Morning Brief: Devastating bombing raises fears in Baghdad
Top story: A day after their country’s deadliest terrorist attacks in over two years, Iraqis mourned the more than 155 dead and raised questions about the government’s ability to keep the country safe with elections approaching and U.S. troops continuing to pull out.
Two synchronized suicide car bombings on Sunday targeted Justice Ministry and the Provincial Administration building, injuring more than 500. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki blamed the attacks on Al Qaeda and remnants of Saddam Hussein’s Baath Party.
Maliki has largely staked his political reputation on his ability to keep Iraq safe and his claims that Iraqi forces can provide security without U.S. help. There are now widespread fears of more attacks like Sunday’s in the run-up to national elections in January.
Clone king: Controversial South Korean cloning scientist Hwang Woo-suk was convicted of embezzling research funds, but given a suspended sentence. James Card profiled Hwang’s attempts to reinvent himself through pet-cloning for FP last February.
Asia
- Four U.S. troops were killed in a helicopter collision in Afghanistan.
- South Korea has agreed to give a small amount of food aid to North Korea for the first time in two years.
- Mongolia’s prime minister wants to resign for health reasons.
Middle East
- IAEA inspectors reportedly visited the recently disclosed Iranian nuclear plant at Qom.
- More than 18 people were arrested after rioting at Jerusalem’s Temple Mount.
- The Palestinian chief negotiator says no talks with Israel are likely in the near term.
Europe
- The war crimes trial of former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic has begun, despite his refusal to appear.
- A prominent opposition leader was murdered in Ingushetia.
- Scottish police have opened a new investigation of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing.
Africa
- Nigeria’s MEND rebels declared an indefinite ceasefire.
- Tunisian leader Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was overwhelmingly reelected, and threatened legal action against anyone who said the vote was unfair.
- Human Rights NGOs are criticizing Nigeria’s decision to invite President Omar al Bashir of Sudan to an African Union meeting.
Americas
- Uruguay’s presidential election will go to a runoff after neither candidate earned over 50 percent of the vote.
- Venezuela has increased security on the Colombian border after a series of murders.
- President Barack Obama reportedly asked Spain’s prime minister to pass along a message to Cuba’s government, urging democratic reform.
AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images
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