DOZENS KILLED AS SUICIDE BOMBERS ATTACK SHIITE SHRINE

BAGHDAD At least 40 people were killed in a suicide bombing at a Shiite shrine north of Baghdad, medical officials said Friday, as Iraqis took to the streets of the capital to demonstrate against a government they say is failing to protect them.

Three suicide bombers dressed in military uniforms opened fire on worshippers gathered at the shrine in Balad late Thursday, said Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasoul, a spokesman for the Iraqi military. Two then detonated their explosives at the shrine’s gate, and the third was killed before he could trigger his device, Rasoul said.