A car bomb killed at least nine people including five civilians near a pro-Turkey rebel post in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-would-consider-working-with-assad-if-he-won-a-democratic-syrian-election-184596">northern Syrian city</a> of Afrin on Sunday, a British-based war monitor said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it was not clear who was behind the blast in the city, which was seized from Kurdish forces earlier this year.

The explosion comes after the Turkish president on Wednesday threatened to launch a new offensive against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in Syria.

The Observatory said the blast wounded dozens, and the toll was likely to rise.

"The car bomb exploded near a position of pro-Turkey fighters" in a market, killing five civilians and four fighters, Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said.

At the site of the explosion, fresh herbs and vegetables were strewn on the ground near blackened market stalls.

Vegetable seller Abu Yazan al-Qabuni told AFP he was in the market towards midday when he saw a van enter.

"We thought it was carrying vegetables," he said.

After a huge blast rocked the area, he ran to the site of the explosion, finding wounded people and body parts on the ground.

"I put them in a bag and buried them," he said.

"There are no armed gangs, no terrorists here. We're a vegetable market," he added, indignant.

The city of Afrin was captured in March this year from the YPG by Turkish armed forces and Syrian rebels backed by Ankara.

Turkey accuses the YPG of being "terrorists", but the Kurdish militia also forms the backbone of a US-backed alliance fighting the Islamic State group in Syria.

YPG forces are present in areas along the Turkish border to the east of Afrin.

On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey was planning to launch a new offensive within the "next few days" against the YPG in northern Syria.

A day later, a Turkish soldier was killed in the Afrin region after coming under fire from the YPG, the Turkish defence ministry said.

On Friday, US President Donald Trump agreed with Erdogan on "more effective coordination" between both countries in the war-torn country.

American forces are present in an area along the Turkish border east of Afrin, as part of the US-led coalition fighting IS.

Erdogan has strongly criticised Washington's support for the YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces fighting IS in their last holdout in the far east of the country.

Syria's war has killed more than 360,000 people and displaced millions since starting in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

It has since spiralled into a complex conflict involving jihadists and world powers.

A car bomb killed at least nine people including five civilians near a pro-Turkey rebel post in the northern Syrian city of Afrin on Sunday, a British-based war monitor said.

A car bomb killed at least nine people including five civilians near a pro-Turkey rebel post in the northern Syrian city of Afrin on Sunday, a British-based war monitor said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it was not clear who was behind the blast in the city, which was seized from Kurdish forces earlier this year. The explosion comes after the Turkish president on Wednesday threatened to launch a new offensive against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in Syria. The Observatory said the blast wounded dozens, and the toll was likely to rise. "The car bomb exploded near a position of pro-Turkey fighters" in a market, killing five civilians and four fighters, Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said. At the site of the explosion, fresh herbs and vegetables were strewn on the ground near blackened market stalls. Vegetable seller Abu Yazan al-Qabuni told AFP he was in the market towards midday when he saw a van enter. "We thought it was carrying vegetables," he said. After a huge blast rocked the area, he ran to the site of the explosion, finding wounded people and body parts on the ground. "I put them in a bag and buried them," he said. "There are no armed gangs, no terrorists here. We're a vegetable market," he added, indignant. The city of Afrin was captured in March this year from the YPG by Turkish armed forces and Syrian rebels backed by Ankara. Turkey accuses the YPG of being "terrorists", but the Kurdish militia also forms the backbone of a US-backed alliance fighting the Islamic State group in Syria. YPG forces are present in areas along the Turkish border to the east of Afrin. On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey was planning to launch a new offensive within the "next few days" against the YPG in northern Syria. A day later, a Turkish soldier was killed in the Afrin region after coming under fire from the YPG, the Turkish defence ministry said. On Friday, US President Donald Trump agreed with Erdogan on "more effective coordination" between both countries in the war-torn country. American forces are present in an area along the Turkish border east of Afrin, as part of the US-led coalition fighting IS. Erdogan has strongly criticised Washington's support for the YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces fighting IS in their last holdout in the far east of the country. Syria's war has killed more than 360,000 people and displaced millions since starting in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests. It has since spiralled into a complex conflict involving jihadists and world powers.

