There was a series of bomb attacks in Baghdad which claimed at least 23 lives. The attacks appeared to target the Shia community of the capital. Earlier, a twin bomb blast in Hilla, 100km south of Baghdad killed at least 15 people. Shia pilgrims are celebrating the festival of Ashura, and security has been tightened around the country to prevent attacks by militants. In other developments, 5 people were killed at a funeral in Baghdad when a bomb exploded in a tent where mourners had gathered in the suburb of Sadr City.1

• 1. ‘Iraqi bomb blasts leave 23 dead’, BBC News, December 24, 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8429945.stm