Trump takes office, vowing ‘America’s decline is over’

Donald Trump completed his incredible return to power yesterday when he was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States.

“America’s golden age is beginning right now,” Trump said in his speech Inaugural speech delivered at the Capitol, shortly after he took the oath of office. As he did eight years ago, Trump painted a bleak portrait of a country on its knees that only he could revive.

“As of this moment, America’s decline is over,” he said. Follow our news live from the inauguration day.

In his address, Trump promised to immediately declare a state of emergency on the border with Mexico and send the military to guard it. (More on that below.) He said he would end government programs that promote diversity, equality and inclusion.

He also said he would rename the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America” ​​and promised to seize the Panama Canal. “We’re bringing it back,” he said.

First day: Trump, 78, became the oldest person ever inaugurated as US president, eclipsing that Joe Biden, who was five months younger when he was sworn in four years ago. Trump also became only the second US president to retake the White House after being defeated for re-election, joining Grover Cleveland. He is the first criminal in that position.

Last acts: issued by Biden a wave of preventive pardons at the last minute to protect people who might be targeted by Trump’s promised “retaliation” campaign. He also pardoned five members of his family.

Spoken words: Trump spoke more than 2,800 words during his inaugural address. They are here most commonly used.

First family: Trump’s relatives are returning to Washington with more support – and a far better understanding how to use their soft power.

Trump’s first act: Cut immigration

After his inauguration, President Trump quickly moved to shut down the government program created by the Biden administration that allowed migrants to use the application to secure an appointment for admission to the US

The migrants were shocked because they found a devastating message on their phones: “Existing appointments have been cancelled.” Trump also promised to deport millions of people living in the country without permission and plans to involve the military in securing the US border with Mexico. His team said he would sign 10 executive orders to crack down on immigration and immigrants.

Here is what else Trump set his sights on in the first hours of his presidential term:

Climate: The White House said Trump would withdraw the US from the Paris Agreementpact between almost all nations to combat climate change.

Trade: Trump did not immediately introduce tariffs on imported products, but his aides said he would issue an order directing federal agencies to begin studying a broad list of measures that could ultimately result in taxes on goods from China, Canada, Mexico and other countries in the coming months.

For more: Here is the list other actions he is expected to take.

Gazans returned home to rubble as the cease-fire lasted

The Palestinians started examine the damage to their homes yesterday, rescuing what they could from the rubble as Israelis anxiously awaited news of the health of the three recently freed hostages.

The cease-fire between Israel and Hamas that took effect on Sunday continued to be maintained. More than 630 aid trucks entered Gaza on the first day of the ceasefire, according to the UN, the largest delivery since the war began more than 15 months ago.

Yesterday, Palestinians celebrated the release of 90 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for three Israelis, who were reunited with their families. The store was the first in a series they hope for weekly exchanges in the next five weeks. We have updates here.

What is next: If the deal goes ahead, a total of 33 of the approximately 100 remaining hostages, living and dead, and more than 1,000 Palestinians held in Israel will be freed.

Analysis: The war is not over, and the three-phase ceasefire agreement is extremely fragile, Steven Erlanger, former Jerusalem bureau chief, writes.

To stay hydrated in arid climates, prairie rattlesnakes have developed a simple (and adorable) solution: a literal thirst trap.

Scientists have observed how rattlesnakes twist and turn into pancakes that collect rain. Snakes were then able to drink water from their own flattened bodies and even take sips from their neighbors, further proving their social nature. Read more.

CONVERSATION STARTERS

The center of the universe could be in Java

When planning a trip to Indonesia, many travelers focus on Bali. But on the island of Java, the city of Yogyakarta is quietly pushing for a spiritual center.

Yogyakarta is home to some of the world’s largest Hindu and Buddhist temples and a thriving food scene of roadside shops and restaurants. The Cosmological Axis, built by the 18th Sultanate, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023. This part of the city is a mixture of animist, Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim details and beliefs that place Yogya at the center of the spiritual universe. The city is not easy to break down, which makes it excellent for multi-day exploration.

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