Some sleeping off. Hello im Christian Fraser is in london, Laura Trevelyan is in washington. Some months ago President Trump compared himself to a war time leader, fighting the invisible enemy. But a war team leader understands the threat. Mobilisises people to respond. Deploys the money and the might of the american government. Stands ready to unite a worried nation. If there was ever a moment for a commander in chief this surely is it. Yesterday the us surpassed a quarter of a million coronavirus deaths and today is setting new daily records for and yet President Trump is nowhere to be found. The man who conceived of his presidency as a reality show in which he appeared in public at least once a day has gone to ground and what is he doing instead, he is sending out angry tweets alleging the election was rigged. This was mr trumps schedule in the 7 days leading up to the election. Jam packed with events, jetting from one location to the next. And this is it for the two weeks and two days since. Apart from a bit of golfing and lunch meetings, theres quite literally nothing there. Hes stopped doing the actual work of being president while still blocking any form of handover to joe biden. So will we see him tonight . There is a scheduled taskforce briefing expected anytime now. Will he finally break cover. Lets check in with our senior north america reporter anthony zurcher. Anthony, so, is the president entirely focused on trying to overturn Election Results . We saw a bizarre and lengthy press conference from his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani today, didnt we . Rudy giuliani brought up some of the far fetched theories substantiated so far, theories substantiated so far, theories about widespread election fraud, but no new information, no details that would lead anyone to believe that any of those states thatjoe biden believe that any of those states that joe biden nearly believe that any of those states thatjoe biden nearly one are in danger of flipping to donald trump. You know, i followed donald trump around on some of those nonstop campaign trips right before the election, and one of the things i heard him say time and time again was that coronavirus was going to go away. The only reason that was a story was because people were focusing on it to damage him it for the upcoming election, in a way, he put himself in the box coming of the election is over, obviously, more than 250,000 americans have died and at the pandemic is spreading across large swathes of the country. He would have to stand up therapies we nt would have to stand up therapies went to talk about the coronavirus and acknowledge that it was a serious crisis and he was wrong to paint it as an not a crisis earlier. You would have to presume, anthony, because donald trump consume so much media that he knows what people are saying. This is the theme that many of the American Networks have picked up of the American Networks have picked up today, so hes not doing this by accident, there must be some strategy behind it. Im just at a loss to explain what the strategy is. Yes, the Coronavirus Task forest, the announcement today that they are going to hold a public event, that was nice on the schedule this money. This is something new that was added. We dont know whether donald trump is going to be there or not or mike pence, the chair of the task force, is going to preside or not, but one would have to think that donald trump knows what it would look like if there is a task force presentation and he is not there. You would think that he would want to be front and centre, but the more he gets out front of reporters and cameras, the more there is an opportunity for people to question his strategy on challenging the results of an election seemed to fairly clearly gone against him, and the fact that he hasnt spoken out oii the fact that he hasnt spoken out on the coronavirus pandemic for two weeks since the election, so it is a delicate time for him, but i think the pressure is definitely mounting for him to Say Something or do something. Meanwhile, anthony, we do know that in the middle of the pandemic, the president has invited republican lawmakers from michigan to the white house tomorrow. Is he trying to metal there with the Electoral College . Well, we had all the counties in michigan certify their vote counts and pass them on to the state just in the past few days, although, there was some controversy about whether wayne county, the largest county in rounding detroit and all of michigan, whether they would actually certify or not, there are several republicans who initially voted no on that pending further review, but the only strategy left at this point for donald trump to try to flip michigan where joe biden is ahead by hundreds of thousands of votes is to try to convince the Republican Leaders in that state to essentially put aside the vote totals, say, welcome others fraud here for whatever reason, and we are going to essentially award the state to donald trump and have his electors, and see them instead. A thickets up a far fetched strategy to have a state where theres a democratic governor, by the way, have a state reverse the results of their election from certified results of their election, but there are very few cards left for donald trump to play at this point that might deliver the presidency to him. So perhaps bringing the Republican Leaders from the state to washington to talk to might be his strategy for doing so. Anthonys or kur, thank you. A little over two weeks ago it was georgia that was on the mind of Many Political geeks as the deep southern, republican state flipped forjoe biden albeit by a narrow margin. Just 15,000 votes separated the two candidates and so a hand recount of 5 million ballots began. State law in georgia requires a re count when the result is so close, but its extremely unlikely the result will be overturned. We are expecting the results of that recount soon. Lets talk to Tamar Hallerman a reporter at the atlantica journal consitution. 