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Barack Obama

Barack Hussein Obama II, born August 4, 1961, was the 44th President of the United States and the first black US president. He served as president between January 20, 2009 to January 20, 2017. Obama was named the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize laureate in October 2009. He was succeeded by Republican Donald John Trump, who assumed office in January 2017.

Born

4 Aug 1961

Industry

Politics

Job Title

44th President of the United States of America

US House Select Committee on China ranking member Ro Khanna speaks with journalists before an Artificial Intelligence briefing on September 16 in Washington. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

2026 Xi-Trump summits

US, China need nuclear-style AI safeguards, congressman says before Xi summit

Top Democrat on the House China committee calls for international inspections of leading AI laboratories and a ban on self-improving systems.

22 Sep 2026 - 6:56AMvideocam

Donald Trump

Trump downplays AI development checks, says unwilling to cede edge to China

14 Sep 2026 - 5:06AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran likely to reverse-engineer captured US underwater drone

10 Sep 2026 - 7:34AM

Malaysia

PAS chief to face Malaysian police over explosive US remarks

The US has rejected Abdul Hadi Awang’s claim that it offered help to change Malaysia’s political leadership during Obama’s visit in 2014.

7 Sep 2026 - 9:45PM

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang (centre) attends the party’s recent annual congress. Photo: Handout

US-China relations

Xi, Trump and Putin may hold trilateral meeting at next Apec forum, Kremlin says

Senior Russian aide confirms possibility of all three leaders meeting in Shenzhen in November ‘was discussed’ at this week’s SCO summit.

2 Sep 2026 - 10:22AMvideocam

United States

Trump administration faces backlash over Yosemite park giveaway

A news outlet claims the government has been quietly working to transfer a roughly 400-metre strip of the park to a Nevada-based company.

29 Aug 2026 - 2:29PM

United States

US judge blocks rule implementing Trump plan to curb mail-in ballots

A Trump administration appeal is expected as both parties battle for control of Congress in the midterms.

28 Aug 2026 - 10:51AM

A voter places a mail ballot into a drop box. About 30 per cent of Americans vote by mail, according to state election data. Photo: TNS

South Korea

Trump’s decision to scale back South Korea drills ‘makes no sense’

The decision threatens to undermine the South Koreans and Japanese, unnerve Nato and embolden the Chinese and North Koreans, one expert says.

18 Aug 2026 - 2:06PM

China’s military

The PLA at 99: how China’s military went from ragtag rifles to world-class force

From revolutionary group to hi-tech machine, the PLA’s transformation has been a long pursuit of strength and self-reliance.

31 Jul 2026 - 6:44AM

Donald Trump

Trump White House getting new helipad for more powerful Marine One helicopter

The granite helipad project marks Donald Trump’s latest move to reshape the executive mansion.

7 Jul 2026 - 11:57AM

US President Donald Trump steps onto the South Lawn of the White House after arriving on Marine One in May. Photo: EPA

Celebrity children

Meet Caroline Jones, who performed with the Zac Brown Band at a Trump event

Jones and the Zac Brown Band performed at the UFC Freedom 250 – but why is an insult against Michelle Obama driving a wedge between the billionaire heiress and her family?

25 Jun 2026 - 6:00PM

Caroline Jones is in the news for her recent performance with the Zac Brown Band at the UFC Freedom 250. Photo: @carolinejones/Instagram

Donald Trump

New poll shows eroding global trust in Trump and America

Pew survey across 36 nations found just 23 per cent of respondents had confidence in Trump to do the right thing in world affairs.

24 Jun 2026 - 2:00PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Vance calls Iran deal a ‘win-win’ as Trump lashes out at ‘fools’ who oppose it

US Vice-President also claims Iran will not receive money or sanctions relief unless it meets the obligations outlined in agreement.

19 Jun 2026 - 6:19AMvideocam

United States

Ex-presidents and stars gather for Obama library opening, but Trump stays away

Bush, Clinton and Biden join a star-studded event to celebrate the new ⁠museum and civic centre in Chicago.

19 Jun 2026 - 3:15PM

The Obamas and the Clintons at the opening of the complex in Chicago. Photo: Reuters

United States

US judge reprimanded for having sex in chambers apologises: ‘I have no excuse’

Eleanor Ross wrote an apology letter for falsely accusing the clerk who exposed her conduct of poor work attitude.

