London  - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown set off Monday to become the first European leader to have talks with US President Barack Obama in Washington, expected to focus on the world economy and future military cooperation.

Officials in London said Brown was keen to deliver a "clear message" from Europe to Obama about the need for urgent worldwide action to counter the economic crisis.

The talks were described as a "make-or-break opportunity" to persuade the new US administration to engage in what Brown has called a "global new deal" to tackle the recession.

Washington  - US President Barack Obama will nominate Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius as health secretary on Monday, his second choice for what will be a critical post in the new administration, according to US media reports.

Sebelius, who was once considered a possibility for vice president, will take the job after Obama's first pick Thomas Daschle was forced to withdraw amid a tax scandal.

Prague - US President Barack Obama and leaders of the European Union are scheduled to meet at a summit in Prague on April 5, EU presidency spokeswoman Michaela Jelinkova confirmed Monday.

The Czech Republic, which holds a rotating presidency of the 27- member bloc until June 30, has been pressing the US leader to visit Prague during his April European trip, during which he is to attend a NATO summit held jointly in France and Germany.

Washington, Mar. 2 : US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said that he finds President Barack Obama more analytical on issues than former President George W Bush.

Speaking on NBC''s "Meet the Press", Gates said: "It''s hard to say. I think probably President Obama is somewhat more analytical, and he makes sure he hears from everybody in the room on an issue, and if they don''t speak up, he calls on them."

In contrast, President Bush didn''t go out of his way to elicit input from those in the room, Gates said.

's addiction with his BlackBerry made him battle Whitehouse bureaucracy. He could thus hang on to his favourite gizmo. And the best part is that he won and so still remains a proud owner of the gadget that's indispensable to many of our own Indian politicians and celebrities.

Washington, Feb. 28 : A majority of Americans are reportedly optimistic about President Barack Obama bringing back U. S. troops from Iraq.

While assessments of the war are now more positive, a solid majority of the public would like to see U. S. troops out of Iraq within 16 months.

Obama has promised to withdraw all American troops from Iraq by 2011.