GUARDIOLA: MONACO ARE KILLERS

Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City players that Champions League last-16 opponents Monaco are “killers”.

Leonardo Jardim’s side have scored 76 league goals this season, more than any other side in Europe. 

With Falcao, Kylian Mbappe, Bernardo Silva and Valere Germain all in fine form, Jardim has assembled a top-class attacking unit capable of taking apart the very best defences in Europe and Guardiola is a huge fan.

“Like a spectator, it is so nice to see them,” he told reporters. “I am really impressed how good they are - physical, strong.

“The full-backs play like wingers, the wingers play like attacking midfielders. The two strikers are fighters and in the box - Falcao, Germain - they are killers.

“Both holding midfielders are intelligent, physically strong, they arrive to the box. Complete team.

“It is the most successful team in Europe in terms of scoring goals, so tough draw.

“Looking forward to playing against them, just compliments because they are a really good team.”

IT IS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL TEAM IN EUROPE IN TERMS OF SCORING GOALS

Vincent Kompany remains sidelined with a leg problem and is unavailable for the game with Monaco.

The City captain missed the weekend trip to Huddersfield and Guardiola has confirmed he won’t be back in action until the replay against the Terriers on February 28.

Meanwhile, Gael Clichy, who has been hampered by a back injury this week, is close to full fitness but remains a doubt for Tuesday’s game.

“He [Kompany] is not ready for tomorrow,” he said. “It will not be longer, hopefully. For the Huddersfield game he will be ready but not tomorrow.

“Clichy had a problem in the back, it is much better. I don’t know if he will be ready for tomorrow.”

Find out all the latest TV, stats and facts for Man City v Monaco.

DE BRUYNE: AT OUR BEST WE CAN BEAT ANYONE

Kevin De Bruyne feels City have learned from last season’s Champions League semi-final defeat to Real Madrid.

City reached the last four for the first time, but lost 1-0 on aggregate to Zinedine Zidane’s side, with many people believing the Blues didn’t ‘go for it’ enough in the Bernabeu.

The Belgian can’t quite put his finger on the reasons City didn’t throw caution to the wind that night, but believes it is all part of the learning curve needed for teams looking to win the competition.

“Everybody wanted it to be different against Real Madrid but that’s how it played out on the night,” said De Bruyne.

“Sometimes you are so on it and ready to go but it just doesn’t come out on the pitch – it’s difficult to explain. It’s a shame we didn’t go through – it’s not as though we didn’t want it badly enough or didn’t try – but the important thing is that we learn from the experience and I think we have.

“At our best, we can beat anyone but that means everyone has to be on the top of their game and that can’t always be the case in football – that’s just how it is.”

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-NIKKI MINAJ SHOCKS WORLD WITH PREGNANCY PHOTOS

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International superstar, Rihanna visited a school in Lilongwe, Malawi on Thursday Jan. 26th. The 28-year-old pop star toured the classrooms and met with the students during her charity trip on behalf of her Clara Lionel Foundation.

She was also in the African country working as the ambassador for charities Global Citizen and the Global Partnership for Education.

Rihanna founded CLF in 2012 in honor of her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Braithwaite.
According to her, 'working together, I know we can amplify our efforts and ensure that millions of children gain access to education globally'.

Through a multi-year partnership, Rihanna's Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF), international advocacy group Global Citizen and GPE campaign work together to make sure the world's poorest children have a chance to better themselves.

Iran to ban U.S. citizens in retaliation to Trump's Muslim ban

Iran Foreign Ministry on Saturday, January 28, 2017, announced that U.S. citizens will be blocked from entering the country in retaliation to Donald Trump’s ban on travelers from seven majority-Muslim countries coming to the US.

'While respecting the American people and distinguishing between them and the hostile policies of the U.S. government, Iran will implement the principle of reciprocity until the offensive U.S. limitations against Iranian nationals are lifted.
'The restrictions against travel by Muslims to America are an open affront against the Muslim world and the Iranian nation in particular and will be known as a great gift to extremists.'

It comes after President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order to suspend visas for citizens of Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

However, a Federal Judge in New York granted an emergency stay on Saturday night for citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries who have already arrived in the US and those who are in transit, and who hold valid visas, ruling they cannot be removed from the US.

