Tuesday September 2, 2008, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

Bush and others address Republican National Convention

Day two of the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul was celebrated with addresses by Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), former Senator Fred Thompson (R-TN), First Lady Laura Bush and President George W. Bush, who appeared live via teleconference.

Laura Bush waves as she walks off-stage. A large photograph of John McCain appears on the video screen behind her.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Thursday July 10, 2008, Fairfax County, Virginia, USA

Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) address economic security for America's Women

Presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) address economic security for America's Women at a town hall meeting.

Obama answers questions from the crowd.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Thursday September 4, 2008, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA

Fourth day of the Republican Convention

A protester holds flowers during a demonstration at the State Capitol building.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Tuesday April 8, 2008, Washington, DC, USA

General Petreaus and Ambassador Crocker testify on the situation and the progress in Iraq.

General Petreaus and Ambassador Crocker testify on the situation and the progress in Iraq at the Senate.

Senator Ted Kennedy, Senator Joe Lieberman, Senator and Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain, and Senator Byrd share a laugh before the testimony.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Wednesday October 17, 2007, Washington, DC, USA

Dalai Lama honored with Congressional Gold Medal

The Dalai Lama was greeted by a large crowd of admirers on the Capitol West Lawn after President Bush honored him with the US Congressional Gold Medal during a solemn ceremony in the Capitol's rotunda. Next to the Dalai Lama appeared House Speaker Nancy Pelosi - who earlier said that "The United States was sending a very clear message, a very clear signal, to the People's Republic of China that we want them to receive His Holiness in Beijing for substantive talks." - and long term devotee Actor Richard Gere.

The Dalai Lama standing outside the U.S. Capitol.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Friday December 28, 2007, Busia, Kenya

Life in Western Kenya

Between 1997 and 2007, the poor western districts of Western Kenya next to the border of Uganda, have experienced a decade of political stability along with economic development and improved access to education and health care. However, Following the announcement of the results for the Kenya General Election on Sunday, 30th December 2007, this region suffered an eruption of violence resulting in loss of lives, injuries, looting, destruction of property and displacement of thousands of people

Children bringing water from a spring sanitized by the NGO "Innovation for Poverty Action"

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Wednesday October 17, 2007, Washington, DC, USA

Dominique Strauss-Kahn

Dominique Strauss-Kahn before his interview with Stephanie Antoine from France 24. Dominique Strauss-Kahn is the newly appointed Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He will take office on November 1, 2007.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Thursday November 15, 2007, Washington, DC, USA

Bush attends Federalist Society gala

President George W. Bush criticized sharply the Senate's confirmation review of his judicial nominees during a speech at the Federalist Society's Gala 25th anniversary dinner in presence of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who experienced a long and difficult confirmation process for the Supreme Court in 1991. He deplored that the confirmation process becomes too often a "search and destroy" mission tarnishing the reputation of the nominees and undermining the credibility of judiciary institutions.

George W. Bush behind lectern with seal of the President of the United States America

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Tuesday January 20, 2009, Washington, DC, USA

Barack Obama becomes President of United States

Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. A crowd estimated to number more than 2-million braved frigid temperatures to watch the swearing-in of the nation's first African-American commander-in-chief.

Barack Obama holds hhis hand over the bible held by wife Michelle during his swearing in.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Saturday September 23, 2006, Washington, DC

A soldier just back from Iraq kisses the shoulder of his wife on their wedding day

Due to the over-extension of the military force, Private First Class Edward Scherz had to spend several additional months in Iraq before coming back home to marry his fiancee, Denise Brown, 7 months pregnant.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Saturday August 9, 2008, Washington, DC, USA

Beckham's MLS debut no match for DC United

David Beckham's Major League Soccer (MLS) debut with the LA Galaxy at Washington, DC's RFK Stadium opened with a flurry of camera flashes and wild cheers from an enthusiastic crowd. The sell-out game saw the Galaxy lose 0-1 against DC United, with Beckham only entering the game as a substitute for the last 20 minutes, owing to an ongoing ankle injury.

David Beckham

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Tuesday August 26, 2008, Denver, Colorado, USA

Hillary Clinton adresses the Democratic National Convention

Former Democratic Presidential rival to Barack Obama, Senator Hillary Clinton, addresses the Democratic National Convention, calling for party unity and support of Obama.

Signs for Hillary Clinton flow on the floor, as she address the Democratic National Convention

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Friday June 20, 2008, Washington, DC, USA

Michelle Obama speaks at Women and Families luncheon

Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic Presidential hopeful Barack Obama, speaks at the National Partnership for Women and Families annual luncheon.

Michelle Obama speaks at National Partnership for Women and Families luncheon

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Tuesday November 6, 2007, Washington, DC, USA

Sarkozy and delegation at White House dinner

The President and Mrs Bush host the President of France for entertainment in the east Room of the White House. The show included a "Dialogue between General George Washington and the Marquis de la Fayette, and a selection of songs by the US Army Chorus.

Mrs Laura Bush, President George W. Bush and President Nicolas Sarkozy

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Wednesday November 7, 2007, Washington, DC, USA

French President Nicolas Sarkozy addresses joint session of U.S. Congress

French President Nicolas Sarkozy was welcomed with cheers and applause during an address delivered before a joint session of the U.S. Congress. Sarkozy, hoping to smoothe over several years of strained U.S.-Franco reltaions, spoke of his admiration for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and love of the American Dream as well as a variety of 20th century icons - from Elvis Presley to Ernest Hemingway.

