According to John Podesta, a leading member of Barack Obama's transition team, the incoming President would use special powers on stem cell and oil drilling policies, to force through rapid changes.

In an attempt to wipe away some hallmarks of the Bush years, including a ban on embryonic stem cell research and moves to open new lands to oil drilling, Obama will reverse executive orders pertaining to such issues.

Chicago (US), Nov. 10 : US. S. President –elect Barack Obama’s inner circle of political advisors have said that the Democratic candidate was pretty clear from the beginning of the campaign about the message that he wanted to send out to all Americans, and that made it easier for them to ensure he won the race to the White House.

Key advisors David Axelrod, David Plouffe, Robert Gibbs and Anita Dunn told CBS that with Obama’s help and guidance, they orchestrated what some consider one of the most improbable and effective campaigns in American political history.

Tehran - Tehran is waiting for US president-elect Barack Obama to put into practice his "Yes We Can" slogan, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hassan Ghashghavi said in a press briefing Monday.

The spokesman said that Tehran would reply favourably to any change of policy by Washington towards Iran.

For the first time since the 1979 Islamic revolution, an Iranian president sent a congratulation message to his American counterpart on his success in the presidential race.

London, Nov 10: French first lady Carla Bruni has raised a fresh controversy by slamming Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi for his “suntan” remark about U. S. President-elect Barack Obama.

The pop singer-wife of President Nicolas Sarkozy also denounced France for systemic racial discrimination.

It is feared that her comments may risk France’s split from the rest of Europe.

The 40-year-old supermodel has roused many with her outspoken support for a petition in favour of affirmative action in France in the wake of Obama’s presidential victory.

And the Italian-born icon of leftwing chic raised many eyebrows when she commented in Berlusconi''s joke, in which he had remarked that Obama had an admirable suntan.

Washington, Nov. 10: U. S. President –elect Barack Obama''s designated chief of staff Rahm Emanuel has rejected suggestions from the Republican camp that his tough, partisan approach might run at odds with the Obama administration.

Stating that it is up to Obama to set a bipartisan "tone," the Illinois Representative told ABC News'' This Week, that partisan charges against him were rubbish that governance under Obama would be carried out in a bipartisan manner.

Washington, Nov. 10: U. S. President George W. Bush had a dollop of sanitizer applied to his right hand by a White House staff member after shaking hands with Barack Obama for the first time four years ago.

Recalling the event in his best-selling autobiography “ The Audacity of Hope”, Obama says he and other newly elected members of the Senate were invited to the White House for a breakfast meeting with Bush.