Washington - Don King, the controversial boxing promoter known for using the slogan "only in America" to describe his rise from a second-degree murder conviction to the pinnacle of the sport, says he believes Barack Obama will restore United States' standing in the world.

"It ain't just an election for America, it's an election for the world," said King, who earned millions of dollars over decades promoting fights that included greats Mohammed Ali, George Foreman, Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield.

King spoke with Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa while attending Obama's inauguration Tuesday at the Capitol building.

Washington, Jan. 20 : Barack Obama''s inaugural ceremony has thrown the biggest challenge so far for the security agencies who have been busy for months ahead of the scheduled swearing-in ceremony to be held on Tuesday, to ensure an incident-free function before the world.

“There have been painstaking preparations, with rehearsals for security officials - not just for the military precision of the ceremony and the parade, stated a British Broadcasting Corporation report on Monday.

Los Angeles - Jennifer Hudson, whose mother, brother and nephew were murdered in October, will head the list of performers at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards on February 8, it was announced Tuesday.

It will be her second performance since the tragedy, coming a week after she sings the national anthem at the Superbowl on February 1.

Hudson will be joined by stars like Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Coldplay, Jonas Brothers, Lil Wayne, and Katy Perry as other acts who will perform at the awards show.

NewYork - The plane that spectacularly crashed into the Hudson River in New York already had problems before the accident, the news channel CNN reported Tuesday citing three passengers.

The three reportedly said that they had already heard loud blows on the same US Airways plane two days before the accident last Thursday. The crew announced an emergency landing, but then were said to have decided against it.

Washington - Barack Obama arrived at the White House Tuesday for a pre-inaugural coffee with President George W Bush, just two hours before he takes the oath of office as the 44th president of the United States.

Bush and First Lady Laura Bush greeted Obama and wife Michelle outside the fabled mansion. They exchanged handshakes and hugs along with a few words before turning for the cameras, then retreating inside.

The incoming and soon-to-be former presidents will have their traditional coffee before travelling together to the congressional steps, where Obama will take the oath of office at noon (1700 GMT).

Washington, Jan. 20 : About two million people have converged into the area between the Capitol, the White House and the Lincoln Memorial to witness the first African American taking oath of office and secrecy in a short while from now as 44th President, replacing George W. Bush .

Many of these people will remain to be over a mile away from the actual venue of swearing-in ceremony. But they will watch the historical moment taking place on giant TV screens erected along the National Mall.