Obama's 'Beast' No Match for Irish Ramp

Moneygall readies for president's visit tomorrow

(NEWSER) - It's not often that drivers blink twice when passing the tiny Irish village of Moneygall, so one might imagine the frenzy that results when Barack Obama swings by for a visit tomorrow. Along with the country's trademark green and orange, locals have decked the County Offaly town out in red, white, and blue, opened an Obama Cafe, and started hawking Obama T-shirts in honor of the president's visit tomorrow, reports the Irish Times. The Offaly Independent has even been re-branded the Obama Independent. More»

Secret Service says 44's impenetrable vehicle is most sophisticated in the world

(NEWSER) - The latest limousine to join the presidential fleet is essentially a tank with a Cadillac exterior, Wired reports. The armored vehicle—code-named “Stagecoach” but dubbed “The Beast” due to its makeup—is the world’s most sophisticated car. The Secret Service and General Motors refuse to divulge specs for Caddy One, which is shuttling President Obama between inaugural appointments today. More»

It's the latest gift that seems to have come out of left field

(AP) - It's better than a gift card, but the White House's latest round of gifts for a foreign dignitary is raising a few eyebrows: President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, have presented the British PM David Cameron and his wife, Samantha, with a wood and charcoal burning grill engraved with American and British friendship flags. The grill came with his-and-her White House chef jackets embroidered with the Camerons' names. Maybe they're manning the grill for tonight's state dinner ? More»

President begins Europe tour

(NEWSER) - President Obama arrived in Ireland today, and said the nation shares a “blood link” with his country because of the millions of Irish-Americans who live in the US. The president, of course, has his own blood link with Ireland, and is planning a visit to the home of his great-great-great grandfather in Moneygall today, the AP reports. Obama, who has been affectionately nicknamed O’Bama by locals, is in Ireland to hold talks on trade, Reuters adds. More»

Head table included actor BD Wong, everyone ate apple pie

(NEWSER) - Sure, everybody who is somebody got an invite to last night's state dinner, which 225 people attended. But who got seated at the head table with President Obama and guest of honor Hu Jintao? Gawker has the list, which includes:

• Law and Order star BD Wong
• Bill and Hillary, along with Jimmy and Roslyn, and John Kerry and Teresa
• GE's Jeff Immelt and wife Andrea (who's next to President Obama)
• Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and wife Maggie
• Communist Party bigwig Ling Jihua