is going to be much more traditional and diplomatic and work in a cooperative way, but the administration is going to have very high expectations, particularly for germany and for the uk, and on france, i think, germany and for the uk, and on france, ithink, to germany and for the uk, and on france, i think, to hold the kremlin accountable and to work with us as we figure out how to deal with china. ., ., , ,.,, ., china. part of this posture from the biden administration, _ china. part of this posture from the biden administration, to _ china. part of this posture from the biden administration, to continue l china. part of this posture from the | biden administration, to continue in some ways what former president trump began, and that is to try to convince nato allies to pay their dues? ~ ..~ convince nato allies to pay their dues? ~ , , , dues? well, look, every president since president _ dues? well, look, every president since president roman _ dues? well, look, every president

since president roman has - dues? well, look, every president- since president roman has complained about allies not doing enough, and i think the next ten presidents will also complain about this. the problem is that the way president trump approached it damaged the alliance. it damaged relationships, and i spent a lot of time in germany i can tell you, that approach had the opposite effect here in germany. now, i think that our great alliance can probably be a little bit more sophisticated about what to percent actually means, what do we need germany to do? what do we need the uk to do? the uk, of course, that has never been a problem. germany is the one that, if berlin would embrace more of a leading role when it comes to defence and security, i think everybody else in europe would follow. pare think everybody else in europe would follow. �* , ., . ~' think everybody else in europe would follow. �* ., ~ ., follow. are you talking about germany perhaps _ follow. are you talking about germany perhaps putting - follow. are you talking about - germany perhaps putting forward a much more offensive posture when it comes to the deployment of troops? well, look, the government in berlin

needs to have a serious public debate about where they see their strategic role in the world. i mean, clearly they are the economic power of europe, they are a leader within the european union, and they've earned a moral authority to help lead. but they don't hold china accountable, they still have north stream too, which is an expected, and i think the biden administration is going to expect the german government to take on a much more robust leadership role, because i think truthfully, berlin is probably the only country that can really influence kremlin behaviour and maybe even the behaviour of the chinese communist party. and so, the biden administration is going to expect that from germany. obviously with their long—time allies the united kingdom, ithink with their long—time allies the united kingdom, i think that governance will figure out, how do

we deal with challenges in the arctic and in the indo pacific region as well as in europe? qm. arctic and in the indo pacific region as well as in europe? 0k, it is aood to region as well as in europe? 0k, it is good to talk— region as well as in europe? 0k, it is good to talk to _ region as well as in europe? 0k, it is good to talk to you, _ region as well as in europe? 0k, it is good to talk to you, ben - region as well as in europe? 0k, it| is good to talk to you, ben hodges, former commanding general of the us army in europe, thank you very much for your time. army in europe, thank you very much for your time-— for your time. thanks for the rivileue for your time. thanks for the privilege to _ for your time. thanks for the privilege to double. - president biden�*s inauguration speech was notable for a decisive shift in tone towards the rest of the world from that of his predecessor, and a clear break away from the previous administration's america first rhetoric. take a listen. here's my message to those beyond our borders. america has been tested, and we've come out stronger for it. we will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again, not to meet yesterday's challenges, but today's and tomorrow's challenges. and we'll lead not merely by the example of our power but by the power of our example.

let's take a look at how the world has been reacting to joe biden�*s inauguration. we've heard from some of donald trump's closest allies — israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu tweeted a video saying... he said he looks forward to working with the administration. but he also tweeted a message of thanks to mr trump, he said... and we've heard from the nations considered to be donald trump's biggest adversaries. iran's president hassan rouhani said... also some reaction from china...

our correspondent will grant us the capital of cuba, havana. it is good to see you, will, we know that relations between cuba and the trump administration were strained, to say the least, after the rapprochement, as it were, of the obama years. how do you see the relationship moving forward now? i do you see the relationship moving forward now?— forward now? i mean, it is no exaggeration. _ forward now? i mean, it is no exaggeration, clive, - forward now? i mean, it is no exaggeration, clive, to - forward now? i mean, it is no exaggeration, clive, to say i forward now? i mean, it is no l exaggeration, clive, to say that forward now? i mean, it is no - exaggeration, clive, to say that the relationship between washington and havanais relationship between washington and havana is at its lowest ebb since any time during the cold war and perhaps even at some of the worst

moments of the cold war. it really is very, very damaged under president trump. and the cuban government are obviously hopeful that president biden will go some way towards rebuilding, particularly because he was vice—president when obama had the policy of talking, of reopening ties, reopening an embassy, orsimply reopening ties, reopening an embassy, or simply engaging with cuba. so, they are hopeful on that front. however i don't think it is just going to be a switch being flicked. when we think aboutjust how important the florida vote was in notjust this presidential race but every presidential race, i think joe biden will still have kind of half an eye on that constituency and won't simply come in and overturn everything that donald trump did. i think he will maintain some of the pressure on the cuban government during his presidency.— during his presidency. we're 'ust seeinu during his presidency. we're 'ust seeing uve fl during his presidency. we're 'ust seeing live pictures i during his presidency. we're 'ust seeing live pictures from i during his presidency. we're just i seeing live pictures from arlington national cemetery, we are expected

to motorcade of president biden to arrive in the next few minutes or so to lay a wreath, along with former presidents obama, george w bush and bill clinton. that is at the tomb of the unknown soldier. that relationship, back to you, will, in havana, that relationship between the former president trump and cuban—americans in florida, was that primarily one of the reasons why the relationship between havana and washington soured?— relationship between havana and washington soured? yeah, i think in essence, washington soured? yeah, i think in essence. it— washington soured? yeah, i think in essence, it was. _ washington soured? yeah, i think in essence, it was. the _ washington soured? yeah, i think in essence, it was. the administration | essence, it was. the administration of donald trump quoted lots of things, from alleged health attacks on us diplomats, which was later said by havana to be nothing to do with them, but they cited that in washington as a reason they were drawing down their presence here, and so on and so forth. but i think

everybody could see that this was largely about a domestic audience. what i think is interesting in the current situation is that, i've been in cuba during the entirety of the trump administration, and i am yet to hear anybody here on cuban soil, anybody outside a supermarket, in a bank, on the street, say that they welcomed those steps, of ramping up the us economic embargo. we went out a lot and spoke to a lot of people to gauge their reactions, before the election, and after, and it was always the same, that people were exhausted at soma hostility and were just very hopeful first of all that joe biden would win, and then would change the rhetoric and the relationship.— change the rhetoric and the relationship. change the rhetoric and the relationshi. ~ ., ., ., relationship. will, thanks for that, will grant. — relationship. will, thanks for that, will grant, our _ relationship. will, thanks for that, will grant, our correspondent - relationship. will, thanks for that, will grant, our correspondent in l will grant, our correspondent in havana, cuba. we are going to stay on these pictures for a little while. you're seeing the flowers of

arlington national cemetery and we are expecting the motorcade ofjoe biden to arrive any minute, with the first lady, drjoe biden, and president obama, george w bush and also bill clinton will be there. we are going to bring in international, chief international correspondent, lyse doucet, to give us some wider perspective, beyond the shores of cuba, on potentially what a biden administration might mean internationally. it's interesting, i was watching a piece from our africa correspondent, andrew harding, a couple of days ago, talking about the bulk of the most important american troops are being pulled out of somalia, and a lot of these actions around the world where we have seen a change in american posture because of the trump administration, how do you see, on a wider scale, a biden administration perhaps reversing some of these

moves? ~ ., , perhaps reversing some of these moves? ~ . , ., ., , moves? well, we have seen already toda , as moves? well, we have seen already today. as you _ moves? well, we have seen already today, as you mentioned, _ moves? well, we have seen already today, as you mentioned, these - today, as you mentioned, these executive orders, including rejoining the paris climate accord, not leaving the who. messages which, it was also the main message from president biden�*s speech to the world, he said, america will repair its alliances and engage with the rest of the world. but i think everyone watching the speech, and joe biden did say the world is watching, and he looked around and said, and my colleagues in the senate know the world is watching, in other words, americans know the world is watching, they heard a 20 minute speech, and it was only 15 minutes in that he turned his attention to the rest of the world, but only briefly, and then went back to america. his message to the world seem to rest on what happened to america. america was tested, he said and became stronger. america secured its

liberty, we will not forget the attack on capitol hill, and we serve as a beacon to the world. all the problems he mentioned, be it the deadly virus, systemic racism, climate crisis, tax on democracy and truth which came up a lot, these are not problems just faced by america but faced by the wider world and the president use the maxim he often uses that america will lead notjust by the example of its power but by the power of its example. coincidentally or not, when he said that, the camera switched to looking at the american forces guarding the capitol. a lot of the countries you mentioned, somalia, afghanistan, american power rests on american soldiers and they are leaving, and i think president biden will want them to leave but as we have seen in afghanistan, it is how they will leave, when they will leave, not

that they will leave. he indicated he will look at all those deals because he has to keep america safe. which is a very clever thing on his part, some might suggest, because he is on the one hand appealing to the former president trumps supporters, to galvanise their disaffection and discontent. but he is using the idea of america and saying to people that, if the rest of the world is peaceful and safe and content, then we are safe and peaceful and content. if the rest of the world is ok, we are ok. so, it is a very clever trick he is doing, appealing to the internationalists, and two ursula von delight in europe and the nato commanders but is also speaking to the american people as well, and bringing those to make entities together is very important. it is interesting _ together is very important. it is

