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Barack Obama ends 2017 with a series of 'good news' tweets

In a series of tweets, the former US president referenced a number of different news stories from 2017.

FORMER US PRESIDENT Barack Obama has sent out a series of good news tweets to close off 2017, saying that there was much there to remind people of “what’s best about America”.

In a series of tweets, the former US president referenced a number of different news stories from 2017.

“As we count down to the new year, we get to reflect and prepare for what’s ahead,” Obama began.

“For all the bad news that seemed to dominate our collective consciousness, there are countless stories from this year that remind us what’s best about America.”

The first story concerned a wedding planner using a postponed wedding to start a volunteer effort to assist Hurricane Harvey victims in Houston, Texas in September.

He then referenced NFL player Chris Long , who decided to pledge all of his 2017 salary towards promoting educational equity in the US cities of Philadelphia, Boston and St Louis.

Finally, Obama mentioned a Chicago 10-year-old who went on a mission to help the homeless people of Chicago.

The former president ended the Twitter thread by encouraging people to “go keep changing the world in 2018″.

“All across America people chose to get involved, get engaged and stand up. Each of us can make a difference, and all of us ought to try,” he said.

Since Obama stepped down as president at the beginning of the year he has used his platform to discuss a range of social and political issues of the day.

He has also been present on the paid speech circuit, and appearing in interviews (most recently with Prince Harry on Wednesday)

Current US president Donald Trump broke with established communication tradition to use Twitter as a direct line to the public throughout his first year in office.

He has been criticised by many but lauded by his base for a number of aggressive tweets aimed at opposing nations, the media and political opponents throughout the year.

Read: Donald Trump’s bizarre first year in the White House, in 12 tweets

Read: Barack Obama warns against ‘irresponsible’ social media use in interview with Prince Harry

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    Mute Declan Byrne
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    Feb 4th 2015, 5:04 PM

    Ulster Bank are the worst bank I ever dealt with. Absolute no interest in talking just red tape after red tape and applies the same rules no matter what the circumstances is.

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    Mute Ian Walsh™
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    Feb 4th 2015, 5:39 PM

    Personally speaking I found UB a pleasure to deal with. Staff could not have been more helpful. The so call ‘red tape’ you refer to is in this day and age essential in the banking sector. The ‘ah sure it’ll be grand’ for of banking is well and truly over. If they bend the rules for you, where does it stop? Then (hypothetically) if down the road something happens and you had to be chased for money. They wouldn’t have a leg to stand on with the courts or central bank because they broke procedure.

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    Mute Pat Golden
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    Feb 4th 2015, 6:34 PM

    Couldn’t agree more Ulsterbank staff the most helpful of the three big banks

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    Mute Paul Carey
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    Feb 4th 2015, 4:50 PM

    Don’t support this bank as they are closing branches in rural areas.

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    Mute Mike
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    Feb 4th 2015, 5:07 PM

    No private business will support a town to lose money. Ridiculous comment. Speak to the government. British companies brought so much competition to Ireland. Love my tracker. Irish companies have to try and complete. They’re the ones that ripped you off for years.

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    Mute Norman Hunter
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    Feb 4th 2015, 5:19 PM

    Back in 2006 I was coming off my 2 year fixed introductory mortgage rate,the Irish bank I was with declined to give me a tracker.Ulster bank give me a tracker and paid my legal fees to move.My tracker has saved my family from serious financial headaches.Thank you Ulster Bank.

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    Mute The Galloping Major
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    Feb 4th 2015, 7:29 PM

    Hooray for the banks. Wonderful news :)

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    Mute lunadoran
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    Feb 4th 2015, 9:50 PM

    Woohoo every little helps

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    Mute Clive Hand
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    Feb 5th 2015, 12:20 AM

    These rates are applicable for new customers. We need to see a start to interest rate reductions for existing customers.

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