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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

Barack Obama with his wife Michelle in Washington in 2009. Photo: AP

United States

Trump stokes fury with ‘disgusting’ monkey video of Obama, wife

The racist imagery that featured in an election conspiracy video sparked condemnation from Democrats.

3 hours agovideocam

Vietnam

Friend or foe? Leaked Vietnamese military document labels US ‘belligerent’

4 Feb 2026 - 12:01PM

ICBMs

China grows nuclear arsenal as last US-Russia limits expire

5 Feb 2026 - 2:58PM

United States

US, Russia to enter new, unregulated nuclear age as arms pact nears expiry

With Trump showing less interest in extending the New START agreement, the future of nuclear weapon limits is unclear.

1 Feb 2026 - 2:43PMvideocam

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a ceremony to launch a nuclear-powered attack submarine in Murmansk last year. Photo: AFP

United States

ICE thaw? White House softens tone after Minneapolis killings outrage

Some federal agents will start leaving Minneapolis following White House talks with the state’s governor and city mayor.

27 Jan 2026 - 4:33PMvideocam

United States

‘Wake-up call’: Obama and Clinton speak out as latest killing shocks US

Two former presidents join the outcry over the shooting of Alex Pretti, as video analysis appears to contradict the government’s statements.

26 Jan 2026 - 5:23PMvideocam

Horoscopes

Horoscopes: what’s your luck like in January 2026, Earth Ox month?

It’s going to be smooth sailing for the Dragon, Horse and Dog, but those under the Ox sign need to be careful while on the road.

6 Jan 2026 - 4:00PM

The Chinese zodiac is comprised of 12 animals. Illustration: SCMP Graphics

Singapore

Open Questions | George Yeo on superpower ‘headaches’ and why the US dollar could crack

Singapore’s former foreign minister also discusses Trump, the latest China-Japan dust-up, and rivalry between Hong Kong and the city state.

22 Dec 2025 - 10:02AMvideocam

Taylor Swift

All about the Taylor Swift-approved book, The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

In an episode of her new Disney+ docuseries, Swift listened to this Barack Obama-recommended book by Liz Moore – now it’s coming to Netflix.

18 Dec 2025 - 6:00PM

US-China decoupling

Open Questions | Yeo on how Trump wants to avoid Taiwan upending China relations

Former Singapore foreign minister George Yeo says that Donald Trump is prioritising stable relations with China, and that the US is facing decline amid a shift to a multipolar world.

18 Dec 2025 - 12:28PM

Donald Trump

Trump rewrites White House history with plaques mocking predecessors

Donald Trump, who has made no secret of his enmity for his Democratic predecessors, displays his grievances on White House walls.

18 Dec 2025 - 2:05PM

New plaques have been placed underneath presidential portraits on the Colonnade at the White House. Photo: AP

Donald Trump

Trump has signed more executive orders this year than in his entire first term

The US president’s 221st order designated fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, joining others on AI and fighting ‘woke’ culture.

17 Dec 2025 - 4:30AMvideocam

US-China relations

US commission wants more Mandarin language courses to curb Beijing’s sway

Move would deepen students’ linguistic and cultural understanding amid cuts to US cultural exchange programmes to China.

11 Dec 2025 - 6:53AM

My Life

‘Architects are always jumping in water that’s over our heads’

Billie Tsien, founding partner of Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, tells of designing the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre and the Obama Presidential Centre.

9 Dec 2025 - 3:18PM

Architect Billie Tsien, pictured at Asia Society Hong Kong Centre, which she says was a complicated and scary site to build on. Photo: Tracy Wong

United States

Trump ally ousted as New Jersey prosecutor by appeal court

The ruling calls into question the legitimacy of a number of cases and criminal charges approved during Habba’s challenged tenure.

2 Dec 2025 - 3:51AM

Alina Habba attends her swearing-in ceremony as interim US Attorney for the District of New Jersey, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington on March 28. Photo: Reuters

United States

Trump declares all orders signed by autopen under Biden ‘terminated’

Trump vows to terminate every document his predecessor signed, and if Biden lied about using an autopen, he would be charged with perjury.