interesting and _ together is very important. it 3 interesting and people will have noticed how much he dwelled on "i will be a president for all of america, for those who voted for me and thank you very much, but i will also be a president to those who did not vote for me". he emphasised in a democracy it is fine to disagree and he acknowledged they may never agree. but what they had to agree on was that democracy was sacred. america was sacred. the emphasised time and again the unity, the united states of america was the most important question. you must have noticed i was struck how many times he mentioned the attacks on truth, and how much clapping he got when he talked about the attacks on truth. may be a first time the president said we are divided not by people who don't look like us but people who don't look like us but people who don't look like us but people who don't get their news in the same places as us, defined by how we get our news. this speech was such a measure notjust of our time but the

times in our world. mil measure not just of our time but the times in our world.— times in our world. all right, brin . in: times in our world. all right, bringing the _ times in our world. all right, bringing the two _ times in our world. all right, bringing the two halves - times in our world. all right, bringing the two halves of. times in our world. all right, - bringing the two halves of america into virtually the same time zone when it comes to news and facts might be a good idea. leys doucet, thank you for that. as we look at the pictures from arlington national cemetery, three former presidents, bill clinton, and hillary clinton, george w bush and laura, and as the camera moves slowly down the line, former president barack obama and his wife, michelle. and i think that is the first lady's coat, the blue coat we saw in the background or maybe not. where is the president? where is he? he is actually going to be laying, along with those former presidents, laying a wreath on the

tomb of the unknown soldier. nick is standing by. thanks for being with us. one suspects brussels, ozil of underlying the rest of the commission breathed a sigh of relief when that swearing in ceremony happened and a sense a relationship between brussels and the european union and washington can be reset. good evening. it's fair to say of the past four years many european leaders have felt that with friends like donald trump, who really needs enemies? as we know he has repeatedly attacked the eu club, accuse the european union of putting up accuse the european union of putting up more trade barriers than china. she supported brexit which, after all, was the fragmentation of the european club. and he has accused european club. and he has accused european leaders time and time again, as you've been discussing, of not paying their way particularly when it comes to defence. so we have seen quite a public show of

happiness which reflects deep joy behind the scenes that the trump administration will be consigned to history although clearly the effects of it will be felt for many years to come. you mentioned us live underlying, the head of the european commission, she led this course of congratulations and praise today. stressed president biden's european and irish roots. whenever there is a new occupant in the white house, there has been this race to try to get the new president to visit their country festival. we have seen leader after leader send out a red—carpet invitation hoping president biden will put his finger on the map to say, yes, this will be where my first foreign trip will be. i am sure that rat race has already started! trying to get president biden into some kind of ceremony in their capital across europe. i just wonder, is there a sense as well from the eu that those particular

european challenges, especially russia, may be better handled now because joe russia, may be better handled now becausejoe biden's in the white house? because joe biden's in the white house? , ., ., ., house? there is that feeling. nato is based in — house? there is that feeling. nato is based in brussels _ house? there is that feeling. nato is based in brussels and _ house? there is that feeling. nato is based in brussels and we - house? there is that feeling. nato is based in brussels and we have l is based in brussels and we have heard from the secretary general saying this marks a new opportunity for countries to work together and he cited, clive, russia as well as china, to make big forces the eu has been trying to deal with, and the hopein been trying to deal with, and the hope in european circles in brussels is with collective strength they may be in a better position to try and deal with the trade of china and the aggression of russia we have seen over the last few years. i think the return to some sort of more predictable relationship is something a lot of people are pleased about here. also it seems they seem to have shared goals on key things. climate change is something ursula von der leyen has been talking about, she has come up with a key commitment to try to

reduce greenhouse gases by the year 2030, by 55%. so i think when people listen to the biden — harris team are saying that is a real priority for them, climate change, they are encouraged by that and also the idea they could be a transatlantic partnership when it comes to tackling the coronavirus, getting rid of the pandemic. you only have to look at the pfizer/biontech corporation, the fact it was an american and german company that was the first in the world to get a vaccine together that was approved first of all. . ~ vaccine together that was approved first of all. a ., ., ., ~ ., first of all. nick, good talk to ou, first of all. nick, good talk to you. nick _ first of all. nick, good talk to you. nick b. _ first of all. nick, good talk to you, nick b, our— first of all. nick, good talk to l you, nick b, our correspondent first of all. nick, good talk to - you, nick b, our correspondent in brussels. we are still waiting for president biden to appear at arlington national ceremony, to lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier and in the meantime we will talk to madeleine albright, the former us secretary of state under president bill clinton. madam

secretary, a pleasure to have you on the show and thank you forjoining us. the show and thank you for “oining us, , ., ., ., , the show and thank you for “oining us. ., , the show and thank you for “oining us. good to be with you and thank ou. sum us. good to be with you and thank you- sum up. _ us. good to be with you and thank you- sum up. if— us. good to be with you and thank you. sum up, if you _ us. good to be with you and thank you. sum up, if you will, - us. good to be with you and thank you. sum up, if you will, the - us. good to be with you and thank you. sum up, if you will, the lastl you. sum up, if you will, the last 3.5-4 you. sum up, if you will, the last 3-5-4 years _ you. sum up, if you will, the last 3-5-4 years of — you. sum up, if you will, the last 3.5-4 years of america's - 3.5—4 years of america's relationship with the rest of the world. ~ ., , , ,, . world. well, from my perspective, i think it has — world. well, from my perspective, i think it has been _ world. well, from my perspective, i think it has been a _ world. well, from my perspective, i think it has been a disaster. - world. well, from my perspective, i think it has been a disaster. eitherl think it has been a disaster. either the united states was absent without leave or was in fact unpredictable, and making our relationships more and making our relationships more and more complicated, and telling people what to do, not the kind of thing that i have favoured and president clinton did, and president biden is going to, which is to have partnerships, and to operate together in terms of solving the issues of the world. so i do think that the relationship in the past 3.5 years has been one of the worst, and one of the ones that has left

scars that the new president is going to have to deal with, and there's nobody better suited to do that than president biden. i5 there's nobody better suited to do that than president biden. is there one thin , that than president biden. is there one thing, madam _ that than president biden. is there one thing, madam secretary, - that than president biden. is there one thing, madam secretary, that| one thing, madam secretary, that president biden could do in the first few days, the first weeks, that would truly show to the rest of the world that america is, in his words, back? i the world that america is, in his words. back?— words, back? i do think it is important— words, back? i do think it is important to _ words, back? i do think it is important to measure - words, back? i do think it is important to measure the i words, back? i do think it is- important to measure the words he said because i thought they were very important. he said that the united states was prepared to be a leading force for good in the world. and that it wants to have cooperative relationships. i think first of all he has already said they were going to rejoin the paris agreement, and that there are going to be any number of ways that there is an understanding of how the international system works... serra; international system works... sorry to interrupt — international system works... sorry to interrupt you. — international system works... sorry to interrupt you, i'm _ international system works... sorry to interrupt you, i'm very _ international system works... sorry to interrupt you, i'm very sorry, - international system works... sorry to interrupt you, i'm very sorry, we will go back to the live pictures we

have got at arlington national cemetery. vice president kamala harris and president biden have arrived and they will take part in what is a very solemn ceremony. often on president's day, on veteran's day, on memorial day we see the sitting president lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier. madam secretary, apologies for interrupting you. the kind of policy measures that you believe president biden can introduce pretty quickly to show the world america is back. ~ ~ ., back. well, i think that there will be conversations. _ back. well, i think that there will be conversations. there - back. well, i think that there will be conversations. there will- back. well, i think that there will be conversations. there will be l be conversations. there will be activity in terms of trying to show how we can work together to solve problems. part of the problem is that it problems. part of the problem is thatitis problems. part of the problem is that it is difficult to travel at the moment. and there will be questions about who does come to europe. you were talking about what

is going on in brussels. the americans recognise the importance of brussels as a centre of european activity and also the place where nato is. and, so, there will be attempts to have conversations as quickly as possible. but, mostly, i think it will be a combination of president biden understanding america's role in the world, having humility about how we operate, wanting to be a partner, not a dominant force, and i think it will be trying to get specific issues and problems. what is happening in terms of climate, what is going to be happening in other parts of the world and to see us as partners. hagar world and to see us as partners. how im ortant world and to see us as partners. how important do — world and to see us as partners. how important do you _ world and to see us as partners. how important do you think it is that joe biden actually has both houses of congress, the house and the senate? it of congress, the house and the

senate? , ., , senate? it is important, very important- — senate? it is important, very important. the _ senate? it is important, very important. the margins - senate? it is important, very important. the margins are i senate? it is important, very. important. the margins are not senate? it is important, very- important. the margins are not very big. but i think that having the leadership on the same side is very important. but i think the part everybody understands in the united states as well as with our foreign friends as this is not going to be simple. president biden has a huge agenda that has to begin with dealing with covid, which is not just an american issue but an international one also. he has to deal with our economy and one of the things he is going to do is to try to make clear to the american people how domestic and foreign policy go together. and he will have friends in the congress but it isn't going to be just a way ofjust saying i want this to happen and it'll happen. i think it will be hard work for everybody, and there is the sense of hope but also realism about how we will put america back together. d0

how we will put america back touether. ,, , how we will put america back touether. i. , ., together. do you see, madam secretary. _ together. do you see, madam secretary, the _ together. do you see, madam secretary, the covid _ together. do you see, madam j secretary, the covid pandemic together. do you see, madam - secretary, the covid pandemic being the number one foreign policy challenge as well as domestic policy challenge? i challenge as well as domestic policy challenue? ., . ~' , challenge as well as domestic policy challenue? ., ., , , challenge? i do, frankly because the virus knows — challenge? i do, frankly because the virus knows no _ challenge? i do, frankly because the virus knows no borders. _ challenge? i do, frankly because the virus knows no borders. we - challenge? i do, frankly because the virus knows no borders. we have - challenge? i do, frankly because the i virus knows no borders. we have seen what effect it has had in other countries, how that has affected our relationship generally. but i think one of the issues that everybody has to consider, both domestically and internationally, is the number of issues that have to be dealt with and how you decide what the priorities are. and the reviews that have to be done. this has not been a normal transition but i do think that president biden has made very clear that he sees covid as a major issue that has to be dealt with. yesterday, he honoured those that had died as a result of covid. and it has taken a really difficult part of what has happened in america and how people feel about what the government does but it is an

international issue also because the world health organization has to act, and president biden has already made clear we would rejoin the world health organization. brute made clear we would re'oin the world health organization.— health organization. we will leave it there. madam _ health organization. we will leave it there. madam secretary, - health organization. we will leave l it there. madam secretary, pleasure to talk to you. madeline albright. thank you so much. you are watching pictures of arlington national cemetery. president biden, vice president harris, and the last post, let's hear this. last post plays.

