Barack Obama’s final speech. Image: @TheWhiteHouse

Barack Obama has paid a moving tribute to his wife Michelle and lifted America one last time in his final speech as the President of the United States in Chicago.

“For all our outward differences, we in fact all share the same proud title…Citizen.” —@POTUS #ObamaFarewell https://t.co/2AM3wOII3z

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 11, 2017

In his speech, Obama also outlined economic inequality, racial divisions and the retreat of different segments of society into ‘bubbles’, where opinions are not based on ‘some common baseline of facts’ as threats to American democracy.

“Yes We Can.
Yes We Did.
Yes We Can.
Thank you.” —@POTUS #ObamaFarewell pic.twitter.com/azr05El60j

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 11, 2017

Donald Trump, who will be sworn into office on 20th January, will replace America’s first black president.

Donald Trump Russia Claims

Donald Trump in 2015 by By Michael Vadon CC BY-SA 2.0

President-elect Donald Trump has denied unverified allegations in a classified intelligence report into Russian interference in the US election.

It’s reported that the file alleges  Mr Trump or his surrogates had direct contact with the Kremlin prior and during the 2016 election campaign.

Russia has never tried to use leverage over me. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA – NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017

The unverified report has been compiled by a former UK intelligence agent hired by Trump’s political opponents.

It makes further allegations suggesting that the Kremlin had ‘compromising information’ on Mr Trump that could be used to blackmail him.

The Kremlin dismissed these suggestions as ‘fake’ and ‘total bluff’.

Charleston church shooter given the death penalty

Dylan Roof. Image: (WP:NFCC#4), Fair use

Dylan Roof, the man responsible for the Charleston church shooting, has been sentenced to death for the murder of nine black church members during a Bible study in South Carolina in June 2015.

Roof was convicted of 33 federal charges last month, which include murder and hate crime.

He is the first person in the US to face execution for a federal hate crime conviction.

Samsung heir a suspect in impeached South Korean president’s corruption scandal

Samsung heir-apparent Lee Jae-yong is now a suspect in the impeached South Korean president’s corruption scandal.

The head of Samsung could be in big trouble in South Korea https://t.co/Lad4Ab5e99 pic.twitter.com/5LRO1yLI14

— Fortune (@FortuneMagazine) January 11, 2017

His firm has been accused of giving donations to non-profit foundations operated by President Park Geun-hye’s confidante, Choi Soon-sil.

It’s alleged that donations worth 2.8 million euros were allegedly made in exchange for political support of a controversial merger.

Lee is currently vice-president of Samsung Electronics and will face special prosecutors on Thursday.

Morocco bans the Burka

— Clarion Project (@clarionproject) January 10, 2017

It’s being reported in Morocco that retailers have been given 48 hours to dispose of all stocks of the burka.

Local news site, Le360, says Morocco’s Interior Ministry has banned the production and sale of Muslim full-faced veils.

It’s claimed the measure has a security purpose.

However, there has been no official confirmation or denial from the ministry.