Biden poised to accept Democratic nomination

Joe Biden is poised to accept the Democratic presidential nomination Thursday night in a moment that marks the climax of his party's unorthodox 2020 national convention.

The convention planning was upended by the coronavirus pandemic, forcing Democrats to adopt a virtual convention to nominate their presidential candidate.

As the gavel came down on the fourth night of the convention, Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez admitted: "In a way, what we've seen over the last three nights and what we'll see tonight is a more accurate reflection of where we are, where our country is than any traditional convention could have been.

The former vice president, Joe Biden, who at 77 years old would be the oldest president ever elected, will be feted by family and former rivals as he becomes the Democrats' official standard bearer for the campaign against President Donald Trump in November.

He is expected to focus on uniting the deeply divided nation as Americans grapple with a months-long health crisis, related economic devastation and a national awakening on racial justice.