BAGHDAD — Powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is backing Iraq’s prime minister to retain power in a move that could speed an end to the seven-month political impasse.

Police say suicide bombing attacks on Pakistani religious minorities kill at least 44 people

Police say attacks on Pakistani minorities kill 44

Police say suicide bombing attacks on Pakistani religious minorities kill at least 23 people

Police say attacks on Pakistani minorities kill 23

Fire damages construction equipment at site of proposed mosque in Tennessee, raising worries

Report: Gov’t, Catholic church covered up suspected role of priest in 1972 NIreland attack

Report: Cover-up in 1972 NIreland bombing

BELFAST, Northern Ireland — The British government and the Roman Catholic church colluded to cover up the suspected involvement of a priest in a 1972 bombing that killed nine people and injured 30, a new report said Tuesday.

Federal judge dismisses Oklahoma City bomber’s suit against prison officials

Judge dismisses Oklahoma City bomber’s suit

2 US Marines killed during attempted prisoner escape Saturday in southern Afghanistan

2 Marines killed during Afghan prisoner escape bid

Last 2 foreign dead identified in murders of medical team in north Afghanistan

Last 2 foreign dead in Afghan murders identified

Iraqi politician says Obama sent letter to Shiite spiritual leader

Iraqi politician: Obama sent note to Shiite cleric

Conservative group sues to stop mosque near ground zero after NYC panel clears way for it

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Cross dedicated to Poland’s late president stays put outside palace amid vocal protests

Protesters in Poland block cross from being moved

Al-Maliki predicts divided Iraq if his critics replace him with a weak prime minister

Iraqi cleric meets with PM candidate in Syria as Iraqis face pressure to form new government

Iraqi cleric meets with PM candidate in Syria

Belfast police, masked Catholic rioters clash as Protestants’ day of marching ends in violence

Belfast police, Catholic rioters clash over parade

Pope calls for sober lifestyle as he pays homage to Celestine V, hermit pope who resigned

Pope praises life of 13th-century pontiff who quit

Kenyan churches blame gov’t for explosions at rally; police comb park as death toll rises to 6

Kenyan churches blame gov’t for blasts at rally

Booby trapped body kills 3 in northwest Baghdad outside grocery store

Booby trapped body kills 3 in Baghdad

BAGHDAD — A Baghdad police official says three people were killed in northwest Baghdad when a booby-trapped body exploded near a grocery store.

With attacks, al-Qaida in Iraq defies claims it was dealt severe blow by leaders’ deaths

Attacks show al-Qaida in Iraq still powerful

Chile Catholic church bombed as men allege abuse on national TV

Chile Catholic church hit by abuse claims, bomb

Weeping mourners hold funerals for Shiites killed in Baghdad bombs

Shiites bury victims of Baghdad mosque bombings

Bombs kill 69 in Iraq’s deadliest day of year, following slayings of al-Qaida leaders

Bombs kill 69 in Iraq’s deadliest day this year

Wave of bombs kill 69 in Iraq days after al-Qaida insurgent leaders slain

Bombs kill 69 in Iraq days after al-Qaida deaths

China’s President Hu comforts quake victims in Tibetan region wary of central government

Pope arrives in Malta, where sex abuse victims hope to meet him during brief pilgrimage

Pope arrives in Malta, sex abuse meeting unclear

Baghdad liquor store bombed killing three, journalist loses legs separate attack

Liquor store bombed in Baghdad, killing 3

BAGHDAD — Militants planted a bomb in an eastern Baghdad liquor store on Tuesday, killing the Christian owner and two others, while a TV reporter had his legs blown off by a bomb attached to his car in scattered violence across the city.