Jen Psaki's first White House press briefing heralds return to normality | David Smith's sketch

Pledging ‘truth and transparency’, Biden’s press secretary was startlingly civil – as far from Sean Spicer as it is possible to beAt the end of Sean Spicer’s debut press briefing at the dawn of the Donald Trump presidency, a journalist remarked to me: “I feel like I’m back at school.” I replied: “I feel like I’m back in Zimbabwe,” alluding to my days...

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World leaders hail 'new dawn' under Biden as Chinese media says 'good riddance'

Leaders say Europe again has a friend in the White House as Chinese outlets hail end to Trump’s ‘toxic rhetoric’Biden inauguration – live updatesWorld leaders have voiced relief at Joe Biden’s inauguration, with European officials hailing a “new dawn” for US relations, and Chinese state media saying “good riddance” to Donald Trump, but there were also...

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'America has to be better': Joe Biden's inauguration speech – full text

‘We will press forward with speed and urgency, for we have much to do in this winter of peril and possibility,’ president saysChief Justice Roberts, Vice-President Harris, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Vice-President Pence, distinguished guests and my fellow Americans.This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day of history...

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Why is Sex and the City coming back to our screens? – podcast

Guardian columnist Hadley Freeman discusses why Sex and the City was such a successful TV series, while the Guardian’s deputy television editor, Hannah J Davies, looks at what the reboot tells us about TV commissioning todayRachel Humphreys talks to the Guardian columnist Hadley Freeman about the television show Sex and the City. Last week, the US streaming...

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'Democracy has prevailed': front pages across world hail Joe Biden's inauguration

Newspapers focus on healing words of the new US president and his call to end America’s ‘uncivil war’Joe Biden’s declaration in his inauguration speech that democracy was the real winner of the presidential election has been used by many newspapers to mark his accession to the Oval Office.Along with several other titles, the Guardian employs a poster...

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'Never been more optimistic': speeches, songs and celebrations cap Biden's inauguration day – live

Press secretary Jen Psaki addresses poolBiden marks start of presidency with flurry of executive ordersAvril Haines confirmed as first female director of national intelligenceHistoric day as Biden sworn in as America’s 46th presidentDemocrats take Senate majority after three senators sworn inKamala Harris becomes first female, Black and south Asian...

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Inside Biden's Oval Office: Andrew Jackson out, César Chávez and Rosa Parks in

New president displays portraits and busts of leaders including Martin Luther King Jr and FDR, along with family photosAs Joe Biden sat down the Oval Office on Wednesday, just hours after being sworn in as the 46th president of the United States, it was clear more had changed in the room than the administration.Biden revealed some new decor as he invited...

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Speeches, songs and celebrations cap Joe Biden's inauguration day – live

Press secretary Jen Psaki addresses poolBiden marks start of presidency with flurry of executive ordersAvril Haines confirmed as first female director of national intelligenceHistoric day as Biden sworn in as America’s 46th presidentDemocrats take Senate majority after three senators sworn inKamala Harris becomes first female, Black and south Asian...

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Hash landing: New Zealand police ditch annual helicopter hunt for cannabis dens

Decades-old tradition is grounded as priority shifts to tackling other drugs, such as meth Helicopters that have for decades taken to the skies of New Zealand every year to search for cannabis-growing operations will stay on the ground this year amid a shift in policing priorities.Light aircraft and helicopters have mounted aerial surveillance operations...

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'He can do everything': Solskjær praises Pogba after Manchester United win

Fulham defeated as United return to top with 2-1 victory‘He’s very happy and physically in very good shape’Ole Gunnar Solskjær paid tribute to Paul Pogba after the France midfielder helped restore Manchester United to the top of the Premier League at Fulham. Related: Paul Pogba pummels Manchester United to pinnacle after Fulham fright Continue reading...

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