Obama Seeks Halt to Legal Proceedings at Guantanamo  —  In one of its first actions, the Obama administration instructed military prosecutors late Tuesday to seek a 120-day suspension of legal proceedings involving detainees at the naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba — a clear break with the approach of the outgoing Bush administration.

Rev. Joseph Lowery's impassioned benediction … Barack Obama's inaugural speech was book-ended by two expressions of evangelical faith.  First came Rev. Rick Warren's invocation, including mentions of God, Jesus and an allusion to Allah, called by Muslims as “compassionate and merciful.”

Quickfire for the new press secretary  —  A new president, a new press secretary - and plenty of questions for both.  —  Press Secretary Robert Gibbs is expected to step to one of the most storied podiums in the world for the first time Wednesday, as the public face of Barack Obama's White House.

Bush Mocked As He Arrives on Inauguration Dais  —  The crowd packed on the west side of the Capitol grounds serenaded President Bush in mocking fashion when he took to the inaugural stage alongside Vice President Dick Cheney.  —  “Nah nah nah nah, hey hey, good-bye,” a section of the crowd chanted.

Worst.  Inauguration.  Ever.  —  So, I don't even know how to write about this without it sounding like bitter grousing, and frankly, I'm a little embarrassed to have to report that after five hours of standing in the bitter cold, getting pushed and shoved to the point where you start to feel …

At Inaugural Balls, Only One Couple Mattered  —  WASHINGTON — Moments before the first dance at the first inaugural ball, President Obama emerged onstage Tuesday hand in hand with his wife, Michelle, who glittered in a floor-length ivory one-shoulder gown.  —  “How good-looking is my wife?”

The Inaugural Oath: Chief Justice Slip-Up  —  Chief Justice John Roberts is a man who has made very few public missteps in his life — but he appears to have made one when swearing in Barack Obama.  Roberts slightly flubbed the oath, which then tripped up Obama.

Banks Pull Dow Under 8000  —  State Street, U.K. Bailout Rattle Investors Anew  —  As Washington paused for pomp and ceremony Tuesday, the financial sector's slide refused to relent.  —  Bank stocks led the broader market sharply lower, including the worst daily drop in the Dow Jones Industrial Average …

Sell-Off Is Sobering Welcome From Wall Street  —  As Washington celebrated, New York fretted.  —  The Dow Jones industrial average yesterday fell below 8,000, shedding 4 percent, its bleakest performance on any Inauguration Day since the index was started 124 years ago.

Something Has to Be Said  —  The utter lack of ooh-ing and ah-ing over Michelle Obama's inauguration wear should tell you something.  It was bad.  —  She's worn beautiful things in the past.  I tend to think saturated, jewel tones (royal purple, forest green, dark teal, deep orange) look great on her.

Much of Stimulus Won't Be Spent Before 2011, CBO Says  —  Jan. 20 (Bloomberg) — The government wouldn't be able to spend at least one-fourth of a proposed $825 billion economic stimulus plan until after 2010, according to a new report that suggests it may take longer than expected to boost the economy.

Turning the page on Print Ads  —  Labels: Announcements, Google Print Ads  —  In the last few months, we've been taking a long, hard look at all the things we are doing to ensure we are investing our resources in the projects that will have the biggest impact for our users and partners.

Obama signs first presidential proclamation  —  WASHINGTON (CNN) — As his first official action after being sworn in, President Barack Obama signed three documents Tuesday, including a proclamation declaring a day of national renewal and reconciliation.  —  “I'm a lefty.

Madoff's Ponzi Case Leaves PETA Cowed  —  WASHINGTON — The downfall of Bernard Madoff has claimed a far-flung, new victim: a plan by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to lobby Barack Obama at the inaugural festivities to be a vegetarian.  —  The animal-welfare organization viewed Mr. Obama's election as a turning point.

Text of President Barack Obama's inaugural address  —  Featured Topics: - Barack Obama - Presidential Transition  —  Text of President Barack Obama's inaugural address on Tuesday, as delivered.  —  OBAMA: My fellow citizens:  —  I stand here today humbled by the task before us …

America Passes A Milestone!  —  We now have more poeple employed in government than manufacturing and construction.  —  It's a milestone.  But to what end does this road lead us?  —  For another perspective  —  See Can you see the signs of spring in the coming of winter?

Norwegian envoy: Israel, Nazis the same  —  A Norwegian diplomat based in Saudi Arabia has sent out e-mails from her Foreign Ministry e-mail account equating Israel's offensive against Hamas in Gaza with the systematic mass murder of six million Jews by the Nazis.

How Conservatives Should Celebrate the Inauguration  —  “If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.”

The First Lady Tells a Story With Fashion  —  If Michelle Obama is a different and more stylish first lady than the country has seen in a while — maybe since Jacqueline Kennedy — she proved it on Tuesday with a coat and matching dress in vivid lemongrass yellow.

World Celebrates, Riots on Obama's Inauguration Day  —  While much of the world celebrated the arrival of the new American president on Tuesday, some regions saw angry protests.  —  In Iran, protesters burnt posters of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and waved flags in support of Gaza, Reuters reported.