At least 9 dead after car bomb in Syria: Report

Car bomb hits UK contractor's compound in Kabul

At least 10 people were killed and 19 were wounded in an attack on a compound of the British security group G4S in the Afghan capital Kabul on Wednesday, a health ministry spokesman said.

An interior ministry official said an unknown number of gunmen had entered the compound after a car bomb exploded near the facility and were battling security forces.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

A senior security official said the blast happened close to a compound of British security contractor group G4S, near an industrial park on the main road leading out of Kabul towards eastern Afghanistan.

The explosion came only hours after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-president-forms-team-to-negotiate-peace-with-taliban-179970">Afghan President Ashraf Ghani</a> told a UN-sponsored conference in Geneva of plans to seek a peace agreement with the Taliban.

As efforts to open peace talks with the Taliban have picked up following the appointment of US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, there has been no slackening in the violence which kills thousands of people in Afghanistan every year.

Three US service members were killed close to the central city of Ghazni on Tuesday and at least 30 Afghan civilians were killed in a US air strike overnight, officials and local residents said.

At least 10 people were killed and 19 were wounded in an attack on a compound of the British security group G4S in the Afghan capital Kabul on Wednesday, a health ministry spokesman said.

At least 10 people were killed and 19 were wounded in an attack on a compound of the British security group G4S in the Afghan capital Kabul on Wednesday, a health ministry spokesman said. An interior ministry official said an unknown number of gunmen had entered the compound after a car bomb exploded near the facility and were battling security forces. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. A senior security official said the blast happened close to a compound of British security contractor group G4S, near an industrial park on the main road leading out of Kabul towards eastern Afghanistan. The explosion came only hours after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani told a UN-sponsored conference in Geneva of plans to seek a peace agreement with the Taliban. As efforts to open peace talks with the Taliban have picked up following the appointment of US special peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, there has been no slackening in the violence which kills thousands of people in Afghanistan every year. Three US service members were killed close to the central city of Ghazni on Tuesday and at least 30 Afghan civilians were killed in a US air strike overnight, officials and local residents said.

Afghanistan: At least 10 dead, 19 wounded in attack on G4S site in Kabul

A car bomb exploded in Egypt`s second city Alexandria on Saturday, killing two people including a policeman and wounding four others, the interior ministry said.

MENA quoted Nemr as saying that two people, a policeman and a driver, were killed in the blast.

According to initial reports by the Ministry of Health, in addition, there were various damages to surrounding buildings and cars.&nbsp;

As per reports, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) said in a statement that the explosion targeted the head of Alexandria security directorate.

Eyewitnesses said police and military personnel had formed a perimeter around the site of the explosion, which took place two days before the country is due to hold a presidential election.

Further details are awaited.&nbsp;

As per reports, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) said in a statement that the explosion targeted the head of Alexandria security directorate

A car bomb exploded in Egypt`s second city Alexandria on Saturday, killing two people including a policeman and wounding four others, the interior ministry said. MENA quoted Nemr as saying that two people, a policeman and a driver, were killed in the blast. According to initial reports by the Ministry of Health, in addition, there were various damages to surrounding buildings and cars. As per reports, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) said in a statement that the explosion targeted the head of Alexandria security directorate. Eyewitnesses said police and military personnel had formed a perimeter around the site of the explosion, which took place two days before the country is due to hold a presidential election. Further details are awaited.

Car bomb explodes in Egypt's Alexandria, two killed

The Taliban claimed the car bomb attack which killed at least three people and wounded several others&nbsp;in the Afghan capital Kabul on Saturday&nbsp;in an apparent attack on a foreign contractor company.

Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danesh said all those killed and wounded in the explosion were civilians with no casualties among the contractors.

Witnesses said the casualty toll was higher but confirmed that, like countless other attacks in Kabul, its victims were ordinary people going about their daily activities.

&quot;All those killed were barbers or shoeshine men. I was horrified when I saw their bodies,&quot; said Mohammad Osman, who was nearby when the explosion shattered nearby buildings and who said he had seen four or five bodies.

It was the fourth suicide attack in Kabul in three weeks and comes days after the top US general in Afghanistan said protecting the war-weary city was &quot;our main effort&quot;.

It also comes as the Taliban faces growing pressure to take up Afghan President Ashraf Ghani&#39;s offer last month of peace talks to end the 16-year war.

Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danesh said all those killed and wounded in the explosion were civilians with no casualties among the contractors

The Taliban claimed the car bomb attack which killed at least three people and wounded several others in the Afghan capital Kabul on Saturday in an apparent attack on a foreign contractor company. Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danesh said all those killed and wounded in the explosion were civilians with no casualties among the contractors. Witnesses said the casualty toll was higher but confirmed that, like countless other attacks in Kabul, its victims were ordinary people going about their daily activities. "All those killed were barbers or shoeshine men. I was horrified when I saw their bodies," said Mohammad Osman, who was nearby when the explosion shattered nearby buildings and who said he had seen four or five bodies. It was the fourth suicide attack in Kabul in three weeks and comes days after the top US general in Afghanistan said protecting the war-weary city was "our main effort". It also comes as the Taliban faces growing pressure to take up Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's offer last month of peace talks to end the 16-year war.

Taliban claims deadly car bomb attack in Kabul

A car bomb killed at least three people and wounded several others&nbsp;in the Afghan capital Kabul on Saturday in an apparent attack on a foreign contractor company, officials said.

Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danesh said all those killed and wounded in the explosion were civilians with no casualties among the contractors.

&ldquo;Around 9:10 a.m. this morning a suicide car bomb exploded in Police District Nine of Kabul,&rdquo; interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said adding the target of the attack was not clear.

Witnesses said the casualty toll was higher but confirmed that, like countless other attacks in Kabul, its victims were ordinary people going about their daily activities.

&quot;All those killed were barbers or shoeshine men. I was horrified when I saw their bodies,&quot; said Mohammad Osman, who was nearby when the explosion shattered nearby buildings and who said he had seen four or five bodies.

Police officials said the exact cause of the explosion was being investigated.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast which came days after the top U.S. general in&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;said protecting the capital was &ldquo;our main effort&rdquo;.

While the latest blast was relatively minor compared with others that have killed scores of people recently, the constant stream of attacks in Kabul has undermined confidence in the Western-backed government of President Ashraf Ghani.

Earlier this week, General John Nicholson, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, said security in Kabul would be &quot;the main effort&quot; for international powers helping Afghan defence and security forces.

A car bomb killed at least three people and wounded several others in the Afghan capital Kabul on Saturday in an apparent attack on a foreign contractor company, officials said. Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danesh said all those killed and wounded in the explosion were civilians with no casualties among the contractors. “Around 9:10 a.m. this morning a suicide car bomb exploded in Police District Nine of Kabul,” interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said adding the target of the attack was not clear. Witnesses said the casualty toll was higher but confirmed that, like countless other attacks in Kabul, its victims were ordinary people going about their daily activities. "All those killed were barbers or shoeshine men. I was horrified when I saw their bodies," said Mohammad Osman, who was nearby when the explosion shattered nearby buildings and who said he had seen four or five bodies. Police officials said the exact cause of the explosion was being investigated. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast which came days after the top U.S. general in Afghanistan said protecting the capital was “our main effort”. While the latest blast was relatively minor compared with others that have killed scores of people recently, the constant stream of attacks in Kabul has undermined confidence in the Western-backed government of President Ashraf Ghani. Earlier this week, General John Nicholson, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, said security in Kabul would be "the main effort" for international powers helping Afghan defence and security forces.

Car bomb kills at least three in Kabul

A suicide car bomber struck on Friday in the Afghan capital of Kabul, killing one person and wounding 14 bystanders, officials said, but there was no immediate claim of responsibility.

The attack came two days after President Ashraf Ghani offered to start peace talks with the Taliban and just over a month after an ambulance packed with explosives was detonated in the city centre, killing about 100 people.

Bismillah Tabaan, the police commander of the city&#39;s ninth district, where Friday&#39;s explosion took place, said a suicide bombing was the cause of blast, but the intended target was not clear.

Interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said the cause of the explosion was a car bomb in the city&#39;s Qabl Bai area. One person had been killed and 14 bystanders wounded, he added, with all the casualties civilians.

Much of the centre of Kabul is already a zone of concrete blast walls, razor wire and police checkpoints but security has been tightened even further in the wake of the January 27 ambulance attack and another attack on the city&#39;s Intercontinental Hotel earlier in the month.

