Latest news with #BarackObama
NDTV
42 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
What Michelle Obama Said About Not Having A Son With Husband Barack
Former First Lady Michelle Obama is "glad" she does not have a son with husband Barack Obama, the former President of the United States. On the latest episode of her podcast, IMO, she spoke at length about parenting and her experience of raising daughters. In conversation with her brother Craig Robinson and radio host Angie Martinez on IMO, the 61-year-old said had she given birth to a son, he would have turned out to be another Barack Obama. The light-hearted joke came after the Hot 97 radio host suggested she "should have thrown a boy in the mix". 'I'm so glad I didn't have a boy,' Ms Obama retorted, before adding, 'Because he would have been a Barack Obama,' looking down and nodding her head emphatically, The New York Post reported. Mr Martinez downplayed the remark with a laugh, saying the concept of a "Baby Barack" was 'amazing.' Ms Obama did not believe it to be a good idea and replied, 'No, I would have felt for him.' Michelle Obama often talks about her family, her relationship with Barack, and their challenges together. The Obamas married in 1992 and have two daughters: Sasha Obama, 24, and Malia Obama, 26. Given that Mr Robinson has three boys and Mr Martinez has one, the topic of the podcast involved raising boys. Ms Obama talked about the challenges of parenting boys, particularly with respect to teaching them how to interact with others and handle circumstances such as traffic stops. Before dismissing the notion of having a baby boy, Ms Obama stated, "Teach [your son] how to deal with the traffic stop, but also teach him how to communicate in a marriage and to be a listening father." Her remarks follow rumours of strain in her 32-year marriage to the former president. However, in a recent episode with rock icon Bruce Springsteen, Ms Obama referred to Barack as a "tremendous father" and praised his parenting skills. The couple has been spotted together on high-profile night outs in New York City and Washington, DC, in recent months. Ms Obama also said she was "transitioning" into a new stage of her life and currently undergoing therapy.
Fast Company
an hour ago
- Health
- Fast Company
6 smart ways to minimize decision fatigue before noon
Ever find yourself mentally drained before lunch—even when the day's barely begun? That's not laziness. It's decision fatigue, and it's very real. From the moment you wake up, your brain starts spending mental energy to make choices: what to wear, what to eat, how to respond to emails, whether to speak up in a meeting, and more. Over time, each of these micro-decisions chips away at your cognitive bandwidth—until you're running on fumes by 11 a.m. According to research, decision fatigue can lead to worse choices later in the day, decreased self-control, and even unethical behavior. But the good news is that with the proper structure, you can drastically reduce mental overload—and set your day up for success. Here are six science-backed strategies to minimize decision fatigue and boost clarity before noon. 1. Start with Structure: Automate the First 60 Minutes Barack Obama, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg adopted similar wardrobe habits for the same reason—they didn't want to waste energy deciding what to wear. Routine isn't boring. It's strategic. Automating low-stakes decisions (like your breakfast, your clothes, or your workout routine) preserves your cognitive energy for high-impact choices later. The first hour of your day sets the tone for everything that follows. Reducing friction early creates momentum and decision clarity that lasts all day. This also lowers stress hormones and boosts your motivation. What to do: Create a fixed morning routine: same wake-up time, same breakfast, same prep ritual. Build a 'startup sequence' for your workday—like firing up your laptop, reviewing your goals, and taking 15 minutes of quiet thinking before meetings. 2. Make Your To-Do List the Night Before When you start your day by scanning emails or Slack, you instantly go into reactive mode, focusing on others' priorities. Instead, make key planning decisions while your brain is fresh—at the end of the previous day. This helps you sleep better by offloading mental clutter; it also boosts your confidence and sense of direction in the morning. A prepared mind is a focused mind. What to do: Write down your top three priorities before you shut down for the day. Review them first thing the next morning—no thinking required. Bonus: Include one 'quick win' task to build early momentum. 