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Former first daughter Barbara Bush tells AP about helping lead NBA's social responsibility efforts
Read full article: Former first daughter Barbara Bush tells AP about helping lead NBA's social responsibility effortsBarbara Bush never got to any of the NBA championship celebrations held at the White House when her grandfather was president of the United States.
Jill Biden's travels show range of missions and emotions
Read full article: Jill Biden's travels show range of missions and emotionsWithin the span of 36 hours this past week, Jill Biden went from clinking cups of beer with Doug Emhoff, the vice president's spouse, at a baseball game in Houston to joining the president in Florida to comfort families affected by the collapsed condominium building in Surfside.
Former presidents, first ladies urge Americans to get shots
Read full article: Former presidents, first ladies urge Americans to get shots(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)WASHINGTON – Four former presidents are urging Americans to get vaccinated as soon as COVID-19 doses are available to them, as part of a campaign to overcome hesitancy about the shots. Two public service announcements from the Ad Council and the business-supported COVID Collaborative feature Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter as well as first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton, and Rosalynn Carter. In a 60-second spot, the former presidents say what they're most looking forward to once the pandemic ends. It features Bush, Obama and Clinton encouraging vaccinations. The “It's Up to You” campaign encourages Americans to visit www.GetVaccineAnswers.org to get the facts about the vaccines.
Myanmar coup crisis grows after years of US neglect
Read full article: Myanmar coup crisis grows after years of US neglectAnti-coup protesters display pictures of deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon, Myanmar, Tuesday, March 2, 2021. The Obama administration reveled in the restoration of civilian rule in the longtime U.S. pariah as a top foreign policy achievement and a potential model for engaging with other adversaries, such as Iran and Cuba. But today, Myanmar is once again an international outcast, facing a new wave of U.S. sanctions. Still, the Obama administration continued to have faith in her. Despite Kerry’s two trips to Myanmar, the administration became rapidly consumed with the Iran nuclear deal and normalization of ties with Cuba.
Inauguration fashion: Purple, pearls, American designers
Read full article: Inauguration fashion: Purple, pearls, American designers(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, Pool)Joe Biden and Kamala Harris showcased American designers at their inauguration Wednesday, and Harris gave a nod to women's suffrage, Shirley Chisholm and her beloved sorority in pearls and purple. Pearls had a strong fashion showing, in line with a social media campaign that had inauguration watchers donning strands in support and celebration of Harris. “If there’s a message to be taken from today’s inauguration fashion, it’s that those who attended are signaling faith in unity and bipartisanship, as well as restoring truth and trust,” Torgerson said. Another inauguration fashion star on Twitter was Nikolas Ajagu, the husband of Harris' niece, Meena Harris. It was updated on January 21, 2021, to correct the fact that Meena Harris is Vice President Kamala Harris’ niece, not her sister.
An inauguration unlike any other amid a pandemic, unrest
Read full article: An inauguration unlike any other amid a pandemic, unrestFinal preparations are made ahead of the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. What to watch for on Inauguration Day:THE SWEARING-INBiden's oath of office is the only essential. Others say the first eyewitness account of a president using those words came at Chester Arthur’s inauguration in 1881. Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman will read an original poem, “The Hill We Climb.”THE SPEECHA president’s inauguration speech is designed to set the tone and the policies the new administration will pursue. The National Mall is closed and just a fraction of the tickets usually handed out for an inauguration will be distributed.
INAUGURATION EXPLAINER: Biden's event will be very different
Read full article: INAUGURATION EXPLAINER: Biden's event will be very differentThe outgoing president traditionally attends the inauguration to symbolize the peaceful transfer of power. And there will be no inaugural balls for Biden, Harris and their spouses to dance the night away. But in the wake of the violent Jan. 6 mob attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters, all semblance of normality might be gone. Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Harris and second gentlemen Douglas Emhoff will later visit Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The inauguration comes just two weeks after the insurrection at the Capitol by Trump supporters as Congress was confirming Biden's victory.
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter won't attend Biden's inauguration
Read full article: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter won't attend Biden's inaugurationFILE- In this Sept. 30, 2018 file photo, former President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter are seen ahead of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Cincinnati Bengals, in Atlanta. Former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter will not attend President-elect Joe Bidens inauguration. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)ATLANTA – Former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter will not attend President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. Carter was the first former president to confirm his plans to attend Trump’s inauguration in 2017. The elder Bush was the lone former president at the time who did not attend Trump’s inauguration.
Rights group asserts 'Hotel Rwanda' hero was forcibly taken
Read full article: Rights group asserts 'Hotel Rwanda' hero was forcibly taken(Eric Draper/The White House via AP)JOHANNESBURG – Paul Rusesabagina sounded strained. “Paul briefly mentioned boarding a plane on the call, but this was strained and he cut off the discussion immediately after. The legal team points to publicly available flight records. But Rwandan authorities accuse him of supporting the armed wing of his opposition political platform, which has claimed responsibility for deadly attacks inside Rwanda. Rusesabagina’s legal team has filed a complaint with the United Nations special rapporteur on torture, and the office is “moving forward with their procedures,” Endless said.
Birthday quiz: One mellow guy
Read full article: Birthday quiz: One mellow guyNovember 4: Matthew McConaughey (1969) Others: Sean "Diddy" Combs (1969), Ralph Macchio (1962), Jeff Probst (1962), Kathy Griffin (1960), Markie Post (1950), Laura Bush (1946) and Loretta Swit (1937)Distributed by LAKANA. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.