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President Obama has also ordered the speedy delivery of 'essential equipment and material' to Iraqi forces

US to send 450 extra troops to Iraq

US President Barack Obama is to send more troops and military equipment to Iraq to take part in the US-led coalition against the so-called Islamic State group, bringing the total number in the region to 3,550.

News • 10 Jun 15

Barack Obama said denying climate change 'undermines the readiness of our forces'

Obama says climate change threatens US security

Rising seas and thawing permafrost caused by warmer global temperatures threaten US military bases and will change the way the US armed services defend the country, President Barack Obama said last night.

News • 21 May 15

Many Democrats have demanded additional protection for US workers

US Senate Democrats block fast-track trade bill

Democrats in the US Senate have blocked a bill that would have given President Barack Obama the authority to finalise trade deals such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment and Partnership with the EU.

News • 12 May 15

Cuban President Raul Castro met US President Barack Obama in Panama at the weekend

Obama plans to remove Cuba from terrorism list

US President Barack Obama has told Congress that he plans to remove Cuba from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism.

News • 15 Apr 15

Bruno Rodriguez and John Kerry were said to have made progress after 'very constructive discussions'

Obama and Castro to share stage at Summit

US President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro will share the same stage today in an encounter rich with symbolism as their countries set aside decades of mistrust and attempt to restore diplomatic relations.

News • 10 Apr 15

White House statement made in response to petition

Obama calls for end to gay 'conversion' therapy

US President Barack Obama has called for an end to psychiatric therapies that seek to change the sexual orientation of gay, lesbian and transgender youth, the White House said.

News • 09 Apr 15

Senator Edward M Kennedy (C) is pictured with his brothers, US President John F Kennedy (R) and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy (L) in 1963

Senator Edward Kennedy institute opens in Boston

US President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden travelled to Boston today for the official opening of a new institute dedicated to the late US Senator Edward Kennedy.

News • 30 Mar 15

Barack Obama made his comments after a meeting with Taoiseach Enda Kenny in the Oval Office

Obama: 'Still more to do' on NI peace process

US President Barack Obama has said there is still more work to do regarding the Northern Ireland peace process.

News • 17 Mar 15

President said the notion that the West was at war with Islam is an 'ugly lie'

Idea West at war with Islam an 'ugly lie' - Obama

US President Barack Obama has called on Middle Eastern leaders to stand up to "violent extremism" and stop proxy wars that fuel the rise of terror groups.

News • 19 Feb 15

Kayla Jean Mueller was kidnapped in Syria in August 2013

Obama confirms death of US hostage held by IS

US President Barack Obama has confirmed the death of aid worker Kayla Jean Mueller, who had been held by the self-styled Islamic State in Syria.

News • 10 Feb 15

Mr Modi's custom suit was a point of mockery on social media

India’s PM mocked for suit with name printed on it

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's daring fashion choices have won plaudits in the past, but his decision to wear a suit with his own name printed all over it sparked a barrage of mockery on social media.

News • 26 Jan 15

President Obama to push plan for tax increases in his address to the nation

US must turn the page on recession and war - Obama

US President Barack Obama will challenge the Republican-led Congress to back his tax-raising ideas for helping middle-class Americans in his State of the Union speech.

World • 20 Jan 15

North Korea was angered by 'The Interview', a movie which features a fictional plot to kill the country's leader, Kim Jong-un.

US imposes sanctions on North Korea over Sony hack

The United States has imposed new financial sanctions on North Korea in retaliation for a cyber attack on Hollywood studio Sony Pictures.

World • 03 Jan 15

The family of Mr Gross has appealed for his release since 2009

Obama announces major Cuban policy shift

US President Barack Obama has said a "new chapter" has been opened in ties with Cuba.

News • 17 Dec 14

Enda Kenny said Barack Obama's actions 'demonstrate true leadership'

Kenny commends Obama for immigration reforms

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has written to the US President Barack Obama to commend him for the actions he has taken to reform the immigration system in the United States.

News • 25 Nov 14

Chuck Hagel will remain in the role until his successor is confirmed by the US Senate

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to resign

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has resigned, ending nearly two years in the Pentagon's top job after a bruising mid-term election that undermined President Barack Obama's Democrats in Congress.

News • 24 Nov 14

An estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants live in the US

US Immigrant reform to protect 5m from deportation

US President Barack Obama will outline a host of measures tonight that will protect a total of around five million illegal immigrants from deportation, and offer them the opportunity to leave the US and return again without suffering a re-entry ban.

News • 21 Nov 14

The Executive Order could affect more than 50,000 undocumented Irish in the US

Plans for US Immigration reform expected this week

US President Barack Obama is to announce the action he is taking to reform the US immigration system tomorrow night.

News • 20 Nov 14

Syrian children stand outside a communal kitchen in the war-torn city of Aleppo

Obama rules out alliance with Assad

US President Barack Obama has rejected any alliance with Bashar al-Assad against the Islamic State group, arguing that the Syrian ruler was illegitimate and that any such pact would backfire.

News • 16 Nov 14

Omar Gonzalez managed to make it into the East Room of the White House in September

White House security review reveals blunders

An internal review of the security lapses that allowed an intruder to scale a fence and enter the White House has revealed a string of Secret Service blunders.

News • 14 Nov 14

Aung San Suu Kyi met US President Barack Obama at her home

Suu Kyi election ban 'doesn't make much sense'

Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has described Burma's constitution as "unfair, unjust and undemocratic" after talks with US President Barack Obama in her Yangon home.

News • 14 Nov 14

The plan would potentially protect up to five million undocumented immigrants from deportation

US Immigration reform may begin next week

There are reports in the United States that President Barack Obama could move on immigration reform as early as next week.

News • 13 Nov 14

The Obama Administration plans to ask Congress for extra funding to support training camps for Iraqi brigades

Obama sends 1,500 troops to Iraq

US President Barack Obama has ordered the deployment of up to 1500 extra troops to Iraq, more than doubling the number already there.

News • 07 Nov 14

Barack Obama said IS propagandists had become very savvy in their use of social media

Islamic State fighters approach key border town

Fighters from the Islamic State group have advanced to within five kilometres of a key Kurdish town on the the border between Syria and Turkey, according to a British-based monitoring group.

News • 29 Sep 14

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (second left, red tie) met his US counterpart Barack Obama in New York

Obama raises fate of journalists with Sisi

US President Barack Obama raised the fate of jailed journalists in Egypt with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, US officials have said.

World • 25 Sep 14