Thousands rally against Obama's `socialism' in United States

Tens of thousands of people marched from the shadow of the White House to the footsteps of the US Capitol on Sunday to protest against President Barack Obama and his "big government" policies.

They carried hand-painted posters with slogans decrying Obama's proposed healthcare reforms, or accusing the Democratic administration of leading the United States down the road to socialism.

"Abortion is not healthcare," read one sign. Another, held aloft by an immigrant from Ukraine, screamed: "I had enough of socialism in the USSR."

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Daughters in the White House

From Bill- Clinton to George W. Bush to the charismatic Barack Obama, the recent US Presidents have one thing in common — all have daughters and no sons.

While Bill Clinton has only one daughter, both George W.Bush and Barack Obama have two each.

In fact,go through the 17 men who have been either President or Vice-President since 1961 — from the era of John F.Kennedy to that of Obama and their daughters actually outnumber their sons, by 28 to 27.

It was nearly 16 years ago when Bill Clinton’s daughter Chelsea called the White House home. Chelsea went to a local school and had always tried to lead a normal life as the First Daughter.

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Kal Penn joins White House

Kal Penn, Indian American star of Mira Nair’s The Namesake and a long time supporter of US President Barack Obama, is joining the White House as a liaison between the administration and Asian constituents. Born Kalpen Suresh Modi to Indian immigrant parents from Gujarat, the 31-year old actor who had a recurring role on Fox’s popular TV show “House” would join the White House staff as an associate director in the Office of Public Liaison, CNN reported.

Penn, who plays American-born Gogol, the son of Indian immigrants, wanting to fit in among his fellow New Yorkers, despite his family’s unwillingness to let go of their traditional ways, will in his new role connect Obama with the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, as well as arts groups. Apart from The Namesake, Penn has had starring roles in the films National Lampoon’s Van Wilder, Epic Movie, and Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay. Penn endorsed Obama’s White House bid in late 2007, and was a frequent campaign surrogate on the trail last year. The White House says a start date for Penn hasn’t been set. The White House did not reveal what Penn would be paid.

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Iraqi journalist threw shoes at Bush ‘to protest war'

The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at George W. Bush defiantly defended his actions in court on Thursday, saying he had been overwhelmed when confronted by the ex-US president's "icy smile."

Muntazer al-Zaidi won global fame when his footwear whizzed past Bush's head on December 14 as the then president made a farewell visit to Iraq before leaving the White House.

His lawyers used the trial's opening arguments to assert that the remarkable protest was lawful, but the judge brought proceedings to a halt 90 minutes later, saying more information was needed about Bush's trip.

The 30-year-old journalist told the court he had been outraged and was unable to control his emotions when Bush, who ordered the invasion of Iraq in March 2003 that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, started speaking.

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Obama holds firm lead over McCain as battle for White House nears conclusion

The battle for the US presidency entered its final hours Monday, with polls showing Barack Obama holding a solid lead in his historic quest to become the first black US president while rival John McCain grasped for a last-minute upset.

On the last day of his 21month campaign for the White House, Obama told supporters in Jacksonville,Florida,he could win the longest, most expensive US presidential contest in history but only with their support.

"That's how we're gonna change this country – with your help," he told the crowd, amid chants of "O-bam-a, O-bam-a." "And that's why we can't afford to slow down, sit back, or let up, one minute, or one second in the next 24 hours … Not now. Not when so much is at stake."

McCain meanwhile was racing through seven states in a last campaign swing that ends Tuesday morning in a bid to persuade undecided voters that he, not his rival, was more qualified to lead the world's most powerful nation.

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