UpFront special: What is Obama’s legacy?

In an UpFront special, we ask his former policy adviser and his personal aide about the man and his policies. In this week’s UpFront, we speak to former US President Barack Obama adviser Derek Chollet on the legacy of the outgoing president’s foreign and security policies.

‘Who’s next?’ Trump’s aides asked the EU leadership which country…

‘We are proud of the amazing women you have become’: Jenna Bush breaks down in tears as she and sister Barbara read letter to Malia and Sasha Obama praising their years in the White House Killed by a space heater? Tragic house fire that killed six children from the same family while hero eight-year-old girl pulled her mom to safety could have been caused by electric heater Trump says ‘phony allegations’ in dirty dossier were compiled by ‘political opponents and a failed spy’ and ‘probably’ leaked by intelligence Oklahoma man is forced to pay child support for someone else’s child because he asked for a DNA test when his marriage ended… three years too late EXCLUSIVE: Is Anthony back home babysitting? Huma Abedin joins group of men for a cozy meal at upscale NYC eatery hours after disgraced husband is seen for first time since sex rehab No more yo-yoing, delicious al desko lunches and … (more)

The misfortunes of the vice presidents from Indiana

Indiana has produced five vice presidents, but history shows that they didn’t have the best of luck once in office. “I just want to give Mike Pence an advanced warning that sometimes Hoosiers and the vice presidency do not go well together,” said Ray Boomhower, senior editor of the Indiana Historical Society Press.

CNN at war with Donald Trump over what reporting unleashed

A week before the inauguration, CNN is at war with an incoming president, not necessarily for what it reported but for what its reporting unleashed. For all the noise – accusations of “fake news,” the confrontation between Donald Trump and CNN’s Jim Acosta at a news conference, false claims about what CNN had reported or linked to – that realization emerged toward the end of a remarkable 25-minute televised confrontation between Anderson Cooper and Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway.

Five ideas for America’s capable new cyber czar, Rudy Giuliani

Rudy Giuliani faces what is perhaps the greatest challenge of our generation. How can our government effectively face down myriad and rapidly morphing cyber security threats? President-elect Trump tapped the former New York mayor to tackle an issue that will likely define his presidency and our country’s prospects for the future.

10 things to know for Friday

If there are going to be fireworks in the Senate over Cabinet nominees, they’re yet to come after nearly one week with various statements from some of the picks contradicting Trump’s own oft-stated positions on issues. Mayor Rahm Emanuel has pushed through some reforms over the year, though the report is likely to call for additional, more sweeping change.

House set to vote on Obamacare repeal step

The House is set to vote Friday on a resolution that will begin the process of repealing Obamacare, though disagreement continues within the Republican Party on how best to proceed. Though the GOP is mostly uniform in agreement that President Barack Obama’s health law should be rolled back, debate has been heated on the appropriate pace to do so and how to handle replacing it.

Justice Department to release Chicago police abuse report

The U.S. Justice Department plans to release a major report Friday on the Chicago Police Department after a yearlong civil rights investigation that is expected to find a pattern and practice of violations over many years. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson are among officials scheduled to attend a news conference Friday morning and publicly release the report, which is expected to be lengthy.

Conservatives think theya ve caught Paul Krugman in an act of hypocrisy. They havena t.

There’s nothing more predictable than people being in favor of deficits when their preferred political party is in power, and against them when it’s not. Republicans, as you might recall, have spent the last eight years warning that Obama’s deficits would turn us into Greece to the point of actively trying to force us to default on the debt as a way to supposedly keep us from doing so tomorrow, only to turn around and get ready to add $9 trillion of red ink now that they’re in charge.

Obama surprises Vice President Biden with Medal of Freedom

With widespread low elevation snow across the Inland Northwest, there is the possibility for small stream and urban WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Barack Obama surprised Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday by awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction in an emotional White House ceremony that celebrated their partnership over eight years in office. “This is an extraordinary man,” Obama said of his friend and running mate at a surprise ceremony with staff, family and friends of the vice president.

Krauthammer Steams – Dems Are ‘Leaving Behind As Many Landmines As They Can’ [VIDEO]

Charles Krauthammer criticized Democrats for leaving behind “landmines” to undermine Donald Trump’s presidency during a panel discussion on Fox News Thursday night. “I don’t want to impute a general conspiracy but it looks as if the Democrats, on their way out the door, are trying to leave behind as many landmines as they can to at least cast doubts on the legitimacy of the Trump victory,” the Fox News host stated.

