Washington, Jan 15 : Scientists have for the first time detected light from transiting exoplanets from ground based telescopes.

Transiting exoplanets are routinely detected when they pass in front of their parent star as viewed from the Earth, which only happens by chance.

The transit event causes a small drop in the observed starlight, which can then be detected.

Fifty-five exoplanets have been detected this way since the observation of the first transiting planet HD 209458 b in 1999.

When the planet revolves around its star or when it goes behind, the light coming from the system also varies, though the resulting smaller modulation is much harder to detect.

Washington, Jan. 15 : Incoming US President Barack Obama has said that as far as Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden is concerned, his administration's policy will be to marginalize his influence, and not necessarily seek to capture or kill him.

New York, Jan 15: U. S. President-elect Barack Obama has attracted a huge number of supporters, with some of them even offering a free tattoo of him.

Fatty's Custom Tattooz in Washington, D. C., is gearing itself up for the days ahead of the inauguration, in what is called as the "Obamathon", reports the New York Daily News.

From January 16-20, they are offering a free Obama '08 tattoo with the purchase of another costing 200 dollars or more.

Washington, Jan. 15 : US President-elect Barack Obama has said that he will allow gays to serve openly in the military by overturning the controversial "don''t ask, don''t tell" policy.

According to incoming White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, the Obama transition team declined to elaborate on that one-word answer when asked by FOX News on Wednesday about a timetable for repealing the policy, which was enacted by former president Bill Clinton after a protracted public debate.

Washington  - Sasha Obama was convinced even before her daddy's electoral triumph.

"Life in the White House would be cool," said the 7-year-old daughter of president-elect Barack Obama.

Now, the cute little girl can find out first hand.

Starting Tuesday, she will be at home at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, in a 135-room mansion with a swimming pool, cinema, tennis courts and a bowling alley that the new president wants to turn into a basketball court.