(Vatican Radio) Iraqi officials say a wave of bombings struck Shi'ite neighborhoods
and other targets across the country Sunday -- killing at least 32 people and wounding
scores of others. At least eight cities and towns were hit. The deadliest attack
occurred in Taji, where three car bombs went off killing 11 people and wounded more
than 24 others. A suicide bomber in the southern city of Kut killed at least three
police officers and wounded several others. And in Balad Ruz, northeast of the capital,
a car bomb killed two policemen. Other areas hit with attacks included Baghdad's Karrada
neighbourhood, where multiple car bombs killed at least four people. There was no
immediate claim of responsibility, but car bombs have been routinely used by al-Qaida's
local affiliate, the Islamic State of Iraq. Although violence has decreased in Iraq
since its peak in 2006 and 2007, attacks escalated again after the withdrawal of US
troops from the country at the end of last year.