Your Monday Briefing

President Trump, Yahya Jammeh, Southeast Storms View in [Browser] | Add [nytdirect@nytimes.com] to your address book. [The New York Times] [The New York Times] Monday, January 23, 2017 [NYTimes.com »] [Your Monday Briefing] By SEAN ALFANO [Emergency crews in Adel, Ga., on Sunday at a house cut in half by a tornado. At least 18 people were killed in the Southeast, and dozens more were injured.] Emergency crews in Adel, Ga., on Sunday at a house cut in half by a tornado. At least 18 people were killed in the Southeast, and dozens more were injured. Mark Wallheiser/European Pressphoto Agency Good morning. Here’s what you need to know: • The 45th president. The Trump administration will hold a news conference this afternoon, the White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, [announced on Twitter]. Mr. Spicer will most likely face questions about [President Trump’s false claims] that journalists invented a rift between him and intelligence agencies, and intentionally understated the size of the crowd at his inauguration. “I have a running war with the media,” Mr. Trump said on Saturday. Also today, [senators are to vote on whether to confirm] Representative Mike Pompeo of Kansas to lead the C.I.A. and Rex W. Tillerson for secretary of state. • “Alternative facts.” That was the phrase Kellyanne Conway, counselor to Mr. Trump, used on Sunday to describe Mr. Spicer’s false statements about attendance at the inauguration and Mr. Trump’s remarks regarding U.S. intelligence agencies. We compared the White House’s statements [with the actual facts], and looked at how the [president’s][first weekend in office] unfolded. • Women’s marches on Washington and beyond. Hundreds of thousands of people protested in the capital on Saturday, and many more demonstrated in other cities around the U.S. and the world. Here is [a photographic roundup] of the events. Organizers are now seeking [to turn the marchers’ resolve] into political action. • Deadly storms batter U.S. Southeast. Parts of Georgia and Mississippi are dealing with the aftermath of [severe thunderstorms and tornadoes] that killed at least 18 people this weekend. “It’s like a bomb had been dropped out here,” a county official in Georgia said. • A new era for Gambia. Gambians who fled the country in recent weeks during a standoff between Yahya Jammeh, the longtime president, and his democratically-elected successor, Adama Barrow have started to return, after Mr. Jammeh stepped aside on Saturday and [went into exile]. Our reporter met with Mr. Barrow, who has been stuck in Senegal for a week, to discuss his [plans for the country]. • The Interpreter newsletter. For a deeper examination of international news, The Times has started a weekly email that explains the ideas and context behind major world events. [Sign up here]. Business • Samsung said that [battery manufacturing problems and design flaws] had caused its Galaxy Note 7 phones to overheat and in some cases to catch fire. The model was discontinued at a cost of more than $6 billion. • Navient, the student loan collector facing accusations of illegally increasing costs for borrowers, [has run into trouble before], our columnist notes. She looks at previous investigations of the company and its predecessor, Sallie Mae. • Brenda Barnes, the chief executive of Pepsi-Cola North America who fueled a debate in 1997 when she stepped down to spend more time with her family, has [died at 63]. “I hope people can look at my decision not as ‘women can’t do it’ but ‘for 22 years Brenda gave her all and did a lot of great things,’ ” Ms. Barnes said after the announcement. • U.S. stocks [were up] on Friday. Here’s a snapshot of [global markets]. Over the weekend • Almost a third of Afghans — about 9.3 million people — [are in need of humanitarian assistance], the U.N. said, appealing for $550 million in aid for the country. About 1,700 people were displaced by violence there each day last year, the organization said. • The police in Europe have recovered about [3,500 stolen archaeological artifacts] and other artworks in an operation to dismantle a trafficking network. • At the movies, “[Split]” led the North American box office, taking in an estimated $40.2 million. Noteworthy • Disturbing new study on cancer. The [death rate from cervical cancer] in the U.S. is considerably higher than previously estimated, according to a study out today. Researchers also found a significant disparity in survival rates for black women and for white women. • Sports roundup. The [Atlanta Falcons] and the [New England Patriots] blew out their conference title game opponents, advancing to Super Bowl LI on Feb. 5 in Houston. In tennis, there were more upsets at the Australian Open, as the No. 1 men’s and women’s seeds, [Andy Murray][and][Angelique Kerber], were both ousted. • Solving a desert mystery. “Fairy circles” in parts of Namibia have baffled scientists for years. Two graduate students recently published a study on how the rings are formed. [Termites and plants] may be responsible. Smarter Living: Morning Edition • Learning how to control your breathing can reduce stress and soothe your body. ([Think deep breaths] that expand your belly.) • Take a [mindful moment] with your morning coffee. • Recipe of the day: In less than 20 minutes, you can have [sesame-crusted fish] on your dinner table. Back Story “The second-most challenging job in the free world.” That’s how [James S. Brady] described the post of White House press secretary, which he held under President Ronald Reagan. [James S. Brady, a press secretary for President Ronald Reagan, was wounded in an assassination attempt on the president in 1981.] James S. Brady, a press secretary for President Ronald Reagan, was wounded in an assassination attempt on the president in 1981. Keystone/Getty Images The modern version of the job began during the administration of Herbert Hoover, when [George Akerson] filled the post. [Stephen Early], who worked for 12 years under Franklin D. Roosevelt, held it the longest. Mr. Early had been a journalist, as had many other press secretaries, including Pierre Salinger, Bill Moyers, Tony Snow and Jay Carney. [J. F. terHorst], another newsman, served under Gerald R. Ford for less than a month, resigning in protest when his boss granted a pardon to Richard M. Nixon after the Watergate scandal. There have been numerous changes to the White House’s communications strategy over the years. Mike McCurry, serving President Bill Clinton, introduced live TV broadcasts of daily briefings, later acknowledging they became “[an alternative to the daytime soap operas].” What changes might we expect now? Sean Spicer, the new press secretary, said the Trump administration wanted to be “innovative” and “entrepreneurial.” A predecessor has [this timeless advice]: “Tell the truth, don’t lie, don’t cover up, put out the bad news yourself, put it out as soon as possible.” Chris Stanford contributed reporting. _____  Your Morning Briefing is published weekdays at 6 a.m. Eastern and [updated on the web all morning]. What would you like to see here? Contact us at [briefing@nytimes.com]. You can [sign up here] to get the briefing delivered to your inbox. ADVERTISEMENT FOLLOW NYTimes [Facebook] [FACEBOOK] [Twitter] [@nytimes] Get more [NYTimes.com newsletters »] | Sign Up for the [Evening Briefing newsletter »] ABOUT THIS EMAIL You received this message because you signed up for NYTimes.com's Morning Briefing newsletter. [Unsubscribe] | [Manage Subscriptions] | [Change Your Email] | [Privacy Policy] | [Contact] | [Advertise] Copyright 2017 The New York Times Company 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018