U.S. governors want say on Trump's infrastructure plan

U.S. President Donald Trump, flanked by Gary Masino (L) of the Sheet Metal Workers Union, Telma Mata (2nd R) of the Heat and Frost Insulators Allied Workers Local 24 and United Brotherhood of Carpenters General President 

CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. governors are flagging hundreds of "shovel-ready" projects they regard as high-priority for President Donald Trump's plan to fix the nation's infrastructure.

Scott Pattison, executive director of the bipartisan National Governor's Association, said on Monday his group, at the request of the White House, has assembled a list of 300 projects costing billions of dollars from 43 states and territories, with more expected to come.

"The good part from a bipartisan standpoint is there seems to be full consensus that we have a lot of infrastructure problems in the U.S., a lot of maintenance issues, also things that need building," he said in an interview.

In his inaugural address Friday, the Republican president said the nation's infrastructure "has fallen into disrepair and decay."

"We will build new roads, and highways, and bridges, and airports, and tunnels, and railways all across our wonderful nation," Trump said.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer on Monday told reporters that "infrastructure continues to be a huge priority."

The American Society of Civil Engineers' infrastructure report card has estimated the United States needs to invest $3.6 trillion by 2020.

Pattison said while it was still early in the process, disagreements are likely over how to fund infrastructure. He added that governors want "all the tools" to be made available, including cash, municipal bonds, public-private partnerships and federal matching programs.

"One of the biggest issues that has to be faced is that the gas tax has been primarily the way in which we funded a lot of our transportation projects, and that's a declining revenue source," Pattison said.

Governors also want to make sure their project priorities are immune from congressional earmarking, Pattison said, adding that states have developed "robust" prioritization programs.

Nigeria air strike dead 'rises to 115' in Rann

The number of people mistakenly killed last week in an air attack on a camp for those who have fled conflict in north-east Nigeria has been revised to 115, an official has told the BBC.

Camp residents and aid workers were among those killed when the air force bombed Rann, in Borno state, thinking it was a base of Boko Haram militants.

It was the biggest known botched attack in eight years of fighting the group.

The Nigerian army says it is engaged in a "final push" against the Islamists.

Commanders have apologised for the "accidental" bombing, which they said was because of "the fog of war".

Human Rights Watch said this did not absolve them of responsibility, and called for compensation for the victims.

A local government official from the area, Babagana Malarima, said a mistake had been made when it was earlier reported that the number of those killed had risen to 236.

The error had been made by those in the camp settlement who had added the number of dead to the number of injured to come up with the figure, he told the BBC.

In the immediate aftermath of the attack last Tuesday, the medical charity MSF said 52 people had died.

The wounded were treated in an MSF tented clinic as there are no hospitals in Rann, where displaced people are living in makeshift shelters.

An aid worker told the BBC that the attack, in which at least two bombs were dropped, caused terror and chaos at the camp.

He said he saw dead children lying on the ground, others left as orphans and terrible injuries among survivors.

Aid workers estimated 20,000-40,000 people had been sheltering in Rann, near the border with Cameroon, after fleeing attacks by Boko Haram.

The emergency services official, who spoke to the BBC on condition of anonymity, said all those who had died at Rann had now been buried.

Those critically injured were still receiving treatment in the state capital, Maiduguri, while others were being treated locally by international aid agencies and local services.

The Red Cross has said it has distributed food to more than 25,000 people in Rann since Saturday.

It said they had received enough rice, beans, oil, salt and corn soya blend to last for five weeks.

"People in Rann were happy to receive food. They have been isolated by rains and poor quality roads since June and running very low on food supplies," said Red Cross economic security coordinator Mohammed Sheikh-Ali.

"At the beginning of January, we laid sand bags on the road for our trucks to be able to cross. We got 12 trucks full of food to Rann last week on the day of the air strike, which prevented us [from distributing]. As soon as medical evacuations were over, we organised the distribution with the help of the community."

Twenty aid workers from the Nigerian Red Cross were among the casualties in the air attack.

EDITED BY ENOMA MICHAEL

China hits back at US over South China Sea claims

China has asserted its "indisputable sovereignty" over parts of the South China Sea after the Trump administration vowed to prevent China from taking territory in the region.

The Chinese foreign ministry said Beijing would "remain firm to defend its rights in the region".

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said on Monday the US would "make sure we protect our interests there".

Barack Obama's administration refused to take sides in the dispute.

It did, however, send B-52 bombers and a naval destroyer last year, and the then US Secretary of State John Kerry spoke out over what he called "an increase of militarization from one kind or another" in the region.

Several nations claim territory in the resource-rich South China Sea, which is also an important shipping route.

