Washington - US President Barack Obama announced Friday that he will withdraw most US combat troops from Iraq by the end of August 2010, sharply reducing the American presence but keeping in place thousands of soldiers to support and train Iraqi forces.

Obama plans to keep about 35,000 to 50,000 soldiers in Iraq to help train and equip the Iraqis and participate in special counterterrorism missions. There are presently more than 140,000 US troops in Iraq.

Washington  - US President Barack Obama announced Friday that he will withdraw most US combat troops from Iraq by the end of August 2010, sharply reducing the American presence but keeping in place thousands of soldiers to support and train Iraqi forces.

Obama plans to keep about 35,000 to 50,000 soldiers in Iraq to help train and equip the Iraqis and participate in special counterterrorism missions. There are presently more than 140,000 US troops in Iraq.

Washington, Feb. 27: Usually, teams visit the White House after winning a championship, but the Chicago Bulls made the trip Thursday less than 24 hours after one of their worst losses of the season in New Jersey.

Of course, it helps when the President is a big fan.

Players, coaches broadcasters and front office personnel for the Bulls met with and posed for photos with President Obama on Thursday afternoon for about 10 to 15 minutes in the Blue Room of the White House, reports the Chicago Sun Times.

The Bulls presented the President, a long-time Bulls fan, with a Bulls jersey with "Obama" and No. 44 on the back.

Washington, Feb 27: Chas W. Freeman Jr., picked by the Obama Administration to head the National Intelligence Council, is a veteran former diplomat who heads a think tank that has received major financing from Saudi Arabia.

The appointment of Freeman Jr., who served as US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia during the 1991 Gulf War and has major expertise regarding China.

Washington, Feb 27: President Barck Obama is all set to end combat operations in Iraq by August 31, 2010, when the US military presence in Iraq would be not less than 35,000 and not more than 50,000.

Obama told top leaders in Congress on Thursday that he will end combat operations in Iraq on August 31, 2010, putting a halt to all US-led counterinsurgency efforts and transitioning the mission in Iraq to training, advising and engaging in limited counter-terrorist operations, FOX News quoted congressional sources, as saying.

Washington, Feb 27 : US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said that the Obama Administration is reversing an 18-year ban on news coverage of the return of war dead, allowing photographs of flag-covered caskets when families of the fallen troops agree.

"My conclusion was we should not presume to make the decision for the families," CBS News quoted Gates, as saying.