Tag: White House

Obama will not attend Muhammad Ali’s funeral

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The White House said President Barack Obama will not attend Muhammad Ali’s funeral, which coincides with his oldest daughter’s graduation. “They will be attending Malia’s high school graduation ceremony in Washington, DC,” said spokeswoman Jen Friedman. Instead, a close aide “will read a letter from the president and the first lady as part of Friday’s service in Louisville.” jca-arb/oh © 1994-2016 Agence France-Presse

Clinton said to clinch nomination, but won’t cry victory

by Michael Mathes LOS ANGELES , United States (AFP) — Hillary Clinton has captured the Democratic White House nomination according to US delegate counts released Monday, hours before the last major primaries of 2016, taking a historic step towards becoming America’s first female commander-in-chief. Passing the milestone of 2,383 delegates secures Clinton’s status as the presumptive nominee, ensuring she will go head-to-head with Republican real estate tycoon Donald Trump in an unprecedented showdown for the […]

Obama poised to endorse Clinton

by Andrew Beatty WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Barack Obama edged closer to a formal endorsement of Hillary Clinton as the Democratic presidential nominee Monday, with his White House suggesting the next 48 hours would be pivotal. With a series of key primary votes on Tuesday that could see Clinton all but seal the party nomination, the White House would not rule out an endorsement by Wednesday. “Once the voters in New Jersey and […]

US states sue White House over transgender bathroom use

by Olivia HAMPTON WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Eleven US states sued President Barack Obama’s administration Wednesday over federal guidelines telling public schools to let transgender students use the bathroom of their choice, the latest twist in a bitter legal standoff with the White House. The move led by Texas further escalates a national feud over an issue that has become a lightning rod both for the transgender community, and conservatives pushing back against new […]

Obama congratulates Philippines president-elect Duterte

WASHINGTON ,United States (AFP) — US President Barack Obama on Tuesday congratulated Philippines president-elect Rodrigo Duterte on his landslide victory at the polls, hailing the country’s “vibrant democracy” — and emphasizing the importance of protecting human rights. In the call with Duterte, Obama “highlighted the enduring values that underpin our thriving alliance with the Philippines… including our shared commitments to democracy, human rights, rule of law, and inclusive economic growth,” the White House said. “The […]

Obama Hiroshima trip stirs debate on Truman’s fateful choice

by Andrew BEATTY WASHINGTON , United States (AFP) — Barack Obama’s visit to Hiroshima next week has reignited an emotive debate over former US president Harry Truman’s epoch-making decision to drop the first atomic bomb. On April 25, 1945, thirteen days after Franklin Roosevelt’s death thrust Truman into the White House, the strained new commander-in-chief got a startling top secret briefing. “Within four months we shall in all probability have completed the most terrible weapon […]

Obama to make historic visit to Hiroshima

by Andrew BEATTY WASHINGTON , United States (AFP) — Barack Obama will this month become the first sitting US president to visit Hiroshima, but the White House is scotching talk of an apology for the devastating 1945 nuclear bombing of the city. Obama, accompanied by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, will make the deeply symbolic visit on May 27, after attending a G7 summit in south-central Japan, his spokesman Josh Earnest said Tuesday. The White House […]

Obama defends economic legacy, rebukes ‘fantasy’ Republicans

WASHINGTON , United States (AFP) — In the twilight of his presidency, Barack Obama has moved to defend his economic legacy and handling of the 2008 crisis, saying the financial system is now “substantially more stable.” Obama, in an interview published Thursday in The New York Times Magazine, also dismissed the “fantasy” economic platforms of Republican presidential candidates vying to succeed him at the November general election. The financial sector “is bigger, absorbs more resources […]

Zika spread, impact ‘scarier than we initially thought’ – U.S. health officials

WASHINGTON, D.C., United States (Reuters) – The spread and impact of the Zika virus is wider than initially anticipated, U.S. health officials said on Monday (April 11). Dr. Anne Schuchat, a deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told reporters at the White House that the type of mosquito in which the virus is carried is present in more U.S. states than initially thought. U.S. scientists now believe the mosquito is present […]

Michelle Obama hosts last garden planting at White House

  WASHINGTON, DC, United States (Reuters) – U.S. first lady Michelle Obama held her annual garden planting activity at the White House on Tuesday (April 5). Mrs. Obama invited students from nearby schools to help with the last planting season before her husband leaves office early next year. “I want to take this time to thank all the kids here and all the kids around the country who have been a part of this garden. […]

White House: ‘Impactful response’ needed in North Korea

REUTERS — Allies of the United States agree that an “impactful response” is needed following a rocket launch in North Korea over the weekend, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said on Monday. (Febuary 8) “There certainly is an agreement about an impactful response being necessary,” Earnest said at a news briefing. “That means considering a range of economic sanctions that would further isolate North Korea.” The Pentagon confirmed that it will start formal talks with […]

President Obama gets ready for his final State of the Union address

President Barack Obama made a brief appearance on Facebook on Tuesday (January 12) as he finalized the text of his last State of the Union address. The president, sitting at his desk, said he was making last minute changes and added touches to his speech. “There’s a lot of work that still needs to be done,” Obama said, adding that he wanted to make sure that the American people understood his proposals. “We’ve got some […]