The ex-Presidents' club (and their wives): Extraordinary gathering of First Families past and present at opening of George W. Bush library

(From L - R) U.S. President Barack Obama stands alongside former presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter as they attend the dedication ceremony for the George W. Bush Presidential Center

In a rare and emotional reunion, the five living American presidents and their wives gathered in Dallas Thursday to honor the dedication of the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

The presidents — Bush, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter — were cheered by a crowd of former White House officials and world leaders as they took the stage together to open the dedication. They were joined on stage by their wives — the nation's current and former first ladies — for the outdoor ceremony on a sun-splashed Texas morning.

'To know the man is to like the man,' President Obama said of his predecessor. 'He is a good man.'

The last time all five living presidents were together was shortly before Obama's inauguration in 2009, when Obama said he needed their advice before taking office.

'We've been called the world's most exclusive club - and we do have a pretty nice club house - but the truth is, its more like a support group,' Obama said.

As president, there are times when you make mistakes and when you wish you could turn back the clock, he said.

'It's impossible to truly understand the nature of the job until it's yours.'

    All in one place: From left, First Lady Michelle Obama and former first ladies Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton, Barbara Bush and Rosalynn Carter

North Korea:U.S. Will Take 'All Necessary Steps' To Protect Its People

President Obama

President Barack Obama says now is the time for North Korea to end its belligerence. He says the United States will take, in his words, "all necessary steps" to protect its people.

But Obama also says that no one wants to see a conflict on the Korean Peninsula.

North Korea ratcheted up its threats against the U.S. after the U.N. Security Council levied new economic sanctions on the isolated nation. The penalties were in response to a February rocket launch.

Obama spoke alongside U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon after the two met in the Oval Office.

Barack Obama to give up 5% of salary in show of solidarity over cuts

Barack Obama will return 5% of his salary to the US treasury in a show of solidarity with federal workers affected by $85bn in government-wide spending cuts.

Hundreds of thousands of workers could be forced to take unpaid leave if Congress fails to reach an agreement soon to undo the cuts, which came as punishment for the inability of the Obama administration and Congress to come up with another way to address the country's debt.The 5% that Obama will hand back mirrors the 5% cut that domestic agencies took when the reductions went into effect.

The Pentagon's budget took an 8% hit.Every federal agency is grappling with spending cuts, which the White House has said could affect everything from commercial flights to classrooms.

A 5% cut from Obama's salary of $400,000 (£265,000) a year amounts to $20,000."The salary for the president, as with members of Congress, is set by law and cannot be changed," Obama's spokesman, Jay Carney said. "However, the president has decided to share in the sacrifice being made by public servants across the federal government."

Nice gesture Mr. Obama but your plate is filled with loads of other problems you have to grapple with.