Mr Obama shoots some hoops

Posted by Tania Kindersley.

I don't often put up videos on the blog because I think they look a bit clunky and ugly, but this one is just too marvellous. I'm not sure quite why it appeals to me so much, but I think it is the combination of good manners, good humour, understatement and grace. This is, after all, a man who has just signed a historic nuclear arms reduction treaty, even though he is, of course, a crazed commie fascist, coming to get take every last one of your freedoms away with his bare hands.

As you watch it, I want you to try and imagine Gordon Brown doing this.