bugler plays last post. order!

a few minutes of silence there, the last post remembering the fallen in

american wars. the cemetery established after the first world war but one suspects in the thoughts of many people there, the hundreds of many people there, the hundreds of thousands of those who lost their lives as a result of the covid i9 pandemic. we will talk to our correspondent in downtown washington, up the road from arlington national cemetery. larry, thanks forjoining us but to sum up the mood down there, bearing in mind there are no crowds, which isn't what you'd normally have. no, there were no crowds at all. a few people were here, and a small place for protesters. thea;r few people were here, and a small place for protesters.— place for protesters. they were controlling _ place for protesters. they were controlling the _ place for protesters. they were controlling the crowds. - place for protesters. they were controlling the crowds. we - place for protesters. they were | controlling the crowds. we have place for protesters. they were - controlling the crowds. we have seen quite a few supporters of kamala harris and president biden, some of them wearing paraphernalia and signs and their happiest moment happened. there were also a few trump

supporters, people wearing hats and hoodie is with the motto make america great again. there weren't many of them but they came out. they told me they came out because this is america and we don't like being told what to do referring to the fact authorities told them not come to the city because of the security operation and the covid pandemic. so, they were not there, then, larry, to which president biden well? , , .. , , well? they were here because they wish america _ well? they were here because they wish america well _ well? they were here because they wish america well and _ well? they were here because they wish america well and that - well? they were here because they wish america well and that is - well? they were here because they wish america well and that is a - wish america well and that is a distinction they want to make. they don't necessarily wish biden well. they fear he will bring socialism which is social shorthand for socialism, the wavy trump campaign paint at the other side and that went to the supporters, and they see anything that appears more on the welfare side to be early signs of communism and socialism. socialism

is virtually communism here, there is virtually communism here, there is to make meaning the same thing in the right—wing shorthand of the american political system. they are here to wish america well but not necessarilyjoe biden well. here to wish america well but not necessarily joe biden well.- necessarily joe biden well. larry, thanks very _ necessarily joe biden well. larry, thanks very much, _ necessarily joe biden well. larry, thanks very much, larry - necessarily joe biden well. larry, thanks very much, larry is - necessarily joe biden well. larry, thanks very much, larry is on - necessarily joe biden well. larry, j thanks very much, larry is on the streets of downtown dc. today, of course, wasn'tjust about streets of downtown dc. today, of course, wasn't just about the streets of downtown dc. today, of course, wasn'tjust about the new president. his vice president was 56—year—old kamala harris. america's new vice—president is the daughter of an indian mother and a jamaican father. i'm joined now by two of kamala harris�*s sorority sisters at howard university in the 1980s, daphne rankin and carla mannings. ladies, a pleasure to see you and thank you forjoining us on bbc news. i'm going to start with you, carla mannings. would you have predicted when you are probably chasing guys and doing all kinds of things as sorority sisters that

kamala harris would have ended up in this position? ida. kamala harris would have ended up in this position?— this position? no, not at all. never would have — this position? no, not at all. never would have imagined _ this position? no, not at all. never would have imagined that. - this position? no, not at all. never would have imagined that. i- this position? no, not at all. never would have imagined that. i saw. would have imagined that. i saw something special in her, just like the rest of a lot of sisters. just like they saw something special in all of us. but did i imagine today? absolutely not but i am so happy to be here today. absolutely not but i am so happy to be here today-— absolutely not but i am so happy to be here today. sure. daphne rankin, what about you. _ be here today. sure. daphne rankin, what about you, did _ be here today. sure. daphne rankin, what about you, did she _ be here today. sure. daphne rankin, what about you, did she show - be here today. sure. daphne rankin, what about you, did she show any . what about you, did she show any inclination to high office at all? kamala was always a leader amongst us so _ kamala was always a leader amongst us so we _ kamala was always a leader amongst us so we always thought she'd someday— us so we always thought she'd someday be a leader but could we imagine _ someday be a leader but could we imagine her being the vice president of the _ imagine her being the vice president of the united states? i don't think any of— of the united states? i don't think any of us — of the united states? i don't think any of us imagined that! but of the united states? i don't think any of us imagined that!— any of us imagined that! but this was a great _ any of us imagined that! but this was a great day _ any of us imagined that! but this was a great day for _ any of us imagined that! but this was a great day for all _ any of us imagined that! but this was a great day for all of - any of us imagined that! but this was a great day for all of us. - any of us imagined that! but this was a great day for all of us. it i any of us imagined that! but thisj was a great day for all of us. it is a shame, carla, that you can cannot be there, given everything. yes.

a shame, carla, that you can cannot be there, given everything.- be there, given everything. yes. it is. and, be there, given everything. yes. it is- and. so. _ be there, given everything. yes. it is- and. so. we — be there, given everything. yes. it is. and, so, we watched _ be there, given everything. yes. it is. and, so, we watched it - be there, given everything. yes. it is. and, so, we watched it from i be there, given everything. yes. it| is. and, so, we watched it from the television, and, so, if you hear any background noise, madam vice president sisters that live in the washington dc area, we gathered in my backyard, and where we were able to celebrate madden vp from, i guess, a few miles away. so we were able to make it a veryjoyous occasion. it able to make it a very 'oyous occasiomfi able to make it a very 'oyous occasion. . , ~ , occasion. it was a bit like a super bowl occasion. it was a bit like a super ihowl party. _ occasion. it was a bit like a super ihowl party. was _ occasion. it was a bit like a super bowl party, was it? _ occasion. it was a bit like a super bowl party, was it? actually, - occasion. it was a bit like a super bowl party, was it? actually, of. bowl party, was it? actually, of sorts because _ bowl party, was it? actually, of sorts because we _ bowl party, was it? actually, of sorts because we had _ bowl party, was it? actually, of sorts because we had the - bowl party, was it? actually, of- sorts because we had the television outside, and some heaters, we even had a fire pit with chairs around the fire pit, so, yes, it was absolutely like a life changing, i would say, celebratory moment. we have to bring up a picture and i don't know if you're going to

appreciate this, this is a picture of you with the vice president of the united states. this is going back a few years. but there you are, thatis back a few years. but there you are, that is the sorority. daphne, was there a lump in your throat when you saw her put her hand on the bible today? saw her put her hand on the bible toda ? . . saw her put her hand on the bible toda ? . , ., , ., ,., ., today? there was. i was also a olitical today? there was. i was also a political science _ today? there was. i was also a political science major - today? there was. i was also a political science major and, - today? there was. i was also a| political science major and, so, today? there was. i was also a i political science major and, so, i political science majorand, so, i understand— political science majorand, so, i understand the appreciation you ask for for— understand the appreciation you ask for for the _ understand the appreciation you ask for for the late supreme court justice — for for the late supreme court justice marshall. and when she laid her hand _ justice marshall. and when she laid her hand on the bible that belong to him it— her hand on the bible that belong to him it was— her hand on the bible that belong to him it was surreal! it was wonderful.— him it was surreal! it was wonderful. �* ., , , him it was surreal! it was wonderful. ., , , , wonderful. but, of course, she faces a lot of challenges _ wonderful. but, of course, she faces a lot of challenges along _ wonderful. but, of course, she faces a lot of challenges along with - a lot of challenges along with president biden.— a lot of challenges along with president biden. , , ., , �* president biden. yes, she does. but i'll tell ou president biden. yes, she does. but i'll tell you this _ president biden. yes, she does. but i'll tell you this - _ president biden. yes, she does. but i'll tell you this - she _ president biden. yes, she does. but i'll tell you this - she has _ president biden. yes, she does. but i'll tell you this - she has a - president biden. yes, she does. but i'll tell you this - she has a very, - i'll tell you this — she has a very, very— i'll tell you this — she has a very, very strong — i'll tell you this — she has a very, very strong faith, and i think her faith— very strong faith, and i think her faith and — very strong faith, and i think her faith and commitment to service will see her_ faith and commitment to service will see her and — faith and commitment to service will see her and president biden through this administration.—

