Category: US Politics

The Latest: President, daughters enjoy shave ice in Kailua

Following an exciting trip to Waikiki, President Barack Obama, his two daughters, and close friends made their way back to the east side of the island Saturday to unwind with some local style “shave ice” at Island Snow in Kailua. The popular Hawaiian dessert combines thinly shaved ice with different flavors of syrup and assorted toppings.

Another voice: The college debt debate

Janet Yellen, chair of the Federal Reserve, spoke at the University of Baltimore’s midyear commencement on Monday, and her message was about as upbeat as any the students will ever hear from a practitioner of the dismal science. The economy is nearly at full employment, with prospects especially strong for college graduates, for whom the unemployment rate is an infinitesimal 2.3 percent.

Trump’s choices shouldn’t be surprising

There has been much hand-wringing in some circles about many of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet selections, people who seem to disdain the very agencies he is asking them to direct. Yet Trump, sometimes criticized for not being a true Republican, is making Cabinet choices that line up well with the party’s rhetoric and stated ideology.

Trump says he will dissolve foundation amid NY investigation

President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday he will dissolve his charitable foundation amid efforts to eliminate any conflicts of interest before he takes office next month. The revelation comes as the New York attorney general’s office investigates the foundation following media reports that foundation spending went to benefit Trump’s campaign.

Israel’s Netanyahu lashes out at Obama over UN vote

In this Dec. 11, 2016, file photo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem. Netanyahu lashed out at President Barack Obama on Saturday, Dec. 24, accusing him of a “shameful ambush” at the United Nations over West Bank settlements and saying he is looking forward to working with his “friend” President-elect Donald Trump.

Israela s Netanyahu lashes out at Obama over UN vote

Israel’s prime minister lashed out at President Barack Obama on Saturday, accusing him of a “shameful ambush” at the United Nations over West Bank settlements and saying he is looking forward to working with his “friend” President-elect Donald Trump. Benjamin Netanyahu’s comments came a day after the United States broke with past practice and allowed the U.N. Security Council to condemn Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem as a “flagrant violation” of international law.

Republicans on taxes: Cut rates, brackets but what about deficit

Congressional Republicans are planning a massive overhaul of the nation’s tax system next year, a heavy political lift that could ultimately affect families at every income level and businesses of every size. Their goal is to simplify a complicated tax code that rewards wealthy people with smart accountants, and corporations that can easily shift profits – and jobs – overseas.

Trump vows to dissolve charitable foundation

US President-elect Donald Trump has said he intends to dissolve his controversial philanthropic foundation to avoid any conflicts of interest with his presidency. Mr Trump’s sprawling portfolio of US and overseas business interests and holdings, as well as his Donald J Trump Foundation, have come under increased scrutiny in the weeks since his election.

Klobuchar will run again for Senate, rules herself out for governor’s race

Duty-Bound: U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar turned down calls urging her to run for governor, saying instead that her experience is need at a pivotal time in Washington. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar will run for re-election in 2018, ruling herself out for Minnesota’s next race for governor as she prepares to challenge the new Trump administration and look for ways to work with Republicans leading Congress.

This Christmas my prayers are for the people of Aleppo

It is a Christmas accompanied by the horrors of mass executions of women and children, airstrikes and barrel bombing of civilians – and mostly world silence in response. Americans witnessed neatly edited clips of human suffering in Aleppo as its residents made heartbreaking pleas for the world to save them.

Sanders’ bid, Hardwood tragedy top Vermont stories for 2016

In this May 26, 2015 file photo, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., formally announces in Burlington, Vt., that he he will seek the Democratic nomination for president while his grandson, Dylan Driscoll, 3, lays in the shade by the stage. Sanders’ strength in the primaries was chosen 2016’s top state story in a poll of journalists at Associated Press member newspapers and broadcasters in Vermont.

Critics say a popular vote would take power from the ‘white establishment’ – but it might not

Bill O’Reilly doesn’t want the Electoral College – or the disproportionate power it brings rural, white voters – to disappear. In a two-and-a-half minute introduction to the segment, the conservative Fox News anchor threw his support behind the system, insisting its survival was necessary to ensure that voters in predominantly rural states are not overrun by a growing population of minorities in city centers.

