TOPIC

/ people

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

An applicant looks through H-1B visa application documents. Last year, Washington raised the H-1B application fee to US$100,000. Photo: Bay Area News Group / TNS

Donald Trump

Trump’s US$100,000 H-1B visa fee is an unlawful tax, judge rules

The administration had argued that ‌Trump had authority ‌to impose the visa fee for highly skilled foreign workers.

2 hours ago

United States

Court blocks US military removing transgender troops for now

2 Jun 2026 - 10:24AM

United States

Powell uses JFK award speech to defend Fed from political pressure

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

2026 Xi-Trump summit

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

The historic guest villas are situated within the tranquil Diaoyutai Scenic Area in the western suburbs of Beijing. Photo: Shutterstock

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

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

2026 Xi-Trump summit

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

Chinese President Xi Jinping leads US counterpart Donald Trump through the Yundou Gate, inscribed with couplets from the Qianlong Emperor, inside the Zhongnanhai compound in Beijing on Friday. Photo: AP

2026 Xi-Trump summit

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

A toast to two countries at the Great Hall of the People on Thursday. Photo: AFP

2026 Xi-Trump summit

The message China wants to send by hosting Trump at Temple of Heaven

Beijing urges US president ‘to hold the line on peaceful coexistence’ as it prepares to host him at heritage site.

14 May 2026 - 6:29PMvideocam

Food and Drinks

Trump’s Beijing banquet: will it be Big Macs or Huaiyang cuisine in the Great Hall?

Discover how Huaiyang cuisine – China’s diplomatic delicacy – balances tradition and innovation to win over world leaders, from Nixon to Obama, in Beijing’s high-stakes banquet diplomacy.

13 May 2026 - 5:11PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Trump’s threats against Iran are historically illiterate

The US president’s threats to end Iranian civilisation expose his ignorance of the country’s long history.

9 May 2026 - 3:30PM

Iranian women visit the ruins of Persepolis, ceremonial capital of the ancient Achaemenid empire of Persia, near Shiraz in Iran. Photo: AFP

Myanmar

Myanmar’s military rulers hire Trump ally for US$50,000 a month to lobby Washington

Roger Stone has been commissioned to rebuild relations with the US, though analysts doubt Myanmar can escape its pariah status.

7 May 2026 - 4:13PM

Roger Stone, a former adviser and confidant to former US President Donald Trump, addresses reporters in Washington in 2021. Photo: TNS

Fame and celebrity

As David Attenborough turns 100, the star naturalist’s ‘unequalled’ impact

We look at Attenborough’s unique ability to tell nature’s story through his BBC shows on evolution to ocean plastic as he turns 100 on May 8.

7 May 2026 - 12:45PMvideocam

Fame and celebrity

Meet Matt Friend, whose comedy charms stars, presidents – and King Charles

Friend, whose CNN comedy special aired ahead of the White House correspondents’ dinner, is gaining acclaim for his celebrity impressions.

1 May 2026 - 6:00AM

Donald Trump

US Justice Department cites shooting as need for Trump’s ballroom

Trump’s DOJ gives preservationists Monday deadline to drop White House ballroom suit after shooting at hotel event.

27 Apr 2026 - 10:56AMvideocam

Artist renderings of the new White House East Wing and ballroom. Photo: AP

United States

Obama meets New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani before reading to preschoolers

The event comes days after Republican US President Trump said Mamdani was destroying New York with his tax policies.

19 Apr 2026 - 7:16AM

United States

Supreme Court justices lean towards Trump in asylum-processing case

The White House is defending US authority to turn away asylum seekers when officials judge the border to be too overburdened.

25 Mar 2026 - 4:24AM

China-Japan relations

Trump’s biggest cheerleader? Why Japan’s Takaichi is making waves in China

White House photo of Japanese prime minister apparently dancing to a band draws derision on Chinese social media.

22 Mar 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam

Japan

Japanese atomic bomb survivor who hugged Obama in Hiroshima dies at 88

Earlier this month, Shigeaki Mori warned that the world was at risk of another nuclear attack over the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine.

18 Mar 2026 - 3:15PM

Then US president Barack Obama hugs Shigeaki Mori, a survivor of the 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima, during a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in 2016. Photo: AFP

China-Japan relations

Why Japan thinks China’s growing cultural clout is something it needs to counter

The global success of Chinese video games and animation – as well as the appeal of traditional culture – has triggered a reaction in Tokyo.

19 Mar 2026 - 8:33AMvideocam

Donald Trump

Bill, George, Barack or Joe: which ex-president gave Trump backing for Iran war?

Trump said his presidential pal told him, ‘I wish I did it.’ But all four living ex-presidents said they had not been in touch.