this administration. carla, do you believe she _ this administration. carla, do you believe she is _ this administration. carla, do you believe she is up _ this administration. carla, do you believe she is up for _ this administration. carla, do you believe she is up for the - this administration. carla, do you i believe she is up for the challenges of a divided country on so many levels, racially, economically, politically?— politically? yes, i do. and the seeds were — politically? yes, i do. and the seeds were planted _ politically? yes, i do. and the seeds were planted that - politically? yes, i do. and the seeds were planted that i - politically? yes, i do. and the i seeds were planted that i would politically? yes, i do. and the - seeds were planted that i would say from her early childhood and what she brought even to before we met her. howard cultivated her and so did our sorority. it cultivated her into who she is today. and she is a fighter. and we have seen that on the senate floor. if you watched her during hearings and during the senate times, when she was in california, she is ready for the challenge. she and president biden are ready for all of the many challenges that they face, starting as soon as they took oath. daphne, how much of _ as soon as they took oath. daphne, how much of an _ as soon as they took oath. daphne, how much of an inspiration - as soon as they took oath. daphne,

how much of an inspiration is - as soon as they took oath. daphne, how much of an inspiration is today| how much of an inspiration is today for millions of little girls looking on and seeing, perhaps, the complexion of kamala harris on the high stage? complexion of kamala harris on the hiuh state? . complexion of kamala harris on the hiuh state? , , complexion of kamala harris on the hiuuhstae? , , ., high stage? listen, this moment toda , it high stage? listen, this moment today. it is _ high stage? listen, this moment today, it is absolutely _ high stage? listen, this moment today, it is absolutely priceless. | today, it is absolutely priceless. it today, it is absolutely priceless. it saysm — today, it is absolutely priceless. it saysm it _ today, it is absolutely priceless. it says... it speaks volumes to whom women _ it says... it speaks volumes to whom women are _ it says... it speaks volumes to whom women are and who women can be, how we have _ women are and who women can be, how we have nurtured and even being the strength— we have nurtured and even being the strength and backbone of this country — strength and backbone of this country. it tells little girls, whether— country. it tells little girls, whether they are black or white or any other— whether they are black or white or any other race, that they can do anything. — any other race, that they can do anything, they can do absolutely anything — anything, they can do absolutely anything and they can be a success at doing _ anything and they can be a success at doing it — anything and they can be a success at doing it. all anything and they can be a success at doin: it. �* ~ at doing it. all right. we will end there. ladies, _ at doing it. all right. we will end there. ladies, good _ at doing it. all right. we will end there. ladies, good to _ at doing it. all right. we will end there. ladies, good to talk - at doing it. all right. we will end there. ladies, good to talk to . at doing it. all right. we will end | there. ladies, good to talk to you and thank you forjoining us, daphne rankin and carla mannings. and a very happy inauguration day for them. a quick reminder of the top story. the inauguration ofjoe biden

is the united states, his hand on the bible, he took and swore the oath of office a a few hours ago. hello again. storm christophe continues to cause trouble with over 100 flood warnings currently in force across parts of england and wales. the met office amber warning for heavy rain stays in force for the thursday morning for parts of northern england and the midlands as well and more recently we have seen storm christoph push northwards into the cold air in scotland, where we have started to see the rain turn into snow. conditions will continue to deteriorate overnight. indeed there is a met office amber weather warning for snow in force. and 10—30 centimetres, the winds strength and later in the night so we could see some power cuts as well. there is a sharp dividing line between the rain and snow and across north—east england we might see conditions turn

more to snow. if that happens, we could see something like 5—10 centimetres with snow, but there is a lot of uncertainty about that. it will be windy overnight with eastern areas particularly parts of eastern england. gusts get up to 60 miles an hour, potentially strong enough to wake you from your slumber and bringing down an odd tree. it'll be a cold night as well with widespread frost across more than areas, so lots of weather around overnight. thursday, storm christoph, the rain his way from northern england and wales but those flood waters continue to work down the river catchment and for some that means the flooding could get worse before it gets better. blizzards continue across the northern scotland. generally, a cold day for northern areas of the uk but more so factoring in the strength of those very cold north—north—westerly wind spot. they will be with us in to

friday, cold, frosty and locally icy started today but a day of sunshine and show�*s with show�*s wintry across north—western areas, if you show�*s for wales and southern counties of england, generally quite cold, may be 8 degrees in cardiff and london. the weekend, we continue with the winds, sunshine and show�*s for the most part but some computer models continue to spin up areas of low pressure that either track over northern france or across the south of england and wales. if they go across england and wales we could see snow otherwise sunshine and wintry showers for most areas.

this is bbc world news. on pbs in america and around the globe i'm clive myrie. america has a new president. congratulations mr president. joe biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the united states, saying democracy has prevailed. he's pledging to dedicate himself, to healing the nation. on this january day, bringing americans together, uniting our people, uniting our nation and they asked every american to join me people, uniting our nation and they asked every american tojoin me in this cause. kamala harris is sworn as vice president, becoming the first woman and the first person of colour to hold the post. and in one of their first acts

as president and vice president, joe biden and kamala harris lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier at arlington cemetery. hello and welcome to bbc news. it didn't last long, a handful of minute, a handful of minutes, butjoe biden has taken the oath of office, becoming the forty sixth president of the united states. and he takes the helm of a country split on so many levels. racially, economically, politically, it's as if the two halves of the country exist in parallel universes. speaking at the capitol building, the scene of the failed mob insurrection two weeks ago, president biden said his victory wasn't a triumph for one candidate, but for democracy. beside him was kamala harris, his vice president, the first woman to hold the office, with her black and asian

heritage also a first. donald trump refused to take part and instead flew to florida pledging he would be "back in some form." our washington correspondent, nick bryant, now reports on a historic day, for america. the american story has taken an ugly turn, its capital city under what looks like military operation, a wire and clapboard citadel. the trump years ended with an attack on us democracy, the storming of the capitol, the backdrop for these inaugural commemorations, so troops are on the streets to stop american fighting american. the tradition is for departing presidents to meet their successor at the front door of the white house, but donald trump left out the back, the first us leader not to attend the inauguration in more than 150 years, his snub tojoe biden part of a graceless exit.

in his last minutes in power, he continued to trash the norms of presidential behaviour, staging this farewell ceremony before boarding air force one. the reality tv president choreographing his season finale. it is my greatest honour and privilege to have been your president. the future of this country has never been better. i wish the new administration great luck and great success. goodbye, we love you, we will be back in some form. he left washington to the strains of the village people's ymca, upbeat music for a president with an impeachment trial hanging over him which could disqualify him from running for office again.

he remains an heroic figure for many conservatives, an american strongman they would love to see return. he flew out of town with a final showman flourish. # i did it my way... he did it his way. joe biden began the day in prayer, a father who lost a baby daughter and a grown—up son, a husband who lost his first wife. in this time of so much mourning, his personal anguish became part of his political appeal. then he was driven to capitol hill and greeted by an honour guard of the police officers who were overrun by the pro—trump mob. only two weeks ago, the platform for the inauguration became a staging post for the assault on the us capitol, a site of insurrection. but now it filled up with america's political establishment, three of the former living presidents, and republican, observing the long—held tradition

democrat and republican, observing the long—held tradition that the transfer of power should be bipartisan. also here, donald trump's vice president mike pence, himself a target of the mob. he decided to attend the inauguration rather than his boss's farewell. covid has made this a crowdless ceremonial, the place on the national mall normally occupied with supporters of the new president planted with flags in honour of the 400,000 americans who have died of the coronavirus. joe biden, accompanied by his wife doctorjill biden, this is the culmination of an almost 50—year politicaljourney that included decades of public service as a senator on capitol hill and vice—president under barack obama. his candidacy didn't generate huge excitement, and today, he co—opted the star power of lady gaga to perform the national anthem.

# for the land of the free... then came the swearing—in of kamala harris, in the spotlight of history, the first black, the first indian american, the first woman ever to serve as vice—president. so help me god. her story personifies the american dream and many see her as the face of the american future, the deputy to the country's oldest ever leader, a possible president in waiting. then it was time forjoe biden to take his solemn pledge. i, joseph robinette bidenjr, do solemnly swear... ..that i will faithfully execute... ..the office of president of the united states. and will to the best of my ability... ..preserve, protect and defend... ..the constitution of the united states. congratulations, mr president.

cheering and applause. no modern day president has faced so many overlapping crises. this was a transfer of diminished us power. democracy is precious, democracy is fragile, and at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed. here is my message to those beyond our borders. america has been tested and we have come out stronger for it. we will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again. not to meet yesterday's challenges, but today's and tomorrow's. his inaugural address spoke of his overriding mission to heal a broken land riven with so much political and racial division. this is our historic moment of crisis and challenge, and unity is the path forward.

