White House Sorry for Fly-By

President ignores Chinese warning against sit-down with Tibetan leader

(NEWSER) - Despite China's warning that a meeting with the Dalai Lama would "threaten trust and cooperation" with the US, President Obama still plans to sit down with the Tibetan spiritual leader when he visits Washington this month. "The president told China's leaders during his trip last year that he would meet with the Dalai Lama and he intends to do so, " a White House spokesman told reporters traveling with Obama on Air Force One today. More»

Obamas tell kid patients of 26 trees; 'presents not under each one'

(NEWSER) - The first family—minus the president, but plus the first dog—talked about their first White House Christmas yesterday, but Michelle Obama wouldn’t spill any secrets on what’s waiting for Barack under the tree. Malia told patients at the Children’s National Medical Center about the 26 trees decorating her new home, but clarified that, “Unfortunately we don't get presents under every tree,” People reports. More»

(AP) - South Carolina Republican Rep. Joe Wilson, who shouted "You lie" at President Barack Obama during his speech to Congress tonight, called the White House within hours of the outburst, attempting to reach Obama. He ended up speaking instead to White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, and "expressed his apologies," his office said. More»

(NEWSER) - The Pentagon has released 145 new photos of the Air Force One flyover that rattled New Yorkers in April, CNN reports. The flight was for a White House photo shoot, but city officials and the public were not informed. The photos show the Boeing plane, the military version of the 747, making a steep bank over the city, an unusual maneuver for a passenger plane and one that panicked thousands of people by sparking memories on 911. More»

'Lots of sirens' Sunday in Lower Manhattan

(NEWSER) - Mindful of the panic caused by the Air Force One flyover, New York is giving its residents fair warning of a massive emergency drill scheduled for Sunday, Reuters reports. The heads-up is “not necessarily” because of the scare, a spokesman said. But “people will see and hear lots of sirens.” Some 800 responders will be on hand for the simulated train explosion near the World Trade Center site. More»