Sunday, January 22, 2017

Morning Mail: President Trump and "alternative facts", 2m women march worldwide, new bail laws after five die in Melbourne car attack

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Guardian Australia's Morning Mail
Monday 23 January 2017
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President Donald Trump – inauguration crowds and protests

 Crowds on the National Mall just before Donald Trump's inauguration in 2017 (left) and Barack Obama's in 2009. Photograph: Reuters

Good morning, and welcome to the Morning Mail.

Among the stories leading our website this morning, Donald Trump has started his presidency with an assault on truth. After huge anti-Trump protests filled major US and world cities – with two million people across the globe joining a Women's March – the president and his key advisers pushed falsehoods about the inauguration attendance.

Trump's press secretary, Sean Spicer, used his first White House press conference to accuse the media of faking low attendance numbers, and angrily insisting that Trump drew "the largest audience ever to witness an inauguration, period, both in person and around the globe". The evidence suggests otherwise.  Watch the press conference.

Kellyanne Conway, a senior White House aide, said Spicer had merely been offering "alternative facts", a phrase that was received with widespread astonishment. Meanwhile, Trump himself was speaking at the CIA, telling them he was at "war with the media". He later praised his own speech as a 'win': "long standing ovations, amazing people. WIN!"

But recently retired CIA director John Brennan communicated through a former aide that he was "deeply saddened and angered at Trump's despicable display of self-aggrandisement" in front of the memorial wall.

Keep reading for the rest of the top stories this morning, with more news from around Australia and the world.

Headlines

Melbourne mall deaths: Daniel Andrews announces change in bail laws
The Victorian premier says bail changes need to go much further after Dimitrious Gargasoulas allegedly killed five people on Friday

Trump presidency begins with defense of false 'alternative facts'
After huge anti-Trump protests fill major US and world cities, president and key advisers push falsehoods about inauguration attendance

Andy Murray's Australian Open demise opens door to Roger Federer fairytale
Roger Federer was due to meet the world No1, Andy Murray, in the quarter-finals at the Australian Open but now Sunday's final beckons for the 35-year-old

US in talks to move Israel embassy to Jerusalem
White House in 'beginning stages' of plan to fulfil Donald Trump's pledge to move consulate from Tel Aviv

BenoƮt Hamon tops poll in first round of French Socialist primary race
Leftwing outsider to face pro-business rightwinger Manuel Valls in final vote to pick party's presidential candidate

Australian news and politics

Charges expected over Melbourne car attack as more victims named
Police waiting to interview Dimitrious 'Jimmy' Gargasoulas, who faces multiple murder charges after allegedly deliberately driving into crowds in the CBD

Malcolm Turnbull lays floral tribute for victims of Melbourne car attack – video
Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull lays a floral tribute on Sunday at a makeshift memorial for people killed by a man who drove a car into a crowd of pedestrians on a busy street in Melbourne

Trans-Pacific Partnership: trade officials don't know how it would work without US
Turnbull government aims to press ahead despite Donald Trump's rejection – but freedom of information requests show foreign affairs has not made plans

James Ashby lays out One Nation's agenda for Queensland: 'We're not mucking around here'
Pauline Hanson's right-hand man, who once quit politics amid controversy, is now hoping the party can seize power in the state

Melbourne car attack: Turnbull mourns victims as death toll rises to five
Four people remain in critical condition after accused killer, Dimitrious 'Jimmy' Gargasoulas, allegedly ploughed into pedestrians on Bourke Street mall

Facial recognition to replace passports in security overhaul at Australian airports
Paper passenger cards to be abolished in 'world-first' system the government hopes will see 90% of arrivals processed automatically

Man arrested over series of sexual assaults across Queensland
Police believe 50-year-old responsible for four offences between 2008 and 2016 and possibly a further eight dating back to 2005 in Brisbane, Logan and Gold Coast

Around the world

Russia takes power-broking role as Syria peace talks to begin in Astana
Two days of discussions in Kazakhstan bring Syria's rebels face to face with representatives of Bashar al-Assad's government

Israel reveals plans for nearly 600 settlement homes in east Jerusalem
Announcement comes just two days after inauguration of Donald Trump, who has promised more pro-Israel policies

French Socialists in hunt for the candidate with a populist touch to challenge Le Pen
Leftists in today's presidential primaries hope to end far right's appeal

Rex Tillerson receives backing to be secretary of state from key senators
Previously critical John McCain and Lindsey Graham support former ExxonMobil boss despite 'concerns about his past dealings' with Russia and Vladimir Putin

Suspected US drone strikes kill three al-Qaida suspects in Yemen, officials say
First strikes under President Trump – after use of unmanned aircraft for strikes increased dramatically under Obama – reported by Yemeni officials


One last thing

 Not one for resisting a rest… Alex Soojung-Kim Pang. Photograph: Will Whipple

Why the secret to productivity isn't longer hours Alex Soojung-Kim Pang noticed that he got more done on sabbatical than at work. His latest book is about the benefits of rest and shorter working days. Have an excellent day and if you spot something I've missed, let me know on Twitter at @earleyedition.
The Guardian
 
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