it is often said of successful presidential candidates that they don't choose the time, the time chooses them. that might be true of presidentjoe biden, a man who has experienced so much personal grief. america has a new occupant of the white house and donald trump is now a former president. to many in america and around the world, it's his loss of power that is the most significant news of the day. nick bryant, bbc news, washington. in the past hour, president biden and vice president kamala harris have laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier. the ceremony — at the arlington national cemetery — was also attended by former presidents barack obama, george w. bush and bill clinton — but not donald trump. the ceremony was one of biden's first official acts

as the new commander in chief. laura trevelyan joins us live from washington. not too farfrom not too far from the white house, laura, and i think they're going to be arriving, the president and vice president in the next hour or so. i just wonder what the first order of business will be once he crosses the threshold there. that business will be once he crosses the threshold there.— threshold there. that is right. in the next hour, _ threshold there. that is right. in the next hour, you're _ threshold there. that is right. in the next hour, you're going - threshold there. that is right. in the next hour, you're going to l threshold there. that is right. in i the next hour, you're going to see threshold there. that is right. in - the next hour, you're going to see a very truncated parade, usually the inaugural parade takes at least half an hour, sometimes five hours in the case of president eisenhower back in the 50s. but due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the security concerns due to the storming of the capital, which are going to see instead is in the presidential escort. joe biden in the first lady, they're going to

be escorted and walked up the driveway with no crowds, and military escort, they will have the alma mater university of both the president and the vice president. and there will be a bit of fanfare and glee but as far as the first order of business, well, we've been told that the new president is going told that the new president is going to sign i7 executive orders. almost as soon as he gets into the white house. within the first hour of the job and he's going to start the business club of overturning the legacy of his predecessor. and he is going to overturn that ban on people from majority muslim countries coming to america. he is going to rejoin the paris climate accord. he is going to try to set a new tone, clive. �* ., .., , is going to try to set a new tone, clive. �* ., , ., " ., clive. and of course, covid-19 and the pandemic— clive. and of course, covid-19 and the pandemic but _ clive. and of course, covid-19 and the pandemic but has _ clive. and of course, covid-19 and the pandemic but has claimed - clive. and of course, covid-19 and i the pandemic but has claimed more than 400,000 american lives and as the president said in the inaugural,

more than those that died in world war ii when he came to american loss of life, what is planned for that? in terms of the executive orders that he is going to sign tonight, he is going to make it compulsory for anyone who was on federal property to wear a mask, that might sound like a small step but it is highly significant, remember how politicized it was wearing a mask that donald trump for example rarely wore a mask in public and the next thing that presidentjoe biden is going to do is try to vaccinate 100 million americans in his first 100 days. the vaccine roll—out has been patchy at best, even reports of the vaccine running out in some parts the country. so, what presidentjoe biden is going to try to do is to cultivate and deliver on this promise to vaccinate the country and try to rebuild the economy. his

rhetoric during the campaign was very much, if you do not sort of covid—i9, you're not going to sort out the economy. one follows on from the other. does he have any specific economic plans that he is going to be bringing in place in those first 100 days? she be bringing in place in those first 100 da s? ., . . be bringing in place in those first 100 da s? ,, ., , 100 days? she has an extremely ambitious $1.9 _ 100 days? she has an extremely ambitious $1.9 trillion _ 100 days? she has an extremely ambitious $1.9 trillion economic| ambitious $1.9 trillion economic recovery plan. a stimulus plan that he is going to try to get through congress. remember, he's got the narrowest of majorities in the house and in the senate and earlier today, one of his chief allies in the senate, his presidential rival bernie sanders was saying, we want republicans to come with us on this and pass the stimulus plan will give americans another $1400 each in their wallets, americans another $1400 each in theirwallets, but americans another $1400 each in their wallets, but senator sanders said, if republicans don't come with us, we are going to do it by ourselves. and there is a technique in the senate, a reconciliation that will enable democrats to ram that

stimulus bill through but only if they have lost absolutely no vote. this is the part forjoe biden in theory comes into his own, he was on theory comes into his own, he was on the youngest senators ever elected. almost 50 years ago. he was in the us senate until ten years ago, he prides himself on his ability to reach across the aisle when he is going to need all of his political votes when he needs that stimulus bill passed through washington. laura trevelyan life. i'm joined by delaware attorney general kathleenjennings, who was a close friend of president biden's late son, beau. thank you very much for being with us. some of your thoughts on this today. us. some of your thoughts on this toda . �* .., us. some of your thoughts on this toda . �* .. , ., , us. some of your thoughts on this toda. �* , ., today. the american people today saw the result of— today. the american people today saw the result of the _ today. the american people today saw the result of the election _ today. the american people today saw the result of the election that - today. the american people today saw the result of the election that they - the result of the election that they chose the right person for the right job at the right time. hearing joe

biden, our president, speakfelt job at the right time. hearing joe biden, our president, speak felt so much like a mothers loving and healing hug to the nation. in my family, to a person, we cried tears ofjoy. the inauguration, the tone, the music, the speeches and the invocations were just pitch perfect. it's what we need to hear right now and he did it and it's what we need to hear right now and he did itand not it's what we need to hear right now and he did it and not to mention, of course, this was also an amazingly historical day in america because of, harris, ourvice president. we arejoyful of, harris, ourvice president. we are joyful that of, harris, ourvice president. we arejoyful that she is of, harris, ourvice president. we are joyful that she is walking into this historic role. she was a former attorney general and that is near and dear to my heart. you cannot call him joe _ and dear to my heart. you cannot call him joe any _

and dear to my heart. you cannot call him joe any more, _ and dear to my heart. you cannot call him joe any more, it - and dear to my heart. you cannot call him joe any more, it is - call himjoe any more, it is president biden. come on now. he: would say, just call me joe. but you would say, just call mejoe. but you are right, he is our president. unclejoe. he doesn't see himself in the way that he approaches politics as a uniter. he sees himself in the mold of someone like lyndonjohnson who can put the arms around her shoulder take a congressman or congresswoman, senator to one side and convince them to follow a particular line of policy. given the animosity that there is from the republicans towards the democrats and on the democrat side and some forms as well, do you think you can actually do that with the congress that he has? i actually do that with the congress that he has?— actually do that with the congress that he has? i think vice president kamala harris _ that he has? i think vice president kamala harris and _ that he has? i think vice president kamala harris and president - that he has? i think vice president| kamala harris and president biden, he is the only one and she is the only one who can unite us right now

and we need that so very much. one of the first things i remember, then senator biden saying to me, decades ago is you never back a person into ago is you never back a person into a corner that you do not give them a way out. he has always been a uniter, not a divider and i think it is time and we do reach across the aisle and i believe so many republicans feel that way too, that we have to come together. we need to come together in our country needs to march forward because our democracy was threatened most recently in the halls of our capital and that can never happen again. the stimulus package, he can get that through with democrat votes. but as potentially the most important first piece of legislation that is going to bring for the house, he really

does need to get republicans on his side to make this happen. iie does need to get republicans on his side to make this happen.— side to make this happen. he will listen to their _ side to make this happen. he will listen to their side _ side to make this happen. he will listen to their side and _ side to make this happen. he will listen to their side and he - side to make this happen. he will listen to their side and he will. listen to their side and he will take what their concerns are into account. this is a country of many states with many different needs and all voices have to be heard. he is a listener. when you talk to president biden, you hear what he has to say, but mostly, he is listening. he wants to hear your story. you must understand where you are coming from and if you're in a republican state and if you're in a republican state and you have strong views about matters such as the stimulus, he will pay attention and try to find common ground. it is will pay attention and try to find common ground.— will pay attention and try to find common ground. it is good to see ou, common ground. it is good to see you. kathleen. — common ground. it is good to see you, kathleen, thank— common ground. it is good to see you, kathleen, thank you - common ground. it is good to see you, kathleen, thank you for - common ground. it is good to see you, kathleen, thank you for yourj you, kathleen, thank you for your thoughts on this historic day for america. . ~

thoughts on this historic day for america. ., ,, , ., ., thoughts on this historic day for america. . ~' , ., ., . america. thank you for having me. take care- — joe biden has promised to tackle climate change as president. one of his first acts in office will be to rejoin the paris climate deal — reversing president donald trump's decision to withdraw. the historic agreement, which came into force in 2016, united nearly 200 countries in a global pact to tackle climate change. but not all americans are happy amid concerns aboutjobs in industries such as coal and oil. with me in the studio is justin rowlatt. it isa it is a big mess that she is sending, that the guy is going to be in the white house in about 45 minutes, the first things is going to do is get out the pen, got the black book and said a executive order to put us back into the paris climate deal. it order to put us back into the paris climate deal.— climate deal. it is a big signal, climate deal. it is a big signal, climate change _ climate deal. it is a big signal, climate change is _ climate deal. it is a big signal, climate change is one - climate deal. it is a big signal, climate change is one of- climate deal. it is a big signal, climate change is one of his i climate change is one of his absolutely key objectives, not only will he be signing up for the paris

agreement. the oil pipeline the donald trump supported from canada to nebraska, georgia 20 he wants a meeting of the biggest countries in the world, the biggest admitting countries to talk about how to tackle climate change. and i was phoning around to get intel about the incident the joe was phoning around to get intel about the incident thejoe biden talked about. and one of his team members, how central is this tojoe biden. how central will he be the foreign policy under presidentjoe biden. he said it already is. he said every single call that a world leader made to congratulate him on his victory, he mentioned climate change. that is how central it is to them. which is interesting given the fractious alliance that he's got to keep within the fractious alliance that he's got to keep within— fractious alliance that he's got to kee within , ., . ., , keep within the democratic party. so man see keep within the democratic party. so many see climate _ keep within the democratic party. so many see climate change _ keep within the democratic party. so many see climate change as - keep within the democratic party. so many see climate change as well - keep within the democratic party. so many see climate change as well as. many see climate change as well as the big reasons they decided to give him their backing and make the nominee in the first place. in these

