White House news

• Japan condemns apparent Islamic State execution, demands hostage release

  24-01-2015 22:13
  
  By Antoni Slodkowski and Nobuhiro Kubo TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday called for the immediate release of a Japanese journalist held by Islamic State after a video surfaced claiming that a fellow Japanese captive had been executed. Japanese government officials said they had not confirmed the authenticity of the recording and an image of what appeared to be the decapitated body of Japanese captive Haruna Yukawa, who went missing in Syria in August. U.S. President
  
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• Japan condemns apparent IS execution, demands hostage release

  24-01-2015 22:13
  
  By Antoni Slodkowski and Nobuhiro Kubo TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday called for the immediate release of a Japanese journalist held by Islamic State after a video surfaced claiming that a fellow Japanese captive had been executed. Japanese government officials said they had not confirmed the authenticity of the recording and an image of what appeared to be the decapitated body of Japanese captive Haruna Yukawa, who went missing in Syria in August. U.S. President
  
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• Talk Show Hosts, Rejoice: Sarah Palin Says She May Enter the 2016 Election Fray

  24-01-2015 22:03
  
  Sarah Palin is “seriously interested” in pursuing the White House in 2016 — and no, this isn’t the setup for a late-night monologue joke. “You can absolutely say that I am seriously interested,” Palin told The Washington Post on Friday.
  
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• Obama condemns murder of Japanese man by Islamic State militants

  24-01-2015 21:09
  
  RAMSTEIN, Germany, Jan 24 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama strongly condemned on Saturday the killing of Japanese citizen Haruna Yukawa by Islamic State militants, the White House said in a statement. "Our condolences today are with the people of Japan for their terrible loss," said the statement, which was issued while Obama is en route to India. "We renew our call for the immediate release of Kenji Goto and all other remaining hostages," it said. An audio message that said Yukawa had be
  
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• Obama calls Saudi King Salman, offers condolence for passing of King Abdullah

  24-01-2015 21:06
  
  U.S. President Barack Obama called Saudi King Salman on Saturday to express sympathies for the passing of King Abdullah, the White House said. Obama, en route for a visit to India, called King Salman from Air Force One to "personally express his sympathies" following the passing of King Abdullah, it said in a statement. It said King Salman welcomed the news that Obama would travel to Riyadh on Tuesday to meet with him and offer condolences.
  
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• Obama to cut short India trip to pay call on Saudi Arabia

  24-01-2015 20:22
  
  President Barack Obama will shorten his trip to India and divert to Saudi Arabia, paying respects after the death of King Abdullah and meeting with the oil-rich nation's new monarch, the White House said ...
  
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• U.S. intel community working to verify reported killing of Japanese hostage

  24-01-2015 18:36
  
  The U.S. intelligence community is working to confirm the authenticity of a recording that purports to announce the execution of a Japanese citizen held by Islamic State militants, the White House said on Saturday. The audio message says that captive Haruna Yukawa has been killed. Islamic State has beheaded several foreign hostages, and in the past has issued videos showing the killings. "The intelligence community is working to confirm its authenticity," U.S. National Security Council deputy sp
  
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• U.S. intelligence community working to verify reported killing of Japanese hostage

  24-01-2015 18:33
  
  The U.S. intelligence community is working to confirm the authenticity of a recording that purports to announce the execution of a Japanese citizen held by Islamic State militants, the White House said on Saturday. The audio message says that captive Haruna Yukawa has been killed. Islamic State has beheaded several foreign hostages, and in the past has issued videos showing the killings. "The intelligence community is working to confirm its authenticity," U.S. National Security Council deputy sp
  
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• PM And Prince Charles Pay Tribute To Saudi King

  24-01-2015 17:48
  
  The Prime Minister and Prince Charles have arrived in Saudi Arabia following the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. They have joined a host of international dignitaries in Riyadh to pay their respects to the Saudi royal family. President Obama is to cut short his visit to India in order to fly to Saudi Arabia, a long-standing ally of the US. Mr Obama will travel to Riyadh on Tuesday to meet King Salman, the White House confirmed.
  
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• Dignitaries Gather To Pay Tribute To Saudi King

  24-01-2015 17:28
  
  The Prime Minister and Prince Charles have arrived in Saudi Arabia following the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. They have joined a host of international dignitaries in Riyadh to pay their respects to the Saudi royal family. President Obama is to cut short his visit to India in order to fly to Saudi Arabia, a long-standing ally of the US. Mr Obama will travel to Riyadh on Tuesday to meet King Salman, the White House confirmed.
  
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• Would-be 2016 GOP candidates woo Iowa's social conservatives

  24-01-2015 17:08
  
  DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — After years of campaigning in Iowa for others, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is venturing into new territory as a potential White House candidate appealing to social conservatives who hold sway in the early-voting state.
  
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• Leaders Gather To Pay Tribute To Saudi King

  24-01-2015 16:39
  
  Prime Minister David Cameron and The Prince of Wales, representing the Queen, are flying to Saudi Arabia following the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. They will join a host of international dignitaries in Riyadh to pay their respects to the Saudi royal family. President Obama is to cut short his visit to India in order to fly to Saudi Arabia, a long-standing ally of the US. Mr Obama will travel to Riyadh on Tuesday to meet King Salman, the White House confirmed.
  
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• Obama cuts short India trip to visit Saudi Arabia following King Abdullah's death

  24-01-2015 15:20
  
  Washington, Jan 24 (ANI): U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will fly to Saudi Arabia on January 27 to pay respects to the late King Abdullah's family, cutting short their India trip, a White House spokesman said. The president and the first lady, who are due to arrive in India Sunday to be the chief guest at India's Republic Day parade on Monday, have cancelled their visit to Taj Mahal in Agra and will instead fly to Riyadh on Tuesday, the Washington Post reported.
  
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• Obama, Michelle to miss Taj, travel to Riyadh instead

  24-01-2015 15:20
  
  Agra/Washington, Jan 24 (IANS) The much-anticipated visit by US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle to Agra to view the Taj Majal has been cancelled and the US first couple would instead head to Riyadh to condole the passing away of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, the White House said Saturday. Obama and Michelle "will travel to Riyadh Tuesday in order to pay respects to King Salman bin Abdulaziz and the family of the late king Abdullah bin Abdulaziz", the White House said.
  
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• White House press secretary jokes about Tom Brady, Deflategate

  24-01-2015 15:02
  
  Just how ridiculous has Deflategate become? Never mind that Patriots coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady had to hold separate press conferences on Thursday explaining what they knew and when they knew it, but it was the lead story on the nightly news a few hours later. On Friday, the White House even weighed in, with press secretary Josh Earnest joking about Brady's meandering 40-minute Q and A with the media. Brady might not make a good press secretary but Belichick would be awesome
  
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• Obama leaves for India visit

  24-01-2015 14:06
  
  Washington, Jan 24 (IANS) US President Barack Obama took off Saturday morning for his three-day historic visit to India to be the chief guest at India's Republic Day parade, described as a "genuine honour" by the White House. Due to inclement weather, Obama and first lady Michelle Obama arrived at the Andrews joint base by motorcade instead of Marine One. Obama's presidential Air Force One plane will have a refuelling stop at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany before flying to New Delhi. Shortly b
  
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• Obama cuts short India visit to meet new Saudi king

  24-01-2015 12:47
  
  US President Barack Obama has cut short his visit to India, cancelling a planned trip to the Taj Mahal, to "pay respects" to new King Salman in Saudi Arabia, the White House said Saturday. Obama was scheduled to go to India's famed monument to love accompanied by First Lady Michelle Obama at the end of a three-day visit to the country, during which he is to be chief guest at Monday's Republic Day celebrations. Instead, the White House said Obama would travel to Riyadh from Ne
  
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• Agra visit off, Obama heads to Riyadh

  24-01-2015 12:26
  
  Washington, Jan 24 (IANS) US President Barack Obama will travel to Riyadh to condole the death of Saudi Arabia's king Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and will not visit Agra, the White House said Saturday. Obama and his wife Michelle "will travel to Riyadh Tuesday in order to pay respects to King Salman bin Abdulaziz and the family of the late king Abdullah bin Abdulaziz," the statement, issued by White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest, said.
  
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• Agra visit off, Obama heads to Riyadh Tuesday

  24-01-2015 12:24
  
  Washington, Jan 24 (IANS) US President Barack Obama will travel to Riyadh to condole the death of Saudi Arabia's king Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and will not visit Agra, the White House said Saturday.
  
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• Obama cancels Taj Mahal visit to go to Riyadh

  24-01-2015 11:33
  
  New Delhi (AFP) - US President Barack Obama will cancel a planned trip to the Taj Mahal, cutting short his visit to India to travel to Saudi Arabia following King Abdullah's death, the White House said Saturday.
  
