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Donald Trump, Yahya Jammeh, Astana: Your Morning Briefing Donald Trump, Yahya Jammeh, Astana: Your Morning Briefing
(about 1 hour later)
Good morning.Good morning.
Here’s what you need to know:Here’s what you need to know:
• The inauguration of President Trump has been met with protests around the world. The number of demonstrators in the U.S. easily surpassed one million, and marches also took place in Berlin, Paris, Cape Town and Sydney, Australia, among other cities. Above, marchers in Barcelona, Spain. • The inauguration of President Trump has been met with enormous protests in the U.S. and more in Berlin, Paris, Cape Town and Sydney, Australia, among other cities. Above, marchers in Barcelona, Spain.
In his first speech as president, Mr. Trump vowed to place America first. The reaction across the globe was mostly silence and uncertainty, but there were celebrations in some places. The reaction across the globe to Mr. Trump’s inaugural vow of “America first” was mostly silence and uncertainty, but there were also celebrations .
The far-right French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen declared that Mr. Trump’s victory had opened “a new era in the cooperation between nations.” “Time to buckle your seatbelts and cross your fingers,” said a Brazilian diplomat.
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• Mr. Trump set the tenor for a divisive presidency, using his first day in office to unleash a bitter attack on the news media. • Mr. Trump has set the tenor for a divisive presidency, using his first day in office to unleash a bitter attack on the news media.
He accused journalists of inventing a rift between him and the intelligence community, a group he compared to Nazis just over a week ago. He also called journalists “among the most dishonest human beings on earth,” and said that up to 1.5 million people had attended his inauguration, a claim that photographs disproved. He accused the news media of inventing a rift between him and the intelligence community, a group he recently compared to Nazis. He also said that up to 1.5 million people had attended his inauguration, a claim that photographs disproved.
Mr. Trump’s pick for secretary of state, Rex W. Tillerson, whose road to confirmation has been bumpy over his business ties with Russia, is likely to move a step closer to confirmation today. The Senate holds a confirmation vote today for Representative Mike Pompeo of Kansas to lead the Central Intelligence Agency, and Rex W. Tillerson is likely to move a step closer to being confirmed as secretary of state.
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• Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain confirmed that she would meet with Mr. Trump in Washington on Friday for the high-status first visit of a foreign leader with the new president. • Prime Minister Theresa May of Britain confirmed that she would meet with Mr. Trump in Washington on Friday, scoring the high-status first visit of a foreign leader with the new president.
Tomorrow, she’ll hear the ruling of Britain’s highest court on whether she must seek parliamentary approval to open negotiations with the European Union over her country’s withdrawal from the bloc.Tomorrow, she’ll hear the ruling of Britain’s highest court on whether she must seek parliamentary approval to open negotiations with the European Union over her country’s withdrawal from the bloc.
Mrs. May is also grappling with the reported failure of an unarmed Trident missile test-fired from an aging British submarine in June.Mrs. May is also grappling with the reported failure of an unarmed Trident missile test-fired from an aging British submarine in June.
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• Talks on ending nearly six years of war in Syria are scheduled to begin today in Astana, Kazakhstan. Above, the ravaged city of Aleppo.• Talks on ending nearly six years of war in Syria are scheduled to begin today in Astana, Kazakhstan. Above, the ravaged city of Aleppo.
The meetings, organized by Russia, Turkey and Iran, are expected to last several days, and will bring together their representatives with those of the armed opposition, the Syrian government and the United Nations. The meetings will bring together representatives of Russia, Turkey and Iran with those of the Syrian government, the armed opposition and the United Nations.
The U.S. State Department said the American ambassador to Kazakhstan, George Krol, would attend as an observer. The American ambassador to Kazakhstan, George Krol, is to attend as an observer.
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• Australians are debating bail rules after a car barreled through a lunchtime crowd in Melbourne on Friday, killing five people — including a 3-month-old baby and a 10-year-old girl — and leaving others in critical condition.• Australians are debating bail rules after a car barreled through a lunchtime crowd in Melbourne on Friday, killing five people — including a 3-month-old baby and a 10-year-old girl — and leaving others in critical condition.