0r kur, thank you. They did find it too thousand 600 votes in floyd county which closed the gap by around 800. So the majority of them went to donald trump, but as we say, what is eights, a 14,000 vote lead, its not really going to flip the results for the president. Its a little bit less than that as the result stand right now, joe biden is ahead by about 13,000 votes here in georgia, but as you mentioned, all of the elected officials here in georgia are at least running the election syste m are at least running the election system here are saying they are not expecting this hand recount to reverse the results. They are still expecting to sustain those 16 electoral votes tojoe expecting to sustain those 16 electoral votes to joe biden. Looking ahead in georgia to those two runoff races onjanuary five, when they go to the polls, is the lack of a concession hurting the two republican candidates in that race . Its putting them in an awkward position right now, both of them have positioned themselves as steadfast allies of President Trump, and you need to in georgia. The president is so wildly popular with Republican Voters here its put them in an outward position because the most compelling argument is to say come if you reelect us, we will be pa rt of come if you reelect us, we will be part of the republican firewall in the senate in the event of a joe biden in ministration, but they cant say that right now because President Trump hasnt conceded yet. So the meantime, theyve been talking a lot about how the democrats are socialists, but havent been able to deploy their best argument. Tomorrow, are we going to see georgia republicans embrace mail in voting for the Senate Runoffs . At the Christmas Holidays after optimism to . But the president has railed against exactly that, perhaps even costing him the state in the president ial election. Thats what we have heard from our Top Republican elected, the man who iuiis out Top Republican elected, the man who runs our election system here, he mentioned there was a discrepancy in republican votes in the primary versus what donald trump got on november 30 or versus what donald trump got on november30 or in versus what donald trump got on november 30 or in georgia, and he thinks its because President Trump was really criticising mail in ballots. Its unclear whats going to happen here in georgia this time around ahead of january to happen here in georgia this time around ahead ofjanuary five, on the in person voting starts on december 14, and there is not a whole lot of time to apply for mail in ballots. You can still see a lot of people go to polls, but given the coronavirus epidemic and make huge increases we are seeing in positive cases here and everywhere, there is some danger to that as well. Is it a bit like the super bowl down there in georgia, all the money being spent on political advertising ahead of those two Senate Runoffs injanuary . Imean, certainly those two Senate Runoffs injanuary . I mean, certainly the super bowl for us i mean, certainly the super bowl for us for political reporters, its impossible to turn on a television or radio, or really drive through the neighbourhood with obscene yard signs or political ads, attack ads everywhere you go. Its attention that we have never seen aaron georgia come up as of the last 30 years, we have been solidly republican. Thank you very much for that. I was just thinking, laura, the focus is so much on the senate race and what it will mean to the majority in the senate, we sort of lost track of the house which hasnt gone that well for democrats. Not too well. No, remember, they were predicted to increase their majority in the house. They were feeling pretty good about thats going into this election. But they have lost in the region of 8 10 seats nancy pelosi has got a much smaller house majority, so that makesjoe bidens job that much more difficult. Either way, we did just hear, christian, thatjoe biden is good to meet tomorrow with the congressional leadership with nancy pull 0c and chuck schumer. We are still waiting for the Coronavirus Task force briefing, we will bring it to you just as soon as it happens. You can see there in the briefing room, we dont know if we will see the president , Vice President or what will be happening, but that briefing is 250,000 americans have died from covid 19. Us Health Officials have warned america ns against travelling for next weeks thanksgiving holiday. The centers for Disease Control and prevention cites the surging number of cases across the country, saying that the safest way to celebrate is at home with the people you live with. And speaking of staying at home, parents across new york city were scrambling this morning, after schools there were shut down, again. That means child care, that means laptops for remote learning, that means parents and kids adjusting to a new reality. Thats because the city reached a threshold a 3 Positivity Rate that has led to these new restrictions. And its Public Schools that are closing first with all in Person Learning suspended and yet in iowa, arkansas, texas and florida they have ordered schools to remain open. Even tough the Positivity Rates are much higher in each of these states, than they are in new york city. And heres the thing the citys restaurants are still open. The gyms are open. But the schools are closed. The citys mayor says that too is likely to change. For everyone who honestly might feel somehow a little better if they knew that Indoor Dining was going to be closed or gyms were going to be closed, im sorry to tell you that for the sake of those Business Owners and everyone who loves those gems and loves Indoor Dining, its just a matter of time. Its very likely to be in the next week or two. Were joined now from new york, by dr tom frieden who was the director of the cdc and is now the president and ceo of the resolve to save lives. Thanks so much for being with us. So, other countries have prioritised keeping schools open. Do you think new york city shouldve closed its at just 3 test positivity new york city shouldve closed its atjust 3 test Positivity Rate in the city . Well, there is no question that the rational way to do it is to make sure that bars and restaurants are closed before you close schools, and the more information we have, the clearer it is that schools can open more safely. We do have to adjust and make sure that if staff are vulnerable or students are vulnerable, they stay home, and you can do things like increased ventilation and ensure theres mask wearing. Its very important for kids, especially kate through eight to be in school through the neck physically. So i wish that hadnt been the decision, but it is what new york city has done. What we see around the country and around the world is that many schools can open safely as long as they take precautions, but that doesnt allow the virus to spread freely, we have to reduce the spread of the virus to protect all of us in school and at home. Meanwhile, finally getting a briefing from the Coronavirus Task force, just as the cdc tells americans to stay home for thanksgiving. This is coming as people have already planned travel for the holiday next week. What do you make of that advice . We are in a bad place in the us. We see more cases in more places than ever before, more hospitalizations than ever before, more states having their highest case numbers ever, and unfortunately cannot travel as a formula for spreading the virus, if you go from a higher incidence place toa you go from a higher incidence place to a lower place, you will bring it. If you go from a lower to a higher, you catch it. Example find what is already an exponential increase in a viral transmission around the us of the high likelihood of overwhelming out the high likelihood of overwhelming our hospitals in the coming weeks. The reason a lot of people here want schools to reopen is because there are some students who dont have a computer, some who dont have wi fi, disproportionately it affects children from low income families, and thats why the president has been