OpenAI Proposes 5% U.S. Government Stake Amid AI Policy Talks 
South Korea Warns Won Is Undervalued, Boosts FX Coordination With Japan 
EU Chip Industry Faces Growing Risks From China Export Controls and U.S. Technology Dependence: Report 
Moody’s Says Peru’s President-Elect Keiko Fujimori Could Boost Investor Confidence 
Russia’s Deadly Kyiv Missile and Drone Attack Kills 27 as Zelensky Urges Faster Air Defense Support 
NRC Proposes Radiation Rule Changes to Boost U.S. Nuclear Power Expansion Under Trump 
State of emergency in Crimea as Ukraine focuses pressure on ‘jewel in Putin’s crown’ 
Air Force Investigates Officer After Capitol Protest Calling for Trump, Vance Impeachment 
Kim Jong Un Oversees North Korea Destroyer Missile Tests, Orders Rapid Naval Deployment 
UN Warns of Looming Human Rights Catastrophe in Sudan’s Al-Obeid 
Venezuela Interim President Defends Earthquake Response as Death Toll Climbs 
Trump Administration Declines USMCA Renewal, Opens Talks on New Trade Changes 
Trump Marks America’s 250th Anniversary With National Mall Rally Amid Political Divide 
Russian Attacks Kill Six Across Ukraine as Kyiv Mourns Deadly Strike 
US Resumes Dollar Shipments to Iraq After Months-Long Suspension 
Amy Coney Barrett Faces Conservative Backlash After Key Supreme Court Rulings Against Trump 
US Ambassador Prioritizes Cook Islands Critical Minerals, Warns of China’s Pacific Influence 
Even after leaving office in 2017, former President Barack Obama continues to be an influential figure that many look to and admire. Obama has been announced as a recipient of an accolade by PEN America.
Obama recently published his memoir titled, “A Promised Land,” filled with stories and insights from his time in the White House and even after leaving office. PEN America announced this week that the former president will be a recipient of its second Voice of Influence Award for his written works. Obama will be honored at the event on December 8, which will be held online this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the event, the former president alongside historian and former PEN America President Ron Chernow will be discussing freedom of expression and the importance of truth in today’s world.
“As an organization of writers, we have always seen President Obama not just as a leader, but as one of us: an author. His probing and evocative narratives helped introduce the world to his unique background, and the power of his life experience as a prompt toward a more pluralistic and encompassing society,” said PEN America CEO Suzanne Nozel in a statement.
“A Promised Land” is the third book that Obama has penned. Prior to his memoir, the former president also wrote “The Audacity of Hope” and “Dreams from My Father.” Obama is the second recipient of its award, following filmmaker Ava DuVernay, who received the award in 2019.
Obama has been promoting his memoir in various tv interviews and on radio appearances. This week, the former president appeared on the radio program the Breakfast Club on Wednesday. He talked about the messaging made by the Republican party that brought the recent elections to a close fight between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Obama said that the messaging brought by the Republicans was essentially about how white males are the victims.
“What’s always interesting to me is the degree to which you’ve seen created by Republican politics the sense that white males are the victims,” said Obama. “They are the ones who are under attack -- which obviously doesn’t jive with both history and data and economics. But that’s a sincere belief, that’s been internalized, that’s a story that’s being told and how you unwind that is going to be not something that is done right away.”
