Washington, March 5 : Hollywood heartthrob George Clooney might have frequented Washington D. C. in the recent past, but that does not mean that he would soon be shifting there permanently.

His father, Nick, says that having his son as their neighbour would remain just a dream for Washingtonians.

According to Politico. com, Nick made this comment during an interview for its latest podcast.

Nick has been a journalist, anchorman, game show host, and a wanna-be politician who ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1994.

Washington  - Courtney Austermehle always spent her money on what she calls "girlie stuff."

The 23-year-old went to high-end hair salons, paid expert manicurists to do her nails and bought expensive clothes. But the Philadelphia woman has not been on a shopping spree for a long time.

"I don't shop anymore," she said soberly. Instead she has started cooking at home more often and takes the subway instead of her car.

Washington  - The US economy shrank in nearly all parts of the country in the first two months of the year, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday in the latest sign of a deepening US recession.

Ten of 12 US regions reported "weaker conditions or declines in economic activity" since the start of 2009, according to the central bank's Beige Book, which is compiled from local business reports around the country.

Washington  - A US senator has proposed establishing a truth commission to investigate former president George W Bush's policies in the war on terrorism that many believe led to abuse.

Senator Patrick Leahy, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said Wednesday a commission should be established to examine the wiretapping of communications and how policies led to mistreating prisoners.

Washington  - The United States launched an effort Wednesday to help homeowners pay off their mortgages, hoping to stabilize a housing crisis that lies at the centre of the country's deep recession.

President Barack Obama last month announced a 75-billion-dollar plan to help up to 9 million homeowners refinance their mortgages and avoid foreclosure.

Washington, Mar 4 : Oasis star Noel Gallagher is wishing that the ongoing financial crisis gets worse - because the band come up with their best work during times of economic strife.

Gallagher, who first began writing music in the early 1990s, claims the troubled climate in Britain at the time helped them put together their hit 1994 debut album Definitely Maybe.

And now, the guitarist hopes the recession could have a positive effect when the rockers make their upcoming ninth record, reports Contactmusic.