pushing for months now to keep the schools open, and its a bit galling to people in new york that their kids are at home when the restau ra nts their kids are at home when the restaurants are still open. Well, its notjust the president restaurants are still open. Well, its not just the president thats been pushing for the some of the American Academy of paediatrics and many public Health Officials including myself have been saying since back in march, we have to think of schools differently. We have to do some things that are sacrificing so our kids can go to school and learn in person. Im not saying its not difficult for restaurant owners, it clearly is and they have their own concerns that we should not diminish in any way, but New York Times was pointing out today that when any children in america lives with her parents with an addiction which is a reflection i think of americas of the pandemic, but i think this is a sink century school, for some children, and thats the point youre making. And its not easy to replace, especially for the k through eight kids who are at lower risk of both getting severe illness and spreading the infection, so illness and spreading the infection, so there are lots of ways that we can adapt and adjust, we just know thats keeping kids out of school is going to exacerbate what are already very severe disparities in our society. So we should do more to protect our kids education and our parents lives by being careful, watching our distance, Wearing Masks and wash your hands. What we see from the uk and elsewhere is that it is possible to keep schools open safely if we do it carefully. Yes, its a hugely activate debate on both sides of parliament. I want to tell you straight over tojoe biden, hes been talking to governors today about their response to the coronavirus pandemic, so lets listen in stopping how much consensus there was, how much to move forward by the governor, what we need to do now is how we need to do it. How are we going to do a . And whats coordinated way can it be done . We discussed a number of critical ways we can work to gather and unify around a National Approach to controlling covid 19. First, delivering Economic Relief to the cities and states and tribal communities, lost revenue from covid 19 and the cost of Covid Recovery is devastating to state and local budgets. As governors of all states have indicated, we have got to come together, the federal government has to deliver this relief soon rather than later, and with flexibility with states to meet their needs. This includes helping businesses, schools, working families from Unemployment Benefits to early education, continued access to early education, continued access to Affordable Health care all of thatis to Affordable Health care all of that is needed during this pandemic. States and communities shouldnt have to lay off teachers, cops, firefighters, cut Vital Services for families and businesses, the second thing there was uniform agreement on. Delivering a safe and equable and free vaccine. A governors all examined acknowledge that this will be a massive undertaking, one of the greatest operational challenges that we will face as a nation. 0ne statistic that was raised by the governors, it took eight months to provide 100 million cove rt eight months to provide 100 million covert tests, eight months. Eight months to provide those tests, just imagine how much more difficult it would be, they pointed out, if we dont find a more efficient and effective way to provide 330 million vaccinations. Put it into perspective. They made the point, we cant wait. Thats what the governors are raising. In the meeting, we discussed the challenges that lie ahead in distributing and administering the vaccine, the governors talked about how getting doses of vaccine distributed injust one step, we have to actually get vaccinations into the arms of 330 million americans. That takes in our missed resources, people, product. We discussed the difficulty of that task, it will take time, it will ta ke task, it will take time, it will take ordination from it will take the federal government and state governments working hand and glove, working together. The governor has all emphasise that we need to be clear with the American People about what to expect, no false expectations, let them know what we anticipate. They all acknowledge that thats going to take a Massive Public education campaign, and we also need to reach traditionally underserved communities that are being hardest hit by the pandemic, black, brown, latino, latin communities, native American Community is, small towns, rural communities, they talked about that in some detail. Thirdly, we discussed the need to help states with title 32 funding for the National Guard, thats a fancy way of saying governors need to be able to get funding when they bring their National Guard into play. National guards are going to have to play this. Across a lot of money, and governors need that paid for. Governors discussed the need for funding when waiving certain fema fees. The fact is that this is a national emergency. That is what fema is supposed to deal with. Our view is that that should be done when it comes to deploying the National Guard or covid or real relief, that should be paid for. Something the Vice President and i will be very focused on, and fourthly, we discuss the implementation of a National Mask mandate, ten governors, democrat and republican have imposed mask requirements and recognise the need for universal masking, north south and east and west. Its not a political statement, its a patriotic duty. Fifth, we discussed making testing more available and accessible, anyone who wants a test should be able to get one, period. Finally, while we focused on the immediate needs to control the virus, the government has also raised and talked about how much we have to build back better especially on infrastructure and education, and so much more. This is not a one off meeting. I commit, we commit, we agreed that we will continue to work and meet with the governors on a regular basis, continue to seek their input and that our covid teams will follow up and coordinates on issues coming out of that call. Because some of them have very competent people on their covid teams in their states. The bottom line, we can do this. Theres nothing beyond our capacity, but we have to come together as a country. At this meeting and along with others weve had every if not reinforces in my view the unity of the country is looking for, looking for us to come together and deal with problems, most of which have no ideological basis for disagreement. Thats what we have to do, thats what the governors talked about. It really was pleasing to hear them. I wa nt really was pleasing to hear them. I want to thank you all and may god bless you all and those who lost someone, you are in our prayers will stop may god protect our troops. Im happy to take a few questions and my bossis happy to take a few questions and my boss is going to tell me who that is. Joe biden theyre