Week 12 - Online

First online news for this week is Barack Obama's second big trip abroad since becoming United States president.

President Barack Obama arrives in Mexico on Thursday to show support for the Mexican government's efforts to fight a devastating drug war and boost security along the U.S. border.

White House officials played up the symbolism of the stop in Mexico, which is struggling to contain unprecedented criminal violence and combat a drugs war that is spilling over into the United States.

the White House's National Security Council, said Obama's visit underscored U.S. support for its southern neighbor at the highest levels.

The Obama administration is tightening the U.S.-Mexico border to prevent trafficking of U.S. guns to Mexican cartels and is hoping to send Black Hawk helicopters to help Calderon defeat well-armed drug gangs that killed thousands last year.

Obama hopes to improve relations with Mexico and other Latin American countries during his trip after a deterioration in relations that his advisers blame on Republican former President George W. Bush.

He will also discuss energy and the economy with President Felipe Calderon in Mexico City before the Summit of the Americas on Friday.

Obama is expected to pledge to listen during the summit with hemispheric leaders as he tries to establish a cooperative new relationship with Latin America, but the issue of Cuba is likely to test that quest for stronger ties. On Monday Obama lifted limits on family travel and money transfers to Cuba and let U.S. telecommunications firms start providing service for Cubans.

President Obama Prepares for Mexico Trip & Hemispheric Summit
Youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No22sNc3cC8


Next online online news is Barack Obama's 2008 Salary.

Barack and Michelle Obama released their 2008 tax returns.
The couple earned $2.7 million last year, which White House says mostly came from the sales of the president's books, Dreams From My Father and other books.

the U.S. median household income is about $50,000. it was far more than that, and it was far less than the $4.2 million the Obamas made in 2007.

They paid more than $855,000 in federal income taxes, and more than $77,000 in Illinois state income taxes. They were set to receive a $26,000 refund, but instead applied the amount to their 2009 income taxes.

The couple also donated $172,050 to 37 charities, including $25,000 each to CARE, which fights global warming, and the United Negro College Fund.

The White House also released Vice President Joe Biden's tax returns. Biden and his wife, Jill, earned less than $270,000 last year, and they donated $1,800 to charity.

Obamas file Taxs.
AP:http://video.ap.org/?t=By%20Section/U.S.&p=&f=AP&g=0415dv_obama_taxes