Barack Obama’s march toward the Democratic presidential nomination picked up support from four more superdelegates, pushing him ever closer to victory over Hillary Clinton – even as their primary marathon staggered on.

The close two-way race to become Democratic US Presidential candidate has landed party leaders with an unexpected problem over states barred from the contest.

US President George Bush was given special treatment to avoid being sent to war in Vietnam as a young man, it was claimed today.

Republicans appear to be headed toward extending their eight-year control of the House of Representatives.