17 Mar 2026 - 10:15PM

Two Sessions 2026

What’s wrong with a G2? Wang Yi lays out China’s case against great-power rivalry

Bloc confrontation is a path to disaster and the world must abide by the UN Charter, the foreign minister says.

8 Mar 2026 - 9:11PMvideocam

“We should not forget there are more than 190 countries on our planet,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said. Photo: Shutterstock

Fame and celebrity

Who was Ethel Kennedy – and was she really mean to Carolyn Bessette?

The Kennedy family matriarch and RFK’s widow, who raised 11 children, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama for her public service.

3 Mar 2026 - 6:00PM

Ethel Kennedy never remarried after Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1968. Photos: Getty Images, @ @kerrykennedyrfk/Instagram

Donald Trump

Trump gambles his Iran attack will save flailing Maga agenda

Faced with affordability concerns and plunging approval ratings at home, the US president is waging a war he once promised never to start.

1 Mar 2026 - 2:46AMvideocam

Crime

Son of slain director Rob Reiner pleads not guilty to parents’ murder

Nick Reiner faces two counts of first-degree murder over the double killing that sent shock waves through Hollywood.

24 Feb 2026 - 12:26PM

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

Barack Obama

Trump’s US$100,000 H-1B visa fee is an unlawful tax, judge rules

The administration had argued that ‌Trump had authority ‌to impose the visa fee for highly skilled foreign workers.

Court blocks US military removing transgender troops for now

Powell uses JFK award speech to defend Fed from political pressure

.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.

The message China wants to send by hosting Trump at Temple of Heaven

Beijing urges US president ‘to hold the line on peaceful coexistence’ as it prepares to host him at heritage site.

Trump’s Beijing banquet: will it be Big Macs or Huaiyang cuisine in the Great Hall?

Discover how Huaiyang cuisine – China’s diplomatic delicacy – balances tradition and innovation to win over world leaders, from Nixon to Obama, in Beijing’s high-stakes banquet diplomacy.

Opinion | Trump’s threats against Iran are historically illiterate

The US president’s threats to end Iranian civilisation expose his ignorance of the country’s long history.

Myanmar’s military rulers hire Trump ally for US$50,000 a month to lobby Washington

Roger Stone has been commissioned to rebuild relations with the US, though analysts doubt Myanmar can escape its pariah status.

As David Attenborough turns 100, the star naturalist’s ‘unequalled’ impact

We look at Attenborough’s unique ability to tell nature’s story through his BBC shows on evolution to ocean plastic as he turns 100 on May 8.

Meet Matt Friend, whose comedy charms stars, presidents – and King Charles

Friend, whose CNN comedy special aired ahead of the White House correspondents’ dinner, is gaining acclaim for his celebrity impressions.

US Justice Department cites shooting as need for Trump’s ballroom

Trump’s DOJ gives preservationists Monday deadline to drop White House ballroom suit after shooting at hotel event.

Obama meets New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani before reading to preschoolers

The event comes days after Republican US President Trump said Mamdani was destroying New York with his tax policies.

Supreme Court justices lean towards Trump in asylum-processing case

The White House is defending US authority to turn away asylum seekers when officials judge the border to be too overburdened.

Trump’s biggest cheerleader? Why Japan’s Takaichi is making waves in China

White House photo of Japanese prime minister apparently dancing to a band draws derision on Chinese social media.

Japanese atomic bomb survivor who hugged Obama in Hiroshima dies at 88

Earlier this month, Shigeaki Mori warned that the world was at risk of another nuclear attack over the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine.

Why Japan thinks China’s growing cultural clout is something it needs to counter

The global success of Chinese video games and animation – as well as the appeal of traditional culture – has triggered a reaction in Tokyo.

Bill, George, Barack or Joe: which ex-president gave Trump backing for Iran war?

Trump said his presidential pal told him, ‘I wish I did it.’ But all four living ex-presidents said they had not been in touch.

What’s wrong with a G2? Wang Yi lays out China’s case against great-power rivalry

Bloc confrontation is a path to disaster and the world must abide by the UN Charter, the foreign minister says.

Who was Ethel Kennedy – and was she really mean to Carolyn Bessette?

The Kennedy family matriarch and RFK’s widow, who raised 11 children, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama for her public service.

Trump gambles his Iran attack will save flailing Maga agenda

Faced with affordability concerns and plunging approval ratings at home, the US president is waging a war he once promised never to start.

Son of slain director Rob Reiner pleads not guilty to parents’ murder

Nick Reiner faces two counts of first-degree murder over the double killing that sent shock waves through Hollywood.

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