giving a summary of his meeting today with the governors, talking about the cost of the Covid Recovery and the financial crisis incidentally that city and state administrations are facing at the moment. Some interesting to tell you next statistic in that a ticket governors months to provide 100 million covid tests provided by federal government, how much more difficult is it going to be, he said, when we have to distribute 350 million vaccinations. A point that it the immunologist that joined the a point that it the immunologist thatjoined the biden team was saying the other day, they say theyve spent around 10 billion on theyve spent around 10 billion on the vaccine programme, but plenty more costs coming down the line in terms of distribution, getting the vaccine to people that need it and they dont know as of yet whether they dont know as of yet whether the money is there because they are not allowed to talk to the Outgoing Administration at the moment, so they dont know if the monies being provided for that distribution. Thats one of the Major Concerns at the moment that if they hit the ground running in january the moment that if they hit the ground running injanuary and they dont have money to distribute people are going to die. Yes, a lot of unknowns. Meanwhile, your side of the pond, christian, a draft report into the uk home secretary conduct is that she did break the rules, according to sources, the draft report was completed this summer but not made public. You will make the Cabinet Office began an inquiry into her conduct after the most senior official of the home office resigned in february. It alleged that staff felt she created fear in the department and he is doing the home office for unfair dismissal. Whats it over to westminster and speak to our political correspondent, jessica parker. Draft reports, jessica, but what do we think it contains . As you say, we havent actually seen this report. Downing street is never committed to publishing it. What it said is it will make the findings known and the process it takes that at some point, the Prime Minister, borisjohnson, will at some point, the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, will make at some point, the Prime Minister, borisjohnson, will make a decision on what to do next. In terms of what weve been hearing, as you guys said, a draft report concluded in the summer according to sources said pretty hotel did make the ignite break rules on minister behaviour, so thats according to sources that are familiar with the content. Priti patel, the home secretary, and incredibly senior figure in the British Government said the report carried out by the governments independent adviser on standards include the home secretary had not met the requirements of the ministerial code, code that dictates standards in public life to treat Civil Servants with respect and consideration and the investigation found evidence of bullying, even if it had not been intentional, important to say that priti patel has always strongly denied the allegations and indeed, spokesperson for her has said there has never been any formal complaint against her. Jessica parker, thank you. The nights are drawing in, were all hunkering down probably eating too much and lazing about on the sofa. So then well all completely understand what has gone on here. This is a doormouse that was found on the isle of wight trapped in a bird feeder. It is gorged itself on seed mix plumping itself up for hibernation and then got stuck. Fortunately it was discovered by the owner of that bird feeder and released safely. So in short this is a story about staying inside too long, over eating, getting too fat, not getting out. Yes it is the story of 2020. We are all hungry door mouses. Although, i can get out the door. I can get out of the house. Welcome you can at the moment. Wait until after christmas. Also the story of alice in wonderland, isnt it . The sleepy door mouse and the teapot. Thats how i feel. Yes, yes, the winter nights are drying. Its not so bad locked on in the winter, i find. Its worse. You might have got a whole pile of box at some going to get through this winter. I think ive got some here in new york to come im going to get even fatter. Good evening. Thursday brought us a colder interlude in whats been a very mild november, but the cold weather will be lasting too long. This is how we ended the day in wakefield, fairly clear skies around there, but the cloud is already began building from the west, and much milder air is going to spill its way eastwards overnight. It will stay dry and clear though across the far east, so theres likely to be a bit of frost in the forecast tonight. Rain moving in from the west will lift temperatures there. So, a ridge of High Pressure has been with us today, thats getting squeezed away towards the east. This warm front is moving in from the atlantic, introducing that milder air, quite a lot of cloud, and also some outbreaks of rain. The wind also is going to be picking up in the northwest later in the night. So, this rain will push across parts of Northern Ireland through the early hours of friday, eventually getting into western fringes of england, wales and southwest scotland. But further east, you are going to be sticking with those clear skies all night, so thats where the temperatures will fall lowest, particularly across parts of east anglia and the southeast as well. Could be some frosty here and also the odd icy stretch where the services are still quite damp out there. Temperatures will just about dip below freezing. But that mild there will spread its way gradually further east through the course of friday bringing with it cloud and outbreaks of rain. The rain will be fairly light and patchy through central and eastern parts of england, heavy earlier in the day towards the northwest. Further showers pushing in from the west later on, and temperatures in belfast, a reasonably mild 13 degrees but only nine degrees in norwich after that cold, frosty start. Now, heading on towards the weekend and weve got low pressure sitting to the north of the uk, quite a lot of isobars indicating the strength of the wind. And this trailing cold front here, this will be working its way slowly south through saturday and into sunday. So, initially, a bit of rain for Northern Ireland, southern scotland, thats going to then push its way across england and wales bringing some outbreaks of rain and quite a bit of cloud. To the north of that, a return to sunny skies and a few scattered showers blown in on this brisk southwesterly wind. Temperatures reasonably mild for most areas on saturday, about 9 14 degrees. It will turn a touch cooler on sunday as that cold front introduces that cooler air. We have still got the cold front, fairly weak affair, bringing a bit of cloud and just the odd light shower across the far south of england, south wales as well, but for the rest of the uk, more sunshine on sunday compared to what we are likely to see on saturday. Still some blustery showers in the northwest. Its a bit colder, only