&nbsp;

The attack came two days after President Ashraf Ghani offered to start peace talks with the Taliban

A suicide car bomber struck on Friday in the Afghan capital of Kabul, killing one person and wounding 14 bystanders, officials said, but there was no immediate claim of responsibility. The attack came two days after President Ashraf Ghani offered to start peace talks with the Taliban and just over a month after an ambulance packed with explosives was detonated in the city centre, killing about 100 people. Bismillah Tabaan, the police commander of the city's ninth district, where Friday's explosion took place, said a suicide bombing was the cause of blast, but the intended target was not clear. Interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said the cause of the explosion was a car bomb in the city's Qabl Bai area. One person had been killed and 14 bystanders wounded, he added, with all the casualties civilians. Much of the centre of Kabul is already a zone of concrete blast walls, razor wire and police checkpoints but security has been tightened even further in the wake of the January 27 ambulance attack and another attack on the city's Intercontinental Hotel earlier in the month.

Suicide car bomber hits Afghan capital, at least one dead

At least 14 Afghan soldiers were injured in a car bombing at 505 Boost Police Zone in Lashkargah city, capital of Helmand Province on Wednesday.

The Tolo News quoted a spokesman for the provincial governor, Omar Zwak, as saying that the blast happened after a car bomb detonated while the soldiers were leaving the base to launch a military operation.

No group has claimed the responsibility for the attack so far.

Further details are awaited.

No group has claimed the responsibility for the attack so far.

At least 14 Afghan soldiers were injured in a car bombing at 505 Boost Police Zone in Lashkargah city, capital of Helmand Province on Wednesday. The Tolo News quoted a spokesman for the provincial governor, Omar Zwak, as saying that the blast happened after a car bomb detonated while the soldiers were leaving the base to launch a military operation. No group has claimed the responsibility for the attack so far. Further details are awaited.

Car bomb injures 14 Afghanistan soldiers in Helmand

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/malegaon-blast-case-sadhvi-pragya-and-lt-col-purohit-will-be-tried-under-uaps-act-along-with-other-accused-27869">Malegaon blasts case: Partial relief for Sadhvi Pragya, Col Purohit</a>

In a partial relief to Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, Lt Col Prasad Purohit and six others who face trial under an anti-terror law in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blasts case, the court dropped provisions under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against all the accused.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-didnt-question-former-pm-manmohan-singhs-commitment-to-nation-arun-jaitley-clarifies-27866">&#39;PM Modi didn&#39;t question former PM Manmohan Singh&#39;s commitment to nation,&#39; Arun Jaitley clarifies</a>

Union Finance Minister and Minister of Corporate Affairs, Arun Jaitley spoke on PM Modi&#39;s remarks on former prime minister Manmohan Singh today at Rajya Sabha.

Jaitley clarified, &quot;PM in his speeches didn&#39;t question, nor meant to question the commitment to this nation of either former PM Manmohan Singh or Former VP Hamid Ansari.&quot;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-sends-shoes-of-jadhavs-wife-for-forensic-testing-27860">Pakistan sends shoes of Jadhav&#39;s wife for forensic testing</a>

Pakistani authorities have sent the shoes worn by Kulbhushan Jadhav&#39;s wife for forensic examination to determine the nature of the suspected presence of a foreign object, a media report said today.

The authorities were ascertaining whether the &quot;metallic object&quot; in the shoes was a camera or a recording chip, Pakistan Today quoted Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Mohammad Faisal as saying.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/car-bomb-injures-14-afghanistan-soldiers-in-helmand-27872">Car bomb injures 14 Afghanistan soldiers in Helmand</a>

At least 14 Afghan soldiers were injured in a car bombing at 505 Boost Police Zone in Lashkargah city, capital of Helmand Province on Wednesday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/1-killed-3-injured-after-gunman-opens-fire-in-moscow-factory-hostages-held-ria-27849">1 killed, 3 injured after gunman opens fire in Moscow factory, hostages held: RIA</a>

A gunman opened a fire in a pastry-making factory in Moscow on Wednesday, killing one person and taking an unknown number as hostages, Russian state news agency RIA said, citing a law enforcement source.

