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Tag: Obama

  • Michelle Obama addresses divorce rumors

    Michelle Obama addresses divorce rumors

    Former US First Lady Michelle Obama has addressed rumors suggesting trouble in her marriage to former President Barack Obama.

    Speculation had been mounting after Mrs. Obama was notably absent from several major events, including Donald Trump’s inauguration and the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter.

    Her absence led to widespread assumptions that the couple might be heading for a split.

    Speaking on the Work in Progress podcast hosted by actress Sophia Bush, Michelle Obama did not directly reference these events but made it clear that her schedule is now fully her own.

    As she put it, she’s a “grown woman” who prioritizes where and how she spends her time.

    She explained that after years of public service and constant public appearances, she now values her independence and chooses to engage in activities that nourish her personally and professionally. Michelle emphasized that her decisions are not a reflection of problems in her marriage, but rather a sign of her growth and autonomy.

    “That’s the thing that we as women, I think we struggle with like disappointing people,” she said.

    “I mean, so much so that this year people couldn’t even fathom that I was making a choice for myself that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing.

    “This couldn’t be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself, right? But that’s what society does to us.”

  • Video: See the attacks on Paintsil by Songo, Saddick that has landed them in court

    Video: See the attacks on Paintsil by Songo, Saddick that has landed them in court

    Second Assistant Coach of the Black Stars, John Paintsil, has taken legal action against several sports journalists and their respective media outlets, citing comments he considers defamatory.

    The journalists named in the lawsuit include Veronica Commey, Saddick Adams, Christopher Nimley, and Patrick Osei Agyemang, also known as Countryman Songo.

    Additionally, writs have been served to media entities Omni Media Limited, Angel Broadcasting Network, and Multimedia Group.

    Paintsil’s decision to pursue legal action follows remarks made by these individuals in response to his appointment as a Black Stars coach.

    Saddick Adams, for instance, questioned Paintsil’s credibility and alleged that he had attempted to secure coaching roles using falsified documents.

    Addressing his concerns on Angel TV’s sports program, Saddick Adams aired his grievances regarding Paintsil’s appointment, expressing doubt about its legitimacy.

    “In 2019, he presented a fake certificate to allow him to coach, and it was discovered. Oti Akenteng and Prof. Mintah knew about it, and so he is a person of questionable moral character who also questioned the importance of the protest against GFA.

    “We also don’t know why he is using a fake certificate to get a coaching job. He has served well as an ex-international, but that fake certificate must be investigated.

    “We have that fake certificate, so we will pursue the next step; we will seek him to be cleared and not infect the national team,” Saddick Adams stated.

    Songo and Nimley’s involvement in the lawsuit stems from the derogatory insults they directed at John Paintsil regarding his competence, eligibility, and his controversial remarks regarding the Save Ghana Football Demonstration.

  • Beef up security measures to check rising robbery attacks – Oyibi residents to police

    Beef up security measures to check rising robbery attacks – Oyibi residents to police

    Residents of Adambrobe and Obama in Oyibi have called on the police to beef up security measures to check rising robbery.

    Residents are living in constant fear as a spate of robbery attacks continues to plague the area, resulting in over 15 homes being targeted in the past three months and undermining the peace in the region.

    The tranquility of Oyibi has been disrupted, with armed assailants carrying out nightly attacks, typically occurring between 1:00 am and 2:00 am, instilling perpetual fear among the residents.

    Victims of these attacks shared their harrowing experiences with Citi News, recounting instances of armed robbers targeting their homes and causing distress in the community.

    Residents are calling on the police to enhance security measures in the area and urging authorities to step up efforts to address the security concerns.

    They emphasize the dire situation and the compromised safety of the residents, pleading for increased police patrols to ensure their protection.

    In light of the alarming escalation in attacks, residents implore the government to intervene and provide assistance.

    The situation is described as extremely challenging, with one resident highlighting the urgency of continuous police protection for the community.

    Vida Oppong, a mother of four who experienced a nighttime attack, recounted the terrifying ordeal involving armed individuals forcibly entering her home, demanding money at gunpoint, and resorting to gunfire when help was perceived.

    She emphasized the urgent need for intervention to ensure the safety and security of the community.

  • How African-American artiste portrayed Akufo-Addo in painting for African presidential exhibition

    Kehinde Wiley, the renowned African-American artist known for officially painting former US President Barack Obama in 2018, has recently unveiled a series of paintings featuring several sitting and former African heads of state.

    Notably, one of his subjects was Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the President of Ghana at the time.

    In President Akufo-Addo’s portrait, he is depicted wearing colorful kente cloth, seated on a chair adorned with the national coat of arms. His posture is contemplative, with his right hand resting on his knee and his left hand grasping a gold-plated walking stick.

    Among the other African presidents included in this collection are Ethiopia’s President Sahle-Work Zewde, Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo, Macky Sall of Senegal, and Faure Gnassingbe of Togo. Former presidents featured in the paintings include Nigeria’s Olusegun Obasanjo and Alpha Conde of Guinea.

    This remarkable exhibition, titled “A Maze of Power,” is currently on display at the Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac in Paris, France, and is set to run until January 2024.

    The artist spent a decade working on these portraits, during which he traveled extensively throughout Africa, engaging with various leaders.

    These interactions and discussions focused on themes such as the history of aristocratic, royal, and military portraiture in 17th to 19th Century Europe.

    Wiley used these conversations to inform his artwork, creating compositions that capture each leader’s unique perspective on contemporary African leadership.