about 7 12 degrees. Bye bye. Youre watching bbc news with me Laura Trevelyan in washington, Christian Fraser is in london. Our top stories. Donald trump might have lost the election, but he still managed to attract more than seven million new voters. Where does that leave his party as it plots a future without him in the white house . Hes already promised to pull more troops out of afghanistan before he goes but what other Foreign Policy moves can we expect from donald trump in the dying days of his presidency. Also in the programme. Mike pompeo becomes the first us secretary of state to visit an israeli settlement in the occupied west bank, as he carries out a farewell tour of the region. Music plus, an all star line up comes together for children in Needs Charity single. Well talk to nile rodgers about it later. In defeat donald trump joins an inglorious group, he is on the list of the one term president s. And its a short list, he is only the third white house incumbent since world war ii to lose a bid for re election. But the president still attracted more than seven million new supporters in this years record turnout. Which is pretty good. So where does the Republican Party go from here can it survive as the party of trump without the president in the white house . Jane 0brien has been finding out. The rugged coastline of new england hasnt changed much since Abraham Lincoln campaigned in1860. But if americas first republican president returned to the region today, he would find the party he led utterly transformed. The Republican Party has got to decide if they are the party of trump or the party of lincoln. They cannot be both. Jennifer horn is a republican who co founded the lincoln project, an organisation dedicated to defeating donald trump and his brand of populist government. 0ur party system is broken. It does not serve the voters, it has become only about holding onto power, and not at all about public service. And the republicans should be getting that message. They paid a price in this election. Democratjoe biden may have won the popular vote in a record turnout, but President Trump also attracted millions of new supporters, such as carlin. The evolution that the gop, the Republican Party, has undergone under trump is incredibly good. She left the Democratic Party in march after political tensions within her knitting circle and is now an active Trump Campaigner. He has effectively created a third party in this country, a party that is about populism, about opportunity for everyone and, frankly, a lot of the old school neocons, or rhinos, they dont like that. There needs to be a new influx of blood into the Republican Party with people like me. The split within the Republican Party is evident in the town of bedford, new hampshire. In 2016, residents voted for donald trump over hillary clinton. This year, he was narrowly beaten byjoe biden, but bedford voters still like the Republican Party, choosing republicans for governor, congress and state representatives. We hear it quite a few times that people did not like the tweets and the tone, but very few people opposed his policies. So i think if we can embrace the policies and put perhaps a friendlier face on those policies for the good of the American People, i think we would be just fine. There is no doubt donald trump has changed the Republican Party and galvanised voters in unprecedented numbers. But it is still too early to gauge his lasting impact. After all, what is trumpism without trump . The Republican Party now has four years into the next four years until the next election to work it out. Jane 0brien, bbc news. Donald Trumps Campaign has filed lawsuits in a number of states with little success so far. Those legal motions have been dismissed byjoe bidens campaign as performance art. So the president s personal lawyer was back on the stage today quoting from the movie my cousin vinny and working through a list of states in which he believes the Trump Campaign can still overturn the results. I dont know what you need to wake you up, to do yourjob and inform the American People, whether you like it or not, of the things they need to know. This is real, it is not made up. There is nobody here that engages in fantasies. I have tried 100 cases. I prosecuted some of the most dangerous criminals in the world. I know crimes. I can smell them. You dont have to smell this one. I can prove it to you 18 different ways. Dont know if you notice those two lines running down his face. A lot of comments about the on social media. There you go. A lot of people think that is the hair dye running down his face. Were joined now by ron christie the former adviser to george w bush. A p pa re ntly apparently Rudy Giuliani is getting 20,000 a day for his legal work. Would you say he is getting value for money . Good evening, christian, boy, ill take 20,000 a day as a lawyer we re boy, ill take 20,000 a day as a lawyer were being a practising attorney ill take it. But the real question of the matter is Rudy Giuliani representing the best interest for his client and this case, the personal attorney for the president of the United States. As he filing cases in different courts around the United States that have fa cts around the United States that have facts that bear witness . There should be examined at the federal and state level. And thus far come as you and laura both know, we have not seen the Trump Campaigners legal efforts prove much of anything except for just disappointment after disappointment and dismissal after dismissal. You are very polite, ron. This is a total farce. Even the former acting white house chief of staff Mick Mulvaney said this is not a television programme, we had the four seasons fiasco, his lawyer crashing and burning in court case after court case, today, what a performance today, hair dye running down his face, taking on the media, closing my cousin vinny, it is farcical. Quoting christian, you know very well on polite. Laughter. I was listening to this whole dumpster dive today and i thought my cousin vinny . Come on, man. Youre representing the president. Cousin vinny . Come on, man. Youre representing the president lj cousin vinny . Come on, man. Youre representing the president. I didnt say dump the fire. You said that. |j say dump the fire. You said that. did. In all seriousness, this needs to in. The president needs to have a smooth and seamless transition. Joe biden is the president elect of the United States, kemal harris of the Vice President elect. We need to do everything we can for the 200 years of democracy we have here. Kamala harris. They hand off of the baton needs to be seamless and easy as possible. Time for him to leave the stage. But ryan, who is going to be the one to tell the president that the one to tell the president that the fat lady has sung . But ron. Good afternoon, laura. I think my former boss president george w. Bush tried that last week. With a little u nfortu nately success. I tried that last week. With a little unfortunately success. I think it will take mitch