The man suspected of being the driver, Dimitrious Gargasoulas, was on bail for an assault charge at the time of the rampage, and is accused of having stabbed his brother in the hours before. The suspect, Dimitrious Gargasoulas, was on bail for an assault charge at the time of the rampage, and is accused of having stabbed his brother in the hours before.
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• If the U.S. is willing to give up its role in fighting global warming, as President Trump has signaled, other countries appear ready to step up.
Meetings at the World Economic Forum last week showed that China, India and even the leaders of large corporations are eager to take on a bigger role.
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• Samsung is expected to announce today the findings of its investigation into what caused its Galaxy Note 7 phones to overheat and in some cases catch fire. The phone was discontinued at a cost of at least $5 billion.• Samsung is expected to announce today the findings of its investigation into what caused its Galaxy Note 7 phones to overheat and in some cases catch fire. The phone was discontinued at a cost of at least $5 billion.
• The chairman of Foxconn said the company was considering building a $7 billion display-making plant in the U.S.• The chairman of Foxconn said the company was considering building a $7 billion display-making plant in the U.S.
• Paramount Pictures, the Hollywood film studio, should be able to nearly double its number of annual productions thanks to $1 billion investment by two Chinese companies, Shanghai Film Group and Huahua Media. • Paramount Pictures should be able to nearly double its number of annual productions thanks to $1 billion investment by two Chinese companies, Shanghai Film Group and Huahua Media.
• Hong Kong has been rated the world’s most expensive housing market for the seventh consecutive year, followed by Sydney, Vancouver and Auckland, New Zealand.
• Here’s a snapshot of global markets.• Here’s a snapshot of global markets.
• At least 36 passengers were killed and dozens more were injured in a train derailment in southern India, the latest disaster on the country’s overburdened railway system. [The New York Times] • At least 36 people were killed and dozens more were injured in a train derailment in southern India, the latest disaster on the country’s overburdened railway system. [The New York Times]
• More dangerous weather is expected in America’s Southeast a day after a swarm of tornadoes killed at least 15 people and injured 43 more in Georgia and Mississippi. [The New York Times]• More dangerous weather is expected in America’s Southeast a day after a swarm of tornadoes killed at least 15 people and injured 43 more in Georgia and Mississippi. [The New York Times]
• In Malaysia, a war of words has broken out between a former prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, and the sultan of the state of Johor over a Chinese backed development project. [South China Morning Post] • In Malaysia, a war of words has broken out between a former prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, and the sultan of Johor State over a Chinese backed-development project. [South China Morning Post]
• The defeated president of Gambia, Yahya Jammeh, ended a tense standoff and announced he would step aside, sending a wave of relief through the West African nation. [The New York Times] • The defeated president of Gambia, Yahya Jammeh, finally stepped aside, sending a wave of relief through the West African nation. [The New York Times]
• The United Nations appealed for $550 million for what it estimated to be 9.3 million people in Afghanistan who need humanitarian aid, about one-third of the country’s population. [The New York Times] • The United Nations appealed for $550 million to help 9.3 million people— about one-third of the country’s population — suffering through intensifying conflicts in Afghanistan. [The New York Times]
• Invasive bamboo thickets being cleared by Japanese municipalities are feeding plants that create cellulose nanofiber, a material five times stronger than steel at a fifth the weight. [The Asahi Shimbun] • Invasive bamboo thickets being cleared by Japanese municipalities are fueling the manufacture of cellulose nanofiber, a material five times stronger than steel. [The Asahi Shimbun]
(In this new section, we’ll help you start your day right.) • Learning how to breathe better can reduce stress and soothe your body. (Think deep breaths that expand your belly.)
• Learning how to breathe better can reduce stress and soothe your body. Here’s how to do it. (Think deep breaths that expand your belly.)
• Take a mindful moment with your morning coffee today.• Take a mindful moment with your morning coffee today.
