Washington, jan.

Washington, Jan. 21: There was no shortage of powerful imagery on Barack Obama's Inauguration Day, starting with the confident man who defied all political conventions - that he was too young, too inexperienced, too black or not black enough - to stand on the steps of the Capitol and take the oath of office in a city and a country that are still racially divided in many shameful ways, says the New York Times.

Moscow, Jan. 21: Lots of Russians believe that under President Obama, U. S.-Russia relations in the post-Cold War scenario should pick up.

"After Barack Obama becomes president, he should establish better contacts and improve ties with Russia," CBS quoted Maxim, a young boy from the Russian city of Yaroslavl, as saying.

"I would advise President Obama to telephone our President Medvedev and arrange a meeting between them," adds Vitaly, also from Yaroslavl.

Russian officials have recently been talking most favorably of the future of the bilateral relations, significantly toning down their anti-American rhetoric which has for years been Moscow''s trademark in foreign relations.

Washington, Jan. 21: 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.

London, January 21: Millions may have lauded Barack Obama's Inaugural speech but what remained unheard was what was said by a First daughter to her father, and between the new President and his predecessor after the swearing-in ceremony.

According to a lip reader, the first African-American President of the United States, just after the ceremony, asked George W. Bush: "You OK?"

As to what was Bush's reply, according to the Sun, the lip reader said: "So relieved."

Washington, January 21 : America's new first family may have to do with a limited budget to transform the White House into their new home, but that would not stop their designer from making it chic.

Decorator Michael Smith, working under a tight budget of 100,000 dollars allocated by Congress, revealed that he would use "affordable brands" to redesign the presidential mansion to make the Chicago family feel content in their new home - but not without style.

And, according to interior experts, achieving high style should not be a problem even on a budget.

Reasonable furniture and accessories from stores like Target, Kohl''s and Ikea can help add panache to any interior, be it in the White House or any other house, they added.