mcconnell, the Senate Majority leader, it will take Kevin Mccarthy coming to House Minority leader, and other Senior Leaders and the respective parts of our governors, members of congress to save mr president , enough is enough. And remember, somebody very familiar on these airwaves, the bbc, glynn bail come a veryjunior member of congress from maine who went down to the white house to tell president nixon it is time for you to go. Bill cohan. It is time for President Trump to go. Ryan christie, thank you so much for joining us. Ron christie. With just over two months left in office President Trump is making major Foreign Policy moves, pulling more troops out of irq and afghanistan, prompting some alarm among Senior Republicans acting us defence secretary chris miller installed last week after mr trump abruptly fired mark esper has defended the decision. He may be there in a temporary role but he looks set to try and use the next few months to put his stamp on the pentagon before the biden adminsitration comes in. So what can we expect in these final days and what will it mean for the Incoming Administration . James g stavridis is former supreme allied commander for Global Operations at nato. Welcome to the programme and thank you for being with us. When it comes to afghanistan, and the troop withdrawal, is it Mission Accomplished . No, it is extremely dangerous, it makes no sense militarily because we are still in the process of putting pressure on the process of putting pressure on the taliban. It makes no sense diplomatically, we are actually closing in finally on a potential peace agreement. And it makes no sense politically, it will unwind as the games that we have made for women and girls in education. The gains. Pulling those last few troops out is an enormous mistake in my view and just to put in perspective, when i commanded that mission come as supreme allied commander of nato, we had 150,000 troops there was that we had 150,000 troops there was that we are down to 5000 troops. We have brought home 95 of the troops. That last trench is very vital to closing this thing in an appropriate way. I would not pull them out. The republican congressman for illinois, who himself is a veteran, said that the troops that are there in place now two and half thousand will be left. That is barely enough for force protection. What sort of political decision thatjoe biden face when he gets to the white house about the remaining soldiers that are there . He will be faced with a call from the uniform military who opposed this withdrawal at the very senior levels. I can tell you that isa senior levels. I can tell you that is a fact. They will go to the new president , the new secretary of defence potentially Michelle Flournoy being tipped for thatjob, somebody i know very well from working with her over for years, somebody i know very well from working with her overfor years, at the pentagon, i think it will look quite seriously at putting back the troops. Sorry to interrupt but you will know when joe troops. Sorry to interrupt but you will know Whenjoe Biden was in the white house in 2009 he was opposed to the surge barack 0bama put into afghanistan. Politically, quite savvy of donald trump because it gives him in a comfortable decision to make. That is a fair assessment. However, let us recall that, i was there at that time, as the nato commander, Vice President joe biden model was lets keep some number of thousands of troops there to do special operations to back up the afg ha n special operations to back up the Afghan Security forces. So this is really not so far off from what Vice President joe biden was advocating. I think it will take a serious look at maintaining roughly 5000 us troops there. Admiral, is Us National Security threatened by the refusal of the president to concede and allow briefings for the Joe Biden Transition Team and by all of the firings we are seeing in the Defence Department court shall our National Security is very much at risk. First of all, to take out the secretary of defence, the under secretary of defence for policy, undersecretary of defence for intelligence and the chief of staff for the secretary of defence, thatis staff for the secretary of defence, that is for out of the six senior civilians running the department of defence to my team that has come in is unqualified and inexperienced so yes, it is very concerned. And the team that has come in. Our opponents may take advantage of this in afghanistan and in the waters of the arabian gulf you can see the rating of seizing another taker, we can see it Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launched by the north koreans with the best we could see the uranian seizing. Are close by saying i observed the last transition when outgoing National Security adviser susan rice was absolutely superb working with now disgraced Lieutenant General mike lane, the incoming they had the passing the baton ceremony at the us ip, laura, you know that building across. They actually pass the baton, it was collegial, they work together, that is what the Trump Administration enjoyed coming in from it is too bad they would not provide that going out. Admiral, thank you. We can see your new book, sailing true north. I know you are a prolific author and i look forward to reading that one. A man of the sea. Thank you for being with us. Stay with us on bbc news. Well speak live to nile rodgers, whos trying to get another number one hit with his charity single. The scottish author Douglas Stuart has won the booker prize for his debut novel, shuggie bain beating five other authors in the shortlist. The book tells the story of a mother and sons relationship in 1980s glasgow, and deals with themes of poverty and addiction. Heres mr stuarts reaction to the win. Sorry, im absolutely stunned. I didnt expect that at all. I would like first of alljust to thank my mother. I think i have been clear that my mother is in every page of this book and without her i wouldnt be here. My work wouldnt be here. I would like to thank my fellow finalists. Its been such a pleasure and honour to be in your company. I cant wait to give you all a hug. Thank you to the bookerjudges from recognising shuggie bain. I know im only the second Scottish Book in 50 years to have won and that means a lot for regional voices, for working class stories. And so thank you. Thank you to the people of scotland, especially glaswegians, whose empathy and humour and love and struggle are in every word. To my shuggie family, everybody at picador uk, the incredible danny, camilla, ella stein, lucy, aries, chrome atlantic in new york, who were the only people who actually took a risk on my book and especially peter blackstone, my very, very courageous editor. I wouldnt be able to be here without my husband and without his support, so michael carey, thank you from the bottom of my heart, you supported me for 12 years while i wrote this book. You always had faith in me. That lets me know i married the right man. Thank you. And to everybody, all the readers who have