US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden hosted Barack and Michelle Obama at the White House on Wednesday to unveil their official portraits, which will adorn the walls of the building in Washington.
"These portraits have a special significance because, as Joe [Biden] mentioned, they will hang in the White House alongside portraits of other presidents and first ladies dating back to George and Martha [Washington]," Mr Obama said.
It is tradition for formal presidential portraits to be hung in the White House. The Obamas' unveiling was delayed for five years during Donald Trump's presidency and the pandemic.
"I do recognise why moments like these are important, why all of this is absolutely necessary. Traditions like this matter, not just for those of us who hold these positions but for everyone participating in and watching our democracy," Ms Obama said in her remarks.
"We hold an inauguration to ensure a peaceful transition of power," she said, a reminder of the way former president Donald Trump refused to accept his 2020 defeat.
Ms Obama then talked about growing up as a black girl in Chicago that she assumed "she was never supposed to be up there next to Jacqueline Kennedy" or other famous first ladies.
"Too often in this country, people feel like they have to look a certain way or act a certain way to fit in," she said.
"What we are seeing is a reminder that there's a place for everyone in this country", where "the two of us can end up on a wall in the most famous address in the world".
Mr Obama's portrait, painted by Robert McCurdy, shows him standing in a black suit with his hands in his pockets against a white background.
The former president, who was notoriously critiqued for once wearing a summer suit, joked that he had resisted "wearing a tan suit" for his sitting.
The piece depicting Ms Obama, painted by Sharon Sprung, shows her in a light blue gown on a red couch.
"I want to thank Sharon Sprung for capturing everything I love about Michelle: her grace, her intelligence and the fact that she's fine," Mr Obama said.
It was Ms Obama's first visit to the White House after leaving with her husband in January 2017.
The former president made his first visit to the White House after his presidency earlier in the spring for an anniversary event celebrating his banner healthcare legislation with Mr Biden.
"Barack and Michelle, welcome home," Mr Biden said during the ceremony.
The Obamas used their remarks to reminisce about their time in the White House and to thank their past administration members and residence staff that worked with them during Mr Obama's presidency.
"It's more than staff — you're friends, you're family to us," Ms Obama said.
Additional portraits of the Obamas were completed in 2018 and shown at art museums across the country before being permanently placed in the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington.
Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald completed these works, making them the first black artists to paint portraits for the museum.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Grubtech
Founders: Mohamed Al Fayed and Mohammed Hammedi
Launched: October 2019
Employees: 50
Financing stage: Seed round (raised $2 million)
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If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
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The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
KYLIAN MBAPPE 2016/17 STATS
Ligue 1: Appearances - 29, Goals - 15, Assists - 8
UCL: Appearances - 9, Goals - 6
French Cup: Appearances - 3, Goals - 3
France U19: Appearances - 5, Goals - 5, Assists - 1
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