The new US president has taken a tough stance against China, and Mr Spicer told reporters "the US is going to make sure we protect our interests" in the South China Sea.

"If those islands are, in fact, in international waters and not part of China proper, yeah, we'll make sure we defend international interests from being taken over by another country," he said, without giving further details.

The Chinese government responded by saying that the US was "not a party to the South China Sea issue".

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said China was "committed to peaceful negotiations with all countries concerned" in the dispute, and said it "respects the principles of freedom of navigation and over-flight in international waters".

But, she went on: "Our position is clear. Our actions have been lawful."

'Devastating confrontation'

Mr Spicer's comments echo those of Donald Trump's new Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

During his nomination hearing, Mr Tillerson said the US should block access to islands being built by China in the South China Sea, likening it to Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

"We're going to have to send China a clear signal that first, the island-building stops and second, your access to those islands also is not going to be allowed," he told the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The Chinese state media responded by warning that such actions would lead to a "devastating confrontation".

What is the South China Sea dispute?

Rival countries have wrangled over territory in the South China Sea for centuries, but tension has steadily increased in recent years.

Its islets and waters are claimed in part or in whole by Taiwan, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei.

Beijing has been building artificial islands on reefs and carrying out naval patrols in waters also claimed by these other nations.

Although the Obama administration insisted it was neutral, it spoke out strongly against the island-building and sought to build ties with, and among, the South East Asian nations whose claims overlap those of China.

In July an international tribunal ruled against Chinese claims, backing a case brought by the Philippines, but Beijing said it would not respect the verdict.

The frictions have sparked concern that the area is becoming a flashpoint with global consequences.

White House

Theresa May to meet Donald Trump on Friday

Prime Minister Theresa May will meet US President Donald Trump in Washington DC on Friday, the White House has said.

Mrs May will be the first foreign leader to meet the new president after his inauguration.

A post-Brexit free trade deal is thought likely to be high on her agenda as she travels to the US for talks.

Confirmation of the meeting came as hundreds of thousands of people around the world joined women's marches to protest Mr Trump's presidency.

Mr Trump's press secretary Sean Spicer gave details of Mrs May's visit in his first briefing to journalists at the White House on Saturday.

Earlier, while visiting the CIA's headquarters, President Trump said the PM "is coming over to our country very shortly".

Nato, the European Union, defence and Russia are all likely to be discussed in the meeting.

The BBC's political correspondent Iain Watson said the "symbolism will be very important" and with Brexit negotiations about to get under way, the fact Mrs May will be meeting the new president so soon will be "politically significant".

Our correspondent said there had been a lot of effort to make sure Mrs May was one of the first leaders President Trump would meet.

In December the PM's joint chiefs of staff, Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill, travelled to the US to build links with the incoming president's team ahead of his inauguration on 20 January.

Theresa May congratulates Trump on taking office

In a statement issued after the inauguration, Mrs May said: "From our conversations to date, I know we are both committed to advancing the special relationship between our two countries and working together for the prosperity and security of people on both sides of the Atlantic.

"I look forward to discussing these issues and more when we meet in Washington."

Mrs May has promised to hold "very frank" discussions with Mr Trump.

She told the Financial Times she believed the new president recognised the importance and significance of Nato and the "importance of the co-operation we have in Europe to ensure our collective defence and collective security".

On the day after his inauguration, at least 500,000 people gathered for a rally outside the US Capitol building in Washington while organisers said an estimated 100,000 descended on central London on Saturday as similar events were staged in major cities across the US and around the world.

Australian Open 2017

Andy Murray suffers shock defeat by Mischa Zverev

Murray has finished runner-up five times at the Australian Open

Australian Open 2017

Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne Dates: 16-29 Jan

Coverage: Daily live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra; live text on selected matches on the BBC Sport website; TV highlights on BBC Two and online from 21 January.

Andy Murray's hopes of winning a first Australian Open title ended with a shock defeat by world number 50 Mischa Zverev of Germany in the fourth round.

Murray, the world number one, dropped serve eight times as Zverev won 7-5 5-7 6-2 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena.

It is the Briton's earliest defeat in Melbourne since 2009, and the lowest-ranked player he has lost to at a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open.

Zverev goes on to face Roger Federer or Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals.

GB's Evans beaten by Tsonga

Watch highlights of day seven on BBC Two from 17:15 GMT on Sunday.

"It was kind of easy to stay aggressive but it was tough to stay calm," said the German, who won in three hours and 33 minutes.

