New US president Joe Biden has a huge to-do list
Credit: Blower
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‘No time to start like today’: Biden blitzes Trump legacy
Hours after being sworn in during a historic ceremony, new US president Joe Biden began dismantling the legacy of his predecessor. He signed 17 executive orders, memorandums and proclamations on his first evening in the Oval Office, far more than any other recent president. They were aimed at halting or reversing some of Donald Trump’s most controversial policies. Wearing a mask while seated behind the Resolute Desk, Mr Biden said there was "no time to start like today". His first action was an executive order that all US government employees wear face coverings. Immigration and the environment were also a major focus. Washington Correspondent Nick Allen explains what has changed — and what Mr Biden has in his sights. View the best pictures from yesterday’s ceremony, read US Editor Ben Riley-Smith‘s analysis of Mr Biden’s address and see how the world’s newspapers reacted.
While Mr Trump broke long-standing practice by skipping Mr Biden’s inauguration, he did follow through on one tradition by leaving behind a note for his successor. The new Democratic president said Mr Trump "wrote a very generous letter". Mr Biden also made changes to how the Oval Office is decorated, risking a transatlantic spat with Britain after it appeared he had decided not to display a bust of Sir Winston Churchill.
‘Floods will worsen’ as hundreds flee homes overnight
Hundreds of people were evacuated from their homes overnight as Storm Christoph began to cause widespread flooding across the UK. Residents were told to leave some 2,000 properties in Greater Manchester due to rising water levels and the likelihood of power cuts. Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned the floods — which have hit parts of East Anglia as well as the north of England — could get worse next week. Ministers feared the storm would also affect the rollout of Covid vaccines in some areas. See the latest Met Office forecast and the most striking pictures. Matt finds a reason to smile in today’s cartoon.
The outrageous fortunes of the children of No 10
Can Euan Blair really be worth £73 million? He made the money out of his apprenticeship company, which promotes an alternative to the university system his father championed as Prime Minister. But his success is the exception to the rule. The list of political offspring who have struggled to find their own way in life is long and tragic. Harry Mount explores how other Downing Street children have fared.
Coronavirus — latest news updates
Checking in | Hotel groups have begun talks with government officials over their facilities being used as quarantine centres, as it emerged that ministers have discussed tighter border controls that could bar foreign travellers. It follows reports that people could be forced to pay to stay in a hotel for two weeks while observing a self-isolation period.
- Lockdown analysis | Is there a case for an early release?
- Oxford | Scientists prepare to tweak vaccine against variants
- Travel | No holidays for those without vaccine, says Saga
- London mayor | Khan ‘took advantage of pandemic’, court rules
- Planet Normal podcast | Brexit divisions ‘infect Covid reporting’
Also in the news: Today’s other headlines
- Brexit | Why musicians are creating a visas storm in a teacup
- Universities | Chaucer ditched on ‘decolonised’ English courses
- Royals | Countess admits to tears over abuse victims’ stories
- Pot of gold | Cannabis factory found behind Bank of England
- Obituary | Theresa Stewart, ‘Loony Left’ city council leader
Around the world: Anti-US Yemen protest
Demonstrators hold up assault rifles and chant anti-US slogans during a march in Sana’a, Yemen. Tony Blinken, the new US secretary of state, has reportedly pledged to review the official designation of Yemen’s Houthi movement. View today’s gallery of more world pictures.
A young boy among the armed crowd in Sana'a
Credit: YAHYA ARHAB/EPA-EFE
Comment and analysis: US inauguration special
- Allister Heath | America’s decline might now be unstoppable
- Sir Kim Darroch | Challenge to heal a sorely divided nation
- Janet Daley | Is Joe Biden really capable of uniting America?
- Tim Stanley | Speech encapsulated his 49-year mission
- Ambrose Evans-Pritchard | Keynesian inflation era of 2020s
You’ve got this: Getting you through lockdown
Business and money briefing
Mask anger | Supermarket workers are battling a surge of violence as customers vent their rage over a new crackdown on face coverings, the boss of Co-op Food said. Jo Whitfield said demands for staff to enforce mask-wearing and social distancing rules had created a major flashpoint.
- Stamp duty | More than 16,000 buyers hit by new-build delays
- Investment tip | Trust down but income should still be prized
- Alex | View today’s cartoon strip — and all from January
Sport briefing
Fulham 1 Man Utd 2 | The comeback continues. Paul Pogba scored a brilliant winning goal with his "weaker" left foot from outside the area to take Manchester United back to top spot in the Premier League last night. Read Chief Football Correspondent Jason Burt‘s match report.
- Six Nations | Ed Robinson to help lead training camp
- Dean Smith | ‘Jon Moss could not wait to send me off’
- Euro 2020 ties | North in line to take on more matches
Tonight’s dinner
Poussins with black grapes, juniper and saba | Buttery cabbage and potatoes are the perfect accompaniment to this simple, delicious dinner by Diana Henry. View the recipe and try out our Cookbook newsletter.
And finally… for this morning’s downtime
Hacking software | It is a shadowy £8.8bn industry, which Microsoft President Brad Smith warned is booming — and poses a grave threat to both governments and business. James Cook reports on the cyber mercenaries and activists trying to stop them.
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