Celebrities, top-tier Democratic donors score seats at Obama's first state dinner. Celebrities, major Democratic fundraisers and prominent Indian businessmen were among those scoring coveted invitations to President Barack Obama's first state dinner.

Clinton praises Karzai for outlining plans to crack down on corruption, vows to hold him to it. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton lauded the newly sworn-in Afghan president for outlining a plan to crack down on corruption in his inaugural speech Thursday, but warned that Washington and the international community would hold him to his promises.

KABUL (Reuters) - Death sentences imposed by Iran over unrest after disputed elections in June were unfortunate and distressing, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday.

Obama, first President Bush are calling on Americans to perform more community service. Fresh off a fundraiser in San Francisco, President Barack Obama heads to Houston to promote community service.

George H.W. Bush says Obama visit to Texas A&M about community service, not politics. Former President George H.W. Bush says President Barack Obama's upcoming visit to Texas A&M is about community service, not politics.

The Arab states of the Gulf said on Friday that US President Obama's speech this week to the UN General Assembly can be a basis for reaching a Middle East peace agreement.

Former Democratic party leader Paul Kirk, tapped as the late Edward Kennedy's temporary replacement in the Senate, took office Friday amid careful vote-counting in a tough health care fight.

Obama's speech on climate change receives praise from unlikely source _ Fidel Castro. Barack Obama's call for action on climate change and his admission that rich nations have a particular responsibility to lead has received strong praise from an unusual source ? U.S. nemesis Fidel Castro.

Libya's maverick leader Moamer Kadhafi on Wednesday offered profuse praise for Barack Obama at the United Nations -- and said he wouldn't mind if he became US president for life.

Libya's maverick leader Moamer Kadhafi on Wednesday offered profuse praise for Barack Obama at the United Nations -- and said he wouldn't mind if became US president for life.

US prosecutors said a prominent Democratic fundraiser has been indicted for running a Ponzi scheme in which he defrauded three major banks of 290 million dollars.

White House spokesman: Criticism of Obama is not based on his race. The White House says President Barack Obama doesn't believe he's being criticized because of his race.

The US House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to reprimand Republican Joe Wilson for shouting "you lie" at President Barack Obama during the president's speech to Congress last week.

The US House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to reprimand Republican Joe Wilson for shouting "you lie" at President Barack Obama during the president's speech to Congress last week.

Democratic congressional leaders predicted passage of health care legislation within a few months despite undimmed Republican opposition, claiming momentum Thursday from President Barack Obama's speech and renewed commitment from lawmakers fresh from a month of meetings with constituents.

Democratic congressional leaders predicted passage of health care legislation within a few months despite undimmed Republican opposition, claiming momentum Thursday from President Barack Obama's speech and renewed commitment from lawmakers fresh from a month of meetings with constituents.

ATLANTA (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama's speech to Congress on healthcare reform has galvanized activists opposed to his proposals who plan a mass march on Washington on Saturday as the next step in their campaign.

While some were moved to tears by the president's soaring rhetoric, others were moved not at all. Where some saw a new clarity, others saw more vagueness. And while some praised him for reaching out to Republicans, there were those who felt he was overreaching in some ways and not reaching far enough in others.

Many moved by Obama's soaring rhetoric on health reform, but others await more details. While some were moved to tears by the president's soaring rhetoric, others were moved not at all. Where some saw a new clarity, others saw more vagueness. And while some praised him for reaching out to Republicans, there were those who felt he was overreaching in some ways and not reaching far enough in others.

US President Barack Obama said Thursday he accepted an apology from Republican congressman Joe Wilson who shouted out "You lie!" during his prime time address to Congress.