29 Nov 2025 - 7:06AM

Donald Trump

Trump unveils ‘president’s golf course’ revamp at Joint Base Andrews

Golf legend Jack Nicklaus is leading the project, the latest addition to the US president’s long list of construction jobs.

23 Nov 2025 - 6:14AM

US-China relations

Ex-Argentine leader warns against cutting China ties to improve US relations

Macri argues Argentina’s farm and commodity sales rely on China even as current president Javier Milei pursues broader deal with Washington.

22 Nov 2025 - 5:57AMvideocam

Argentina’s former president Mauricio Macri has warned the current Argentinian leadership not to cut ties with China just to curry favour with the US. Photo: AFP

Crime

Fugees rapper jailed for 14 years over illegal donations to Obama campaign

Grammy-winner was convicted on 10 counts, including conspiracy and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government.

21 Nov 2025 - 4:28PM

United States

Ex-US Treasury chief stepping back from public roles over Epstein emails

Larry Summers says he needs to ‘rebuild trust’ after correspondence with sex offender Epstein was revealed in files released by Congress.

18 Nov 2025 - 4:22PM

Celebrity style

The Look: what Michelle Obama said about her most iconic fashion picks

Michelle Obama – who shares daughters Sasha and Malia with Barack Obama – is known for her bold fashion choices, from Jason Wu to Versace.

16 Nov 2025 - 6:00AM

Former US president Barack Obama’s wife Michelle Obama just released a new book, The Look, chronicling her fashion throughout the years. Photo: AP

Fame and celebrity

Who is Michelle Obama’s long-time personal stylist, Meredith Koop?

Barack Obama’s wife has been rocking Chanel, Loewe and Simone Rocha fits during the press tour for the release of her latest book, The Look.

10 Nov 2025 - 11:40AM

Stylist Meredith Koop has been working with Michelle Obama for over a decade. Photo: @meredithkoop/Instagram

United States

Nancy Pelosi, first woman US House speaker, to retire from Congress

Trump calls Pelosi an ‘evil woman’ as his long-time political adversary announces her retirement.

7 Nov 2025 - 11:36AM

United States

California votes to redraw congressional map in triumph for Newsom

Voters pass Proposition 50 measure championed by California’s governor in a counterpunch at Trump-backed move in Texas.

5 Nov 2025 - 4:34PM

United States

Trump’s shadow looms as US voters pick New York mayor, state governors

The results will serve as an early gauge of the US electorate’s mood after a whirlwind first nine months of a norm-shattering presidency.

5 Nov 2025 - 7:52AM

Wade Gustafson, a volunteer election judge, puts up an American flag and voting signs in St Paul, Minnesota, on Tuesday. Photo: Star Tribune via AP

Donald Trump

Trump doubles down on ICE raids: ‘they haven’t gone far enough’

US president defends aggressive ICE efforts, claiming ‘liberal judges’ were holding back deportation efforts.

3 Nov 2025 - 4:25PM

ICE agents and federal officers detain a migrant as he walks out from a hearing during targeted detainment at a US immigration court in New York City. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

Xi’s key encounters with US presidents and Putin

Chinese President Xi Jinping met a US president for the 17th time since taking office when he held talks with Donald Trump in South Korea on October 30. By contrast, he has had 41 encounters with Russian leader Vladimir Putin as president.

5 Feb 2026 - 3:53PM

Japan

Still on a roll at 100, this Japanese sushi legend aims to live to 114

Jiro Ono, owner of three-Michelin-starred Sukiyabashi Jiro, says work is the secret to his longevity.

7 Nov 2025 - 5:01PMvideocam

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Barack Obama

Trump stokes fury with ‘disgusting’ monkey video of Obama, wife

The racist imagery that featured in an election conspiracy video sparked condemnation from Democrats.

Friend or foe? Leaked Vietnamese military document labels US ‘belligerent’

China grows nuclear arsenal as last US-Russia limits expire

US, Russia to enter new, unregulated nuclear age as arms pact nears expiry

With Trump showing less interest in extending the New START agreement, the future of nuclear weapon limits is unclear.

ICE thaw? White House softens tone after Minneapolis killings outrage

Some federal agents will start leaving Minneapolis following White House talks with the state’s governor and city mayor.