13 Jun 2026 - 8:43AM

Then senior assistant district attorney Eleanor Ross speaks in court on February 17, 2010 in Atlanta. Photo: Atlanta Journal-Constitution/AP

Tourism

‘It’s a Trojan horse’: how the Obama Presidential Centre is dividing Chicago

The presidential museum that opens on June 19 is a bold addition to Chicago’s iconic skyline, but not all local residents are impressed.

9 Jun 2026 - 7:15PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Is Trump calling the shots on Israel, or just pretending to?

The US president says he’s losing patience with Israel’s prime minister. Analysts say he’s just playing to the crowd.

9 Jun 2026 - 11:00PMvideocam

Donald Trump

US judge strikes down Trump’s US$100,000 H-1B visa fee as unlawful

White House signals it will appeal ruling that eliminates an aggressive financial hurdle on H-1B visa applications.

9 Jun 2026 - 11:59AMvideocam

H-1B visa application documents. Photo: TNS

United States

Court blocks US military removing transgender troops for now

Appeals court shields current service members from discharge while leaving wider enlisting restrictions in place.

2 Jun 2026 - 10:24AM

United States

Powell uses JFK award speech to defend Fed from political pressure

Former Fed chair urges protection of America’s democratic institutions, warns they face a ‘stress test’.

1 Jun 2026 - 11:35AM

United States

As I see it | Trump makes everything worse but he didn’t start it

Essays from over a decade ago show that America’s institutional decay and populist revolt predate the current US president’s rise to power.

26 May 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump delivers a speech about the economy at Rockland Community College Fieldhouse in Suffern, New York, the US, on May 22. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Netanyahu increasingly isolated as Trump pursues Iran peace deal

The lack of a decisive victory in the Iran war has led Trump to lose confidence in the Israeli prime minister, analysts say.

25 May 2026 - 6:48PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump points towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a press conference after meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club on December 29, 2025. Photo: Reuters

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi’s key interactions with US and Russian presidents

Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Beijing days after meeting US President Donald Trump. It was the first time that the leaders of Russia and the US have made state visits to China in the same month.

21 May 2026 - 11:47AM

China-Russia relations

Inside the royal garden that is Putin’s ‘second home’ in China

More than 1,400 heads of state have stayed in the compound, with the Russian president usually accommodated in its most prestigious villa.

20 May 2026 - 5:54PMvideocam

China-Russia relations

Why China-Russia ties outpace Beijing’s engagement with Washington

Donald Trump’s recent state visit appears unlikely to fundamentally reshape or overshadow broader agenda of Sino-Russian cooperation.

20 May 2026 - 2:50PMvideocam

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow in March 2013, during Xi’s first foreign trip as China’s leader. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

From Jack Sparrow to Bride of Chucky, Iran’s jibes at Trump are hit in China

The footage also leans into popular culture, using Chinese rap and popular cartoon figures to court younger social media users.

19 May 2026 - 8:00PM

The Iranian children’s puppet Pesar Ammeh Za and China’s Ne Zha are depicted as good friends. Photo: Handout

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi Jinping welcomes Trump into China’s hidden heart: Zhongnanhai

Centuries-old trees and ‘most beautiful’ roses take centre stage as US leader taken on rare stroll around secluded, symbolic seat of power.

15 May 2026 - 10:32PMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

The toast, the tastes and the tech selfie that crowned the US-China summit

The Chinese and US presidents attend a glittering state banquet that combined Chinese and Western dishes.

14 May 2026 - 10:17PMvideocam

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Barack Obama

US, China need nuclear-style AI safeguards, congressman says before Xi summit

Top Democrat on the House China committee calls for international inspections of leading AI laboratories and a ban on self-improving systems.

Trump downplays AI development checks, says unwilling to cede edge to China

Iran likely to reverse-engineer captured US underwater drone

PAS chief to face Malaysian police over explosive US remarks

The US has rejected Abdul Hadi Awang’s claim that it offered help to change Malaysia’s political leadership during Obama’s visit in 2014.