just come out and let me know that shuggie and agnes have touched their lives. I cannot believe this. The greatest gift is just being able to connect with you. Thank you so much. Thank you. Breaking news lines. Joe biden who was speaking the last few minutes, just said that he is not going to rule out legal action in order to kick start the transition. Something to look out for. Pictures here. Youll see the Vice President mike pence come out and speaking to the press, no sign as of donald trump, there were questions whether he might appear at this briefing but it is the Vice President who was standing behind the podium. Doctor Anthony Fauci is there and we talk to him just yesterday. Wejust we just talked to him yesterday. Mike pompeo has become the first us secretary of state, to visit an israeli settlement, in the occupied west bank. Mr pompeo toured a winery today, in a settlement close to ramallah which has named a wine, in his honour. He also visited the israeli occupied, Golan Heights. Donald trump has displayed a much more tolerant attitude towards settlement activity than his predecessor, barack 0bama. So do we presume that come january, us policy will return to where it was. Lets speak to our correspondent Barbara Plett usher, whos in washington. And who spent a lot of time in jerusalem. Barbara, quite interesting today, what do you think we we re interesting today, what do you think we were getting from mike pompeo . Is this something to do with his bid in 2024 . That is widely speculated. Yes, christian. Mr pompeo has been a cheerleader for mr yes, christian. Mr pompeo has been a cheerleaderfor mr trump yes, christian. Mr pompeo has been a cheerleader for mr trump and his israel policy who embraced this expansionism. He did put his mark it last year when he was the one to announce the had reassessed its the way i looked atjoy settlements and they do not contradict International Law so this with a chance for him to physically put his stamp on that policy by visiting a jewish element, the first secretary of state to do so and providing some putt opportunitiesjust in so and providing some putt opportunities just in case he should run for president in 2024. For opportunities. And putting some hurdles forjoe biden if you want to roll back the settlement and saying that products made injewish settle m e nts that products made injewish settlements will be stamped and made in israel rather than a made in the west ba n k in israel rather than a made in the west bank which is what has been done so far. Would you expect to see joe biden and the secretary of state visiting a settlement in the west bank . No, i think visiting a settlement in the west bank . No, ithink that visiting a settlement in the west bank . No, i think that the Biden Administration will return to the traditional us policy on sentiments which is to treat the west bank and the Golan Heights as occupied territory. Directly or assertive they will do that, we dont know, it is not expected there were large a major piece there has been pressure from the Democratic Party already on palestinian rights, there was a letter to mr pompeo urging him to condemn the destruction of the palestinian village by israel in the west ba n k palestinian village by israel in the west bank and to reject Human Rights Violations and so i think that kind of pressure will continue especially from the left but mr biden is not left wing, he is a very traditional pro israel democrat as you know. So i dont think we will expect anything radicalfrom i dont think we will expect anything radical from him. I dont think we will expect anything radicalfrom him. What we do expect is he will make more of an effort to reach out to the palestinians and restore that relationship which was broken under mrtrump, so relationship which was broken under mr trump, so diplomatic ties in the humanitarian funding which mr trump cut. It is interesting timing from the Trump Administration because they fully supported the normalisation of relations between black rain in the your rain and israel but from the arab countries, it was that they will stop annexing parts of the west and there is the secretary of state today almost endorsing it. Yes, that is a good point. By rain and israel. The annexation of the west bank has been with a trade off their countries normalising with israel ties mr pompeo would call this annexing i guess but in fact many critics of the policy say that in practice it has already behaving like it is annexing the territory. Even though they dont call it that. Mr biden welcomes those normalisation agreements. He is expected to perhaps build on them as an opportunity arises but hell be very much against any sort of approval public demonstration of support for any type of annexation activity. Barbara, thank you. Now for something completely different. From co founding chic, to working with madonna and david bowie, and creating that iconic sound behind daft punks hit get lucky when it comes to music nile rogers is the emperor, surveying a musical landscape shaped, created and inspired by his futuristic sound. The singer songwriter has taken time out to be part of the all star line up for this years bbc children in need single, stop crying your heart out. Music. I iama i am a star, im fading away i am a star, im fading away tried not to worry, youll see them someday take what you need. It features an all star cast including cher, bryan adams, lenny kravitz, Robbie Williams , and the one and only nile rodgers who joins us now. Great to see. I was thinking all these people can all of these artists, what a star studded guest. It is like a gift for a teenager of the 90s. 0f it is like a gift for a teenager of the 90s. Of which i am one. Indeed it is. How did you do it . How did you get them altogether . it is. How did you do it . How did you get them altogether . A lot of phone calls and a lot of begging and a lot of love. Do you follow children in need . What this something you were aware aware of . You are out there. It is something you are familiar with magellan yes, ive actually supported them for the last few years because. Around christmas time, we have been playing in the uk every year. I dont loose for the last maybe three, four years going. Honestly for the last four yea rs. Going. Honestly for the last four years. I found incredibly moving actually, the the stop crying your heart out. It feels very much something for this time we are also miserable because of the virus. Something for this time we are also miserable because of the virusm really does. It resonates very well. Iam really does. It resonates very well. I am pleased with the way it all came out and it all came together. The song is amazing too. Can ijust say we are looking at cher. She is 74 she looks amazing. She does with that we have been on tour with cher, my ban, for the last couple years. She is a phenomenal person. My ban chic. I have to ask her about what it was like to work with kylie. Also looking pretty fabulous in that video. Ask you about. Also looking pretty fabulous in