Malegaon blasts case: Partial relief for Sadhvi Pragya, Col Purohit In a partial relief to Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, Lt Col Prasad Purohit and six others who face trial under an anti-terror law in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blasts case, the court dropped provisions under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against all the accused. 'PM Modi didn't question former PM Manmohan Singh's commitment to nation,' Arun Jaitley clarifies Union Finance Minister and Minister of Corporate Affairs, Arun Jaitley spoke on PM Modi's remarks on former prime minister Manmohan Singh today at Rajya Sabha. Jaitley clarified, "PM in his speeches didn't question, nor meant to question the commitment to this nation of either former PM Manmohan Singh or Former VP Hamid Ansari." Pakistan sends shoes of Jadhav's wife for forensic testing Pakistani authorities have sent the shoes worn by Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife for forensic examination to determine the nature of the suspected presence of a foreign object, a media report said today. The authorities were ascertaining whether the "metallic object" in the shoes was a camera or a recording chip, Pakistan Today quoted Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Mohammad Faisal as saying. Car bomb injures 14 Afghanistan soldiers in Helmand At least 14 Afghan soldiers were injured in a car bombing at 505 Boost Police Zone in Lashkargah city, capital of Helmand Province on Wednesday. 1 killed, 3 injured after gunman opens fire in Moscow factory, hostages held: RIA A gunman opened a fire in a pastry-making factory in Moscow on Wednesday, killing one person and taking an unknown number as hostages, Russian state news agency RIA said, citing a law enforcement source.

WION Evening New Brief, December 27, 2017

A car bomb on Monday killed the journalist who led the Panama Papers investigation here.

Daphne Caruana Galizia, 53, died on Monday afternoon when her car, a Peugeot 108, was destroyed by a powerful explosive device which blew the vehicle into several pieces and threw the debris into a nearby field, reports The Guardian.

The reporter had filed a complaint with police a fortnight ago after receiving personal threats to her safety, local media said.

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<h5>Galizia&#39;s most recent revelations pointed a finger at Malta&#39;s Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and two of his closest aides, connecting offshore companies linked to the three men with the sale of Maltese passports and payments from the government of Azerbaijan</h5>
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She was known for her work as an investigative journalist and revealing controversial sensitive information, including reports and allegations related to the Panama Papers.

A blogger whose posts often attracted more readers than the combined circulation of the country&#39;s newspapers, Caruana Galizia was recently described by the Politico website as a &quot;one-woman WikiLeaks&quot;. Her blogs were a thorn in the side of both the establishment and underworld figures that hold sway in Europe&#39;s smallest member state.

Her most recent revelations pointed the finger at Malta&#39;s Prime Minister, Joseph Muscat, and two of his closest aides, connecting offshore companies linked to the three men with the sale of Maltese passports and payments from the government of Azerbaijan, reports The Guardian.

No group or individual has come forward to claim responsibility for the attack.

In a statement, Muscat condemned the &quot;barbaric attack&quot;, saying he had asked police to reach out to other countries&#39; security services for help identifying the perpetrators.

&quot;Everyone knows Caruana Galizia was a harsh critic of mine,&quot; said Muscat at a hastily convened press conference, &quot;both politically and personally, but nobody can justify this barbaric act in any way&quot;.

In a tweet, Muscat said, &quot;This is a spiteful attack on a citizen and freedom of expression. I will not rest until justice is done. The country deserves justice.&quot;

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This is a spiteful attack on a citizen and freedom of expression. I will not rest until justice is done. The country deserves justice -JM
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Muscat announced later in parliament that FBI officers were on their way to Malta to assist with the investigation, following his request for outside help from the US government.

The Nationalist party leader, Adrian Delia - himself the subject of negative stories by Caruana Galizia - claimed the killing was linked to her reporting.

The Panama Papers are 11.5 million leaked documents that detail financial and attorney-client information for more than 214,488 offshore entities. The documents, some dating back to the 1970s, were created by, and taken from, Panamanian law firm and corporate service provider Mossack Fonseca, and were leaked in 2015 by an anonymous source.

The revelations by the Panama Papers have shaken politics of many countries.

In a case related with the Panama Papers, former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had to step down in July after the Supreme Court disqualified him.

