US official says Solomon Islands leader 'missed opportunity'
The U.S. deputy secretary of state says the prime minister of the Solomon Islands “missed an important opportunity” by failing to attend a memorial service to mark the anniversary of a key World War II battle, amid concerns the South Pacific island nation is building closer ties with China.
White House pushes GOP to end blockade of ambassador picks
As President Joe Biden announces two more ambassador nominees, the White House and Democrats are warning that maneuvering by some Senate Republicans to block all but a small fraction of Biden’s diplomatic and other national security appointees is doing serious harm to U.S. diplomatic efforts around the globe.
Biden picks Caroline Kennedy, Michelle Kwan for ambassadors
President Joe Biden announced Wednesday he's nominating Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy who served as ambassador to Japan during the Obama administration, to serve as ambassador to Australia and Michelle Kwan, the renowned U.S. Olympic figure skater, to serve as his chief envoy to Belize. Kennedy threw her support behind Biden relatively early in the crowded 2020 Democratic primary process. In a Boston Globe editorial to announce her endorsement, she praised Biden for his long career as a public servant and fondly recalled Biden visiting Tokyo as vice president while she was ambassador.
news.yahoo.comBiden nominates Victoria Kennedy for Austria ambassadorship
President Joe Biden is nominating Victoria Kennedy, an attorney and the widow of Sen. Ted Kennedy, to serve as his ambassador to Austria. Kennedy, a gun control advocate, came to know the president during the years when Biden served with her husband in the Senate.
news.yahoo.comBiden considers two Kennedys for ambassadorships
Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for freePresident Biden is considering naming two Kennedys to represent him abroad: Caroline Kennedy is in line to be U.S. ambassador to Australia, and Vicki Kennedy is on his radar for Western Europe, people familiar with the matter tell Axios.Why it matters: With JFK's daughter and the widow of Sen. Ted Kennedy, Biden would be reaching outside of his pool of core campaign donors. He'd also be putting a spotlight back on America's most famous political dynasty — and honoring a late friend and mentor.Flashback: Biden, who shares the family's Irish Catholic heritage, delivered a eulogy in 2009 for Ted, with whom he served in the Senate for 36 years.He has described Kennedy as a "big brother," and felt a debt of gratitude for Kennedy's defense of his honor amid the plagiarism controversy in Biden's 1988 presidential bid.Details: Vicki, an attorney at Greenberg Traurig and a gun control advocate, got to know Biden through her husband.Caroline served as President Obama’s second ambassador to Japan and is well versed in the issues in the Asia-Pacific region, where the AP first reported she could be heading.The White House declined to comment. People close to the process stressed that nothing is final until the White House sends a formal announcement.Driving the news: Biden was scheduled to make several formal offers to candidates over the holiday weekend, ahead of announcing his first slate of ambassadors as soon as this week.On Friday, he announced Rufus Gifford as his choice to be chief of protocol at the State Department.Administration officials have been vigorous in vetting the first group of political ambassadors, hoping to avoid negative headlines.The intrigue: In addition to political allies like former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel and L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, Biden will likely reward longtime friends and aides, in lieu of several donors who raised millions of dollars over Zoom from his campaign.Biden is planning to nominate Cindy McCain as his envoy to the World Food Program in Rome.Michael Carpenter, managing director of the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement and a former career foreign service officer, is being considered for a European position.Some donors may make the cut:Cynthia Telles, a clinical professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at UCLA, is being considered for Costa Rica. She and her husband, Joe Waz, hosted a fundraiser for Biden in 2019 along with Hollywood luminaries Jeffrey Katzenberg and Rob Reiner.Scott Miller, a former UBS wealth manager and LGBTQ activist, has been discussed for Switzerland. He and his husband, Tim Gill, are prominent philanthropists for LGBTQ causes.More from Axios: Sign up to get the latest market trends with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free
news.yahoo.comRomney gets Profile in Courage Award for impeachment vote
Romney was named the winner of the Profile in Courage Award on Friday, March 26, 2021, for splitting with his party and becoming the only Republican to vote to convict former President Donald Trump during his first impeachment trial. Im very appreciative of the honor, but also humbled by it, Romney told NBC's Today show in an interview aired Friday. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)BOSTON – U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney was named the recipient of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award on Friday for splitting with his party and becoming the only Republican to vote to convict former President Donald Trump during his first impeachment trial. At Trump’s second impeachment trial, Romney was one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict the former president of inciting the attack. Romney will be presented with the award, a sterling silver lantern symbolizing a beacon of hope, at a virtual ceremony in May.