Nicolas Sarkozy addresses a joint session of the U.S. Congress.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Tuesday September 2, 2008, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

Bush and others address Republican National Convention

Day two of the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul was celebrated with addresses by Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), former Senator Fred Thompson (R-TN), First Lady Laura Bush and President George W. Bush, who appeared live via teleconference.

Members of the Texas delegation wearing cowboy hats salute the flag on the second day of the Republican National Convention.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Thursday October 11, 2007, Washington, DC, USA

Billy Crystal honored with Mark Twain Award

A variety of celebrities including comedians Robin Williams, Danny Devito and Jimmy Fallon turned out to honor colleague Billy Crystal, who received the 2007 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center.

Robin Williams

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Tuesday January 13, 2009, Washington, DC, USA

Clinton attends confirmation hearings

Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) attends her confirmation hearings for the position of secretary of state for the incoming administration of President-Elect Barack Obama.

Hillary Clinton arrives at the hearing held by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Wednesday February 11, 2009, Springfield, Virginia, USA

Obama visits Virginia construction site

U.S. President Barack Obama traveled to a highway construction site in Springfield, Virginia to underline the urgency of the administrations economic stimulus plan. Obama used the site of an unfinished portion of the Fairfax County Parkway connector as an example of a project that would benefit greatly from the new bill.

Barack Obama

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Monday October 20, 2008, Washington, DC, USA

Melody Barnes to join Obama cabinet

Melody Barnes, Senior Domestic Policy Advisor for Barack Obama, at the National Press Club, to participate in a panel of "Young Lawyers for Obama". On November 24, President-elect Obama named Barnes as director of his Domestic Policy Council.

Melody Barnes

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Thursday September 4, 2008, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA

Fourth day of the Republican Convention

Cindy McCain, wife of Republican U.S presidential nominee U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), during her speech on day four of the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Xcel Energy Center.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Tuesday August 26, 2008, Denver, Colorado, USA

Second day of the Democratic Convention

Michelle Obama, the wife of Democratic Presidential Candidate holds a discussion on Economic Security for American Families. Participants included governors Chris Gregoire (Wa - D), Janet Napolitano (Az - D), Kathleen Sebelius (Mi - D) and presumptive Democratic Party vice presidential nominee Joseph Biden.

Michelle Obama

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Thursday September 13, 2007, Washington, DC, USA

President Bush addresses the nation on Iraq.

President Bush after his speech to the nation on Thursday night on the military and political situation in Iraq. The President indicated that the surge campaign has been largely successful in reducing sectarian killings. As a consequence, President Bush proposed a gradual troop reductions and pledged to bring home 5,700 soldiers from Iraq by Christmas. The President recognized that the Iraqi government "has not met its own legislative benchmarks" but stressed that U.S. must not abandon Iraq while it is "fighting for its survival." The President's address occurred a few hours after the killing of Sheik Abu Risha, a key Sunni ally of the US forces in Anbar province of western Iraq. A CNN poll released just before the address showed an approval rating of 36 percent for The President.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Monday December 29, 2008, Washington, DC, USA

New bishop ordained for Washington, DC

Mass of Episcopal Ordination to Bishop for Barry C. Knestout. Catholics believe bishops are the successors of the Apostles. To qualify as a bishop, a priest must have been ordained for at least five years and be at least 35 years of age. Pope Benedict XVI named Monsignor Knestout as auxiliary bishop to assist Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl in the administration of the archdiocese.

Religious pray during the ceremony.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Wednesday June 4, 2008, Washington, DC, USA

Obama and Clinton speak at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) holds its annual policy conference. US Democratic presumptive presidential nominee Illinois Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) were invited to speak during the third and last day of the conference.

Senator Barack Obama speaks during the conference.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Tuesday April 8, 2008, Washington, DC, USA

General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker testify on Iraq

General David Petraeus, the top military commander in Iraq, and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker deliver testimony regarding the war in Iraq before the U.S. Senate. Petraeus said Iraq was making "fragile but reversible" progress on security and advised against setting a date to pull U.S. troops out. Crocker delivered a seemingly upbeat assessment regarding political progress in the war-torn nation.

General David Petraeus.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Wednesday June 4, 2008, Washington, DC, USA

Obama and Clinton speak at AIPAC conference

The day after Barack Obama clinched enough delegates to become the democratic nominee for US President, both he and his chief rival in the race, Hillary Clinton, address the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference. After months of seeking to paint each other as opposites on Middle East policy, Obama and Clinton were on the same page as they attacked the Bush administration and John McCain on foreign policy fronts.

Hillary Clinton addresses the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) annual policy conference

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Monday September 17, 2007, Washington, DC, USA

Democratic candidates address service employees union members

Five of the leading 2008 Democratic presidential candidates addressed a gathering of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) in Washington, DC. Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), John Edwards, and Bill Richardson addressed a crowd consisting of the group's most politically active members during the SEIU's Member Political Action Conference (MPAC).

John Edwards (C) greets supporters in the crowd.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Friday December 28, 2007, Busia, Kenya

Life in Western Kenya

Between 1997 and 2007, the poor western districts of Western Kenya next to the border of Uganda, have experienced a decade of political stability along with economic development and improved access to education and health care. However, Following the announcement of the results for the Kenya General Election on Sunday, 30th December 2007, this region suffered an eruption of violence resulting in loss of lives, injuries, looting, destruction of property and displacement of thousands of people

A class listening to a lecture about AIDS organized by the NGO "Innovation for Poverty Action"

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris