BAGHDAD — Iraqi officials say a suicide bomber has struck a group of Shiites marking a somber religious ritual in eastern Iraq, killing at least 22 people. Two police officers say the bomber set off his explosives-laden belt on Thursday among a gathering of Shiites in the town of Al-Saadiyah, 140 kms northeast of Baghdad. The officers say the attack wounded around 70 people. Two medical officials confirmed the causality figures. All spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to talk to media. Earlier in the day, a bombing south of Baghdad killed nine Shiite pilgrims. — AP
