Free Republic

WASHINGTON/TAIPEI, July 28 (Reuters) - Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te is set to delay a diplomatically sensitive trip his team had floated to the Trump administration for August that would have included stops in the United States, according to three people familiar with the matter. Such a trip was bound to infuriate Beijing at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump is trying to negotiate a deal on trade with China. China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, a claim Taiwan rejects, and regularly denounces any shows of support for Taipei from Washington. The trip, which could have included...

Sonia Sotomayor heeded White House advice to paint her fingernails a neutral shade during her Supreme Court confirmation process — up to a point. At a White House reception after her confirmation, Sotomayor showed her freshly painted red nails to President Barack Obama, along with her red-and-black semi-hoop earrings, according to an article in the new issue of Latina magazine to be released Nov. 17. Obama joked that Sotomayor had been briefed on proper nail color and earring size. "Mr. President, you have no idea what you've unleashed," Sotomayor replied, according to the article by her close friend Sandra Guzman,...

Michelle Obama continues to cement her reputation as one of the most fashionable women in the world with a new hairstyle. The First Lady used a celebration of country music at the White House yesterday to unveil her swept back tresses. Looking elegant in a white patterned dress, Mrs Obama’s bobbed hairstyle topped off a classy appearance. The pair's daughters Malia and Sasha were also at the event, which featured performances by country stars Charley Pride, Brad Paisley, Alison Krauss and Union Station. While the mother-of-two’s style stakes continue to rise, her husband, President Barack Obama has confessed he feels...