Baghdad bombings continue

BAGHDAD – At least 16 people were killed in two bombings in Baghdad yesterday, police said, despite increased security across the capital for the landmark visit of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

More fighting in Kenya * NAIROBI: Fresh attacks claimed at least 15 people in Kenya’s Rift Valley region overnight, police said, while rival political leaders worked out details for reform under last week’s power-sharing accord. 20 000 trapped in Darfur * KHARTOUM – An estimated 20 000 people are trapped in a remote area of western Darfur where rebels battling the Sudanese army have denied access to aid workers, a top UN official said yesterday.Violent crime down in Gauteng * JOHANNESBURG – Sixty one per cent of all Gauteng policing precincts recorded a decrease in the total amount of violent crimes between July and December 2007, compared to the same period the previous year.Israel to keep up attacks * JERUSALEM: Israel’s Prime Minister Ehud Olmert vowed to continue military operations in Gaza even as troops withdrew from the Hamas-run territory after a bloody air and ground blitz.Armenia to pursue perpetrators * YEREVAN: Armenian authorities vowed to pursue those responsible for violent clashes that left eight dead, after arresting two pro-opposition lawmakers accused of attempting to seize power in a coup.Iran tells US to leave Iraq * BAGHDAD: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, on a landmark visit to Iraq, called for US-led foreign forces to leave the war-ravaged nation, saying without them the region will “live in peace.”Cyprus trying to reunify * NICOSIA: Rival Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders are set to meet later this month, the United Nations announced, as efforts to reunify the divided island intensify after Greek Cypriots ditched their hardline leader of the past five years.More fighting in Kenya * NAIROBI: Fresh attacks claimed at least 15 people in Kenya’s Rift Valley region overnight, police said, while rival political leaders worked out details for reform under last week’s power-sharing accord.Japan protest thrown acid * TOKYO: Japan summoned ambassadors from Australia and The Netherlands after it said environmentalists hurled stinging acid on to a Japanese whaling ship, injuring three on board.Stand off in S America * BOGOTA: Venezuela and Ecuador moved their troops to their border with Colombia and engaged in a war of words as they found themselves in a tense standoff over Colombia’s anti-guerrilla raid into Ecuador.20 000 trapped in Darfur * KHARTOUM – An estimated 20 000 people are trapped in a remote area of western Darfur where rebels battling the Sudanese army have denied access to aid workers, a top UN official said yesterday.Violent crime down in Gauteng * JOHANNESBURG – Sixty one per cent of all Gauteng policing precincts recorded a decrease in the total amount of violent crimes between July and December 2007, compared to the same period the previous year.Israel to keep up attacks * JERUSALEM: Israel’s Prime Minister Ehud Olmert vowed to continue military operations in Gaza even as troops withdrew from the Hamas-run territory after a bloody air and ground blitz.Armenia to pursue perpetrators * YEREVAN: Armenian authorities vowed to pursue those responsible for violent clashes that left eight dead, after arresting two pro-opposition lawmakers accused of attempting to seize power in a coup.Iran tells US to leave Iraq * BAGHDAD: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, on a landmark visit to Iraq, called for US-led foreign forces to leave the war-ravaged nation, saying without them the region will “live in peace.”Cyprus trying to reunify * NICOSIA: Rival Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders are set to meet later this month, the United Nations announced, as efforts to reunify the divided island intensify after Greek Cypriots ditched their hardline leader of the past five years.More fighting in Kenya * NAIROBI: Fresh attacks claimed at least 15 people in Kenya’s Rift Valley region overnight, police said, while rival political leaders worked out details for reform under last week’s power-sharing accord.Japan protest thrown acid * TOKYO: Japan summoned ambassadors from Australia and The Netherlands after it said environmentalists hurled stinging acid on to a Japanese whaling ship, injuring three on board.Stand off in S America * BOGOTA: Venezuela and Ecuador moved their troops to their border with Colombia and engaged in a war of words as they found themselves in a tense standoff over Colombia’s anti-guerrilla raid into Ecuador.