Hypoallergenic Dog Is Tall Tail: Allergists to Obama

First lady dishes on husband's skills with Jay Leno

(NEWSER) - If you thought the recent clip of President Obama singing was a fluke, think again: "He does have a beautiful voice, and he sings to me all the time," Michelle Obama told Jay Leno last night. Her husband often sings that very same song (Al Green's "Let's Stay Together"), she said, adding, "He sings a lot of Al Green, Marvin Gaye, a little Stevie [Wonder]. He likes the classics." More»

'Jazzy' family embraces 'white' and 'chic' fashion codes, says columnist

(NEWSER) - French Elle's outrageous "compliments" for the Obama family's "jazzy" style have sparked a race row. Finally, Elle gushes , the First Family is following "white fashion" codes. "Chic" has at last become a "plausible option" for a community until now pegged to "streetwear," writes columnist Nathalie Dolivo. As if that wasn't a big enough foot in the mouth, Dolivo adds that the "black-geosie" can always add "ethnic" touches from their "roots," such as a "batik-printed turban," to keep it real. More»

Protesters also hold rallies against Voter ID laws

(NEWSER) - Martin Luther King day inspired an Occupy march on New York and more traditional remembrances across the US today. Among the events:

• Hundreds of Occupiers staged an "Occupy the Dream" march on Manhattan, stopping to chant, "The banks got bailed out, we got sold out." At least two protesters were arrested, MSNBC reports. "Dr. King dedicated the last months of his life to planning a campaign for the right of all to a decent-paying job," Occupy said in a statement.

Details of Jodi Kantor book continue behind-the-scenes look

(NEWSER) - Details from The Obamas, by New York Times reporter Jodi Kantor, continue to trickle out , and ABC News reports on revelations of a personal nature. According to Kantor, Michelle Obama felt "frightened and alone" during her first days in the White House. The first lady wanted to stay behind longer in Chicago with her two girls, and worried about living in a bubble and her daughters bumping into White House tourists during playdates. And the pressure was enormous. "She saw the responsibility, the impact, the potential of her role,” writes Kantor. And "everyone was waiting for a black woman to make a mistake,” an adviser told the author. More»

Critics keep seeing dollar signs in pricey Hawaii vacation

(NEWSER) - Irritated penny-pinchers are still tallying up the costs of the First Family's Hawaiian vacation. Because Michelle and the girls went on ahead while the president wrestled with the payroll tax cut extension, some estimates put the price tag for the get-away at $4 million. Now critics are eyeing Michelle's clothing, claiming the ostensibly "causal" Sophie Theallet sundress she wore to Christmas services likely cost $2,000—and a Commes des Garcons skirt set her back at least a grand, reports the Daily Mail . More»