not that nominee in the first place. in these got that wafer _ nominee in the first place. in these got that wafer thin _ nominee in the first place. in these got that wafer thin majority. - nominee in the first place. in these got that wafer thin majority. he's i got that wafer thin majority. he's got that wafer thin majority. he's got the pressure from the liberal left and you've got senators from democratic fossil fuel states will have to vote in feel obliged to vote with the fossil fuel industry. they may be a couple of democratic senators calling the shots on climate policy, but they have to work around for some of this and what he has done, this incredibly large team of policy advises that of putting all of the department of state. and people in every department of state and the idea is to look at the existing laws and regulations and find ways to tweak those and so not legislative ways that he can begin to get some of these objectives. again, that tells you that he has really thought this through. the central of his policy agenda and what will it do if i am blocked in the congress or the senate. he is going to be fascinating to see how it's rolling

out. how important america is to the diplomacy of climate change and this, a crucial year because we have this, a crucial year because we have this climate conference in the uk in november and seeing america on—site with europe, which is made ambitious targets for tackling climate change and china recently saying it too was talking about ned zero by 2,060, these are the three largest economies in the world, may i'm getting carried away. it's going to be transformational for tackling climate change! is a big deal. it's really big deal. it is climate change! is a big deal. it's really big deal-— really big deal. it is good to see ou. our really big deal. it is good to see you. our chief _ really big deal. it is good to see you. our chief environment - you. our chief environment correspondent. today isn'tjust about the new presidentjoe biden. his vice president —56 year old kamala harris — has made history, as the first woman and woman of colour to hold the office. our correspondent, lebo diseko, has been looking at her political career and route to power. ladies and gentlemen,

the vice president—elect of the united states, kamala devi harris, and mr douglas emhoff. it took nearly 250 years for america to reach this moment, for a woman to hold the second highest office in the country. i, kamala devi harris, do solemnly sweart. .. i, kamala devi harris, do solemnly swear... that i will support and defend the constitution of the united states... the streets here might be uncharacteristically empty today, but make no mistake — millions of americans are heralding this as the start of a new era as kamala harris takes office. america's new vice president is the daughter of immigrants, born to an indian mother and jamaican father. both were involved in the civil—rights movement of the 1960s, something she says shaped her. that quest for justice perhaps the motivation for her career in law, rising to become the attorney general of her home state of california. but there are those who say she is not the progressive prosecutor that she claims to be.

they point to an approach they say was too harsh on black men and say she didn't do enough to tackle police brutality. i stand before you today to announce my candidacy for president of the united states. in 2019, she launched her own bid to become us president. it was unsuccessful, but there was one particularly memorable moment. during a debate, she hit out atjoe biden for working with senators who'd supported racial segregation and for his opposition to bussing black children to white schools. you know, there was a little girl in california who was part of the second class to integrate her public schools, and she was bussed to school every day, and that little girl was me. it didn't stop mr biden from choosing her as his running mate. we did it, we did it, joe! you're going to be the next president of the united states. for her childhood friend, this

is a moment that she was made for. did you see this in herfuture, when you were kids or teenagers? absolutely not! we were just like teenagers now, we were bad! we hung out... no, but as she progressed into our world and got into the da's office and then the attorney general, i saw, yes, you know, you could be the president of the united states. and look at you, she's right here. kamala harris is a step away from the presidency, but with this honour comes the burden of expectation and responsibility. the wounds inflicted by america's divisions are still raw. she will have to try and heal a country in chaos while carrying the weight of her historic victory. lebo diseko, bbc news, washington.

the motorcade. this is going to lead into a truncated parade, really. it is a shame because it's normally one of the big highlights of inauguration day, it would be lined with thousands of people usually out to wish the new president well, banners and streams, but much more subdued because of the coronavirus pandemic. in the motorcade heading towards the white house where the president will begin a, we have lost the picture there, a raft of signing involving a number of executive orders and in fact, he has already tweeted his first official tweet as president of the united states. he says there is no time to waste when it comes to tackling the crisis we

face. hello again. the storm christoph continues to cause trouble. there are over 100 flood warnings currently in force across england and wales. those numbers continue to rise. the met office amber warning for heavy rain stays in force until thursday morning across parts of northern england and the midlands. and more recently we've seen christoph budget northwards into the cold air in scotland for that we have started to see rain turned to snow across southern scotland in particular. and conditions will continue to deteriorate here overnight foot up there is a met office amber warning for snow in force. ten to 30 cm. the wind strengthened

later in the night so there will be blizzards. we could see some power cuts as well. there is a sharp dividing line between the rain and the snow. across northeast england we may well see conditions turn. perhaps more to snow. if that happens and there is and if while you can see something like five to ten cm was no maybe even getting down to low levels. there is a lot of uncertainty about that. it can be windy overnight. eastern areas particular he across parts of eastern england. about 60 miles an hour and potentially strong to wake you from your slumbers. may bring don in a cold night widespread frost across northern areas. therefore i see stretches as we head into thursday. therefore icy stretches as we head into thursday. lots of leather around overnight. lots of weather around overnight. thursday, christoph the rain finally clears away from her northern england and wales. but those floodwaters will continue to work down the river catchments. for some communities that means the flooding could get worse before it gets better. blizzards continue across the high ground of northern scotland. the rain towards the coast i could bring some localized flooding. generally a cold day for northern areas of the uk. but more so when you factor

in the strength of those very cold those winds will still be with us into friday foot up a cold, frosty and icy start to the day for the top of the day of sunshine and showers was up chair was wintry across northwestern areas. a few showers for wales and southern counties of england. generally still quite cold. three or 4 degrees for northern areas. maybe eight for cardiff and london. the weekend continues with cold northwesterly winds with sunshine and showers for the most part. but some can pewter models continue to use built up areas of low pressure that either track of it north france or across the south of england and wales with them if they go across england and wales we could see rain and snow this weekend for some advice on dry and wintry showers for most areas.

you're watching bbc news. were going to take you to live pictures in washington of their presidential motorcade. it stopped and i was off again. that is the beast. the official vehicle of the potus the president of the united states without president biden is in there with the first lady doctorjill biden. and this is part of what is being billed as a nontraditional military parade. which was going to be taking place in a few minutes' time. you would normally have thousands of people lining those streets as that motorcade makes its way down. a few people there but not the kind of crowds that you would normally have

because of course of the covid—19 coronavirus pandemic. we are going to talk to jamie metal. a former member of the national security council. and the world health organization expert advisory board. good to hear from you. thanks very much indeed forjoining us. what do you believe these pictures today, these significance of this moment? what do you think it means to the international community? this what do you think it means to the international community?- international community? this is 'ust international community? this is just huge- _ international community? this is just huge- for— international community? this is just huge. for nearly _ international community? this is just huge. for nearly a _ international community? this is just huge. for nearly a century i international community? this is i just huge. for nearly a century the world community has in many ways relied upon the united states to be a force for the defense of democracy and security and stability. in the united states to so dangerously a step away from that role certainly over these last four years has caused a lot of insecurity and instability around the world. and

with president biden notjust assuming power but this is a vision, assuming power but this is a vision, a hopeful vision of an america that is much more familiar to certainly many of us here in the united states. and to many of our friends and allies and partners around the world. so there is an opportunity, a renewal, a cause for great hope. but the world is no less challenging thanit the world is no less challenging than it was yesterday. and so this is a beginning. we are all getting need to come together to fight, to build the kind of world we would all like to live in. but build the kind of world we would all like to live in.— like to live in. but given that he served eight — like to live in. but given that he served eight years _ like to live in. but given that he served eight years as _ like to live in. but given that he served eight years as vice - served eight years as vice president, are we seeing simply a rerun of the obama foreign policy? no, because the world has changed so significantly. it's not possible to go back. but what we are seeing is a renewal of the principles that didn't just renewal of the principles that didn'tjust guide the fama administration but have guided

american legal glacier, global leadership american foreign policy and america for many decades and even centuries. —— obama. it is a renewal of america. it is notjust on the obama term. it is renewal of america. it is not 'ust on the obama termi renewal of america. it is not 'ust on the obama term. it is china the bi est on the obama term. it is china the biggest foreign _ on the obama term. it is china the biggest foreign policy _ on the obama term. it is china the biggest foreign policy had - on the obama term. it is china the biggest foreign policy had a? - on the obama term. it is china the biggest foreign policy had a? it - biggest foreign policy had a? it certainly is a very, very large fundamental challenge. notjust for fundamental challenge. not just for the united fundamental challenge. notjust for the united states by for the world. the united states, britain allies and partners around the world have thought to together, we work together for many decades to build the world that we all now inhabit. with all of its great wonders in opportunities and challenges. certainly china has benefited from that world. and china has become a leading world power. but the question for china is, does it want to play a constructive role in a world that isn'tjust good for china but that is good for everyone was

mad certainly no nation has a monopoly on virtue. but if china is going to continue with the kind of behavior that it is expressing. whether it's through subjugation of debate and this, the uighurs, others the extremely aggressive behavior in the extremely aggressive behavior in the south china sea. lots of shenanigans around covid it's going to make it very difficult to build the kind of inclusive, stable, global order that that i believe will benefit everybody. certainly the obama administration is going to need to stay tough on china. i china has an opportunity right now. if it continues on i think these divisions are going to harden and a very dangerous way. but if china can begin a process of opening up, of becoming a much more constructive player in the international arena then certainly there is a little bit of hope that we can build a more stable and secure future for everyone. stable and secure future for everyone-—