Pets are back: Biden's 2 dogs settle in at White House
The dogs moved into the White House on Sunday, following Biden's inauguration last week. Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, a self-described germaphobe, does not own any pets and had none with him at the White House. “Pets have played an important role in the White House throughout the decades, not only by providing companionship to the presidents and their families, but also by humanizing and softening their political images,” said Jennifer Pickens, author of a book about pets at the White House. Among the stranger White House pets was Calvin Coolidge and first lady Grace Coolidge’s raccoon Rebecca. But instead she got an embroidered collar with the title “White House Raccoon” and entertained children at the White House Easter Egg Roll.
It's Major: Pets poised for a return to the White House
In a few weeks, Major, fellow German shepherd Champ and the TBD feline are expected to make the move to the White House. The arrival of the Biden pets will also mark the next chapter in a long history of pets residing at the White House after a four-year hiatus during the Trump administration. “Pets have always played an important role in the White House throughout the decades,” said Jennifer Pickens, an author who studies White House traditions. Among the stranger White House pets was Calvin Coolidge and first lady Grace Coolidge’s raccoon named Rebecca. But instead she got an embroidered collar with the title “White House Raccoon” and entertained children at the White House Easter Egg Roll.
Jackie O's island getaway sold to land preservation groups
The Marthas Vineyard estate of former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is being sold to a pair of nonprofits that plan on turning the property into conservation land open to the public, officials said Thursday. The 304-acre Aquinnah property, among the largest and most spectacular undeveloped parcels on the island, will be known as the Squibnocket Pond Reservation," the statement said. Red Gate Farm was a sheep farm and hunting cabin when Kennedy Onassis bought it in 1979. It has been maintained by Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of Kennedy Onassis and President John F. Kennedy. We are excited to partner with two outstanding island organizations, and for the entire island community and the general public to experience its beauty."
Jackie Kennedy Onassis' summer home in Martha's Vineyard is for sale for $65 million take a look
Caroline Kennedy, daughter of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, is selling the family's Martha's Vineyard estate in Aquinnah, Massachusetts, for $65 million, according to Christie's International Real Estate, the company handling the listing. Christie's International Real EstateThe 340-acre estate, a former sheep farm, sits along a mile of private beach on the Atlantic Ocean, according Christie's. Christie's International Real EstateChristie's International Real EstateChristie's International Real EstateThe family room looks out to the ocean. Christie's International Real EstateThee house has outdoor decks with views, according to the listing. Christie's International Real Estate
cnbc.comAmbassador Kennedy's husband reacts to death threats against wife
Ambassador Kennedy's husband reacts to death threats against wife Japanese police are investigating the calls threatening U.S. ambassador Caroline Kennedy's life. The State Department is also working with Japanese authorities to make sure security is tight around Kennedy. Seth Doane reports with reaction from Kennedy's husband, Edwin Schlossberg.
cbsnews.comJapanese authorities probe threats against Caroline Kennedy
Japanese authorities probe threats against Caroline Kennedy Police in Japan are investigating phone calls threatening the life of U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy. Reports of threats came hours before First Lady Michelle Obama arrived in Tokyo. Seth Doane reports.
cbsnews.comJapan investigates death threats against Caroline Kennedy
Japan investigates death threats against Caroline Kennedy The American embassy in Tokyo received threatening phone calls last month against U.S. ambassador Caroline Kennedy. Reports of the threats surfaced hours before First Lady Michelle Obama arrived in Japan Wednesday morning for her first visit to the country. Seth Doane reports.
cbsnews.comNorah O'Donnell interviews Caroline Kennedy for "60 Minutes"
Norah O'Donnell interviews Caroline Kennedy for "60 Minutes" Two years ago, Kennedy, America's ambassador to Japan, wrote on the show's signature wall, "Come to Tokyo!" So Norah made a visit. Norah joins "CBS This Morning" from Tokyo to talk about the interview.
cbsnews.comCaroline Kennedy rides on world's fastest train in Japan
Caroline Kennedy rides on world's fastest train in Japan Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and U.S. Ambassador Caroline Kennedy take a ride on a magnetic levitation train at the Yamanashi Maglev Test Center of Central Japan Railway Co. in Tsuru, Japan. Japan hopes to export its railway technology to the U.S. Lucy Craft reports.
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