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.

Obama faces first day as president  —  With the pageantry almost behind him, Barack Obama comes to work for the first full day Wednesday to face problems both foreign and domestic.  —  And his staff just hopes to figure out the computers.  —  Obama wraps up the inaugural festivities Wednesday morning …

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.

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 …

Judge Obama on Performance Alone  —  Let's not celebrate more ordinary speeches.  —  With the noon sun high over the U.S. Capitol, Barack Obama yesterday took the oath of office to become president of the United States.  On one level, it was a simple matter of political process — the symbolic transfer of power.

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.

Questions for Mr. Geithner  —  Timothy Geithner, President Obama's nominee for Treasury secretary, appears before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday.  The Op-Ed page asked seven experts in finance and economics to pose the questions they would like to hear the nominee answer.

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.

Chinese translation cuts out parts of Obama speech  —  BEIJING - The official Chinese translation of President Barack Obama's inauguration speech omitted his references to communism and dissent, and a live broadcast on state television Wednesday quickly cut away to the anchor when sensitive topics were mentioned.

Portland Mayor Sam Adams apologizes for ‘sexual relationship’ with teenager … Portland Mayor Sam Adams held a news conference at 1:30 p.m. today in City Hall to discuss reports of his sexual relationship with a teenager.  Reporter Michelle Roberts is sending dispatches from the news conference.

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.”

U.S. Stocks Slide in Dow Average's Worst Inauguration Day Drop  —  Jan. 20 (Bloomberg) — U.S. stocks sank, sending the Dow Jones Industrial Average to its worst Inauguration Day decline, as speculation banks must raise more capital sent financial shares to an almost 14-year low.

New White House site slams Bush  —  The new White House website unveiled by President Barack Obama's team Tuesday includes a shot at former President Bush's response to Hurricane Katrina.  —  Under the “agenda” portion of the site regarding Katrina, it reads: “President Obama will keep …

Let's Stimulate Private Risk Taking  —  Tax cuts are the way to nudge capital toward productive uses.  —  In virtually all economics classes, including those taught by the many excellent economists on the Obama team, the idea of government spending as an engine for growth is not a popular topic.

Hopes for the Obama Presidency  —  Marshal the Power of Government  —  By Katrina vanden Heuvel  —  President Barack Obama will need to act swiftly and invest political capital — along with trillions of dollars — in a sustained recovery program.  While many caution our new president …

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?”

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.