LOOK: A sneak peek at Obama family’s new home in Washington

Outgoing US President Barrack Obama’s tenure in the White House is coming to an end in January, and the first family will be relocating to a new 8,200-square-foot house in the upscale Kalorama neighborhood in Washington, DC.

Just a short distance from the Presidential abode, the new house is inspired by the traditional interior of the White House, according to The Huffington Post, citing the real estate broker McFadden Group.

The fancy residence features nine bedrooms, eight and a half bathrooms, a kitchen decked with marble countertops and sprawling gardens, much like their previous home.

Obama is originally from Chicago, Illinois, but he will reportedly stay with his wife, Michelle, and daughters Malia and Sasha until the latter finishes high school next year.

In a separate report from the New York Post, the family also purchased a second home in Rancho Mirage, just outside Palm Springs, California.  Khristian Ibarrola


source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Pope Francis meets with the homeless at DC’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral

After addressing the Joint Session of the US Congress, Pope Francis' schedule relaxes a little as he now has time to meet ordinary Americans before he flies to New York later in the day. He is heading to St. Patrick's Cathedral in Washington D.C., where he will meet the homeless beneficiaries of the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington's St. Maria’s Meals program.

According to reports, the group will set up 55 tables for the homeless and needy to have lunch. Pope Francis is expected to bless the meal and interact with the diners.

The Vatican will livestream the event, which is expected to start at 11:10 p.m. Manila time. You can watch it here.


After this event, Pope Francis will fly to New York City, where he will conduct evening prayer at St. Patrick's Cathedral at 6:45 a.m. Friday (Manila time). — BM, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Nishikori beats Isner in D.C. for 10th career ATP title

Kei Nishikori broke the serve of American John Isner once in the second set and again in the third set and that was enough for the rising Japanese player to claim the Citi Open title in Washington, D.C. on Sunday (Monday, PHL time).

The second-seeded Nishikori beat the big-serving Isner 4-6 6-4 6-4 to celebrate his third title of the season and 10th of his career.

"It's been an amazing year so far," said the 25-year-old Nishikori, who will move up to fourth from fifth in the world rankings. "I've had some good Grand Slams, too."

Nishikori now looks forward to taking the next step at the U.S. Open, where he lost to Marin Cilic in the final last year.

"I defend the final in the U.S. Open, so I will try to keep it going," he said about his ranking points. "I'm playing well and I'm looking forward to keeping it going at the U.S. Open."

After Isner broke his serve in the final game of the first set to claim the opening set, Nishikori wasted no time getting back on track.

The Japanese broke Isner in the first game of the second set, and again early in the final set and outsteadied him on the hardcourt to sweep to victory.

"It's never easy against big servers," said Nishikori, who lost to Isner in the quarter-finals in Miami earlier this year.

"John, he's not just a big server, but he can come in and he has great forehands. It was a close game, but I'm happy to avenge."

Isner, coming off a tournament win last week in Atlanta and playing his 10th match in 12 days, fired 18 aces to Nishikori's five, but the cool, calm Japanese was sharp with 23 winners and only 13 unforced errors in nearly two hours of tennis.

It was another D.C. disappointment for 30-year-old Isner, who lost in the Citi Open final for the third time in six years. - Reuters