Daphne Caruana Galizia, 53, had filed a complaint with police a fortnight ago after receiving personal threats to her safety

A car bomb on Monday killed the journalist who led the Panama Papers investigation here. Daphne Caruana Galizia, 53, died on Monday afternoon when her car, a Peugeot 108, was destroyed by a powerful explosive device which blew the vehicle into several pieces and threw the debris into a nearby field, reports The Guardian. The reporter had filed a complaint with police a fortnight ago after receiving personal threats to her safety, local media said. Galizia's most recent revelations pointed a finger at Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and two of his closest aides, connecting offshore companies linked to the three men with the sale of Maltese passports and payments from the government of Azerbaijan × She was known for her work as an investigative journalist and revealing controversial sensitive information, including reports and allegations related to the Panama Papers. A blogger whose posts often attracted more readers than the combined circulation of the country's newspapers, Caruana Galizia was recently described by the Politico website as a "one-woman WikiLeaks". Her blogs were a thorn in the side of both the establishment and underworld figures that hold sway in Europe's smallest member state. Her most recent revelations pointed the finger at Malta's Prime Minister, Joseph Muscat, and two of his closest aides, connecting offshore companies linked to the three men with the sale of Maltese passports and payments from the government of Azerbaijan, reports The Guardian. No group or individual has come forward to claim responsibility for the attack. In a statement, Muscat condemned the "barbaric attack", saying he had asked police to reach out to other countries' security services for help identifying the perpetrators. "Everyone knows Caruana Galizia was a harsh critic of mine," said Muscat at a hastily convened press conference, "both politically and personally, but nobody can justify this barbaric act in any way". In a tweet, Muscat said, "This is a spiteful attack on a citizen and freedom of expression. I will not rest until justice is done. The country deserves justice." This is a spiteful attack on a citizen and freedom of expression. I will not rest until justice is done. The country deserves justice -JM — Joseph Muscat (@JosephMuscat_JM) October 16, 2017 × Muscat announced later in parliament that FBI officers were on their way to Malta to assist with the investigation, following his request for outside help from the US government. The Nationalist party leader, Adrian Delia - himself the subject of negative stories by Caruana Galizia - claimed the killing was linked to her reporting. The Panama Papers are 11.5 million leaked documents that detail financial and attorney-client information for more than 214,488 offshore entities. The documents, some dating back to the 1970s, were created by, and taken from, Panamanian law firm and corporate service provider Mossack Fonseca, and were leaked in 2015 by an anonymous source. The revelations by the Panama Papers have shaken politics of many countries. In a case related with the Panama Papers, former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had to step down in July after the Supreme Court disqualified him.

Car bomb kills journalist who led Panama Papers investigation in Malta

An Islamic State car bomb killed more than 50 people on Friday in a Syrian village held by rebels, a war monitor said, a day after the jihadist group was driven from its last stronghold in the area.

The blast in the village of Sousian hit a security checkpoint controlled by rebels fighting under the Free Syrian Army (FSA) banner. 
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitor of the war based in Britain, said more than 50 people died including over 30 civilians. Two rebels contacted by Reuters put the total death toll at at least 40.

One of the two, a fighter with the Sultan Murad Brigade near al-Bab, said: &quot;It was done on a checkpoint but there were a lot of families there gathered and waiting to get back to al-Bab. Therefore we have many civilian casualties.&quot;

The Turkey-backed rebels drove Islamic State from the town of al-Bab on Thursday, following weeks of street battles near where Ankara wants to establish a safe zone for civilians.

Turkey`s military said on Friday that Syrian rebels had taken full control of all of al-Bab, and that work to clear mines and unexploded ordnance was under way.

Sousian is behind rebel lines about 8 km (5 miles) northwest of al-Bab, around which Ankara has long supported the formation of a security zone it says would help to stem a wave of migration via Turkey into Europe.

A second blast took place 2 km south of Sousian later on Friday, but it was unclear whether it was from a vehicle bomb or a planted device such as a mine. There were reports of casualties but no immediate details, the Observatory said.

Islamic State said in a social media posting that it was behind the Sousian attack, having acknowledged on Thursday it had lost control of al-Bab.&nbsp;

Syria&#39;s main conflict pits President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russia, Iran and Shi`ite militias, against rebels that include groups supported by Turkey, the United States and Gulf monarchies.

However, both those sides, as well as a group of militias led by Kurdish forces and supported by the U.S., are also fighting Islamic State, which holds large parts of northern and eastern Syria.&nbsp;

Mines and cells

As mines laid in and around al-Bab claimed lives for a second day, the Sultan Murad Brigade fighter said many IS cells were still operating there.

&quot;It is very dangerous. Our search and clear operation is still under way,&quot; he said.

