Barack Obama

Obama commutes Chelsea Manning sentence

The 29-year-old transgender US Army private, born Bradley Manning, will be freed on 17 May instead of her scheduled 2045 release.

She was sentenced to 35 years in 2013 for her role in leaking diplomatic cables to the anti-secrecy group.

The leak was one of the largest breaches of classified material in US history.

The White House had suggested in recent days it was open to commuting Manning's sentence.

Tearful Joe Biden awarded freedom medal by Obama

Mr Obama praised his vice-president for his "faith in your fellow Americans, for your love of country and your lifetime of service".

The award comes as both men prepare to leave office when Donald Trump is inaugurated on 20 January.

Mr Biden has said he plans to stay active in Democratic Party politics.

 

'No inkling'

A visibly emotional Joe Biden stood by as Mr Obama heaped praise on what he called the "best possible choice, not just for me, but for the American people".

Why Sasha didn't attend Obama's speech

First lady Michelle Obama put her arm around Malia as the President spoke Tuesday evening.

"Malia," Obama said, gesturing to his eldest daughter, "...and Sasha, under the strangest of circumstances, you have become two amazing young women."

"You are smart and you are beautiful but more importantly, you are kind and you are thoughtful -- and you are full of passion. And bore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. "

"Of all that I have done in my life, I am most proud to be your dad," he said.

Obama offers optimism -- and warnings -- in farewell address

His voice at moments catching with emotion, Obama recounted a presidency that saw setbacks as well as successes. Admitting candidly that political discourse has soured under his watch, Obama demanded that Americans renew efforts at reconciliation.

"Democracy does not require uniformity," Obama said. "Our founders quarreled and compromised, and expected us to do the same. But they knew that democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity -- the idea that for all our outward differences, we are all in this together; that we rise or fall as one."

Barack Obama delivers farewell address in Chicago

He said he wanted to return to "where it all started" for him and First Lady Michelle Obama, instead of delivering the speech from the White House.

The country's first black president, now 55, was first elected in 2008 on a progressive message of hope and change.

His successor, President-elect Donald Trump, has vowed to undo some of Mr Obama's signature policy achievements.

Mr Trump will be sworn into office on 20 January.

Trump election: US presidency is not a family business, says Obama

     

In an interview with ABC News, Mr Obama said that Mr Trump must "respect" US institutions.

"After you have been sworn in," he said, "you are now in charge of the largest organisation on Earth".

He warned that there was a difference between governing and campaigning.

"There are world capitals and financial markets and people all around the world who take really seriously what he [Mr Trump] says," Mr Obama said.

9 last-minute Obama moves

He's scaled up his executive power moves in a bid to solidify some of his legacy items before Donald Trump takes office. Many of his actions won't be easily reversed. Here's a look at what Obama's done since Election Day, and what he's expected to do in the coming weeks.

1. Russia sanctions

Obama administration prepares sanctions

The actions are expected to include expanded sanctions and diplomatic measures, the officials said, in what the administration deems a proportional response to a Russian operation that went beyond cyber hacking activities common among nations.

Russia will respond to any "hostile steps" that the US may take in response to allegations of hacking during the 2016 election, according to the official representative for the ministry.

Barack Obama bans new oil, gas drilling off Alaska, part of Atlantic shore

In protecting the waters, Obama used a 1950s-era law called the Outer Continental Shelf Act that allows presidents to limit areas from mineral leasing and drilling. Environmental groups said Obama's use of the law meant the incoming administration of Republican President-elect Donald Trump could not simply reverse the action but would have to fight it in the courts.

The ban affects federal waters off Alaska in the Chukchi Sea and most of the Beaufort Sea and in the Atlantic from New England to Chesapeake Bay.

US hacking claims: Obama told Putin to 'cut it out'

Implying that the Russian president knew about the hacks, Mr Obama said: "Not much happens in Russia without Vladimir Putin."

The president said he had warned Mr Putin of serious consequences at a summit in September.

A month later, the US accused Russia of meddling in its democratic process.

The president has promised a "proportional" response to the hacking of the Democratic Party and of emails belonging to defeated presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman.