Obama's decision to involve the US Congress in deciding whether to intervene militarily in Syria poses new questions on what action will result.

The organisation linking together 35 of America's mainline Christian churches, accounting for 50 million members, has accused President George W. Bush of neglecting the needs of sick children, especially in poor communities.

Senior US Christian leaders are pressing the Bush administration and Congress to end current bans on travel to Cuba, calling on both the Houses of Representatives and Senate to support bipartisan legislation in favour of cultural and religious freedom.