When Barack Obama finished his eight years as US President on 20 January 2017, he opened a whole new chapter in his life. As one of the most powerful men in the world, his day was meticulously planned down to the minute. But after Donald Trump took over as President, Obama was left to figure out how to spend his time away from the White House. His first port of call was a holiday away with the family, where he indulged in a spot of kite surfing with billionaire Sir Richard Branson. But it wasn't long before he was back in the spotlight again, meeting foreign dignitaries and even finding time to turn up for jury duty. Here we keep track of what America's 44th President has been doing to fill his time since leaving office. May 2018 May saw Barack and wife Michelle sign a multi-year deal with Netflix to make tv series and films for the online streaming service. Obama said: "One of the simple joys of our time in public service was getting to meet so many fascinating people from all walks … [Read more...] about What Barack Obama has been up to since Donald Trump took over as President
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Donald Trump’s Scottish golf course hidden fees highlight how companies are screwing us over all the time
Donald Trump versus Simon Calder. There was only ever likely to be one winner. Thanks to The Independent’s indefatigable travel correspondent the £20 “resort fee” that Trump’s Scottish golf course, Turnberry, had attempted to impose on its guests has been pretty swiftly removed by its managers. Simon’s hand was doubtless strengthened by the fact that such concealed-but-compulsory charges for things like wi-fi, swimming pool access, in-room coffee machines etc are actually illegal here in the UK. And long may it remain so. This is one kind of American import against which we should resist as vigorously as Trump himself seeks to repel Chinese steel and Mexican-made cars. A report commissioned by the outgoing Obama administration in 2016 notes that such sneaky fees in the American hospitality industry extorted more than $2bn (£1.4bn) out of Americans in 2015. Despite only being introduced in the late 1990s such fees have metastasised … [Read more...] about Donald Trump’s Scottish golf course hidden fees highlight how companies are screwing us over all the time
Stormy Daniels is emerging as the feminist hero from the Donald Trump affair
When you’re a star, as a revered philosopher almost said, you can do anything to them. You can even grab ’em by the balls. On Sunday evening the porn star Stormy Daniels will do just that. She will metaphorically take her Commander-in-Chief’s gonads in hand and give them a painful yank. Daniels’s CBS interview about the affair with Donald Trump, which she alleges ranged from 2006 to 2007, was recorded weeks ago but was delayed by legal grappling. It will finally be broadcast at midnight our time. The interview will offer a diversion from other concerns about Trump’s fitness for office. For a few days, such banal questions as “When will he start the nuclear war?”, and “How many more key personnel must he lose before he appoints the Unabomber as Secretary of Defence?” will simmer on the back burner. Bubbling away on the front hob will be a question of character rather than sanity. What kind of man starts an affair with a … [Read more...] about Stormy Daniels is emerging as the feminist hero from the Donald Trump affair
Donald Trump openly attacks Amazon over taxes and business practices
Donald Trump has hit out at Amazon over its business practices and said that “unlike others, they pay little or no taxes to state and local governments”, saying he raised such concerns “long before the [2016] election”. The web retail giant was “putting many thousands of retailers out of business”, the president said. It comes a day after reports he had discussed using anti-trust laws to rein in Jeff Bezos‘ company sent share prices plummeting and wiped $30bn (£21bn) off its value. Mr Trump tweeted: “I have stated my concerns with Amazon long before the Election. Unlike others, they pay little or no taxes to state & local governments, use our Postal System as their Delivery Boy (causing tremendous loss to the U.S.), and are putting many thousands of retailers out of business!” Read more Amazon wins grocery foothold in France through Monoprix deal Asked about reports Mr Trump was considering clamping down on … [Read more...] about Donald Trump openly attacks Amazon over taxes and business practices
Donald Trump calls Roseanne Barr to congratulate her on sitcom reboot
Donald Trump personally phoned Roseanne Barr to congratulate the actor on her TV show revival which saw an estimated 18.4 million people tune into the sitcom's debut. The US President also called Barr, who has endorsed Mr Trump despite previously voicing left-wing views, on Wednesday to thank her for lending him support. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed the call between the actor and Mr Trump - who is famed for his obsession with ratings - had taken place. Read more A ridiculous number of people watched the Roseanne reboot Roseanne is back: But does 2018 actually need her? 'Roseanne' star says hit sitcom returning to tackle Trump's America Roseanne returned to screens more than two decades after it ended its original run. The series, which focused on an Illinois working class family called the Conners, became the most watched show in the US from 1989 to 1990. The revival’s debut sees a family row erupt between … [Read more...] about Donald Trump calls Roseanne Barr to congratulate her on sitcom reboot