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Reuters - Two suicide bombers wearing vests stuffed with explosives blew themselves up in separate attacks in Iraq on Thursday, killing 28 people in Baghdad and 32, most of them thought to be Iranian pilgrims, north of the capital, police said.

AFP - South Africa's ruling African National Congress on Thursday claimed a "strong mandate" in general elections set to hand its popular but controversial leader Jacob Zuma the presidency.

AP - "American Idol" finalists Lil Rounds and Anoop Desai aren't closer to becoming household names. Both singers were dismissed Wednesday after it was revealed they received the fewest number of viewer votes on the popular Fox singing competition.

AP - President Barack Obama, appealing to mainstream consumers, is pushing for more legal protection for the millions of Americans who use credit cards.

Reuters - South Africa's ruling ANC headed for election victory on Thursday despite a reinvigorated opposition challenge and party leader Jacob Zuma was easily on course to become president weeks after beating graft charges.

AP - The Boston Bruins swept aside their longtime rivals and a decade's worth of playoff frustration. Former Montreal forward Michael Ryder scored twice and assisted on David Krejci's goal to help Boston complete a four-game sweep of the Canadiens with a 4-1 victory Wednesday night.

AP - Pakistani paramilitary troops rushed to protect government buildings and bridges from encroaching Taliban militants just 60 miles (100 kilometers) from the capital quickly came under fire Thursday by gunmen who killed a police officer, authorities said.

AP - Thousands of GM workers could learn as early as Thursday that they will be idle for up to nine weeks this summer as the automaker's plants stop making all but its most popular cars and trucks.

AP - For the first time in years, more Americans than not say the country is headed in the right direction, a sign that Barack Obama has used the first 100 days of his presidency to lift the public's mood and inspire hopes for a brighter future.

AP - Women's groups cheered the government's decision to allow 17-year-olds to buy the "morning-after" emergency contraceptive without a doctor's prescription, but conservatives denounced it as a blow to parental supervision of teens.

Reuters - Ahmad Shakib says he knows he is risking his life to work for U.S. troops in Afghanistan, but with a casual shrug and an idiomatic American twang, he laughs off the danger.

Reuters - The Treasury has raised its offer to Chrysler lenders with just over a week remaining for the embattled automaker to reach deals to cut its debt, labor costs and reach an alliance with Italy's Fiat SpA, sources said on Wednesday.

AFP - Tamil Tiger rebels encircled in a tiny strip of land by Sri Lankan troops are still putting up stiff resistance despite calls for their surrender, the military said Thursday.

Reuters - Existing home sales in the United States likely fell in March amid tight lending standards and concerns by purchasers on job security but a continued decline in prices may mute the drop and even point to sales stabilizing, economists said.