US president George Bush has begun a three-day visit to Israel where he will make a new push for peace in the Middle East.

THIS could make for one odd family reunion: Barack Obama is a distant cousin of Brad Pitt, and Hillary Rodham Clinton is related to Pitt’s girlfriend, Angelina Jolie.

The father of missing Madeleine McCann had a “productive and interesting” meeting with US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales today to discuss efforts to tackle child abduction, a family spokesman said.

US President George Bush received a hero’s welcome as the first American president to visit Albania today, and said there cannot be endless dialogue about achieving independence for Serbia’s province of Kosovo.

Ordinary Americans joined President George Bush and other dignitaries in Washington to pay final respects to Gerald Ford as the former US president’s flag-draped coffin rested under the Capitol dome, before a last round of funeral services and burial near his family home in Michigan.

President George Bush and first lady Laura Bush briefly paid their respects Gerald Ford today, joining thousands of ordinary Americans in saying goodbye to the former president.

US President George Bush has full confidence in Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, even if others dislike the Pentagon chief’s “bedside manner,” a top White House official said.

British business mogul Richard Branson today pledged to invest about 3$bn (€2.34m) over the next decade to combat global warming and promote alternative energy, saying that it was critical to protect the environment for the sake of future generations.

Outspoken actress Angelina Jolie has stepped into the political arena again, urging First Lady Laura Bush to push the American President to do more to provide poverty-stricken children around the globe with an education.

POPE Benedict received US First Lady Laura Bush yesterday and told her he was worried about terrorism around the world and violence sparked by the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.

Africa’s first elected female head of state, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has been sworn in as president of war-battered Liberia, promising a clean break with the west African nation’s violent past and pledging to rebuild.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was returned to the operating room today after a brain scan revealed he required more treatment following “massive, widespread” bleeding in his brain.

Robert Redford, singers Tony Bennett and Tina Turner, actress Julie Harris and ballerina/teacher Suzanne Farrell will receive Kennedy Center honours, the performing arts centre announced in Washington tonight.

Cherie Blair and US first lady Laura Bush were heading for Rwanda today to remember the nation’s genocide and try to learn from it.

US President George W Bush is to make a brief refuelling stop at Shannon Airport today as he returns to the United States following his visit to Europe.

THE wife of US election hopeful John Kerry apologised to First Lady Laura Bush after saying in an interview: “I don’t know that she’s ever had a real job.”

President George Bush arrives in New York later today ahead of his crucial speech to the Republican national convention.

Officials at the White House have hit back at reports they had anything to do with First Lady Laura Bush's reported snub of Sean P Diddy Combs this week.

THE Government last night rejected claims it had sided with the White House in a complaint over an RTÉ interview with President George Bush.

One of the literary world’s rising stars in detective fiction has spoken of his “contempt” for fellow Scots author Irvine Welsh, branding him a “travesty for Scotland”, it emerged today.

They rarely see eye-to-eye but US President George Bush and former First Lady Hillary Clinton are America’s favourite twosome, according to a poll today.

President George Bush was tonight being wined and dined by the Queen at a Buckingham Palace state banquet.

US First Lady Laura Bush, on a five-day "bridge-building" visit to France and Russia, was warmly greeted by President Jacques Chirac at the Elysee Palace today.

Elizabeth Taylor, James Earl Jones and Sir Paul McCartney will pick up awards at the 25th annual honours of the John F Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts.

Despite passing out after choking on a pretzel, US President George Bush has not changed his snacking habits.

Cherie Blair was today joining Cabinet ministers for a Downing Street event to highlight the oppression of women and girls under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

President Bush says there is 'no question' Osama bin Laden is the prime suspect behind the US terrorist attacks.

American First Lady Laura Bush today rejected claims that her daughter Barbara had worn jeans to meet the Queen.

American president George W Bush was today marking his landmark 100th day in office - and celebrating being an unexpected success.

A tabby cat which was discarded by George W Bush when he took up the reins of government has gone missing.