Obama and Trump meet amid continuing protests Trump and Obama discuss 'foreign and domestic policy' at White House for 90 minutes; protests against election dot nation's cities for second night; Leonard Cohen dies aged 82 Trump and Obama shake hands after their meeting in the White House on Thursday. Photograph: Ron Sachs/CNP/Rex/Shutterstock Mazin Sidahmed Trump and Obama put differences aside in first White House meeting In the first step in the 72-day transition, President-elect Donald Trump met with President Barack Obama at the White House on Wednesday. The meeting between the two, who have publicly criticized each other for years but had never formally met, lasted 90 minutes as the two reportedly discussed "foreign and domestic policy" and how to ensure the handover of power went smoothly. While Trump seemed to relish the welcome, Obama struck a more subdued tone. Trump's wife, Melania, also met with the first lady, Michelle Obama, who showed her around their new home. Here's how the presidential handover will work. Trump and Obama put differences aside in first White House meeting Second night of protests against president-elect There was a second night of protests against President-elect Trump on Wednesday, in cities across throughout the country. People in Denver, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Portland, Oakland and dozens more cities took the streets in protests that were somewhat more subdued than Wednesday's. Vancouver, in Canada, also participated. Denver witnessed some of the largest crowds with 3,000 people but protesters in Baltimore and Los Angeles reportedly attempted to block highways. Following his meeting with President Obama on Wednesday, Trump tweeted that the protests were "incited by the media". However, he struck a different tone on Thursday morning when he said he "loved the passion protesters have for the country". "We will all come together and be proud!" he added. More anti-Trump action planned after second night of protests across US Trump presidency a 'disaster for the planet' Climate researchers are petrified at the thought of what a Trump presidency could mean for the future of the planet. Kevin Trenberth, senior scientist at the US National Center for Atmospheric Research, told the Guardian: "This is an unmitigated disaster for the planet." Trump has explicitly vowed to renegotiate the Paris climate deal and eliminate regulations on emissions. Trump has repeatedly denied climate change and once referred to it as a Chinese-fabricated hoax. Trump presidency a 'disaster for the planet' Support the Guardian's fearless journalism Never has America needed fearless independent media more. Help us hold the new president to account, sort fact from fiction, amplify underrepresented voices, and understand the forces behind this divisive election – and what happens next. Support the Guardian by becoming a member or making a contribution. Nuclear weapons: foreign hotspots could test Trump's trigger finger When Trump takes office in January, he will be given the nuclear biscuit – a card which contains the codes needed to identify himself in order to launch a nuclear attack. Many of his opponents have warned that he does not have the temperament or is too thin-skinned to be handed such a responsibility. Trump will face issues surrounding nuclear weapons in North Korea, Russia and Iran, and he himself has encouraged nuclear proliferation in places like Japan. Nuclear weapons: how foreign hotspots could test Trump's finger on the trigger Syrian opposition left with nowhere to turn after Trump's victory Syrian opposition leaders had largely been expecting a victory for Hillary Clinton, and were buoyed by her calls for strong support for rebel factions and possibly implementing a no-fly zone. President-elect Trump, on the other hand, has spoken positively about Bashar Al-Assad and, on numerous occasions, Vladimir Putin. Opposition leaders watched Trump's victory speech from a planning room in Sweden with dismay. Syrian opposition left with nowhere to turn after Trump's victory Silicon Valley critics cautiously open arms to Trump After spending a year rallying against Trump, Silicon Valley entrepreneurs have already changed their tone. Many organizations, such as Facebook, openly spoke out against Trump, even causing Peter Thiel, Paypal co-founder, to be outcast for his support. But Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and others who had previously criticized Trump expressed have already started to change their tune. Silicon Valley critics cautiously open their arms to Donald Trump Spotted: Clintons hiking around New York home An upstate New York woman bumped into Hillary Clinton on Monday afternoon. She said on Facebook she had gone on a walk to relieve some tension after the elections, when she bumped into Bill, Hillary and their dogs. "She hugged me and thanked me and we exchanged some sweet pleasantries and then I let them continue their walk," she wrote on Facebook. Hillary Clinton seen hiking day after conceding US election And finally ... Leonard Cohen, legendary singer-songwriter, dies Leonard Cohen has died at the age of 82. According to close friends, he passed away on Monday and was buried in a cemetery in Montreal, Canada. A memorial is set to be held for him in Los Angeles at a later date. Tributes for the Canadian singer, who has influenced generations, poured in throughout the night including from Canada's prime minister, Justin Trudeau. Cohen's impact is often compared to that of Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell, and he wrote cult classics such as Hallelujah and Suzanne. Leonard Cohen, legendary singer-songwriter, dies aged 82 Manage your emails | Unsubscribe | Trouble viewing? You are receiving this email because you are a subscriber to Guardian US Briefing. 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