3. Eat a Protein-Rich Breakfast (Yes, Really) Your brain is 2% of your body weight, but uses over 20% of your energy. Without fuel, cognitive function declines—and decision-making suffers. Skipping breakfast or grabbing only carbs causes blood sugar crashes, reducing your focus and increasing your irritability. A balanced breakfast stabilizes glucose levels, essential for maintaining consistent attention and emotional regulation throughout the day. What you eat influences how you think. A nutritious morning meal primes your brain for clarity, patience, and problem-solving. What to do: Opt for protein and complex carbs, like eggs, Greek yogurt, oatmeal, or nuts. Hydrate before having caffeine: even mild dehydration can impair concentration by 10%. Add brain-boosting extras like berries, chia seeds, or greens for sustained energy. 4. Use Time Blocks to Limit Options You spend mental energy whenever you ask, 'What should I do now?' The more options, the more exhaustion. Instead, create time blocks—predefined periods for specific categories of work. This removes the burden of constant micro-decisions and helps your brain shift into the correct mode for the task. Time blocking also reduces context switching, which studies show can cost up to 40% of your productive time. Block 9:00–10:30 for deep work. Block 10:30–11:30 for admin or meetings. Leave reactive tasks (email, chat) for the afternoon. Color-code blocks on your calendar to visually reinforce focus zones. This structure reduces ambiguity and decision points, preserving mental clarity for higher-order thinking. 5. Minimize Micro-Decisions with Environmental Cues From desk clutter to notification dings, your environment constantly pulls you into unnecessary decision-making—like 'Should I check this now?' or 'What's that ping?' Decision fatigue increases when external stimuli demand constant evaluation. Each small choice drains mental energy and pulls your attention away from meaningful work. Design your environment to be your silent partner in focus. When your workspace supports your intentions, you make fewer decisions and stay in the flow longer. What to do: Silence nonurgent notifications. Clear your desk of all but the task at hand. Use physical cues: Post-it notes, open notebooks, or visible to-do lists to keep you anchored. Add a visual 'focus zone' marker—like a lamp or headphones—to signal deep work time. This aligns with behavioral design principles championed by Nudge author Richard Thaler: simplify the environment to reduce cognitive load. 6. Build a 'Noon Reset' Ritual No matter how optimized your morning is, decision fatigue creeps in. That's why resetting before the afternoon is critical—when poor choices tend to spike. By midday, your mental resources are often depleted, and without a conscious reset, your afternoon can become reactive and unfocused. A pause helps restore clarity and regain control of your time and energy. It also boosts emotional regulation and decision-making accuracy. What to do: Pause at noon for 10 minutes of reflection or silence. Ask: 'What's one thing I need to finish today?' Reset your attention and reclaim your day before it runs you. Try stepping outside or doing a short breathing exercise to refresh your mind. According to research, this taps into the brain's default mode network, which activates during rest and enhances creativity and problem-solving. Save Your Brain for What Matters Most You don't need to eliminate all decisions—just the ones that drain you unnecessarily. The goal isn't rigid control over every moment, but the intentional design of your mental environment. By front-loading important choices, using structure to reduce friction, and giving your brain regular rest, you free up the cognitive bandwidth to lead, create, and perform at your best. Cognitive energy is your most valuable asset as a leader. Protect it with as much care as your time or money. Remember: your attention is a finite resource. Spend it where it counts—on work that aligns with your values, energizes your team, and moves your mission forward.
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Michelle Obama enjoys intimate lunch with longtime male friend as she jets off on lavish Spain getaway WITHOUT Barack
Michelle Obama and her daughters were pictured enjoying lunch at an exclusive club on the idyllic Spanish island of Mallorca. In photos obtained exclusively by the Daily Mail, the former first lady, 61, kept a low profile in large, stylish sunglasses and a multi-colored print dress, while dining at The Lobster Club in Puerto Portals. Michelle, 61, was joined by James Costos, 62, former US ambassador to Spain and his partner Michael Smith, 62, the Obamas' longtime interior designer and former White House decorator‑in‑chief. Aspiring filmmaker Malia, 26, looked chic in a black polka dot halter neck crop top and a black mini skirt and flashed her toned stomach. Younger sister Sasha, 24, flaunted her effortlessly style in an oversized off the shoulder white tee and a long pleated brown skirt. Notably not in attendance: former President Barack Obama. Michael and James have been longtime friends of the Obamas and hosted the family many times at their Rancho Mirage home in Palm Springs, California. 