Chicago, Feb 23 : A second grade student's letter written to President Barack Obama, asking him to help the homeless, has been included in a new book called "Dear Mr. President," which features 150 letters and drawings from children around the world.

Aleshay Clay (7), studying at the Bouchet Elementary Math and Science Academy, is worried so much about the destitute people in her neighborhood that she wrote a letter to Obama urging him to do something.

Chicago, February 20 : US President Barack Obama has beaten Jesus Christ to be American's number one hero, according to a new Harris poll.

The top 10 list based on the poll showed Obama at number one position, Christ at number two, and Martin Luther King at number three.

Wrapping up the top five Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.

They were followed by Abraham Lincoln, John McCain, John F. Kennedy, Chesley Sullenberger, and Mother Teresa in the same order.

The online survey involved 2,634 US adults, reports the Chicago Sun-Times.

Chicago  - Playboy Enterprises Inc, the international sophisticated-sex empire of Hugh Hefner, Wednesday reported huge losses of 145.7 million dollars for the final quarter of 2008, another sign of the expanding recession.

The figure showed a deepening crisis since the same period in 2007, when Playboy reported only 1.1 million dollars in losses.

Economic troubles already prompted the media giant to cancel its traditional party before the US Super Bowl's final football playoff earlier this month.

Researchers at the University of Chicago have disclosed that loneliness can be as injurious to one’s health as smoking and obesity.

The study scientists found that loneliness not only makes people sad but have a negative effect on their mind as well as heath. In fact, it may lead to high blood pressure and stress levels, general wear and tear, and the chances of having Alzheimer's disease.

Chicago, Feb. 17: President Barack Obama will be in Phoenix this week, and has been given an invitation by the Phoenix White Sox, his favorite baseball team, to visit the team facility in Glendale, Arizona.

The new state-of-the art facility that is Camelback Ranch, according to vice-president of communications Scott Reifert, has left players in awe.

Since Obama burst on the national scene, the White Sox have been put into the spotlight by their most powerful fan.

Washington  - US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle had a quiet Valentine's Day dinner at an upscale restaurant in Chicago Saturday night.

The first couple dined at Table Fifty-Two, near the north side of their home city. The restaurant is owned by talk show host Oprah Winfrey's personal chef, Art Smith, and serves traditional Southern cuisine.

The Obamas are spending a long weekend in Chicago, the first break for the president since he took office January 20.