Obama calls on Americans to lend a hand in their communities this summer

September 30th, 2009 Berlusconi calls Obama 'tanned' againROME — Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi is poking fun at President Barack Obama again. Berlusconi has told a rally in Milan that he was bringing greetings from the United States from "What's his name? Some tanned guy.

September 25th, 2009 AT&T complains Google Voice blocks calls it can'tSEATTLE — AT&T is arguing Google's Internet phone program gets an unfair advantage from blocking calls to rural communities where local carriers charge high fees. AT&T Inc. says Google Voice curbs costs by refusing to connect calls to places where some local carriers give phone numbers to adult chat lines and conference-calling services to draw long distance calls.

September 25th, 2009 Obama: I know Americans tired of warPITTSBURGH — President Barack Obama says he understands that Americans are tiring of the war in Afghanistan, and he said he is examining whether the U.S. is pursuing the right strategy there.

July 31st, 2009 Michelle Obama meets with families at Va Navy baseNORFOLK, Va. — First lady Michelle Obama is calling military families "quiet heroes" and urging the public to support them.

June 22nd, 2009 In SF, Michelle Obama calls on Americans to serveSAN FRANCISCO — First lady Michelle Obama wants Americans to make this a summer of community service. Obama is scheduled to put the idea into action Monday, joining California first lady Maria Shriver and local volunteers in refurbishing the playground at Bret Harte Elementary School in San Francisco.

June 6th, 2009 Obama: Picnics have to be delayed during crisisCAEN, France — President Barack Obama says he would like nothing more than a leisurely stroll through Paris and a picnic with his wife, but his busy schedule doesn't lend itself to long vacations. Obama met with French President Nicholas Sarkozy on Saturday ahead of ceremonies marking the 65th anniversary of the Allied invasion on D-Day.

June 4th, 2009 Obama: no permanent US presence in AfghanistanCAIRO — President Barack Obama says the United States has no intention of keeping its troops in Afghanistan and America seeks no permanent military bases there. Obama calls it costly and politically difficult to continue the conflict.

May 17th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In her commencement address to the graduating students of University of California at Merced, America's first lady Michelle Obama encouraged the students to serve their communities. Recalling her personal journey from the South Side of Chicago to an Ivy League degree and then finally to the White House, Michelle Obama said students should continue to push for big things as they chart their lives in the future, but not forget their roots.

May 14th, 2009 Obama calls for bipartisanship, not bickeringRIO RANCHO, N.M. — President Barack Obama says he expects to see more consensus between Democrats and Republicans but that first the GOP must realize Americans "want results, not bickering." At a town hall meeting in New Mexico, Obama said once that happens, Republicans will find an "open, outstretched hand" from him.

April 30th, 2009 Obama says economic recovery will help minoritiesWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says the best way to help hard-hit minority communities is to help the entire nation thrive. Obama was asked Wednesday about his specific plans to help black communities, which tend to have higher unemployment rates than whites.

April 23rd, 2009 Nearly 3 in 10 say Fox News too tough on ObamaNEW YORK — Nearly three in 10 Americans say Fox News Channel has been too critical of President Barack Obama. Pollsters for the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press found a partisan divide.

April 21st, 2009 Obama joins students to lend a hand at parkWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Tuesday rolled up his sleeves and got his shoes muddy as he, Vice President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton planted trees at a national park site along the Anacostia River in northeast Washington. Obama let Clinton be the first to dig into the dirt.

February 6th, 2009 WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has named Indian American lawyer Nicholas Rathod as one of three Deputy Associate Directors of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, a key staff position. 'I am confident that Jodi, Michael and Nick will be valuable members of our team,' Obama said making the announcement Friday naming Rathod, Jodi Archambault Gillette and Michael Blake.

February 3rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Two weeks into his presidency, a new national poll suggests that nearly two-thirds of Americans approve of the job Barack Obama has been doing so far in the White House, but it's a far cry from his 84 percent rating days before his inauguration. Sxity-four percent of those questioned in a new Gallup/USA Today survey say they approve of how President Obama is handling his job, with 25 percent disapproving and 11 percent unsure.

February 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Two weeks into his presidency, a new national poll suggests that nearly two thirds of Americans approve of the job Barack Obama has been doing so far in the White House, but it's a far cry from his 84 percent rating days before his inauguration. Sxity-four percent of those questioned in a new Gallup/USA Today survey say they approve of how President Obama is handling his job, with 25 percent disapproving and 11 percent unsure.