"I was expecting to maybe double fault in the last game but somehow I made it."

Zverev aggression too much for Murray

Murray had been hoping to go one better than five runner-up finishes in Melbourne, but he was unable to cope with the serve-and-volley skills of Zverev.

The 29-year-old German, a contemporary of Murray from junior days, was ranked outside the world's top 1,000 two years ago after a succession of injury problems.

He fought his way back up the rankings with an attacking style that he used to great effect against Murray, serve-volleying 119 times and winning 65 points at the net, while dismantling the Briton's second serve.

Murray ended the match with an impressive 71 winners to 28 unforced errors, but it was still not enough against an opponent constantly putting him under pressure.

The top seed began well, holding points to lead 4-1, but Zverev got the break back with a return winner and would not give the world number one a chance to settle from then on.

Zverev recovered another break in game nine and then moved ahead with a delicate drop volley before seeing out the set.

Murray roared in relief when he levelled at a set all with a rasping winner after again being pegged back twice, but from midway through the third set it was clear that Zverev was the man in command.

He reeled off five straight games to move two sets to one and a break up, and despite one desperately nervous smash into the net - managed to serve his way to victory.

The defeat is Murray's worst at a Grand Slam, in terms of the ranking of his opponent, since he lost to world number 51 Juan Ignacio Chela at Melbourne Park in 2006.

His chances of finally landing the third leg of the career Grand Slam looked to have been enhanced following the surprise defeat of six-time champion Novak Djokovic in the second round.

However, the wait for a first Australian Open title goes on and Murray will turn his attention to Britain's Davis Cup tie in Canada next month.

"He deserved to win because he played great when he was down, and also in the important moments," said Murray.

"I was kind of behind in the last couple of sets the whole way but I have had tough losses in the past and I have come back from them."

Analysis

Leon Smith, Great Britain Davis Cup captain, on BBC Radio 5 live

Andy will obviously be very disappointed but hopefully in a couple of days' time he can look back and realise what he's done over the last decade in Slams is absolutely phenomenal.

So as much as this one hurts, he's got an incredible record and he's got time now to go and prepare for the next one, the French Open and onwards.

Mischa Zverev played great. It was much talked about beforehand, he plays in a way that other players just aren't used to playing against - serve and volley all the time on the first serve, a lot of times on the second, hitting and coming in off returns. It just made it more difficult to get into the match because there's no rhythm.

Jeremy Bates, former British number one

I don't think this has any reflection whatsoever on how the rest of the year goes - they are here to play 18, 19 tournaments I think Andy plays on average per year - he's got all the Slams coming up, he's still world number one and in a very strong position.

One loss is not going to rock the boat too much or blow him off course. If anything it will motivate him to probably work harder - he's somebody who analyses these things, he likes to look into the reasons, what he could've done better, what went wrong and that's his mind, that's the way he works, that's why he's successful and he will use it along those lines to carry on.

He'll probably have another great year, he's in the driving seat.

Ukraine president to end his sweets deal in Russia

Kiev (AFP) - Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's confectionery company on Friday announced plans to shut down his key asset in Russia, a candy factory, after a barrage of criticism at home for his maintaining business activities on rival ground.

The Western-backed leader's business empire ranges from car to media holdings, but his most valuable asset is the Roshen confectionery empire, which includes five plants in Ukraine as well as in Lithuania and Hungary.

Ranked by the Forbes Ukraine website as the country's sixth-richest man, worth $858 million (806 million euros), Poroshenko, 51, has garnered the nickname "the chocolate king".

His most controversial asset is based in the Russian city of Lipetsk, where Poroshenko bought a local confectionary plant in 2002.

Since 2013, the volume of production at the Lipetsk factory has plunged threefold, coinciding with the rupture of ties between Ukraine and its former Soviet master.

After an uprising in Kiev ousted a pro-Russian leader, Moscow annexed Ukraine's strategic Crimean peninsula on the Black Sea in March 2014, and supported a separatist movement in eastern Ukraine that has since claimed about 10,000 lives.

Poroshenko promised to sell his Roshen empire but failed to follow through, citing a lack of foreign interest. He passed his company's shares to a trust firm for management.

The confectionary giant, whose name is based on Poroshenko's name, said in a statement on Friday that it would halt the Lipetsk plant's operations for political and economic reasons, which include Moscow's ban on Roshen imports since 2013.

