Tag: Barack Obama

Obamas get their White House portraits after Trump snub

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – Former president Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama finally got their official White House portraits Wednesday, after four years of being snubbed by Donald Trump, in an emotional ceremony doubling as a rousing defense of American democracy. The paintings, destined to hang alongside those of generations of previous first couples in the White House, were unveiled by the Obamas themselves. Deafening cheers sounded through the packed East Room as […]

President Duterte apologizes to former US President Obama

(Eagle News)–President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, Sept. 3, apologized to former US President Barack Obama, whom he lashed out against in previous speeches after he criticized the Philippines’ war against drugs. “I am sorry for uttering those words,”  Duterte said. The President is on a four-day offivial visit in Israel. “We have learned our lessons. I have forgiven you,” he said. The President called Obama out, saying he had no right to interfere in Philippine […]

Obama: N. Korea ‘real threat’, urges co-operation

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) — North Korea poses a “real threat” whose solution will require international co-operation, former US President Barack Obama said Sunday on a visit to Japan. Obama also said the US needed to ensure there was a defense system in place to protect countries in the region from a potential attack from North Korean missiles. “North Korea is a real threat” and has developed a weapons program and delivery system that “poses a […]

Outgoing Fed chief Yellen says no Wall Street ‘bubble’

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – Outgoing Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellen said Friday she did not believe the major gains on Wall Street in recent months qualified as a “bubble,” but nevertheless warned investors to remain cautious. Yellen, who leaves her post on Saturday and will be replaced on Monday by Jerome Powell, made the comments in an interview with PBS television before the Dow closed down more than 650 points, its biggest drop since June 2016. […]

Tammy Duckworth: US warrior-lawmaker to break ground as Senate mom

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – Trailblazing US Senator Tammy Duckworth made history multiple times as warrior and politician, including being the first female amputee elected to Congress and is now set to become the first senator to give birth while in office. Only nine other women in US history have given birth while serving in Congress. All of them were members of the House of Representatives. “Well, it’s about damn time” in the Senate, Duckworth, a […]

Republican senator accuses Trump of Stalin-like attacks on media

by Emma Charlton Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – A maverick senator from Donald Trump’s own Republican party launched a stinging attack on the president on Wednesday, accusing him of employing Stalinist language to “slur” and undermine the free press. Arizona lawmaker Jeff Flake leveled the broadside in an address from the Senate floor, timed to coincide with the expected announcement of controversial “Fake News Awards” by Trump’s administration. Delivering a one-two punch after veteran Republican […]

Trump administration toughens stance on recreational marijuana

by Paul Handley Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – The US Justice Department on Thursday reversed official policy that had tolerated the growing state-based movement to legalize marijuana sales, just three days after California formally permitted recreational use of the drug. Announcing a “return to the rule of law,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded five key memos issued by the administration of president Barack Obama that discouraged enforcement of federal laws, which still classify marijuana as […]

Obama warns of social media dangers in interview with Prince Harry

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Former US President Barack Obama told Britain’s Prince Harry he was concerned social media was “corroding civil discourse,” in what he said was his first interview since leaving the White House, aired Wednesday. “One of the dangers of the internet is that people can have entirely different realities,” he told the prince, who was guest editing BBC Radio 4’s Today program. “They can be cocooned in information that reinforces their […]

Ex-Trump aide Flynn pleads guilty to lying about Russia links

by Sébastien Blanc and Paul Handley Agence France Presse Donald Trump’s former top adviser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty Friday to lying to the FBI over his contacts with Russia, in a dramatic escalation of the probe into possible collusion between the president’s campaign team and Moscow. The 58-year-old Flynn — a retired three-star Army general — is the most senior figure indicted in special prosecutor Robert Mueller’s sprawling investigation into Russian interference in last year’s […]

Barack Obama answers call for jury duty in Chicago

CHICAGO, United States (AFP) — Former US president Barack Obama answered a jury summons Wednesday, arriving at a Chicago courthouse to perform the civic duty asked of all Americans. The former leader of the free world was the only juror to arrive by motorcade, however, accompanied by tight security and met with a throng of news media. As a prospective juror, Obama joined fellow citizens at the courthouse, waiting to see if they are chosen to serve on a […]

Scarred by Trump, challengers eye 2020

by Michael Mathes Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – One year on from Donald Trump’s shock election, US Democrats are still struggling to heal the wounds of Hillary Clinton’s calamitous defeat and identify a champion to challenge a deeply unpopular president in 2020. For Democrats it has been a sobering first 10 months under Donald Trump. Republicans control the White House and Congress. With Trump’s upset wins in once-liberal bastions Wisconsin and Michigan, the heartland is […]

Widow of US soldier killed in Niger says Trump ‘made me cry’

by Thomas Watkins Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – The pregnant widow of an American soldier killed in an ambush in Niger said Monday that Donald Trump struggled to remember his name during a condolence call, in an account the president immediately disputed. Trump’s call to Myeshia Johnson, whose husband Sergeant La David Johnson was one of four US soldiers killed in the October 4 jihadist attack, has generated a storm of controversy and comes as […]