From Washington, this is VOA news. I'm David Byrd reporting.

Donald Trump became the 45th president of the United States Friday, promising to put "America first" in everything.

As a light rain fell, the 70-year-old Trump told hundreds of thousands of people gathered on the National Mall in Washington that America would look after its own people and its own interests first.

"We will get our people off of welfare and back to work - rebuilding our country with American hands and American labor. We will follow two simple rules: Buy American and Hire American."

Trump told those gathered that his administration would restore jobs lost overseas ventures while boosting U.S. employment. He also touched briefly on U.S. foreign policy, emphasizing his administration would put the United States first in all decisions.

He did vow to eradicate radical Islamic terrorism and said that America would respect the rights of all nations to govern themselves as they see fit.

"We do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone, but rather to let it shine as an example, we will shine for everyone to follow."

After a luncheon with members of Congress, the new first family led the inaugural parade down Washington's Pennsylvania Avenue.

The president and First Lady Melania Trump plan to attend three inaugural balls on Friday evening.

For more on the inauguration of Donald Trump as U.S. president and the rest of the day's news, you can always log on to our website voanews.com. This is VOA news.

Former President Barack Obama thanks supporters on Friday, saying that they proved the power of hope. The outgoing president said his push for change in the country that began with his 2008 campaign has always been about the America people.

"We have been the face, sometimes the voice, out front on the TV screen or in front of the microphone. But this has never been about us; it has always been about you. And all the amazing things that happened over these last 10 years are really just a testament to you."

The Obamas plan to vacation with their daughters in Palm Springs, California, and then will live in northwest Washington, DC.

Protesters clashed with police in Washington shortly after Donald Trump took the oath of office.

Black-clad demonstrators smashed storefront windows and scattered broken glass along a major street in downtown Washington, D.C.

Hundreds of police used pepper spray to corner the group of about 75 protesters in the entrance of an office building.

One protester told VOA that police had used tear gas, concussion grenades and pepper spray to disperse the demonstrators. Several loud explosions, followed by smoke, were observed as police moved in to contain the protest.

Defeated Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has agreed to relinquish power and leave the country, according to incoming President Adama Barrow.

The decision came after Guinea and Mauritania's presidents arrived in Gambia's capital early Friday to convince Jammeh to cede power and to leave the country or face military action.

The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States gave Jammeh until midday local time to relinquish power.

He asked for an extension and then later agreed to step down.

President Adama Barrow narrowly won December's elections. Yahya Jammeh, who once vowed to rule Gambia for "a billion years," initially accepted the results, but then changed his mind, citing voting irregularities.

Italian rescue teams say that 10 people, including two children, were found alive Friday in a hotel buried by an avalanche nearly two days ago.

The avalanche that hit the four-star Hotel Rigopiano on Wednesday in the town of Farindole was likely triggered by a series of strong earthquakes that rattled the central part of Italy.

An up day on Wall Street, with all three major indices closing higher. European and Asian markets finished Friday mixed.

For more on these stories, visit our website. I'm David Byrd in Washington.

That's the latest world news from VOA.