    “This is a look at the presidency itself. This is an invitation for the viewer to expand the possibilities of what it means to look at art in Africa, about Africa, and about power.”

  • Man who carried explosives near Obama’s home for Capitol riots arrested

    Man who carried explosives near Obama’s home for Capitol riots arrested

    Police have apprehended a man who is wanted for his alleged involvement in the January 6 riots after he was found outside the residence of former President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C., carrying explosives, according to law enforcement officials.

    The suspect, identified as Taylor Taranto, 37, was spotted near Mr. Obama’s home by Secret Service agents, who subsequently pursued him when he attempted to flee.

    Two officials confirmed that Taranto has an outstanding warrant related to charges connected to the riots that occurred at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

    Anonymous sources revealed that Taranto had made threats against a public figure on social media and was found in possession of weapons and materials that could be used to construct an explosive device, although no assembled device was found at the time of the arrest.

    Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and it remains unclear whether the Obamas were present at their residence during the incident.

    Washington D.C. police have taken Taranto into custody on charges of being a fugitive from justice. The extent of Taranto’s involvement, if any, in the Capitol riots and the events surrounding the storming of the building by supporters of former President Donald Trump in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election results, remains unclear.

    To date, over 1,000 individuals have been charged in connection with the January 6 incident, with over 600 pleading guilty and approximately 100 being convicted after trial.

    Sentences have been handed down to approximately 550 defendants, with more than half receiving prison terms ranging from six days to 18 years.

  • James Corden takes a bow from “The Late Late Show”

    James Corden takes a bow from “The Late Late Show”

    James Corden‘s tenure as host of “The Late Late Show” is coming to an end after eight years and numerous Emmy nominations.

    The English presenter and actor announced his departure from the show, which was home to popular segments such as “Carpool Karaoke,” last April. He later revealed that his desire to spend more time with his family prompted the move.

    “It was going to be a journey, an adventure. I never saw it as my final destination,” Corden said at the time.

    On Thursday night, the 44-year-old comic got emotional as he prepared to vacate the seat that made him a household name. The prime-time special featured A-list guests Harry Styles, Adele and Will Ferrell and a surprise video message from President Joe Biden, and Corden’s parents were in the audience.

    While his decision to leave the show during a successful run on US late-night television had surprised many, Corden revealed that “one positive” of leaving the show is that he “may finally get a good night’s sleep.”

    In his emotional farewell speech, the father-of-three also touched on his journey as the show’s host.

    “We started this show with Obama, then Trump, then a global pandemic,” he said.

    “I’ve watched America change a lot. Over these past few years, I’ve watched divisions grow and I’ve seen and I’ve felt a sense of negativity bubble and at points boil over,” he added.

    Corden implored his audience to “remember what America signifies to the rest of the world. My entire life it has always been a place of optimism and joy. And yes, it has flaws, so many, but show me a country that doesn’t. Show me a person that doesn’t.”

    Corden continued: “We are all more the same than we are different. There are so many people who are trying to stoke those differences and we have to try as best we can to look for the light, look for the joy. If you do, it’s out there. That’s all this show has ever been about.”

    He described his move to America as “a huge leap,” and thanked CBS for taking a “life-changing” chance on him.

    Corden ended his final appearance by performing a piano ballad, as a video montage of his finest moments on the show played.

    “Part of me thinks why not stay here forever, but deep in my heart I just know,” he sang. “No more shows to be showing, it’s time I was going. It’s time. Thanks for watching, that’s our show.”

  • Burna Boy, Rema, melt Obama’s heart

    Former president of the United States of America, Barack Obama, recently took to his Twitter page to share his list of favourite songs in 2019. Interestingly, Obama’s list included 35 songs and two of them were from Nigeria. The 44th president of the United States of America named Nigeria’s Burna Boy’s Anybody and Rema’s Iron Man as two of his favourite songs from 2019.

    Sharing the list, Obama accompanied it with a caption that reads: “From hip-hop to country to The Boss, here are my songs of the year. If you’re looking for something to keep you company on a long drive or help you turn up a workout, I hope there’s a track or two in here that does the trick.” Obama also recommended the songs on the list for those in need of some musical jams.

    Women are indisputably better than men Barack Obama

    Among the songs featured on the list is ‘Mood 4 Eva’ by Beyonce, ‘The Fact of Love’ by Joe Henry, ‘Not’ by Big Thief and ‘Go DJ’ by Kaytranada. ‘Middle Child’ by J. Cole also made the cut alongside ‘Redesigning Women,’ a song by the Highwomen.

    Although “Dumebi” and “Corny” are the more popular singles by the newcomer, with “Dumebi” being one of the year’s biggest afropop tracks — it is Rema’s debut single that captured the hearts of The Obama’s, who included “Iron Man” in their summer rotation.

    Recall in August 2019, the former President shared his summer playlist and fast rising Nigerian Afropop singer, Divine Ikubor aka Rema was sitting at number 42 with Iron Man.

    According to Obama, it was a sampling of “what Michelle and I have been listening to — some new, some old, some fast, some slow. Hope you enjoy.

    Obama urges Americans to reject leaders who stoke hatred

    We hope to record more wins as such in the coming year.”

    Rema has made a monumental imprint on Nigerian music this year, and as our artistes continue to gain traction overseas, it is no surprise that the wunderkind has caught the attention of many foreign consumers of afropop, including Obama.

    For the self-acclaimed African giant – Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy – making Obama’s list, it is no surprising following his roaring success in the year past having being nominated for the world Grammys Best World Music Album category.