Obama naysayers speak out  —  With Barack Obama's approval ratings in the 70s and his visage plastered on every shop window and Metro card in Washington, it's hard to remember that 58 million Americans voted for the other guy.  —  Even President Bush — who presumably counts himself among that group …

Obama's $100,000-Plus Donors Were Able to Give to Several Entities  —  Obama's $100,000-Plus Backers Were Able to Contribute to Several Entities  —  Nearly 100 wealthy families and power couples contributed at least $100,000 each to help Barack Obama over the past two years …

President Obama ‘has four years to save Earth’  —  Barack Obama has only four years to save the world.  That is the stark assessment of Nasa scientist and leading climate expert Jim Hansen who last week warned only urgent action by the new president could halt the devastating climate change that now threatens Earth.

Obama hosting pricey party in a dicey economy  —  Featured Topics: - Barack Obama - Presidential Transition  —  WASHINGTON - Unemployment is up.  The stock market is down.  Let's party.  —  The price tag for President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration gala is expected to break records …

Obama Aide: Military Advisers to Meet on First Day  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — On his first full day as president, Barack Obama will meet with high-ranking military officers to discuss the Iraq war, a conflict he has vowed to end after six years of fighting, a top adviser to Obama said Saturday.

Gaza Skirmishes Continue Despite Cease-Fire  —  A girl gathered belongings amid patches of blood on Saturday at a United Nations school in Beit Lahiya in Gaza.  Israeli fire at the school killed two young brothers.  More Photos >  —  JERUSALEM — Palestinian militants in Gaza fired several rockets …

Bailout Is a Windfall to Banks, if Not to Borrowers  —  At the Palm Beach Ritz-Carlton last November, John C. Hope III, the chairman of Whitney National Bank in New Orleans, stood before a ballroom full of Wall Street analysts and explained how his bank intended to use its $300 million in federal bailout money.

A Farewell Warning On Iraq  —  President Bush teased his ambassador in Baghdad by giving him the nickname “Sunshine,” because of his sometimes-gloomy assessments of the political situation there.  But Ryan Crocker persisted down to the last days in describing things precisely as he saw them.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE  —  The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of six detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  Four detainees were transferred to Iraq, one to Algeria and one to Afghanistan.  These detainees were determined to be eligible for departure following a comprehensive series of review processes.