that video. Ask you about. She is great too. Everybody who participated, they all have such big hearts, i find that artists in general are some of the most culturally sick people i know. Musicians you can always count on them. Most nice people i know. Im looking at all those gold disc behind you. You are in a battle tomorrow for the number one slot was that what the people need to do . It is for charity. Go out and buy it. How you got anything you can tell us . No, wejust do how you got anything you can tell us . No, we just do what we do and hope for the best. There are some great records out there now, so were just great records out there now, so werejust hoping great records out there now, so were just hoping that we go to number one in there would be amazing. Are you feeling lucky . Yes. You know, it isjust amazing. Are you feeling lucky . Yes. You know, it is just the amazing. Are you feeling lucky . Yes. You know, it isjust the right amazing. Are you feeling lucky . Yes. You know, it is just the right time of year, the right spirit at the right time, the right song, that charity does incredible work with young people are treating them with musical therapy, so it is a total honourfor me in my fine hip gnosis to support them and really, it is emotionalfor me because i know how well their programme works. When we do the interviews like this, they give us a lot of notes in a reading one here, you say my 20 year old self would be amazed im still alive. And still making number ones. Yes. It is mind boggling to me because i just do yes. It is mind boggling to me because ijust do this because i really love it. And i really cant stop. Im working out with diana ross i knew stuff in last night we we re ross i knew stuff in last night we were talking and she was just saying how much we both love doing what we do. Stop crying your heart out, go out and buy it. It is for charity. Making number one. Thank you, niall rogers. Make it number one. Hello. Much of november has been very mild, with temperatures well above average but we have had a bit of a colder interlude in the weather over the past 24 hours or so. The next couple of days, though, once again things are going to be turning milder, and staying quite unsettled, so there will be some wind, some rain around at times. Now, this is the satellite image from thursday. It shows the cloud waiting in the atlantic, but we have had relatively clear skies across the uk. So quite a cold night, a chilly start to friday morning. But then the next atlantic front makes its way in, so we are going to be seeing things turning increasingly mild and unsettled, so theres that orange air returning to the map, the mild colours. And this is the jet stream that you can see here, those winds up at High Altitude driving in those weather systems from the atlantic. So, after a cold start to the day in the east, the cloud will increase from the west, spreading this band of rain west to east across all parts. It will be fairly light and patchy by the time it gets towards the south east, heaviest in the north west, with further showers following on behind that, so temperatures only about nine degrees in norwich, up to about 13 in belfast on friday. And then as we move through friday night, and overnight into saturday, then we keep a lot of cloud, so its going to be a frost free night, with the winds coming in from a south westerly direction, so were in this mild air to start your weekend. Through the day on saturday, with low pressure to the north of the uk, this trailing weather front will make its way slowly south. So well start the weekend with some cloud and rain for parts of Northern Ireland and southern scotland. That then pushes across england and wales through the day, with clearer conditions following in from the north west. Temperatures somewhere between about 10 to 14 degrees, so again quite mild really for this time of year. There will be further showers packing in to the far north west on quite a strong wind, as well, on saturday. Still windy, especially in the north, as we move on into sunday, as well, low pressure sitting out to the north east of the uk, quite a lot of isobars there on the map. So through the day on sunday, again breezy weather, especially for Northern Ireland and scotland, with a few showers in the north west. Further south, most places seeing a predominantly dry day with some sunshine, but the far south of england perhaps south wales, may well keep a lot of cloud through the day, with that weak weather front around. And its a bit colder on sunday, certainly compared to saturday, behind that cold front. And then moving on into next week, well, weve got another area of low pressure thats approaching, heading through the day on monday. So, many of us i think likely to start monday on a dry note, with a bit of sunshine. The far east and south east likely to stay dry for a good part of the day, but there will be those strengthening winds driving in more rain, particularly for parts of Northern Ireland, western scotland, perhaps north west england and wales. Temperatures about 9 to 13 degrees during monday. And then low pressure still not far away, looking in to tuesday now, probably sitting out to the north of the uk once again. So another trailing weather front making its way south through the day on tuesday. So some cloud, some outbreaks of rain. Bit of uncertainty at this stage about how far south any of that gets. It may well stay dry all day for central and south eastern parts of england on tuesday. Mild here once again, around about 14 degrees or so. So, as we look through the middle part of next week this is, it does look like higher pressure is going to be building in, so keeping most of those weather fronts at bay, not too many isobars on the map. So weve got a colder spell of weatherfor a time but by the end of next week, it does look like well start to see milder and more unsettled conditions pushing that High Pressure away. So a changeable story over the next week or so. Spells of wind and rain at times, some milder weather, but we could well see a few colder nights, particularly through the middle part of next week. Thats how its looking, bye for now. Tonight at ten a draft report into claims that the home secretary priti patel bullied staff concluded in the summer that she had broken rules on ministerial behaviour. An inquiry was launched in march after the most senior official at the home office resigned, alleging that staff felt ms patel created fear in the department. She always denied doing anything wrong, but after months of investigation into one of the most senior members of the government, tomorrow the Prime MinisterBoris Johnson is poised to give his verdict. Also tonight more positive news for the Covid Vaccine britain is pinning its hopes on. Researchers in oxford working with astrazeneca say the latest data suggests theirjab works well on older people but more results are needed. Our results are really, really encouraging because this means that we might be able to offer protection to the vulnerable age