"Roshen corporation halts manufacturing activity of the Lipetsk confectionery plant," said the company, which is rated among the top 20 companies in the industry and supplies its products to more than 30 countries.

It also accused Moscow of discrediting the Roshen plant's activity in the Russian media as well as encouraging the local authorities to put pressure on its shops across the country.

Poroshenko was repeatedly criticised at home for maintaining businesses in Russia despite his claims that Moscow was an "aggressor".

But Roshen said it was impossible to sell its Lipetsk branch after Russian investigators impounded the factory's property in April 2015.

The company said it planned to cease production at the site by April.

Former President Obama: ‘Yes we did. Yes we can.’

Former President Barack Obama delivered a motivational speech to his staff and supporters shortly after handing over the reins of power to his newly sworn-in successor, President Donald Trump, 45th president of the United States.

“I said before, and I will say again,” Obama said, “that when we started on this journey, we did so with an abiding faith in the American people and their ability — our ability — to join together and change the country in ways that would make life better for our kids and our grandkids, that change didn’t happen from the top down, but it happened from the bottom up.”

Obama delivered his remarks from the Joint Base Andrews before flying to Palm Springs, Calif., with former first lady Michelle Obama, for the couple’s post-White House vacation.

“It was met sometimes with skepticism and doubt,” he added. “Some folks didn’t think we could pull it off. There were those that felt that the institutions of power and privilege in this country were too deeply entrenched. And yet all of you came together … and you decided to believe. And you knocked on doors and you made phone calls. And you talked to your parents, who didn’t know how to pronounce ‘Barack Obama.’ And you got to know each other. … And it grew, and it built. And people took notice. And throughout, it was infused with a sense of hope.”

Obama said he and his wife were simply the “front men and women” for the millions of people who believed in their vision for the country. “But this has never been about us,” he countered, “it has always been about you. And all of the amazing things that have happened over these last 10 years are really just a testament to you.”

His remarks stood in contrast to Trump’s inaugural address, which was at times uplifting but also cast the country in a state of disrepair. Obama further heaped praise on America’s youth and argued that U.S. democracy “is not the buildings, it’s not the monuments,” it’s the people being willing to work to improve the country.

“And that doesn’t end. This is just a little pit stop. This is not a period, this is a comma in the continuing story of building America,” he quipped.

“We look forward to continuing this journey with all of you,” Obama concluded. “And I can’t wait to see what you do next. And I promise that I’ll be right there with you. All right? God bless you. Thank you everybody. Yes we did. Yes we can.”

Trump's historic moment arrives

Donald Trump is hours away from being sworn in as the 45th President of the United States during a historic transfer of power that encapsulates American democracy even in politically divisive times.

The 70-year-old Republican will take the oath of office on the West Front of the Capitol just before noon, swearing to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. That moment will mark the culmination of a stunning upset victory in last year's bitter presidential election.

The real estate tycoon and former reality show star will become head of state, commander in chief and the top executive of the government, shouldering the burden of keeping Americans safe at home and protecting the country's global power.

The traditions and symbolism of the day -- from the President-elect's participation in a morning worship service to his ride to the Capitol with the outgoing president and the First Couple's dance at an inaugural ball -- will be familiar. But the circumstances of this inauguration -- the 58th in the nation's history -- could hardly be more unconventional.

When the presidential primary season began nearly a year ago, few thought Trump could survive the battle for the Republican nomination -- much less beat Hillary Clinton to win the presidency. He will be the oldest president sworn in for a first term and the first president with no previous diplomatic, political or military executive experience.

Everything you need to know about Trump's inauguration, weekend protests

But his populist campaign deeply resonated with Americans who were fed up with Washington's political class and felt left behind in the globalizing economy. Trump offered a preview of his inaugural message during a celebratory concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial Thursday evening.

"I promise you that I will work so hard, we are going to get it turned around, we are going to bring our jobs back," Trump said. "We are going to build up our great military, we are going to build it up. We are going to strengthen our borders. We are going to do things that haven't been done for our country for many, many decades. It's going to change. I promise you."

On Friday morning, he heralded his inauguration in typical style -- with an early morning tweet after he waking up in Blair House, the official government residence across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House.

"It all begins today! I will see you at 11:00 A.M. for the swearing-in. THE MOVEMENT CONTINUES - THE WORK BEGINS!" Trump tweeted.

Day of ceremony

Trump began a day of ceremony Friday morning by attending a traditional inauguration day service at Saint John's Church, across Lafayette Square from the White House.

