Obama extends holiday

US President Barack Obama is extending his Hawaiian holiday by another day.

The White House said Mr Obama will now depart Hawaii late in the evening on January 3, arriving in Washington the following day.

The Obamas have already pushed back their departure once, changing their return from January 1 to January 2 after the president delayed his arrival in Hawaii to stay in Washington while Congress wrapped up the legislative year.

Obama spokesman Bill Burton said the president is trying to squeeze in more time with his family before returning to the US capital.

The delayed departure means Mr Obama’s daughters will miss at least two days of school.

Classes resume at Sidwell Friends, the private school they attend, on January 3.