stable and secure future for eve one. ~ ,, , everyone. and troops deployment, we've seen — everyone. and troops deployment, we've seen former _ everyone. and troops deployment, we've seen former president - everyone. and troops deployment, | we've seen former president trump reduce forces in syria, somalia, afghanistan. do you potentially see president biden having to put american troops back in? american troo -s for american troops back in? american troops for many. — american troops back in? american troops for many, many _ american troops back in? american troops for many, many decades - american troops back in? american i troops for many, many decades have played a stabilizing role in many parts of the world. they've played a destabilizing role in other parts of the world. we look at places like korea, like japan, the world. we look at places like korea, likejapan, germany the world. we look at places like korea, like japan, germany the korea, likejapan, germany the ongoing presence of american troops as represented an american commitment to supporting our allies and partners and friends. in supporting a world where people can be free to express their wishes. i certainly had concerns with some of the rapid and ill considered troop withdrawals of the trump

administration. that we were giving the absolute wrong message to our allies and friends and partners. and people like the long—suffering people like the long—suffering people of afghanistan who have taken great risk to fight for their own freedom alongside american, the american military. i think it may be likely that in certain parts of the world the united states is going to have to reassert its commitment to supporting our friends and allies and partners and principals. articulate after four years when the very values that americans, at least i believe, stands for have been so dangerously undermined for that mark by the president of the united states. ~ . states. we will end up there. president _ states. we will end up there. president obama _ states. we will end up there. president obama is - states. we will end up there. president obama is nationall states. we will end up there. - president obama is national security official. thank you so much for joining forjoining us. there you are seeing the motorcade process very slowly and deliberately towards the white house. in eight

military parade is going to be taking place. these parades can go on for hours. but it's going to be truncated today because of course of the covid pandemic. and restrictions. but that military parade will be beginning shortly. let's talk now to the professor of history at the university of washington. allen, good to see you. your 12 keys they were bang on. 13 allen, good to see you. your 12 keys they were bang on.— allen, good to see you. your 12 keys they were bang on. 13 but they were. the tenth election _ they were bang on. 13 but they were. the tenth election in _ they were bang on. 13 but they were. the tenth election in a _ they were bang on. 13 but they were. the tenth election in a row. - they were bang on. 13 but they were. the tenth election in a row. i - they were bang on. 13 but they were. the tenth election in a row. i got - the tenth election in a row. i got trump's when in 2016 right, i got a nice letter of congrats from him. i got his loss in 2020 right, got no letter. . ., letter. indeed. the criteria, we should explain _ letter. indeed. the criteria, we should explain for— letter. indeed. the criteria, we should explain for viewers - letter. indeed. the criteria, we should explain for viewers that | should explain for viewers that allen's 12 keys should explain for viewers that allen's12 keys other criteria, 13, decide elections. and he has managed

to predict the last few elections going to the right candidate. how would you explain those keys fitting into the challenges thatjoe biden as president now has. thea;r into the challenges that joe biden as president now has.— into the challenges that joe biden as president now has. they fit right in. itake as president now has. they fit right in- i take as — as president now has. they fit right in- i take as my _ as president now has. they fit right in. i take as my model— as president now has. they fit right in. i take as my model franklin - in. i take as my model franklin roosevelt was inaugurated in 1933 in the depths of the great depression. and what did he do to assure his reelection and to lift the spirits and reality of americans? he adopted policies of relief, reform and recovery. that improve the lives of americans. that's whatjoe biden has got to do. if he does that the democrats will win many of my keys. one of my keys is policy change. another one of my keys is social unrest. real policies to address our issues will quell social unrest.

another key is internal divisions within the democratic party. if biden governs well you will not see that at all. another key is scandal. effective governance will forestall any likely scandal on bidens watch. abraham lincoln said, the reason he never listens to his critics is that he knows if it all comes out well in the end nothing they say will have mattered. plus if it doesn't come out well, nothing they say will it matter anyway. which is why my system looks at the big picture of incumbent presidential performance and ignores the poles and dependence.— and ignores the poles and deendence. �* , . dependence. allen, the significance of president — dependence. allen, the significance of president trump _ dependence. allen, the significance of president trump not _ dependence. allen, the significance of president trump not being - dependence. allen, the significance of president trump not being at - dependence. allen, the significance of president trump not being at thej of president trump not being at the white house to welcome in mr biden, and not attending the inauguration. how much of that, his absence frankly, how much of that is the result of an america that is fractured and divided? abs,

result of an america that is fractured and divided? a couple of oints for fractured and divided? a couple of points for -i _ fractured and divided? a couple of points for -i i— fractured and divided? a couple of points for .1 i think _ fractured and divided? a couple of points for .1 i think it _ fractured and divided? a couple of points for .1 i think it was - fractured and divided? a couple of points for .1 i think it was quite - points for .1 i think it was quite right that he didn't in attend the inauguration. what this inauguration was all about was the repudiation of everything trump has stood for during the four years of his presidency. and i drew a contrast between trump's inaugural address where he said only i can fix it and bidens where he says we fix it together and it's based upon truth. and i'm to be very contrary herein, the nation is nowhere near as divided as the pontoons and the conventional wisdom would have us believe. we are still a left, center to right—center nation. we seem more divided because of the far right extremists that donald trump has riled up over the last four years. and who are responsible for the tragedy of january sex. but if you look at the big issues facing america, tax reform, economic growth, even such things as

immigration and gun control. there is broad consensus upon the american people of how to approach these issues. and biden is entering his presidency with 50% approval rating. compare that to donald trump's where his rating was 40% four years ago. so again —— 60%. this will mean far less than dependents would have us believe. ., ., ~ ., the beast, the official vehicle of potus, the president of the united states was not making its way slowly down the road as it heads towards the white house for eight military parade to welcome in the new occupant of the white house. the 46th president.

former director of the national economic council. thank you for joining us here on bbc news. economically, economically what do you believe the most important task is for the new president? i you believe the most important task is for the new president?— is for the new president? i think he knows he has _ is for the new president? i think he knows he has to _ is for the new president? i think he knows he has to task _ is for the new president? i think he knows he has to task it _ is for the new president? i think he knows he has to task it i _ is for the new president? i think he knows he has to task it i think - knows he has to task it i think that's how he's organizing his legislative agenda. one is relief, emergency. we've got a million educators who have lost theirjobs. we have a vaccine distribution that is not only critical to prevent the horrible loss of life but to restore confidence to the economy. and there is just people who are hurting, who are, maybe ten, 15 million people who could be five, $6,000 behind in their rent. who could be subject to eviction at some point to stop what he's doing is, he's moving quickly on that emergency relief and that

relief that is needed for testing in the vaccine distribution. and then it's what he saying is, that's not good enough. that's the whole theory of his build back better. it's not just good enough to get those jobs back it's got to be about getting to full employment quickly felt up it's got to be about creating the new higher payjobs with more dignity and respect that are serving national goals. like moving towards an environmentally resilient economy that's good for climate change. genome can enter you there. the president leaving the official car there. the first lady doctorjill biden. they are going to make their way down the road. they would normally, as i say be surrounded by thousands of people. more security personnel, frankly and secret

service officers then local washingtonians and people who often fly in from all over the world for the big changeover, handover of power. today of course covid restrictions have put an end to all of that. the president there making his way towards what will be a truncated military parade. to signify him taking over the reins of power. we are going to go back to jean sperling. sorry to interrupt you there. i suppose with his stimulus package to try and get those americans laid off as a result of the pandemic. to get that off the ground to be seen as the great unified, the great unifier, the mannequin reach across the aisle to the other side. as has been touted about president biden. he's got to

have bipartisan support to deliver this package. if he doesn't, if he forces a through is simply democratic votes, that's going to be a pretty big defeat for a man who is trying to unite a fractured country. i think there is no question he's making clear he would like to do there is bipartisan. he'd like to notjust ram it through with democrats. and i think he's laid every indication that that's his goal. on the other hand, the lesson from the last financial crisis, the last crest recession is that you have to go big when you can. i think he'll do everything to be bipartisan but his number one goal is to get that relief, get the vaccine distribution out, how people from losing their homes. to be honest, i think if he has to he will do what he has to do to pass it. i do believe the second stage will be a major infrastructure for top kim not

manufacturing, caregiving jobs plan. i think that is going to be something i think that will attract a lot of bipartisan support. everybody wants to create manufacturing jobs, everybody wants to create manufacturingjobs, new manufacturing jobs, new infrastructure jobs. i manufacturingjobs, new infrastructurejobs. i think manufacturingjobs, new infrastructure jobs. i think it will be an effort for bipartisanship the whole way. but he also knows responsibility number one, he's got to bring this economy back and he's gotta help solve the covid crisis. which we have been so inept at dealing with in 2020. you which we have been so inept at dealing with in 2020.— dealing with in 2020. you are absolutely — dealing with in 2020. you are absolutely right _ dealing with in 2020. you are absolutely right about - dealing with in 2020. you are absolutely right about a - dealing with in 2020. you are | absolutely right about a major infrastructure legislation. because president trump came in and he made it clear that that would be a big part of his agenda. he could have got it through his house and he probably could've got democrat votes as well and yet he didn't do that. that feels like an easy win forjoe biden. . ~ that feels like an easy win forjoe biden. . ,, , .,, biden. yeah. i think people will look back at — biden. yeah. i think people will look back at the _ biden. yeah. i think people will look back at the trump - biden. yeah. i think people will. look back at the trump presidency and see that there effort to repeal obama care, take away protections for pre—existing conditions not only

