Chicago (US), Apr. 9 : Drug store chain Walgreens has removed a Barack Obama version of the Chia Pet from its stores.

The Deerfield-headquartered drugstore chain made the move Friday after getting a few complaints about the item since the product''s April 1 launch, a spokeswoman said.

Chia founder Joseph Pedott -- a Chicago native whose San Francisco-based Joseph Enterprises provides local jobs for the disabled -- said he was inspired to create the Obama head as a show of patriotism.

Washington, Apr. 9 : A Turkish television reporter blackened himself before presenting a news item on President Barack Obama.

He claimed he slapped on the Al Jolson face to show how much he "respected" Obama.

But according to the Daily News, Americans who viewed the footage on websites yesterday blasted his bizarre prank as offensive.

The Turkish newsman was reporting on a speech the President made on his visit to Turkey this week.

Washington, Apr 9 : The White House has denied that President Barack Obama bowed to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia at a G-20 meeting in London, a scene that drew criticism on the right and praise from some Arab outlets.

The photographs show that Obama at least stooped significantly before the 84-year-old Saudi monarch. The Right wing back home has criticised and disapproved Obama's action.

"It wasn't a bow. He grasped his hand with two hands, and he's taller than King Abdullah," Politico. com quoted an Obama aide, as saying.

Baghdad - Even as the second bombing in as many days struck a Shiite shrine in Baghdad Wednesday, many Iraqis welcomed US President Barack Obama's commitment to withdraw US soldiers from Iraq.

"Our role is to train Iraqis to take control of their own country so we can start bringing our folks home," Obama said, to rousing cheers from the US troops gathered to greet him during his four-hour trip to Baghdad Tuesday evening.

Washington, Apr. 8 : US President Barack Obama''s glowing reception overseas suggests that he and his strategists have laid the groundwork for bigger prizes later on.

"One of the things that will make it easier for the leaders of these nations to work cooperatively with us ... is the fact that we have a more positive image among their constituents," the New York Daily News quoted top White House adviser David Axelrod, as telling reporters Tuesday.

New York, Apr. 8 : New Yorkers are likely to get a chance to greet the grassy-headed figurine of President Obama, thought it has been pulled off from Walgreens shelves in Chicago and Tampa over claims that it is racist and wrong for the company's image.

According to the New York Daily News, Chia Obama''s maker is in negotiations with drugstore chains in the New York market to bring Chia Obama here in the coming weeks.