Why the Obamas returned to the White House

Published

3 years ago

September 8, 2022

It was quite the occasion at the White House on Wednesday with former President Barack Obama returning for a special ceremony

Former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle returned to the White House on Wednesday for the unveiling of official portraits.

Barack Obama selected Robert McCurdy to paint his portrait and says the “stripped down” style of his works helps create an “encounter” between the person in the painting and the person looking at it.

Barack took his chance being back at the White House to thank President Biden.

Back to the portraits, and It’s a modern vibe for the former First Lady’s too.

The video of Michelle Obama:

"We hold an inauguration to ensure a peaceful transition of power. Those of us lucky enough to serve work, as Barack said, as hard as we can, for as long as we can — as long as the people choose to keep us here — and once our time is up, we move on." pic.twitter.com/2fns1hx3NG
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) September 7, 2022

“A girl like me was never supposed to be up there next to Jacqueline Kennedy … she was never supposed to live in this house,” @MichelleObama says, looking at her portrait as it’s unveiled. “What we are seeing is a reminder that there is a place for everyone in this country.” pic.twitter.com/YWottCJRdg
— Jeff Zeleny (@jeffzeleny) September 7, 2022

Sharon Sprung painted Michelle Obama seated on a sofa in the Red Room wearing a formal light blue dress.

Sprung worked on the portrait for eight months, day and night, the most time she’s ever spent on a single painting.

She worked entirely from photographs and getting the dress just right was the hardest part.

The portraits do not look like any others in the collection to which they will be added, in terms of style and substance.

Obama’s portrait is destined for display in the Grand Foyer of the White House, the traditional showcase for paintings of the two most recent presidents.

Lando Norris claims first F1 World Championship after dramatic Abu Dhabi showdown

Published

3 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Lando Norris secures his first F1 World Championship at Abu Dhabi, becoming Britain’s 11th World Champion with 423 points.

Lando Norris has clinched his maiden Formula 1 World Championship after an electrifying finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. In a race packed with tension, Norris held onto third place — the exact result he needed to secure the title.

His performance not only sealed his first championship but also cemented him as Britain’s 11th F1 World Champion, marking a historic moment for McLaren and the sport.

Norris closed out the season with 423 points, marking a defining milestone in his career.

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#Formula1 #F1News #LandoNorris #MaxVerstappen #OscarPiastri #AbuDhabiGP #McLarenF1 #TickerNews

News

China naval activity raises tensions from Philippines to Galápagos

Rising tensions in the South China Sea prompt expert insights on regional security and global trade implications.

Published

3 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Rising tensions in the South China Sea prompt expert insights on regional security and global trade implications.

Tensions in the South China Sea are rising as Chinese naval and fishing vessels are spotted near the Philippines and even as far as the Galápagos Islands. Experts warn these movements could impact regional security and international waters.

We speak with Tim Harcourt from UTS to break down the significance of these developments, including the role of Taiwan, ASEAN, and Japan in responding to Chinese maritime activity.

From potential diplomatic fallout to economic implications, this interview dives into what these naval movements mean for the future of the region and global trade.

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#ChinaNaval #SouthChinaSea #Geopolitics #Philippines #Galapagos #MaritimeTensions #InternationalRelations #TickerNews

News

Netflix’s $72B Warner Bros. deal faces backlash

Netflix’s $72 billion Warner Bros. acquisition faces backlash from lawmakers and industry groups over competition and consumer choice concerns.

Published

4 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Netflix’s $72 billion Warner Bros. acquisition faces backlash from lawmakers and industry groups over competition and consumer choice concerns.

Netflix’s $72 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. has sparked major controversy, drawing sharp criticism from lawmakers and industry groups. The mega-merger is under scrutiny for potentially reshaping the entertainment landscape.

Senator Elizabeth Warren has voiced strong opposition, calling the deal a threat to competitive markets. Republican lawmakers also expressed concerns over Netflix’s growing market power, warning that the merger could limit consumer choice.

The Writers Guild of America has urged regulators to block the deal, citing risks to jobs and content diversity. Cinema United also warned that the acquisition could harm the cinema industry. Regulatory approval could take up to 18 months.

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#Netflix #WarnerBros #Merger #ElizabethWarren #WritersGuild #CinemaIndustry #EntertainmentNews #StreamingWars