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Police: 14 killed in NY immigrant center shooting

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (AP) _ The police chief of Binghamton, N.Y., says 14 people, including the suspected gunman, were killed in a shooting at an immigrant services center. Chief Joseph Zikuski says a receptionist was among the first people shot. She pretended to be dead, then crawled under a desk and called 911.

Jobless rate bolts to 8.5 percent, 663K jobs lost

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The nation's unemployment rate jumped to 8.5 percent in March, the highest since late 1983, as a wide swath of employers eliminated 663,000 jobs. It's fresh evidence of the toll the recession has inflicted on America's workers, and economists say there's no relief in sight. If part-time and discouraged workers are factored in, the unemployment rate would have been 15.6 percent in March, the highest on records dating to 1994, according to Labor Department data released Friday.

Obama tries American-style campaign on Europe

STRASBOURG, France (AP) _ Courting Europe with an American-style campaign, President Barack Obama on Friday talked up his plans _ popular here _ to eliminate nuclear weapons, close the Guantanamo Bay prison and tackle global warming. In return, he's hoping for European popular support in the anti-terror fight in Afghanistan.

Fed 'extremely uncomfortable' about bailouts

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) _ While acknowledging that the Federal Reserve was "extremely uncomfortable" about last year's bailouts of big financial companies, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said Friday the central bank's strategy to ease the financial crisis is working. Bernanke was referring to the Fed's unprecedented decisions last year to step in and financially back JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s takeover of then-troubled investment house Bear Stearns and throw its first of four financial lifelines to insurance giant American International Group Inc.

Iowa high court legalizes gay marriage in state

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) _ Iowa's Supreme Court legalized gay marriage Friday in a unanimous and emphatic decision that makes Iowa the third state _ and the first in the nation's heartland _ to allow same-sex couples to wed. In its decision, the high court upheld a lower court's ruling that found a state law restricting marriage to between a man and woman violated Iowa's constitution.

Obama: US cannot shoulder Afghan burden alone

STRASBOURG, France (AP) _ European nations pledged Friday on the eve of NATO's 60th anniversary summit that they would support America's new Afghan war strategy with more civilian aid and small troop increases. President Barack Obama said Europe should not expect the U.S. to shoulder the military burden alone. NATO leaders have been reluctant to commit significant new military forces to the deadlocked conflict despite Obama's plan to add 21,000 U.S. troops to the force of 38,000 fighting the rising insurgency. The Europeans have focused on increasing humanitarian and development aid.

Dow closes over 8,000, logs 4th week of gains

NEW YORK (AP) _ Not even grisly job losses could get in the stock market's way Friday. The Dow Jones industrial average clawed higher to end above 8,000 for the first time in nearly two months, and logged an impressive fourth straight week of gains.

Madonna to appeal court ruling on Malawi adoption

LILONGWE, Malawi (AP) _ Madonna lost a bid Friday to adopt a second child from Malawi, rejected by a judge who said she would not bend the country's strict residency rules even for a wealthy celebrity. The decision came as a surprise since Malawi's child welfare minister came out Thursday in support of the singer's application to adopt 3-year-old Chifundo "Mercy" James.

English villagers send Google snapper packing

LONDON (AP) _ You're never far from a camera in Britain, a country that has accepted the presence of millions of surveillance cameras in its streets, shopping centers and public spaces. But for the villagers of Broughton in southern England, the roving eye of Google was one camera too far. A gaggle of residents in the affluent hamlet formed a human chain to turn away a car shooting images for Google Street View, the popular service that allows Internet users to see high-quality photos of houses and streets around the world.

Judge rejects Vick plan to emerge from bankruptcy

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) _ A federal bankruptcy judge has rejected suspended NFL star Michael Vick's plan to emerge from bankruptcy. Judge Frank Santoro gave Vick more time Friday to figure out how he can revise the plan. Vick's plan was based on the goal of returning to professional football after he is released from prison, but the judge says there is no guarantee that will happen.