The George Bush presidency has been rich pickings for those in one line of work - comedy. But with Barack Obama's election win steeped in historical significance, America's new leader seems, for the moment, to be beyond comic reproach, says John O'Farrell.

Key facts, figures and dates

Benin's sports ministry wants a change of nickname for the national side

Europe's leaders stop short of forming a Wall Street-style rescue plan for the bloc's beleaguered banks.

Wasps insist they are ready for life after Lawrence Dallaglio

Darren Clarke calls for an end to the furore caused by Ian Poulter's selection as one of European captain Nick Faldo's Ryder Cup wildcards.

Budget airline FlyGlobeSpan, which flew a faulty jet 3,000 miles from Liverpool to New York, is fined £5,000.

England make South Africa bat twice but suffer an emphatic loss on day four of the second Test at Headingley.

Six Anglicans from across the world discuss the key topics facing the Church.

Turkey's ruling AK Party has been arguing the case for its survival in a case before the country's Constitutional Court.

Ian Paisley Jnr makes a complaint against the Stormont deputy speaker who reported him and his father to standards watchdogs.

Opposition parties are sceptical over reforms to the Scottish ministerial code.

Germany coach Joachim Low is banned from the touchline for his side's Euro 2008 quarter-final against Portugal on Thursday.

Shane Warne's Rajasthan Royals beat the Chennai Super Kings by three wickets in a thrilling inaugural Indian Premier League final.

More than 100 MPs declare that they employ relatives using their taxpayer-funded expenses.

Stoke Potters lose 48-45 to Sheffield in a Premier Trophy last-heat decider at Loomer Road on Saturday night.

Buying a block of flats near the Commons to house all MPs is an option the expenses review is looking at.

A doctor who wrongly gave the all-clear to 20 breast cancer patients is suspended for 12 months.

A date is set for the public inquiry into Donald Trump's controversial plans for a £1bn golf resort in Aberdeenshire.

Author Jacqueline Wilson says children are growing up too fast. So what was childhood like throughout the 20th Century?