HOUSTON (AP) — Former first lady Barbara Bush is in a Houston hospital, but a spokesperson says doctors don't suspect anything serious. Mrs. Bush, who is 84, hasn't been feeling well for about a week. She'll get what are called routine tests, and is expected to be released in a day or two.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is taking advantage of the Congressional recess to make 15 recess appointments. He wants to fill key administrative jobs which he says Republicans have kept open by holding up nominations for political advantage. Two of the jobs are in the Treasury Department.

NEW YORK (AP) — By this afternoon, mechanics and engineers in lower Manhattan hope to square away a crane that tilted into a 25-story building last night. They're working to move the crane from the building and lower its boom. The accident showered debris on to the street, but no injuries are reported.

SIRTE, Libya (AP) — The head of the Arab League, now meeting in Libya, says the organization should talk with Iran directly about concerns over its nuclear program -- and its growing influence in the region. Such an effort could hurt the American and Israeli goal to isolate Tehran for its nuclear ambitions.

PHOENIX (AP) — An orangutan at the Phoenix Zoo got a 50th birthday party yesterday, complete with a cake and a rendition of "Happy Birthday." Duchess seemed to take it all in stride. Captivity has apparently been good to her -- she's ten years older than orangutans usually live in the wild. 9and10news