Free Republic

CHICAGO: US President Barack Obama will celebrate his 49th birthday in the company of his friends in Chicago and not with his wife and two daughters. The White House said that Obama will leave Washington for Chicago on Wednesday and will stay at his home in Kenwood for the night, Chicago Sun-Times reported. First lady Michelle Obama will not be with the president. She will leave next week for Spain, travelling with daughter Sasha, 9. Malia, 12, for an overnight camp. Obama, born on August 4, 1961, in Honolulu, was last in Chicago with his family over the Memorial Day...

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama will set a course Monday for the nation's changing mission in Iraq as the military prepares to end its combat operations there. In a speech at the national convention of the Disabled American Veterans in Atlanta, Obama was to address the progress being made to meet his deadline of drawing down all combat troops by the end of the month. A transitional force of 50,000 troops will remain to train Iraqi security forces, conduct counterterrorism operations and provide security for ongoing U.S. civilian efforts. "Make no mistake: Our commitment in Iraq is changing, from a...

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says he has apologized to ousted employee Shirley Sherrod and offered her a unique new position at the agency. Sherrod, in an interview with The Associated Press, says she is considering the offer.