The President-elect, Vice President-elect Mike Pence and their families will then go to the White House for coffee and tea with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. The Obamas will leave the White House for the last time, accompanying the Trumps to Capitol Hill for the swearing-in ceremony.

Trump will take the oath of office, led by Chief Justice John Roberts, on two Bibles, one that he used as a child and the other used by Abraham Lincoln at his first inauguration.

What will go through John Roberts' head as he swears in Donald Trump?

In what is always a poignant moment, the former president and his family will then head to Andrews Air Force base for a farewell ceremony before taking one last flight on the presidential jet. The Obamas are heading to Palm Springs, California, for a vacation.

Trump will attend a joint congressional inaugural luncheon in the Capitol before heading back to the White House for the inaugural parade. In the evening, Trump and the new first lady, Melania Trump, will attend two inaugural balls, part of the stripped down inaugural festivities that aides say are meant to stress that the new president is eager to get to work.

Ripping up political norms

Trump's supporters, who sent him to Washington to rip up political norms and thwart the establishment, are thrilled as he assumes power. The crowds started streaming towards the National Mall as dawn broke, with many people wearing Trump's distinctive red "Make America Great Again" baseball caps.

But millions of Americans are also anxious, owing to the abrasive tone of Trump's campaign and fears over the consequences of his strongman leadership style.

Trump has vowed to tear up US trade deals that he says disadvantage US workers, confront a rising China and improve estranged relations with Russia, despite allegations that Moscow interfered in the election.

He has set high expectations for his presidency by promising to return jobs to US shores and reviving the manufacturing industry. He has pledged to crush ISIS and introduce tough new vetting on immigrants from countries where there is terrorist activity, raising fears of discrimination against Muslims.

Day One: Trump says he will sign 'very meaningful' documents amid talk of executive orders

He is promising to build a wall on the southern border, to crack down on undocumented migrants and to gut the financial and environmental regulations that are at the center of the Obama administration's legacy.

The world will be watching Trump's inauguration closely because it will usher in a period of uncertainty and instability as he's shown every sign he plans to be as disruptive to convention on the international stage as at home.

Still, the peaceful transfer of power from Obama to Trump, his longtime political nemesis, represents a moment of unity and stability in a wild political era.

National unity

New presidents typically use the inaugural address -- viewed by a huge crowd fanned out on the National Mall and millions of television viewers -- to issue a call for national unity and ease the wounds of divisive elections. They typically remind Americans of the values and the history that binds them and of the nation's historic mission.

Trump, so far, has done little to reach out to his foes since November.

"He is still talking as if he is the insurgent candidate rather than the President-elect," said Robert Rowland, an expert on presidential rhetoric at the University of Kansas. "Historically, presidents who are effective use inaugural addresses to heal the wounds of the campaign, to talk about what it means to be an American, to discuss shared values and lay out their political principles to come across as a strong not vain leader."

He added: "The question with Trump is, if he did those things, would it go against the personality he has established for himself?"

The inauguration represents an important potential reset moment for Trump, who begins his presidency with the worst approval ratings of any modern president.

Aaron Kall, editor of a new book "I Do Solemnly Swear: Presidential Inaugural Addresses of the Last Forty Years," said that it is "imperative" for Trump to build some political running room for himself with his address.

"He needs the support of the public and the speech is a great way to get that," Kall said.

Paying tribute to rivals

After the most polarizing elections, new presidents often take the chance to pay tribute to their defeated rival. In 2001, George W. Bush thanked his vanquished foe Al Gore for a "contest conducted with spirit and ended with grace." Trump will be closely watched to see if he offers a similar gesture of reconciliation to Clinton, who will be in attendance with her husband, the former president.

Incoming White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters Thursday that Trump's inaugural address, which is expected to last around 20 minutes, would come from the heart.

"It's going to be a very personal and sincere statement about his vision for the country. He will discuss what it means to be an American," Spicer said, adding that Trump would also address the challenges faced by the middle class. "He'll talk about infrastructure and education, our manufacturing base. I think it's going to be less of an agenda and more of a philosophical document. A vision of where he sees the country, the proper role of government, the role of citizens."

Tom Barrack, Trump's longtime friend and the chairman of his inaugural committee, said he has watched the incoming president come to terms with the vast responsibilities he is about to shoulder.

"He's totally ready and he gets it," Barrack told CNN's Dana Bash and Jake Tapper. "What we have to do is give him a chance."