'When they were here, it occurred to me that more than 50 years ago JFK had stayed just down the road at Bing Crosby's home,' Michael told Architectural Digest in 2017. 'The President and Mrs Obama basically woke up in the morning to the same view of the valley. There was something lovely about that thought. 'It made me contemplate all the change that has taken place in those decades, contrasting with the timelessness of this beautiful desert landscape.' This group outing comes amid ongoing rumors about the state of Michelle and Barack's marriage status over the last several months. Michelle dismissed speculation about her marriage and addressed the rumors head on during a podcast episode of The Diary of a CEO in May. During the episode, she told the hosts, 'If I were having problems with my husband, everybody would know about it.' Michelle also praised her husband on her latest podcast episode as a 'tremendous father.' She said that even when Barack was president, he left the job at the door whenever he talked to his daughters to help cultivate their formative years. Rumors surrounding the Obama's relationship began when Michelle skipped several high-profile events, including Donald Trump's inauguration and former President Jimmy Carter's funeral. Michelle's lunch trip comes just days after she appeared on Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang's Las Culturistas podcast where she made it clear she doesn't like being referred to as 'Mrs. Obama'. During their sit-down, Matt revealed that before cameras started rolling, Michelle had asked him not to call her 'Mrs. Obama.' 'Earlier I was like, "Thank you so much, Mrs. Obama," and you said, "Michelle,"' Rogers said. 'I did say that,' Michelle responded with a laugh, before explaining why she likes to avoid the name. 'We cannot have a real conversation if you're saying, "Mrs Obama," that's too many syllables,' the former first lady protested. Matt then asked if she is usually quick to 'put down that shield for people,' and Michelle claimed that she's generally tries to appear less intimidating. 'I was trying to do that when I was first lady because I just think... I am not that position. I am Michelle,' she explained. 'I'm always trying to break down that wall to say, "We're just all here,"' she continued. 'And the first thing to do is like, let's drop that title, that's a little heavy.' 'I know what we call her - your Highness,' her brother and podcast co-host Craig quipped. 'Well, it's great to be on a first name basis,' Matt joked.
Express Tribune
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Michelle Obama jokes she's glad she didn't have a son: 'He'd be a Barack'
US President Barack Obama gestures to himself as he and First Lady Michelle Obama await the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan, for a State Dinner at the White House, in Washington, September 25, 2015. PHOTO: REUTERS Former First Lady Michelle Obama sparked headlines during a candid conversation on the latest episode of her podcast 'IMO,' joking that she's 'glad' she didn't have a son — because he would have turned out just like her husband, Barack Obama. Speaking with her brother Craig Robinson and guest Angie Martinez, Obama said, 'I'm so glad I didn't have a boy. Because he would have been a Barack Obama. Ooh,' while shaking her head and smiling. Martinez laughed off the comment, calling the idea of a 'Baby Barack' amazing, but Michelle added, 'No, I woulda felt for him.' The conversation centered around parenting boys, with both Martinez and Robinson being parents to sons. Michelle, mother of Sasha and Malia, discussed the complexities of raising boys today, especially when it comes to teaching them how to communicate in relationships and navigate situations like traffic stops. Her comments come amid ongoing speculation about her 32-year marriage to the former president, with recent public appearances fueling rumors of strain. However, Michelle praised Barack's parenting in a recent episode with Bruce Springsteen, calling him a 'tremendous father.' The couple has been seen together in recent months on high-profile date nights in New York City and Washington, D.C., despite persistent divorce rumors. Michelle also revealed she's currently in therapy and is 'transitioning' into a new phase of her life. The 'Becoming' author's remarks blend humor with introspection, offering insight into her evolving identity as a mother, wife, and public figure.
14 hours ago
- Politics
What was in the Iran nuclear deal and why did Trump withdraw the US from it?
