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Many casualties in Baghdad blast Many casualties in Baghdad blast
(about 2 hours later)
A bomb explosion in the Sadr City area of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, has killed at least 29 people and injured more than 50, officials say. A bomb explosion in the Sadr City area of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, has killed at least 30 people and injured more than 60, officials say.
Police sources said the blast occurred at 0750 (0450 GMT) in Mudhafa Square, on the perimeter of Sadr City. Police sources said the blast occurred early in the morning in Mudhafa Square, on the edge of Sadr City.
The densely populated district is mainly home to Shias. Those killed were said to be labourers looking for work.The densely populated district is mainly home to Shias. Those killed were said to be labourers looking for work.
Meanwhile, the death of a US marine on Sunday took US losses in October to 100 - the highest total since January 2005.Meanwhile, the death of a US marine on Sunday took US losses in October to 100 - the highest total since January 2005.
The marine was killed in combat in Anbar province, west of Baghdad, the US military said.The marine was killed in combat in Anbar province, west of Baghdad, the US military said.
More than 2,800 US troops have died since the invasion of Iraq in 2003. November 2004, when 137 US soldiers were killed, remains the deadliest month so far.More than 2,800 US troops have died since the invasion of Iraq in 2003. November 2004, when 137 US soldiers were killed, remains the deadliest month so far.
US cordonUS cordon
Iraqi authorities said Monday's blast appeared to have been caused by a device concealed in a rubbish bin by the roadside.Iraqi authorities said Monday's blast appeared to have been caused by a device concealed in a rubbish bin by the roadside.
"The bomb was hidden in a plastic bag. It's the third time that an attack has hit this place this year," eyewitness Abu Zeinad told the AFP news agency.
There was no immediate indication who was responsible but suspicion will fall on Sunni extremists, the BBC's Hugh Sykes in Baghdad says.There was no immediate indication who was responsible but suspicion will fall on Sunni extremists, the BBC's Hugh Sykes in Baghdad says.
There have been several attacks like this before, killing dozens of casual labourers waiting for work, our correspondent says.There have been several attacks like this before, killing dozens of casual labourers waiting for work, our correspondent says.
Sadr City, with its population of about three million, is a stronghold of Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who heads the Mehdi Army militia.Sadr City, with its population of about three million, is a stronghold of Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who heads the Mehdi Army militia.
US forces hunting for a kidnapped American soldier entered the district on Friday, triggering brief clashes with militia members. The US military has kept the area under a cordon for several days. Elsewhere in Iraq:
Iraqi authorities also confirmed the death of 17 Iraqis in an ambush near the southern city of Basra on Sunday.
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  • The trial of Saddam Hussein over the killing of more than 100,000 Kurds during "Operation Anfal" resumes, but his chief lawyer walks out after the court refuses to allow the former Iraqi leader's foreign lawyers to attend
The 15 police instructors and two translators were held up by gunmen as they travelled on a bus.
  • Iraqi authorities confirm the deaths of 17 Iraqis - 15 police instructors and two translators - in an ambush by gunmen near the southern city of Basra
  • The British government says some civilian staff will be moved from its consulate in Basra because of safety concerns after increased mortar and rocket attacks
    • Meanwhile, US forces are continuing to operate road blocks and patrols around Sadr City as they hunt for a kidnapped American soldier.
    A raid carried out in the district on Friday triggered brief clashes with Mehdi Army militia members.
    Reports on Monday suggested the abducted soldier was an Iraqi-American translator who had broken US army rules to marry a local woman.