Xi, Trump and Putin may hold trilateral meeting at next Apec forum, Kremlin says

Senior Russian aide confirms possibility of all three leaders meeting in Shenzhen in November ‘was discussed’ at this week’s SCO summit.

Trump administration faces backlash over Yosemite park giveaway

A news outlet claims the government has been quietly working to transfer a roughly 400-metre strip of the park to a Nevada-based company.

US judge blocks rule implementing Trump plan to curb mail-in ballots

A Trump administration appeal is expected as both parties battle for control of Congress in the midterms.

Trump’s decision to scale back South Korea drills ‘makes no sense’

The decision threatens to undermine the South Koreans and Japanese, unnerve Nato and embolden the Chinese and North Koreans, one expert says.

The PLA at 99: how China’s military went from ragtag rifles to world-class force

From revolutionary group to hi-tech machine, the PLA’s transformation has been a long pursuit of strength and self-reliance.

Trump White House getting new helipad for more powerful Marine One helicopter

The granite helipad project marks Donald Trump’s latest move to reshape the executive mansion.

Meet Caroline Jones, who performed with the Zac Brown Band at a Trump event

Jones and the Zac Brown Band performed at the UFC Freedom 250 – but why is an insult against Michelle Obama driving a wedge between the billionaire heiress and her family?

New poll shows eroding global trust in Trump and America

Pew survey across 36 nations found just 23 per cent of respondents had confidence in Trump to do the right thing in world affairs.

Vance calls Iran deal a ‘win-win’ as Trump lashes out at ‘fools’ who oppose it

US Vice-President also claims Iran will not receive money or sanctions relief unless it meets the obligations outlined in agreement.

Ex-presidents and stars gather for Obama library opening, but Trump stays away

Bush, Clinton and Biden join a star-studded event to celebrate the new ⁠museum and civic centre in Chicago.

US judge reprimanded for having sex in chambers apologises: ‘I have no excuse’

Eleanor Ross wrote an apology letter for falsely accusing the clerk who exposed her conduct of poor work attitude.

‘It’s a Trojan horse’: how the Obama Presidential Centre is dividing Chicago

The presidential museum that opens on June 19 is a bold addition to Chicago’s iconic skyline, but not all local residents are impressed.

Is Trump calling the shots on Israel, or just pretending to?

The US president says he’s losing patience with Israel’s prime minister. Analysts say he’s just playing to the crowd.

US judge strikes down Trump’s US$100,000 H-1B visa fee as unlawful

White House signals it will appeal ruling that eliminates an aggressive financial hurdle on H-1B visa applications.

Court blocks US military removing transgender troops for now

Appeals court shields current service members from discharge while leaving wider enlisting restrictions in place.

Powell uses JFK award speech to defend Fed from political pressure

Former Fed chair urges protection of America’s democratic institutions, warns they face a ‘stress test’.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}As I see it | Trump makes everything worse but he didn’t start it

Essays from over a decade ago show that America’s institutional decay and populist revolt predate the current US president’s rise to power.

Netanyahu increasingly isolated as Trump pursues Iran peace deal

The lack of a decisive victory in the Iran war has led Trump to lose confidence in the Israeli prime minister, analysts say.

Xi’s key interactions with US and Russian presidents

Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Beijing days after meeting US President Donald Trump. It was the first time that the leaders of Russia and the US have made state visits to China in the same month.

Inside the royal garden that is Putin’s ‘second home’ in China

More than 1,400 heads of state have stayed in the compound, with the Russian president usually accommodated in its most prestigious villa.

Why China-Russia ties outpace Beijing’s engagement with Washington

Donald Trump’s recent state visit appears unlikely to fundamentally reshape or overshadow broader agenda of Sino-Russian cooperation.

From Jack Sparrow to Bride of Chucky, Iran’s jibes at Trump are hit in China

The footage also leans into popular culture, using Chinese rap and popular cartoon figures to court younger social media users.

Xi Jinping welcomes Trump into China’s hidden heart: Zhongnanhai

Centuries-old trees and ‘most beautiful’ roses take centre stage as US leader taken on rare stroll around secluded, symbolic seat of power.

The toast, the tastes and the tech selfie that crowned the US-China summit

The Chinese and US presidents attend a glittering state banquet that combined Chinese and Western dishes.

As I see it | Trump makes everything worse but he didn’t start it