Two Turkish soldiers were killed on Friday while clearing mines in the town of Tadef south of al-Bab, Turkey`s military said in a statement. On Thursday, several Turkey-backed rebels were killed by a mine in al-Bab, the Observatory said.&nbsp;

Turkey directly intervened in Syria in August in support of rebel factions under the FSA banner to drive Islamic State from its border. It also wants to stop Kurdish groups gaining control of the region.&nbsp;

After taking al-Bab on Thursday, Turkish forces shelled Islamic State in Tadef, the Observatory reported.&nbsp;

The area immediately to the south of Tadef is held by the Syrian army and its allies, which have in recent weeks pushed into Islamic State territory in that area from Aleppo and advanced towards the Euphrates river.&nbsp;

Further east, the Syrian Democratic Forces, Kurdish-led militias backed by the United States, have in recent weeks taken dozens of villages from Islamic State as they close in on the group`s Syrian capital of Raqqa. 
 
(Reuters)

The Turkey-backed rebels on Thursday drove Islamic State from al-Bab, the jihadist group's last significant stronghold in northwest Syria

An Islamic State car bomb killed more than 50 people on Friday in a Syrian village held by rebels, a war monitor said, a day after the jihadist group was driven from its last stronghold in the area. The blast in the village of Sousian hit a security checkpoint controlled by rebels fighting under the Free Syrian Army (FSA) banner. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitor of the war based in Britain, said more than 50 people died including over 30 civilians. Two rebels contacted by Reuters put the total death toll at at least 40. One of the two, a fighter with the Sultan Murad Brigade near al-Bab, said: "It was done on a checkpoint but there were a lot of families there gathered and waiting to get back to al-Bab. Therefore we have many civilian casualties." The Turkey-backed rebels drove Islamic State from the town of al-Bab on Thursday, following weeks of street battles near where Ankara wants to establish a safe zone for civilians. Turkey`s military said on Friday that Syrian rebels had taken full control of all of al-Bab, and that work to clear mines and unexploded ordnance was under way. Sousian is behind rebel lines about 8 km (5 miles) northwest of al-Bab, around which Ankara has long supported the formation of a security zone it says would help to stem a wave of migration via Turkey into Europe. A second blast took place 2 km south of Sousian later on Friday, but it was unclear whether it was from a vehicle bomb or a planted device such as a mine. There were reports of casualties but no immediate details, the Observatory said. Islamic State said in a social media posting that it was behind the Sousian attack, having acknowledged on Thursday it had lost control of al-Bab. Syria's main conflict pits President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russia, Iran and Shi`ite militias, against rebels that include groups supported by Turkey, the United States and Gulf monarchies. However, both those sides, as well as a group of militias led by Kurdish forces and supported by the U.S., are also fighting Islamic State, which holds large parts of northern and eastern Syria. Mines and cells As mines laid in and around al-Bab claimed lives for a second day, the Sultan Murad Brigade fighter said many IS cells were still operating there. "It is very dangerous. Our search and clear operation is still under way," he said. Two Turkish soldiers were killed on Friday while clearing mines in the town of Tadef south of al-Bab, Turkey`s military said in a statement. On Thursday, several Turkey-backed rebels were killed by a mine in al-Bab, the Observatory said. Turkey directly intervened in Syria in August in support of rebel factions under the FSA banner to drive Islamic State from its border. It also wants to stop Kurdish groups gaining control of the region. After taking al-Bab on Thursday, Turkish forces shelled Islamic State in Tadef, the Observatory reported. The area immediately to the south of Tadef is held by the Syrian army and its allies, which have in recent weeks pushed into Islamic State territory in that area from Aleppo and advanced towards the Euphrates river. Further east, the Syrian Democratic Forces, Kurdish-led militias backed by the United States, have in recent weeks taken dozens of villages from Islamic State as they close in on the group`s Syrian capital of Raqqa. (Reuters)

Car bomb on Turkey-backed Syrian rebels kills more than 50 in Syria

A car bomb blast killed at least 11 people at a camp for displaced Syrians by the border with Jordan on Saturday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said.

The Britain-based group said the dead included a family of four, with the father, mother and two children killed in the blast on the outskirts of the Rukban camp.

Another four of those killed were fighters from local tribes in eastern Syria that have battled the jihadist Islamic State group.