Obama just made it harder for Trump to create a Muslim registry

Outgoing President Barack Obama has made no secret of the fact that he thinks Donald Trump’s on-again-off-again plan to create a database of Muslims in the United States is a bad idea, but once the president-elect takes office, there won’t be anything he can do to stop him. On his way out the door, however, Obama did put an obstacle in Trump’s way.

Vote on Israel could spur further action – or trouble for UN

The U.S. green light that allowed the U.N. Security Council to condemn Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem could spur moves toward new terms to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But it also poses dangers for the United Nations with the incoming Trump administration and may harden Israel’s attitude toward concessions.

As Obama accomplished policy goals, his party floundered

In boasting about his tenure in the White House, President Barack Obama often cites numbers like these: 15 million new jobs, a 4.9 per cent unemployment rate and 74 months of consecutive job growth. That’s the number of spots in state legislatures, governor’s mansions and Congress lost by Democrats during Obama’s presidency.

What do CBS News correspondents predict will happen in 2017?

“Face the Nation” host John Dickerson prepares for the show from the Face the Nation desk on October 30th, 2016 “Face the Nation” host John Dickerson will discuss predictions for 2017 with a panel of CBS News correspondents in a segment that will air Sunday. CBS News Justice and Homeland Security Correspondent Jeff Pegues said that he predicts FBI Director James Comey will stay in his job despite the blowback he received from how he handled the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails and the last-minute discovery of related emails a week before the election.

Sandersa bid, Hardwood tragedy top Vermont stories for 2016

Sen. Bernie Sanders’ strength in the Democratic presidential primaries has been chosen the top Vermont story of the year for 2016 in a poll of journalists at Associated Press member newspapers and broadcasters. Second place went to something much more tragic: the October deaths of five Harwood Union High School students in a crash caused by a wrong-way driver on Interstate 89. Others on the top 10 list included the alleged “Ponzi-like” scheme to defraud foreign investors in development projects in northern Vermont; Republican Phil Scott’s victory in the gubernatorial race; and the failed effort to legalize marijuana.

Sandersa bid, Hardwood tragedy top Vermont stories for 2016

Sen. Bernie Sanders’ strength in the Democratic presidential primaries has been chosen the top Vermont story of the year for 2016 in a poll of journalists at Associated Press member newspapers and broadcasters. Second place went to something much more tragic: the October deaths of five Harwood Union High School students in a crash caused by a wrong-way driver on Interstate 89. Others on the top 10 list included the alleged “Ponzi-like” scheme to defraud foreign investors in development projects in northern Vermont; Republican Phil Scott’s victory in the gubernatorial race; and the failed effort to legalize marijuana.

Vote on Israel could spur further action – or trouble for UN

In this photo provided by the United Nations, Samantha Power, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, addresses the United Nations Security Council, after the council voted on condemning Israel’s settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, Friday, Dec. 23, 2016 at United Nations Headquarters. In a striking rupture with past practice, the United States allowed the U.N. Security Council on Friday to condemn Israel.

Michelle Obama’s fashion influence rivaled Jackie Kennedy’s

In this Sept. 4, 2012 file photo, first lady Michelle Obama, dressed in a Tracy Reese pink silk jaquard dress, walks on the stage at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. Reese, who hails from Detroit, is clearly one of the first lady’s favored designers as Obama has been photographed in her clothes between 20 and 30 times.

For girls, Michelle Obama is an empowering example

The feel-good initiatives of first lady Michelle Obama have served as both inspiration and eight years of teaching moments for many families. So what, exactly, do they think is her legacy over a period that spans much of the lifetime of today’s kids? “I think she stands for kindness in America,” said Alexis Shenkiryk, a 12-year-old in Del Mar, California.

Vote on Israel could spur further action a ” or trouble for UN

The U.S. green light that allowed the U.N. Security Council to condemn Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem could spur moves toward new terms to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But it also poses dangers for the United Nations with the incoming Trump administration and may harden Israel’s attitude toward concessions.

Obama accused of collaborating with Palestine as U.S. declines to veto anti-Israel resolution at UN

Members of the United Nations Security council vote at the United Nations headquarters on Friday, Dec. 23, 2016, in favour of condemning Israel for its practice of establishing settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem. Samantha Power, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, addresses the United Nations Security Council, after the council voted on condemning Israel’s settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, Friday, Dec. 23, 2016 at United Nations Headquarters.