DTN News - SEASONS GREETINGS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE: US President Barack Obama And Famiy Pose For Photographs During Pre-Christmas Celebrations

Asian Defense News: DTN News - SEASONS GREETINGS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE: US President Barack Obama And Famiy Pose For Photographs During Pre-Christmas Celebrations

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth - USA Today
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 20, 2013: Christmas got a presidential seal of approval Sunday night.

The Backstreet Boys opened TNT's Christmas in Washington concert with a medley of their original holiday songs, Christmas Time and It's Christmas Time Again. President Obama, Mrs. Obama and their daughters Sasha and Malia looked on.

Also on the lineup at the 32nd annual holiday concert: Hugh Jackman, Sheryl Crow, Janelle Monae, Anna Kendrick and Pat Monahan. Jackman served as host for this year's festivities,which benefits the Children's National Health System. President and Mrs. Obama were front and center for the holiday fun, and the American Family Choir, Washington Youth Choir and AFTRA Choir accompanied the star singing talent. Charles Barkley, NBA Hall of Famer and analyst for TNT's Inside the NBA, made a special guest appearance.

After noting that Christmas is a "time for warmth of family and friends," Jackman pointed out that he is the first Australian to host Christmas in Washington. "Even TNT is outsourcing these days," he joked.

Jackman said he wasn't sure what to get the Obamas, but decided on a "gift that speaks to the true meaning of Christmas: a box set of all seven X-Men and Wolverine movies."

Kendrick, who was just in Washington one week ago to perform at the Kennedy Center Honors, was up next, singing Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Monahan sang Merry Christmas Baby, and Crow crooned the classic, Please Come Home for Christmas.

Monae sang This Christmas, and then the entire lineup came together for a closing medley when Jackman put his voice on display during Angels We Have Heard On High. Then President Obama and Mrs. Obama took to the stage.

Obama pointed out that while he loves getting Christmas presents, it's "a time to remember the story of a child born to two faithful travelers on earth." He said this time of year brings "a message of hope." "We wish this holiday season, and all holiday seasons, peace on earth."

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources USA Today
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - WHITE HOUSE NEWS: Barack Obama Invites First Black Miss Israel To Dinner

Asian Defense News: DTN News - WHITE HOUSE NEWS: Barack Obama Invites First Black Miss Israel To Dinner
*Yityish Aynaw, the first Ethiopian-born pageant winner, said the US president had been a 'notable influence in her life'

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Phoebe Greenwood, Tel Aviv  - guardian.co.uk
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 14, 2013:  It will be one of the hottest tickets in town. When the US president,Barack Obama, arrives in Israel on an official visit next week, one of the highlights for the country's dignatries will be a dinner hosted at Israeli president Shimon Peres's home. And among those set to dine with the two presidents is the first black Miss Israel, Yityish Aynaw.

When the president's staff called to invite her to the dinnerAynaw, who was crowned just a few weeks ago, was understandably taken aback. "I didn't believe this was happening," she told the Jerusalem Post.

Aynaw arrived in Israel from Ethiopia when she was 12 years old. The beauty queen, who has worked as a sales assistant since leaving the army, has admitted that it was initially difficult for her to assimilate into Israeli society. Despite being 100,000 strong, the Ethiopian Jewish community is marginalised in Israel, where some rabbis have questioned the authenticity of their Jewish faith.

In the course of the Miss Israel competition, Aynaw told the panel of judges: "It's important that a member of the Ethiopian community win the competition for the first time. There are many different communities of many different colours in Israel, and it's important to show that to the world."

On learning that she would be dining with the US president alongside the Israeli leadership, Aynaw admitted that as a young immigrant, she would not have believed "such a thing could happen" to her. Once the news sunk in, however, the 21 year-old former Israeli army officer declared herself "excited" and reasoned: "The first black Miss Israel to be chosen and [Obama] is the first black American President. These goes together."

Obama, she said, has had a "notable influence in her life".

Shortly after winning the title, Aynaw named assassinated US civil rights leader Martin Luther King as one of her heroes: "He fought for justice and equality, and that's one of the reasons I'm here: I want to show that my community has many beautiful qualities that aren't always represented in the media."

While she may have embraced her life in Israel, Aynaw has refused to adopt a Hebrew name as many of African immigrants have done. "I was born sick but my mum believed I had a future," she told Jewish publication The Tablet, explaining that her name in Amharic, the second most spoken Semitic language in the world after Arabic, means "looking towards the future". "I'd never change my name," she said. "Ever".

With African roots and controversial names in common, Miss Israel and President Obama have ample mutual ground to break the ice. 

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources By Phoebe Greenwood, Tel Aviv  - guardian.co.uk
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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