Female suicide bomber detonates explosives belt in Baghdad, killing 54

A police official says the bomber struck on Monday while she was lining up with other women to be searched by female security guards at a checkpoint on the outskirts of the Shiite neighborhood of Shaab.

He says about 117 people have been wounded of which 18 women and 12 children are among the dead.

A hospital official has also confirmed the casualties.

In Washington, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden met with Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi. They discussed the elections, refugees and political and economic developments, according to a statement from Biden’s office.