BAGHDAD (Reuters) - At least 57 recruits and soldiers were killed and 123 wounded when a suicide bomber blew himself up at an army recruitment center in Baghdad on Tuesday, two weeks before the end of the U.S. combat mission in Iraq.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - At least 57 recruits and soldiers were killed and 123 wounded when a suicide bomber blew himself up at an army recruitment center in Baghdad on Tuesday, two weeks before the end of the U.S. combat mission in Iraq.

US President Barack Obama will visit New Orleans in late August, the White House said Friday, to mark the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the city and much of the US Gulf Coast.

Critics rain on Spain getaway for first lady, daughter; White House says just being a good mom. It sounded simple enough: a mother-daughter getaway during the dogs days of August.

Critics rain on Spain getaway for first lady, daughter; White House says just being a good mom. It sounded simple enough: a mother-daughter getaway during the dogs days of August. But it's not so simple when Mom is the first lady of the United States. And the trip is to a luxury resort on Spain's Costa del Sol. During tough economic times at home.

AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - President Barack Obama attacked the economic policies of his Republican predecessor George W. Bush in Bush's home state on Monday as evidence of the way Republicans would operate if given power in November 2 U.S. congressional elections.

AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - President Barack Obama attacked the economic policies of his Republican predecessor George W. Bush in Bush's home state on Monday as evidence of the way Republicans would operate if given power in November 2 U.S. congressional elections.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama is looking at candidates to fill a top White House economic post with no announcement expected this week, spokesman Bill Burton said on Monday.

Television talk show queen Oprah Winfrey was among the well-wishers for President Barack Obama's 49th birthday party on Wednesday.

Home alone: Obama heads to Chicago hometown for cake, candles on 49th birthday. Alone on his 49th birthday, President Barack Obama fled the empty White House mansion for a more intimate celebration with longtime friends in his Chicago hometown, including Oprah Winfrey.

Two years after he prayed at a Washington gas station for lower fuel prices, Rocky Twyman was at it again, this time praying outside the White House for a divine leg-up for President Barack Obama.

CAPITAL CULTURE: Malia's at camp! Good bye, White House digs. Hello, mosquitoes and lumpy cots. She's had a front row seat to history for a year and a half, meeting heads of state, touring the Kremlin, flying around the world on Air Force One, being serenaded by Paul McCartney and enjoying command performances from the Jonas Brothers.

Fun along the Maine coast ends for Obamas after weekend of hiking, biking in national park. President Barack Obama and the first family had an energetic weekend vacation along Maine's Atlantic coast.

Fun along the Maine coast ends for Obamas after weekend of hiking, biking in national park. President Barack Obama and the first family said goodbye to Maine on Sunday after an energetic weekend vacation along the Atlantic coast.

First family in Maine to visit scenic national park on latest weekend getaway from Washington. President Barack Obama brought his family to the coast of Maine Friday for a biking and hiking getaway made even sweeter by a double helping of good news from Congress and the Gulf of Mexico.

With crucial elections looming, President Barack Obama is lumbered with a tough political hand, touting a recovery many Americans do not feel, while economic data suggests the rebound may be slowing.

The US commander in charge of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, General David Petraeus, passed out briefly on Tuesday at a Senate hearing, after facing tough questions on the Afghan mission.

Petraeus slumps at witness table during Senate hearing; aide blames dehydration and jet lag. Gen. David Petraeus slumped at the witness table Tuesday while testifying at a Senate hearing, and a spokesman said the general was likely dehydrated and jet-lagged from his travels.

GULFPORT, Miss./LONDON (Reuters) - British energy giant BP unveiled a plan on Monday it hopes will vastly increase the amount of oil it is capturing from its blown-out well in the Gulf of Mexico as President Barack Obama arrived there to assert leadership in clean-up efforts.

The 2010 elections have changed the direction of government only half way through the primary season, with voter anger and economic jitters causing lawmakers to balk at their most basic duties as well as key elements of President Barack Obama's agenda.