The winner of this year’s American Idol contest is announced, after a record 132 million votes are cast in the final showdown.

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American Idol winner announced

City council votes to phase them out over the next year.

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L.A. Prohibits Plastic Bags

LONDON — Investors nervous about the changing political winds in Europe initially drove down the euro and sent stock markets falling across the region Monday morning, though markets were bouncing back later in the day following renewed signs of strength in the German economy. Read full article > >

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Euro up, stock markets mixed after votes in France and Greece

London Mayor Boris Johnson hopes to defy disappointing Conservative results and retain the job – but the result is delayed after two ballot boxes of uncounted votes are found.

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Boris ahead amid London delays

A candidate who stood in an Edinburgh seat under the name Professor Pongoo won more first preference votes than the Liberal Democrats.

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VIDEO: ‘Penguin’ beats Lib Dem in election

A candidate who stood in an Edinburgh seat under the name Professor Pongoo won more first preference votes than the Liberal Democrats.

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VIDEO: ‘Penguin’ beats Lib Dem in election

Britons seemed to have turned against their national leaders in mayoral and local council votes that are seen as a midterm judgment on Britain’s coalition government.

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Early Results Show Opposition Gains in British Vote

BOSTON — Mitt Romney faces a narrow path to the presidency , one that requires winning back states that President Obama took from Republicans in 2008 and that has few apparent opportunities for Romney to steal away traditionally Democratic states. Read full article > >

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Romney faces a narrow path to 270 electoral votes, but his team remains optimistic

State votes on constitutional amendment next week.

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Billy Graham: Ban Gay Marriage in N.C.

Voters go to the polls for council elections in England, Wales and Scotland, and several mayoral votes and referendums also take place.

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Voters heading to polls around UK

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — Add this to the long list of Mitt Romney trivia: He isn’t much of a fisherman. “Everywhere I throw a hook, nothing comes up,” the presumptive Republican presidential nominee joked as he made small talk with some local fishermen Monday morning in this New England harbor city. Read full article > >

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Mitt Romney fishes for votes in New Hampshire

Bill fails to get 60 votes.

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Senate Rejects Buffett Rule

Sudan’s parliament votes unanimously to brand the government of South Sudan “an enemy” in the wake of the seizure of a disputed oil field.

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South Sudan branded ‘enemy’ state

Current law does not protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and legislation to do so, which Mr. Obama endorses, lacks sufficient votes in Congress.

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Obama Won’t Order Ban on Gay Bias by Employers

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney picked up another major endorsement Friday when conservative favorite Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, whose state votes Tuesday, called Romney “the right person for the job.”

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Romney gets Ryan’s endorsement