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• Obama, world leaders head to Saudi Arabia to offer condolences

  24-01-2015 11:29
  
  U.S. President Barack Obama will visit Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to meet its new King Salman after the death of his predecessor Abdullah on Friday, testimony to Riyadh's important role in energy markets and the fight against Islamist militancy. Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Francois Hollande and Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito will visit on Saturday and Sunday to offer condolences. Obama will cut short a visit to
  
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• Obama to go to Riyadh on Tuesday to meet new Saudi king - White House

  24-01-2015 11:24
  
  President Barack Obama will travel to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to meet with new King Salman to pay respects after the death of King Abdullah, the White House said on Saturday. Obama is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on Sunday where he will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attend the Republic Day parade. He will cut short his trip, missing a planned tour of the Taj Mahal, to travel to Saudi Arabia, the White House said. The White House had originally planned that U.S. Vice President Jo
  
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• Obama Joining PM To Pay Tribute To Saudi King

  24-01-2015 11:11
  
  Prime Minister David Cameron and The Prince of Wales, representing the Queen, are flying to Saudi Arabia today following the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. They will join a host of international dignitaries in Riyadh to pay their respects to the Saudi royal family. President Obama has cancelled the end of his visit to India - which included a visit to the Taj Mahal - in order to fly to Saudi Arabia, a long-standing ally of the United States. Mr Obama will travel to Riyadh on Tuesday to me
  
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• Obama to cut short India visit, fly to Saudi Arabia - sources

  24-01-2015 09:52
  
  U.S. President Barack Obama will cut short his visit to India on Tuesday to fly to Saudi Arabia following the death of King Abdullah, sources in the Indian capital familiar with the matter said on Saturday. The White House could not immediately be reached for comment. Obama was due to arrive in New Delhi on Sunday for a three-day trip, and will attend the Republic Day parade at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. King Abdullah died on Friday after a short illness and has been succeed
  
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• Obama to cut short India visit, fly to Saudi - sources

  24-01-2015 09:26
  
  NEW DELHI (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama will cut short his visit to India on Tuesday to visit Saudi Arabia, following the death of King Abdullah, sources in the Indian capital familiar with the matter said on Saturday. The White House could not immediately be reached for comment. Obama was due to arrive on Sunday for a three-day trip to India, where he will attend the Republic Day parade at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Reporting by Douglas Busvine and Roberta Rampto
  
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• Weekend tests fealty, viability of Republican 2016 hopefuls

  24-01-2015 07:06
  
  None of the candidates in waiting has officially launched a White House bid, and the first state-wide vote in the process to determine a party's nominee is a full 53 weeks away. Candidates charge out of the gate first in the heartland of Iowa, where anti-immigration congressman Steve King hosts the Iowa Freedom Summit. Of Saturday's speakers, no fewer than eight are believed to have their eyes on the White House. "It is the kickoff, (and) will set the tone for many of the contende
  
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• ROMNEY'S NON-CAMPAIGN

  24-01-2015 06:01
  
  Defeated once for the Republican presidential nomination, defeated the next time for the White House, Mitt Romney never was at the center of Republican affection. With the economy off life support and the former Massachusetts governor retaining his status as the poster child for the wealth gap, there might be little GOP appetite for a business wizard in the White House.
  
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• Obama heads for India, White House calls it 'genuine honour'

  24-01-2015 05:50
  
  Washington, Jan 24 (IANS) As President Barack Obama headed to India the White House called it a "genuine honour" and said he was very interested in injecting a new energy and vitality into the US-India relationship. It is a genuine honour to be invited as the guest for Republic Day" and Obama "is looking forward to see the festivities associated with Republic Day firsthand," his press secretary said Friday. "We've got many colorful descriptions about the parade and other festivities that go alon
  
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• Democrats rally around Obama amid furore over Netanyahu Congress visit

  24-01-2015 02:38
  
  Washington, Jan 24 (IANS) The White House is growing more confident it can withstand efforts to frustrate its policy of nuclear talks with Iran, as a furore over the intervention of the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, appears to be encouraging wavering Democrats to rally around their president.
  
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• Potential 2016 GOP Hopefuls Flock to Iowa Freedom Summit

  24-01-2015 02:01
  
  The date for the first-in-the-nation Iowa could still change, but Republicans are already descending on the key presidential state’s capital this weekend for the Iowa Freedom Summit -- one of the first showcases for prospective 2016 GOP candidates, but definitely not the last. The summit is hosted by Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, whose events have become must-attends for politicians looking to build up credibility with conservative voters in Iowa. Many of the most buzzed-about potential Republican
  
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• 7 People Obama Has Agreed to Meet With (Not Named Netanyahu)

  24-01-2015 02:01
  
  Citing a “long-standing practice” that precludes American presidents from meeting with heads of state on the eve of their elections, the White House announced this week President Obama has declined to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he comes to Washington in March to advocate for new sanctions against Iran. House Speaker John Boehner had just announced he invited the Israeli leader to address Congress without consulting the White House -- perceived to be a dig at the
  
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