US election results 2020: Latest developments

Several prominent human rights and advocacy organisations in the US hailed the victory of President-elect Joe Biden and his deputy Kamala Harris, urging their administration to promote civil rights, racial equality and “reverse four years of regression” on human rights, and underscoring that this is the moment to “heal the nation”.

“In a democracy, the will of the people, not of politicians, determines the outcome of an election. Now President-elect Biden needs to govern on behalf of all Americans,” Human Rights Watch Executive Director Kenneth Roth said.

“People came out in record numbers to vote. The electoral process must ensure that their choices are respected. This is a moment to heal the nation and end the divisiveness,” he said.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organisation, congratulated Biden on his victory and encouraged the incoming administration to promote civil rights, racial equality, a just foreign policy, and the inclusion of American Muslims in diverse government roles.

Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, has approached the President about conceding the closely-fought election to his Democratic rival Joe Biden, according to media reports on Sunday.

Kushner has approached the President about conceding the election, CNN quoted two unidentified sources as saying.

Kushner has told others that he has urged the president to accept the outcome of the race — even if Trump won't come to terms with how it was reached, the Associated Press also reported on Sunday.

Joe Biden used his first national address as president-elect to vow to heal a deeply divided nation, declaring it was time to "let this grim era of demonization in America begin to end" and reaching out to the millions of people who voted against him to say, "Let's give each other a chance."

"For all those of you who voted for President Trump, I understand the disappointment," Biden said during a drive-in event in Wilmington, Delaware. "It's time to put away the harsh rhetoric, lower the temperature, see each other again."

His top priority in the transition is expected to be quickly naming a chief of staff. suggested during the campaign that his first call after being elected would be to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, but his advisers have not said whether the two have spoken yet.

said Saturday that he would announce a task force of scientists and experts Monday to develop a "blueprint" to begin beating back the virus by the time he assumes the presidency.

President Donald Trump never admits defeat. But he faces a stark choice now that Democrat Joe Biden has won the White House: Concede graciously for the sake of the nation or don't - and get evicted anyway.

After nearly four tortured days of counting yielded a victory for Biden on Saturday, Trump was still insisting the race was not over. He threw out baseless allegations of voter fraud, promised a flurry of legal action and fired off all-caps tweets falsely insisting he'd "WON THIS ELECTION, BY A LOT."

Trump is not expected to ever formally concede, according to people close to him, but is likely to grudgingly vacate the White House at the end of his term. His ongoing efforts to paint the election as unfair are seen both as an effort to soothe a bruised ego and to show his loyal base of supporters that he is still fighting. That could be key to keeping them energized for what comes next.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Biden's win as "spectacular" while highlighting Harris's Indian heritage. "Your success is pathbreaking, and a matter of immense pride not just for your chittis, but also for all Indian-Americans," Modi said in a tweet to Harris.
"Chitti" is a Tamil term of endearment for the younger sisters of one's mother, which Harris used in her acceptance of the Democratic nomination for vice president.

"Congratulations!" said Chancellor Angela Merkel. "I wish luck and success from the bottom of my heart. "Our transatlantic friendship is irreplaceable if we want to overcome the great challenges of our times," she said in a tweet issued by a government spokesman.

French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted: "The Americans have chosen their President. Congratulations @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris! We have a lot to do to overcome today's challenges. Let's work together!"

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson congratulated Biden "on his election as President of the United States and Kamala Harris on her historic achievement. "The US is our most important ally and I look forward to working closely together on our shared priorities, from climate change to trade and security."

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a close Trump ally, called Biden a "great friend of Israel", congratulating him and Harris on their victory. He tweeted: "I look forward to working with both of you to further strengthen the special alliance between the US and Israel."

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said: "I look forward to working with President-elect Biden, Vice President-elect Harris, their administration, and the United States Congress as we tackle the world's greatest challenges together."

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, a popular leader who had verbally jousted with Trump, congratulated Biden and Harris in a tweet focused on cooperation. "With so many issues facing the international community, your message of unity is one we share. New Zealand looks forward to working with you both!"

Waking up to the news of Kamala Harris' election as Joe Biden's running mate, overjoyed people in her Indian grandfather's hometown are setting off firecrackers, carrying her placards and offering prayers.

Groups gathered at street corners of the tiny village of Thulasendrapuram, population 350, reading newspapers and chatting about the Democrats' victory before moving to the temple.

A woman wrote in color powder outside her home: "Congratulations Kamala Harris. Pride of our village. Vanakkam (Greetings) America." "For two or three days we kept our fingers crossed while the result was delayed,'' said resident Kalidas Vamdayar.

"Kamala Harris is the daughter of our village. From children to senior citizens, each one of us is awaiting the day she would take oath as the vice president of the US," said Aulmozhi Sudhakar, a village councilor.