• Ordering takeout might be appealing, but these versions of cheesesteak subs and chicken wings may make you reconsider.• Ordering takeout might be appealing, but these versions of cheesesteak subs and chicken wings may make you reconsider.
• “Just wasn’t meant to be.” That was No. 1 seed Andy Murray after losing at the Australian Open, as did Angelique Kerber, the top-ranked woman.• “Just wasn’t meant to be.” That was No. 1 seed Andy Murray after losing at the Australian Open, as did Angelique Kerber, the top-ranked woman.
Venus Williams, ranked 13th, has not dropped a set through four rounds. Up next for her: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, and the possibility of facing her sister, Serena, in the finals on Saturday. Venus Williams, above, ranked 13th, has not dropped a set through four rounds, and Roger Federer is playing like ... vintage Roger Federer.
• Blindfolded speed-running is not as dangerous as it sounds. It’s the increasingly popular trend of playing classic video games with covered eyes. Gamers say they keep track by relying on sound effects and music.• Blindfolded speed-running is not as dangerous as it sounds. It’s the increasingly popular trend of playing classic video games with covered eyes. Gamers say they keep track by relying on sound effects and music.
• Yang Jisheng, a famed chronicler of the Mao era, published his widely anticipated history of China’s Cultural Revolution, “The World Turned Upside Down,” turning to Hong Kong to get beyond the direct reach of government censors.• Yang Jisheng, a famed chronicler of the Mao era, published his widely anticipated history of China’s Cultural Revolution, “The World Turned Upside Down,” turning to Hong Kong to get beyond the direct reach of government censors.
“The second-most challenging job in the free world.”“The second-most challenging job in the free world.”
That’s how James S. Brady described the post of White House press secretary, which he held under President Ronald Reagan.That’s how James S. Brady described the post of White House press secretary, which he held under President Ronald Reagan.
The modern-day version of the job began during the administration of Herbert Hoover, when George Akerson filled the post. Stephen Early, who worked for the four-term president Franklin Roosevelt, held it the longest.The modern-day version of the job began during the administration of Herbert Hoover, when George Akerson filled the post. Stephen Early, who worked for the four-term president Franklin Roosevelt, held it the longest.
He had been a journalist, as have many other secretaries, including Pierre Salinger, Bill Moyers, Tony Snow and Jay Carney.He had been a journalist, as have many other secretaries, including Pierre Salinger, Bill Moyers, Tony Snow and Jay Carney.
J. F. terHorst, another newsman, served under Gerald R. Ford for less than a month, resigning in protest when his boss granted a pardon to Richard Nixon after the Watergate scandal.J. F. terHorst, another newsman, served under Gerald R. Ford for less than a month, resigning in protest when his boss granted a pardon to Richard Nixon after the Watergate scandal.
There have been numerous changes to the White House’s communications strategy over the years. Mike McCurry, serving President Bill Clinton, introduced live TV broadcasts of daily briefings, later acknowledging they became “an alternative to the daytime soap operas.”There have been numerous changes to the White House’s communications strategy over the years. Mike McCurry, serving President Bill Clinton, introduced live TV broadcasts of daily briefings, later acknowledging they became “an alternative to the daytime soap operas.”
What changes might come now? Sean Spicer, the new press secretary, above, said the Trump administration wanted to be “innovative” and “entrepreneurial.”What changes might come now? Sean Spicer, the new press secretary, above, said the Trump administration wanted to be “innovative” and “entrepreneurial.”
A predecessor has this timeless advice: “Tell the truth, don’t lie, don’t cover up, put out the bad news yourself, put it out as soon as possible.”A predecessor has this timeless advice: “Tell the truth, don’t lie, don’t cover up, put out the bad news yourself, put it out as soon as possible.”
Chris Stanford contributed reporting.Chris Stanford contributed reporting.
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Your Morning Briefing is published weekday mornings.Your Morning Briefing is published weekday mornings.
What would you like to see here? Contact us at asiabriefing@nytimes.com.What would you like to see here? Contact us at asiabriefing@nytimes.com.