.com | Trump: Only ‘stupid’ people oppose better Russia ties

President-elect Donald Trump says "only 'stupid' people or fools" would dismiss closer ties with Russia and he seemed unswayed after his classified briefing on an intelligence report that accused Moscow of meddling on his behalf in the election that catapulted him to power. "Having a good relationship with Russia is a good thing, not a bad thing," Trump said in a series of tweets.

Law allows huge expansion of historic Civil War battlefield

Virginia's Petersburg National Battlefield, a climactic site in the collapse of the Confederacy in the Civil War, has been cleared for a huge expansion under a new law that would authorize it to become the nation's largest protected battlefield. The park commemorates sites in the war's longest battlefield conflict, marked by bursts of bloody trench warfare spanning some 10 months between 1864 and 1865.

How about sticking with our ally Israel?

So it's near the end of his time in office and President Barack Obama decides to put forever-threatened Israel at more of a disadvantage in maintaining its survival. Interestingly, the move could also weaken a United Nations that indeed needs weakening, but that was hardly the president's intent.

In emotional farewell speech, Michelle Obama praises diversity

U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama stops for selfies during her annual visit to the Toys for Tots event at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Dec. 7, 2016, in Washington, D.C. Photo by Kevin Lamarque/REUTERS WASHINGTON First Lady Michelle Obama made an impassioned case for embracing diversity and welcoming all religious groups in a not-so-veiled message to her husband's successor two weeks ahead of Inauguration Day. In what was billed as her last formal speech before President Barack Obama leaves office, the first lady said Friday at an event honoring high school counselors that the United States belonged to people from all backgrounds and walks of life.

LGBT activists view Obama as staunch champion of their cause

In this Friday, June 26, 2015 file photo, people gather in Lafayette Park to see the White House illuminated with rainbow colors in commemoration of the Supreme Court's ruling to legalize same-sex marriage in Washington. It was a new look for the White House: illuminated in rainbow colors to celebrate the Supreme Court decision allowing same-sex marriage nationwide.

Obama Admin Blocks Seismic Surveys in Atlantic Ocean

The Obama administration on Friday rejected requests by energy companies to conduct seismic surveys in the Atlantic Ocean to map potential drilling sites for oil and natural gas. The Interior Department said it denied six pending applications in part because President Barack Obama has blocked Atlantic drilling under a five-year offshore drilling plan finalized late last year.

Michelle Obama emotional in farewell speech

First lady Michelle Obama made an impassioned case for embracing diversity and welcoming all religious groups on Friday in a not-so-veiled message to her husband's successor two weeks ahead of Inauguration Day. In what was billed as her last formal speech before President Barack Obama leaves office, the first lady said at an event honouring high school counselors that the United States belonged to people from all backgrounds and walks of life.

US election hacking: Trump blames ‘negligent’ Democrats

Donald Trump says Democrats have shown "gross negligence" by allowing their servers to be hacked in the run-up to the 8 November presidential election. The US president-elect made the comments after a US intelligence report said Russian President Vladimir Putin had "sought to help Donald Trump win".

Concerns over dumping Obamacare growing among GOP lawmakers

Republicans are increasingly jittery over rushing to demolish much of President Barack Obama's health care law without having a GOP alternative that's ready to go. While nothing about revamping the nation's $3 trillion-a-year health care system will be easy, Republican leaders want congressional committees to have legislation dismantling much of Obama's overhaul ready by late January.

US goes from bandleader to bystander in Syria peace efforts

Stung by years of failure to stop Syria's bloodshed, the United States is now but a bystander to the civil war as President Barack Obama leaves office. Secretary of State John Kerry still is speaking sporadically with Russian, Turkish and Arab foreign ministers about cease-fire efforts, and there are occasional consultations with the opposition.

Obama’s Final Jobs Report: Big Pay Gain, Slower Hiring

Americans' paychecks rose in December at the fastest pace in more than seven years as steady hiring and low unemployment led some businesses to pay more to attract and keep workers. Employers added 156,000 jobs, a decent total that shows that moderate hiring remains sustainable 7 1/2 years after the recovery from the Great Recession began.

Trump Slams Dems for ‘Gross Negligence’ in Russian Hacking

President-elect Donald Trump slammed the Democratic National Committee late Friday for its "gross negligence" that allowed Russia to hack into its systems during the presidential campaign. The post came after Trump earlier Friday was briefed by U.S. intelligence officials on a report blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin for directing the hacking of the DNC and other party operatives to try to sway the election to the Republican candidate.

Jobs report reveals big pay gains, slower hiring

Americans' paychecks rose in December at the fastest pace in more than seven years as steady hiring and low unemployment led some businesses to pay more to attract and keep workers. Employers added 156,000 jobs, a decent total that shows that moderate hiring remains sustainable 7 years after the recovery from the Great Recession began.