‘Wake-up call’: Obama and Clinton speak out as latest killing shocks US

Two former presidents join the outcry over the shooting of Alex Pretti, as video analysis appears to contradict the government’s statements.

Horoscopes: what’s your luck like in January 2026, Earth Ox month?

It’s going to be smooth sailing for the Dragon, Horse and Dog, but those under the Ox sign need to be careful while on the road.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Open Questions | George Yeo on superpower ‘headaches’ and why the US dollar could crack

Singapore’s former foreign minister also discusses Trump, the latest China-Japan dust-up, and rivalry between Hong Kong and the city state.

All about the Taylor Swift-approved book, The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

In an episode of her new Disney+ docuseries, Swift listened to this Barack Obama-recommended book by Liz Moore – now it’s coming to Netflix.

Open Questions | Yeo on how Trump wants to avoid Taiwan upending China relations

Former Singapore foreign minister George Yeo says that Donald Trump is prioritising stable relations with China, and that the US is facing decline amid a shift to a multipolar world.

Trump rewrites White House history with plaques mocking predecessors

Donald Trump, who has made no secret of his enmity for his Democratic predecessors, displays his grievances on White House walls.

Trump has signed more executive orders this year than in his entire first term

The US president’s 221st order designated fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, joining others on AI and fighting ‘woke’ culture.

US commission wants more Mandarin language courses to curb Beijing’s sway

Move would deepen students’ linguistic and cultural understanding amid cuts to US cultural exchange programmes to China.

‘Architects are always jumping in water that’s over our heads’

Billie Tsien, founding partner of Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, tells of designing the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre and the Obama Presidential Centre.

Trump ally ousted as New Jersey prosecutor by appeal court

The ruling calls into question the legitimacy of a number of cases and criminal charges approved during Habba’s challenged tenure.

Trump declares all orders signed by autopen under Biden ‘terminated’

Trump vows to terminate every document his predecessor signed, and if Biden lied about using an autopen, he would be charged with perjury.

Trump unveils ‘president’s golf course’ revamp at Joint Base Andrews

Golf legend Jack Nicklaus is leading the project, the latest addition to the US president’s long list of construction jobs.

Ex-Argentine leader warns against cutting China ties to improve US relations

Macri argues Argentina’s farm and commodity sales rely on China even as current president Javier Milei pursues broader deal with Washington.

Fugees rapper jailed for 14 years over illegal donations to Obama campaign

Grammy-winner was convicted on 10 counts, including conspiracy and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government.

Ex-US Treasury chief stepping back from public roles over Epstein emails

Larry Summers says he needs to ‘rebuild trust’ after correspondence with sex offender Epstein was revealed in files released by Congress.

The Look: what Michelle Obama said about her most iconic fashion picks

Michelle Obama – who shares daughters Sasha and Malia with Barack Obama – is known for her bold fashion choices, from Jason Wu to Versace.

Who is Michelle Obama’s long-time personal stylist, Meredith Koop?

Barack Obama’s wife has been rocking Chanel, Loewe and Simone Rocha fits during the press tour for the release of her latest book, The Look.

Nancy Pelosi, first woman US House speaker, to retire from Congress

Trump calls Pelosi an ‘evil woman’ as his long-time political adversary announces her retirement.

California votes to redraw congressional map in triumph for Newsom

Voters pass Proposition 50 measure championed by California’s governor in a counterpunch at Trump-backed move in Texas.

Trump’s shadow looms as US voters pick New York mayor, state governors

The results will serve as an early gauge of the US electorate’s mood after a whirlwind first nine months of a norm-shattering presidency.

Trump doubles down on ICE raids: ‘they haven’t gone far enough’

US president defends aggressive ICE efforts, claiming ‘liberal judges’ were holding back deportation efforts.

Xi’s key encounters with US presidents and Putin

Chinese President Xi Jinping met a US president for the 17th time since taking office when he held talks with Donald Trump in South Korea on October 30. By contrast, he has had 41 encounters with Russian leader Vladimir Putin as president.

Still on a roll at 100, this Japanese sushi legend aims to live to 114

Jiro Ono, owner of three-Michelin-starred Sukiyabashi Jiro, says work is the secret to his longevity.

Open Questions | George Yeo on superpower ‘headaches’ and why the US dollar could crack