BARACK OBAMA would consider whether a special US envoy to the north was still necessary if elected president, a statement from the Democratic candidate said yesterday.

Barack Obama would consider whether a special US envoy to the North was still necessary if elected president, a statement from the Democratic candidate said today.

US PRESIDENT George W Bush lifted a White House ban on offshore drilling yesterday to try to drive down soaring energy prices, a largely symbolic move unlikely to have any short-term impact on high gasoline costs.

Democratic White House hopeful Barack Obama, looking to chart a US foreign policy course far removed from the Bush administration’s path, said he would bring Osama bin Laden to justice in a way that would deny the al-Qaida leader the chance to become a martyr.

Barack Obama has almost tied with Hillary Clinton in the crucial superdelegate count that she once dominated, with the slew of new support offering one of the clearest signs yet that her Democratic White House bid is nearly over.

Democratic White House hopeful Hillary Clinton’s pollster and senior strategist has left her campaign after it was disclosed he met representatives of the Colombian government to help promote a free trade agreement his boss opposes.

The Illinois senator is favoured to win in today’s nominating race, writes John Dunbar

Barack Obama accused rival Hillary Clinton of trying to “scare up votes” with a new ad as the former first lady struggled to halt her opponent’s sprint to the Democratic White House nomination ahead of key contests next week.

Democratic White House hopeful Hillary Clinton has strongly defended her husband’s record on civil rights at a forum in New Orleans.

IRAQ dominated a debate of eight US Democratic presidential hopefuls in New Hampshire on Sunday as candidates were questioned about foreign policy, immigration reform, gays in the military, health care and the role of Bill Clinton in the next administration.