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Many casualties in Baghdad blast Many casualties in Baghdad blast
(about 1 hour later)
A bomb explosion in the Sadr City area of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, has killed at least 33 people and injured more than 60, officials say. A bomb explosion in the Sadr City area of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, has killed at least 26 people and injured more than 60, officials say.
The blast occurred early in the morning in Mudhafa Square, on the edge of the densely populated, predominantly Shia district.The blast occurred early in the morning in Mudhafa Square, on the edge of the densely populated, predominantly Shia district.
Those killed were said to be labourers looking for work.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.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari has said his government plans to ask the UN Security Council to extend the mandate of the US-led forces in Iraq.Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari has said his government plans to ask the UN Security Council to extend the mandate of the US-led forces in Iraq.
In an interview with Reuters news agency, Mr Zebari said it was vital for Iraq's security that foreign troops continued to operate under the mandate for a further year. It is due to expire at the end of December.In an interview with Reuters news agency, Mr Zebari said it was vital for Iraq's security that foreign troops continued to operate under the mandate for a further year. It is due to expire at the end of December.
In other developments:In other developments:
  • Three car bombings kill at least eight people and injure 20 in various areas of Baghdad
  • Three car bombings kill at least eight people and injure 20 in various areas of Baghdad
  • Two police officers die in a suicide attack on a passport office in the northern city of Kirkuk
  • Two police officers die in a suicide attack on a passport office in the northern city of Kirkuk
  • Gunmen in Baghdad kill senior academic Isam al-Rawi, head of the university teachers' association in Iraq
  • Gunmen in Baghdad kill senior academic Isam al-Rawi, head of the university teachers' association in Iraq
  • The trial of Saddam Hussein over the killing of more than 100,000 Kurds resumes, but his chief lawyer walks out after the court refuses to allow foreign lawyers to attend
  • US National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley makes an unannounced visit to Baghdad, meeting Prime Minister Nouri Maliki
  • The trial of Saddam Hussein over the killing of more than 100,000 Kurds resumes, but his chief lawyer walks out after the court refuses to allow foreign lawyers to attend
    • 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," a witness, Abu Zeinad, told the AFP news agency."The bomb was hidden in a plastic bag. It's the third time that an attack has hit this place this year," a witness, Abu Zeinad, told the AFP news agency.
    Officials told the BBC 26 people had been confirmed dead, but some reports say as many as 36 were killed.
    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.
    Meanwhile, US forces are continuing to operate roadblocks and patrols around Sadr City as they hunt for a kidnapped American soldier.Meanwhile, US forces are continuing to operate roadblocks 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.A raid carried out in the district on Friday triggered brief clashes with Mehdi Army militia members.
    Reports suggest the abducted soldier is an Iraqi-American translator who broke US Army rules to marry a local woman.Reports suggest the abducted soldier is an Iraqi-American translator who broke US Army rules to marry a local woman.