Obama will NOT visit Kenya on his Africa trip

When President Barack Obama arrives in Africa this week, there will be one notable omission from his travel itinerary: Kenya, the birthplace of his father and home to many of his relatives.

Concerns about Kenya's political situation have trumped Obama's family ties. 

Kenya's new president is facing charges of crimes against humanity in the International Criminal Court, accused of orchestrating the violence that marred the country's 2007 election.

The president will instead visit Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania, all countries that fit more neatly into the democracy and good governance message he'll tout during his week-long trip. 

Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha are scheduled to depart Washington Wednesday morning.

President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Malia and Sasha (pictured last week returning from a trip to Ireland and Germany) are due to leave for Africa on Wednesday

Bad guy: President Obama breaches military protocol for second time in a week

While boarding Marine One, the presidential helicopter, on Friday, Obama walked past a saluting Marine corporal and strode up the boarding stairs without returning the salute. The President, the military commander-in-chief, clearly recognized the gaffe but made it worse, coming back down the boarding steps for just a handshake - not a salute. The blunder came in the same week Obama appeared to break military protocol by forcing a Marine (inset) to hold an umbrella for him.

Pictures: Boston bombing victims

Krystle Campbell

Lu Lingzi

Martin Richard

A service was held in honor of Lu Lingzi, left, Krystle Campbell, and Martin Richard.

 In a moving interfaith service, PresidentObama declared to cheers from the 2,000-strong crowd: 'This time next year, on the third Monday in April, the world will return to this great American city to run harder than ever, and to cheer even louder, for the 118th Boston Marathon. Bet on it.'   

But, as well as remembering the three people killed and more than 170 injured, the president offered reassurances to Americans nervous about the nation's safety, insisting the perpetrators of the senseless bombings would be caught and held to account, even as investigators scramble to answer key questions about the attacks.

'That's the message we send to those who carried this out and anyone who would do harm to our people. Yes, we will find you. And, yes, you will face justice. We will find you. We will hold you accountable,' he said.

As I watched, tears filled my eyes especially when I saw the cardboard held by Martin Richard. It had inscribed on it "NO MORE HURTING PEOPLE........PEACE" . What an irony!

May the souls of the departed rest in peace.

Times's list of 100 most influential people in the world... Kim Jong Un, Jennifer Lawrence and Taliban victim Malala

The publication has printed its annual Time 100 which features U.S. President Obama, rapper Jay-Z  and the controversial leader of North Korea Kim Jong Un.

It also includes the brave Taliban shooting victim Malala Yousafzai, who was treated at a Birmingham hospital following her shocking attack.

For the first time this year the magazine features seven special edition front covers, each showing one of the members from the list.

They include actress Jennifer Lawrence, business mogul Elon Musk, Senator Rand Paul, tennis star Li Na and Indian actor Aamir Khan. 

Icon: Rapper Jay Z has been named as one of the most influential people in the world by Time magazine

Malala Yousafzai made world headlines around the world when she survived being shot in the head by the Taliban in revenge for her standing up for the right to go to school in her home country.

Also appearing are President Obama, for the eighth time, and his wife Michelle, as well as several celebrities, including Justin Timberlake, Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston, Oscar-winning actor Daniel Day-Lewis, talk show host Jimmy Fallon and singers Christina Aguilera and Beyonce.

For the full list, check out http://time100.time.com

Pictures: Putin and Obama in Macho show

Putin on a horse

Putin in the snow with dog

a heavy rain to pass before crossing West Executive Avenue from the Eisenhower Executive Office Building to the West Wing of the White House

Obama throws a football with Chief of Staff Denis McDonough on the Colonnade of the White House

President Obama is pictured left with Dr. Suleiman A.D. Al Farajat, from the University of Jordan, in the Nabataean Amphitheater during a walking tour of the ancient city of Petra in Jordan

One in four Americans think Obama may be the antichrist, survey says

About one in four Americans suspect that President Barack Obama might be the antichrist, more than a third believe that global warming is a hoax and more than half suspect that a secretive global elite is trying to set up a New World Order, according to a poll released on Tuesday.

The survey, which was conducted by Public Policy Polling, asked a sample of American voters about a number of conspiracy theories, phrasing the questions in eye-catching language that will have the country's educators banging their heads on their desks.

The study revealed that 13% of respondents thought Obama was "the antichrist", while another 13% were "not sure" – and so were at least appeared to be open to the possibility that he might be. Some 73% of people were able to say outright that they did not think Obama was "the antichrist".

Quite honestly, it has crossed my mind a couple of times.