Nearly 10 years ago, the United States and other world powers reached a landmark nuclear agreement with Iran. Known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, the deal followed two years of negotiations. Then-President Barack Obama, who campaigned on resolving the Iranian nuclear threat, called the issue the "most consequential foreign policy debate that our country has had since the invasion of Iraq." Two years after the deal went into effect, President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the nuclear accord, in one of the most significant foreign policy actions during his first term as president. Iran's nuclear program is at the heart of its conflict with Israel, which has been engaged in aerial strikes with Iran in the days since a surprise attack on Tehran that Israeli officials said killed several nuclear scientists as well as high-ranking military leaders. Here's what to know about the Iran nuclear deal, which is now "essentially defunct," according to the Council on Foreign Relations. What was in the deal? The JCPOA, which imposed restrictions on Iran's civilian nuclear enrichment program in exchange for sanctions relief, was signed on July 14, 2015. It was agreed to by Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council -- China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States -- as well as Germany and the European Union. The JCPOA was designed to ensure that Iran's nuclear program would be exclusively peaceful and provided for the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions in order to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. "It blocks every possible pathway Iran could use to build a nuclear bomb while ensuring -- through a comprehensive, intrusive, and unprecedented verification and transparency regime -- that Iran's nuclear program remains exclusively peaceful moving forward," Obama's White House said at the time. Under the 159-page deal, Iran "significantly reduced its nuclear program and accepted strict monitoring and verification safeguards to ensure its program is solely for peaceful purposes," the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation said. "In exchange, Iran received economic sanctions relief from nuclear-related sanctions" only after the International Atomic Energy Agency verified Tehran had completed certain requirements under the deal. The deal went into effect on Jan. 16, 2016, after the IAEA verified that Iran had completed steps, including shipping 25,000 pounds of enriched uranium out of the country, dismantling and removing two-thirds of its centrifuges and allowing for more extensive international inspections of its nuclear facilities. The U.S. and many European nations lifted oil and financial sanctions and released about $100 billion in frozen Iranian assets. If all parties adhered to the deal, experts held that it likely would have prevented Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon for more than a decade, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. Should Iran try to build a nuclear weapon, sanctions would go back into effect. Many of the restrictions on Iran's nuclear program "have expiration dates," according to the Council on Foreign Relations, noting for example that centrifuge restrictions would be lifted after 10 years and limits on how much low-enriched uranium Iran can possess after 15 years. "Some of the deal's opponents faulted these so-called sunset provisions, saying they would only delay Iran building a bomb while sanctions relief would allow it to underwrite terrorism in the region," the organization said. Israel was among those who opposed the agreement, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling it a "historic mistake" at the time. Why did Trump drop out of the deal? Trump campaigned prior to his first election on pulling the U.S. out of the deal, and on May 8, 2018, he did just that, terminating U.S. participation in the JCPOA and reimposing economic sanctions on Iran. Trump argued at the time that the deal was so "horrible" it had to be discarded to move forward. "It is clear to me that we cannot prevent an Iranian nuclear bomb under the decaying and rotten structure of the current agreement," he said. "The Iran deal is defective at its core. If we do nothing, we know exactly what will happen." The Trump administration said at the time that Iran "negotiated the JCPOA in bad faith, and the deal gave the Iranian regime too much in exchange for too little." Trump withdrew the U.S. from the deal after ignoring the advice of America's allies, who had urged him to stay in the agreement and build upon it. The leaders of France, Germany and the U.K. noted their "regret and concern" at Trump's decision, calling on Iran to maintain its commitments under the deal. What's happened since? After Qassem Soleimani, the leader of Iran's elite Quds Force, was killed in a U.S. airstrike in January 2020, the Iranian government announced it would no longer abide by any of the operational restraints on its nuclear program under the Iran nuclear deal. In early 2023, the IAEA reported they had detected traces of uranium at Iran's Fordow nuclear facility that was enriched to "near weapons-grade level that Iran claimed was accidental." "Since the United States abrogated the deal and Iran in turn stopped honoring some of its commitments, Iran has reduced its breakout time -- the amount of time it would take to accumulate enough fissile material for a nuclear weapon -- from more than a year to about 3-4 months, although the IAEA remains on the ground to verify the peaceful nature of its nuclear program," the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation said. As some provisions of the JCPOA were set to expire in October 2023, former President Joe Biden's administration imposed new sanctions on Iran's ballistic missile and drone programs, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. Biden sought to negotiate a return to the JCPOA. However, in the last few months of his term last year, a State Department spokesperson said they were "far away" from returning to negotiations with Iran. During his second term, Trump has threatened potential military action against Iran to keep it from developing nuclear weapons. In recent weeks, delegations from Iran and the U.S. have met for multiple rounds of nuclear negotiations, though talks have stalled amid the conflict between Israel and Iran. On Thursday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt read a statement from Trump in which the president said he believes there's a 'substantial chance of negotiations' in the near future. He also said he will make a decision "whether or not to go" within the next two weeks, though Leavitt did not clarify what that meant.