Report on Chicago police to raise questions about next steps

The U.S. Department of Justice is poised to release a report Friday detailing the extent of civil rights violations committed by the Chicago Police Department, which will trigger negotiations with the federal government and provide an early sign of how much pressure President-elect Donald Trump’s administration will be willing to exert on cities to reform police agencies. Under President Barack Obama, the Justice Department opened investigations into 25 law enforcement agencies and negotiated court-enforced settlements with most of the cities.

Bush twins write touching letter to Sasha and Malia Obama about being first daughters

In 2009, as their father penned a letter to his successor, the twin daughters of President George W. Bush, Jenna and Barbara, wrote a letter of their own. Their dad’s would be confidential and offer advice, tucked away in the top drawer of the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, where incoming President Barack Obama would find it on his first day of work as leader of the free world.

The little-known ethics director who took on Trump

It was already a frantic day in the Donald Trump presidential transition: The incoming president had attacked a reporter at a circus-like press conference, and a series of Cabinet confirmation hearings were producing fireworks. Walter M. Shaub, the director of the previously obscure Office of Government Ethics, was speaking at the staid Brookings Institution, and he lit into the incoming president for his plan to separate himself from his business empire.

10 Things to Know for Today

Defense Secretary-designate James Mattis listens to questions from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., about his views on women and gays serving in the military, during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, on Capitol Hill in Washington. less Defense Secretary-designate James Mattis listens to questions from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., about his views on women and gays serving in the military, during his confirmation hearing before the Senate … more Cuban migrant Yarisel Isac Wilson, 20, right, cries as she talks about her journey to the U.S. at a migrant shelter in Panama City, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017.

Democrats find Trump’s picks more reasonable than Trump himself

The lack of fireworks surrounding Senate consideration of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks may reflect a belief by minority Democrats that the people chosen are more reasonable than Trump. It could also be the residue of a surprising number of statements by Trump’s Cabinet choices contradicting the billionaire businessman’s oft-stated positions on issues running the gamut from Russia and NATO to nuclear weapons and Muslims.

Obama gives emotional farewell speech

“By almost every measure, America is a better, stronger place” than it was eight years ago when he took office, he told thousands of supporters. He implored Americans of all backgrounds to consider things from each other’s point of view, saying “we have to pay attention and listen”.

Kerry visits Vietnam on last trip as US secretary of state

Secretary of State John Kerry met Vietnamese leaders Friday during his last trip as the top diplomat for the United States. Kerry later left for Ho Chi Minh City to meet a group of Vietnamese youth and is scheduled Saturday to tour the Mekong delta province of Ca Mau, where he fought during the Vietnam War almost 50 years ago.

Guilford Mom Shines Spotlight On Opioid Epidemic

Sue Kruczek didn’t know that when she began talking a year ago about how her son died of a drug overdose at the age of 20 that she would become one of the go to spokespeople on the opioid epidemic plaguing the state of Connecticut. She was at the side of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy last May when he signed landmark legislation placing a 7-day cap on opioid prescription, a law sponsored by Guilford State Rep. Sean Scanlon, another politician that Kruczek has spent much of the past year with at events concerning the opioid crisis.

UPDATE 2-Australia’s DUET Group recommends raised offer from Hong Kong’s CKI

Jan 16 Australian energy firm DUET Group on Monday said its board would recommend a takeover offer from a consortium led by Hong Kong’s Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings after the price was increased slightly to value the company at A$7.37 billion . DUET shareholders will receive A$3.03 a share, up A$0.03 from the offer CKI made in December, the takeover target said in a statement, recommending the proposal in the absence of a higher offer.

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Though he says it’s not a tooth-and-nail sibling rivalry, Sen. Mike Lee does see one advantage in getting the U.S. Supreme Court nomination over his older brother. If picked for a high-court post by President-elect Donald Trump, he’d be in a position to overrule decisions made by his brother, Thomas Lee, associate chief justice on the Utah Supreme Court.

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Though he says it’s not a tooth-and-nail sibling rivalry, Sen. Mike Lee does see one advantage in getting the U.S. Supreme Court nomination over his older brother. If picked for a high-court post by President-elect Donald Trump, he’d be in a position to overrule decisions made by his brother, Thomas Lee, associate chief justice on the Utah Supreme Court.