failed but it led to a very partisan, and i think i'm popular start. yes, ithink partisan, and i think i'm popular start. yes, i think he would've been better to do that. i think thatjoe biden would prefer to be doing in his build back better plant right off the bat. but he's inheriting in the economy that still nine and a half millionjobs down. the economy that still nine and a half million jobs down. there the economy that still nine and a half millionjobs down. there is still a lot of risk in the economy. so he doesn't have any choice but to make sure that we have unemployment relief, eviction protection, state and local hell. and of course, —— help. and of course the funds to get the vaccines out in the testing that we've never really had in the universal way to help deal with this covid crisis. universal way to help deal with this covid crisis-— a bit ofa a bit of a sprint they are from joe biden. president biden. down the street there. as i say, this is such

an important part of the pageantry and the majesty of inauguration day. the arambula h and on foot down the mall. and he's doing a bit of a jog again. he's going over to talk to some of the well—wishers. usually they be thousands and thousands of people. all the folks they are wearing mass, of course. in the middle of this pandemic. that's why this whole occasion has been truncated. and why there is so few people allow their on the mall. we are going to talk now to form a uk ambassador to the us who held the post from 2016 to 2019. it is a sad state of affairs, isn't it? that the inauguration day has been reduced to theirs. obviously necessary and important. theirs. obviously necessary and important-— theirs. obviously necessary and imortant. , , ., , important. evening. yes it is. i was at the inauguration _ important. evening. yes it is. i was at the inauguration 2017 _ important. evening. yes it is. i was at the inauguration 2017 and - important. evening. yes it is. i was at the inauguration 2017 and the i at the inauguration 2017 and the crowd wasn't as big as obama does but there was over half a million people and it was a huge event.

certainly did look very strange today. on the other hand, donald trumps speech was the darkest and most in recent all american history for addresses. and joe biden is today was humility, quite personal but it had notes of hope and optimism but it central theme about unifying america was knot one that you seen much over the last four years. i thought biden was very impressive. abs, years. i thought biden was very impressive-— years. i thought biden was very impressive. years. i thought biden was very imressive. �* ., ., , , impressive. a lot of the bigwigs in washington _ impressive. a lot of the bigwigs in washington will _ impressive. a lot of the bigwigs in washington will be _ impressive. a lot of the bigwigs in washington will be looking - impressive. a lot of the bigwigs in | washington will be looking forward to the balls tonight and the partying, were you involved in a bit of that before? i partying, were you involved in a bit of that before?— of that before? i confess like i cuess of that before? i confess like i guess most — of that before? i confess like i guess most of— of that before? i confess like i guess most of my _ of that before? i confess like i i guess most of my ambassador, of that before? i confess like i - guess most of my ambassador, eight delete my colleagues my vacation to

the ball. i guess there were several thousand people there at about halfway through wasn't much dancing going on, the president and the vice president appeared with their wives and a few short speeches and then they did about five minutes of dancing on the stage. and that was it. so it's not downton abbey, i tell you. it. so it's not downton abbey, i tell ou. ~ . ., , ., , tell you. which goes down very well on pbs in america. _ tell you. which goes down very well on pbs in america. or— tell you. which goes down very well on pbs in america. or at _ tell you. which goes down very well on pbs in america. or at least - tell you. which goes down very well on pbs in america. or at least it. on pbs in america. or at least it used to when it was broadcast. you say that the last four years have been dark, they've been dystopian. what do you think president biden can do in his first few hours potentially or the first few days and weeks to show that this is a completely different administration? i think that straight off to the white house and i think he's going

to in his first 24 hours sign a lot of executive orders here's the thing, trump did a lot of stuff by executive order, it's what presidents do when they haven't got a majority in congress and can't get legislation through. and you get a quick fix byjust signing an executive order and it happens. but the thing about them, the weaknesses, which your successor can come straight in an unsigned them. and trump unsigned, undid a lot of obama executive orders. and biden is going to do the same. he's going to take america back into the paris climate change deal. back into the world health organization, he's going to reverse the travel ban. there is a lot you can do. i going to reverse the travel ban. there is a lot you can do. i have to cut in. there is a lot you can do. i have to cut in- we — there is a lot you can do. i have to cut in- we got _ there is a lot you can do. i have to cut in. we got the _ there is a lot you can do. i have to cut in. we got the president - there is a lot you can do. i have to cut in. we got the president and l there is a lot you can do. i have to i cut in. we got the president and the first lady about to cross the threshold of the white house. and to take up residence for the next four

years, at least. you can hear the band playing. from the alma mater of both the president and the first lady. howard university and the university of delaware. a truncated military parade of course because of the situation with coronavirus. in those concerns. and normally we would have had the motorcade to write up to the steps of the white house. but there was a bit of walking to be done in the last few minutes. and a hug for the both of them there. joe biden, of course to previous attempts he made to get the democratic nomination. failed at both and was seen as down and out for the run for the white house up until the final few caucuses. and primaries. south carolina primary was that when that really set him on the road back to taking possession

of the white house. setting the stage for events today. i think you are still with us lord derek. as i say, you did talk about the legacy of donald trump. it is life going to be easierfor your of donald trump. it is life going to be easier for your successor? of donald trump. it is life going to be easierfor your successor? easier for ambassadors in dealing withjoe biden? for ambassadors in dealing with joe biden? �* .. , ,., biden? biden faces some huge challenges- — biden? biden faces some huge challenges. and _ biden? biden faces some huge challenges. and seeing - biden? biden faces some huge challenges. and seeing him . biden? biden faces some huge i challenges. and seeing him tackle them is going to create a lot of work for community in washington. here something that will be very different. one think that donald trump never did was consult allies before taking decisions. whether on withdrawing from the paris climate change deal or the iran nuclear deal or his dealings with putin or the summit with kim jong along the north korean leader. once donald trump had

taken a decision he would go straight out and tell the media at opportunity. there was no thought to see what others think. i think the biden administration will be much more multilateral. you'll have much more multilateral. you'll have much more respect for the international order, international institutions whether united nations, world health organization, nato and will try to rebuild in particular relations with europe. because trump said that you was worse than china. i don't think joe biden will be saying that kind of thing. joe biden will be saying that kind of thin. a, , ., joe biden will be saying that kind of thin. , ., ., of thing. okay. very good to have our of thing. okay. very good to have your perspective- _ of thing. okay. very good to have your perspective. thanks - of thing. okay. very good to have your perspective. thanks very i of thing. okay. very good to have i your perspective. thanks very much forjoining us. and there. the latest pictures, live pictures they are of some of the dignitaries following on down pennsylvania avenue. president biden all ready haven't taken up residence at the white house. he was sworn in a

little earlier today as the 46th president on the steps of the capitol building. the very place that a few weeks ago we saw that appalling insurrection by a mob claiming they were supporters of president trump. and now that capitol building ushering in the advent of a new era in american politics. this we suspect is the car of the vice president, kamala harris. herself making history here is the first woman at the top, almost the top of the executive branch. of course the first woman of color and asian heritage. we are going to be back with kandi k taking over the reins in the next few minutes. you are watching bbc news. don't forget you can get in touch with me and some of the team on twitter. don't forget you can get in touch with me and some of the team on twitter —

i'm @clivemyriebbc. hello. we have more severe weather in our forecast for thursday. we start the day still with the met office amber warming and forests for heavy rain across northern england felt up that will lapse through the morning but obviously the flooding situation lag somewhat behind the falling rain. i don't expect flood warnings going up again across england. for scotland we have an amber warning for the risk of disruption across the borders where heavy snow is set to fall accompanied by strong wind. the reason for all of these problem is storm kristof. this deep area of low pressure is now pulling off into the north sea. but behind it we've grabbed down some cold air all the way south from the arctic right the way south from the arctic right the way across the uk. and that gives us

a cold start to thursday. ice is possible for just about anywhere along surface water lying around for top aside from where we see showers falling the first thing. but wintry weather for scotland, the falling the first thing. but wintry weatherfor scotland, the biggest weather for scotland, the biggest issue weatherfor scotland, the biggest issue through the course of the day. the rain improving across northern england. still some showers around here are some wintry even as far south as the southern pennines. to the far south of the uk perhaps some rain on the south coast. much of england and wales in a dry and sunny day but feeling chillier in scotland peaks on packing on those wintry showers even overnight thursday and friday as kristof pulls toward scandinavia. there will be some as well for northern island a few for northern england. scott went with the greatest risk of piling up more snowfall. a widespread cross takes us into friday for top again but that surface water sitting around across many parts of the uk they will be ice just about anywhere as the day gets underway. friday quite a bit of sunshine for england and wales. hugh showers running into

rain into the cell. more wintry showers for northern england. raising the north of ireland and scotland. friday in contrast to the last few days a much quieter day. again, low pressure to the northwest feeds in weather systems around to the course of the weekend for stops don't put too much tape on the exact detail. you can see white those weather systems are set to interact with the very cold air. hard to put the detail on them because they are quite small. but the upshot is we will all be sitting in the colder air this weekend. if those features do run in where you are you could see some snow.

this is bbc world news i'm katty. our top stories. joe biden is now the 46th president of the united states. speaking at his inauguration ceremony he called for americans to come together. it will make we must end this uncivil war that puts red against blue. in the last few minutes the president and the first lady entered the white house — now their official residence i'm laura trevelyan outside the white house where president biden hasjust moved in. kamala harris is the new vice president — making history as the first woman

of colour to be elected vice president