The monitor said the toll could rise further because a number of the injured were in serious condition.

Jordan&#39;s official Petra news agency, citing a military source, also reported the blast at the isolated makeshift camp, which houses around 85,000 Syrians according to the United Nations.

The source said 14 wounded people had been taken to a clinic in the border area for treatment, adding that no decision had been taken yet on whether they would be transported to Jordanian hospitals.

The source said there were no Jordanian casualties.

Jordan closed its border in June 2016, halting aid deliveries to the camp, after a bombing claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group killed seven Jordanian soldiers.

Officials said at the time that the bomber had come from the camp and declared the border a closed military zone.

The decision prompted shortages at the camp, with rights group Amnesty International in October decrying &quot;hellish&quot; conditions for those seeking refuge there.

Aid has been delivered to the camp only twice since the border was closed, most recently in November, when the UN supplied food, hygiene kits and winter clothing.

The United Nations says there are more than 600,000 refugees from Syria in Jordan, a figure Amman puts at 1.4 million.

In August, King Abdullah II said his country was &quot;doing its utmost to help refugees&quot; from Syria.

&quot;However, we have reached our limits... This is an international crisis and an international responsibility, and the world has to do its part,&quot; he said.

More than four million Syrians have fled their country since the beginning of the conflict in March 2011, which has killed more than 310,000 people.

(AFP)

It said the dead included a family of four, with the father, mother and 2 children killed in the blast on the outskirts of the Rukban camp

A car bomb blast killed at least 11 people at a camp for displaced Syrians by the border with Jordan on Saturday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said. The Britain-based group said the dead included a family of four, with the father, mother and two children killed in the blast on the outskirts of the Rukban camp. Another four of those killed were fighters from local tribes in eastern Syria that have battled the jihadist Islamic State group. The monitor said the toll could rise further because a number of the injured were in serious condition. Jordan's official Petra news agency, citing a military source, also reported the blast at the isolated makeshift camp, which houses around 85,000 Syrians according to the United Nations. The source said 14 wounded people had been taken to a clinic in the border area for treatment, adding that no decision had been taken yet on whether they would be transported to Jordanian hospitals. The source said there were no Jordanian casualties. Jordan closed its border in June 2016, halting aid deliveries to the camp, after a bombing claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group killed seven Jordanian soldiers. Officials said at the time that the bomber had come from the camp and declared the border a closed military zone. The decision prompted shortages at the camp, with rights group Amnesty International in October decrying "hellish" conditions for those seeking refuge there. Aid has been delivered to the camp only twice since the border was closed, most recently in November, when the UN supplied food, hygiene kits and winter clothing. The United Nations says there are more than 600,000 refugees from Syria in Jordan, a figure Amman puts at 1.4 million. In August, King Abdullah II said his country was "doing its utmost to help refugees" from Syria. "However, we have reached our limits... This is an international crisis and an international responsibility, and the world has to do its part," he said. More than four million Syrians have fled their country since the beginning of the conflict in March 2011, which has killed more than 310,000 people. (AFP)

Car bomb kills 11 at Syria-Jordan border camp: Monitor

Eighteen people were killed on Sunday when a van loaded with five tonnes of explosives blew up in Turkey&rsquo;s restive southeast, the prime minister said, in an attack blamed on Kurdish militants, AFP reported.

10 soldiers and eight civilians were killed in the bombing that is one of the deadliest attacks on security forces in Turkey since the failed coup attempt of July 15.

&quot;The attack was perpetrated by a suicide bomber who detonated a van (packed) with five tonnes of explosives,&quot; Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told a news conference in Istanbul, AFP reported.

 
A security post in the Hakkari province was targeted in the attack when security personnel were searching vehicles in Semdinli district, the official news agency Anadolu said. 
&nbsp;

The Hakkari governor said in a statement that a vehicle refused to stop as it approached the &nbsp;checkpoint, resulting in soldiers responding with gunfire. 
&nbsp;

Militants then started shooting, the governor&rsquo;s office said, quoted by Dogan news agency.

27 people were injured in the blast caused by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers&rsquo; Party (PKK), Erdogan said in a written statement.

Soon after the attack, which Anadolu said left a seven-metre deep hole in the road, the military began a large-scale air operation which the governor&rsquo;s office said was launched to &quot;neutralise&quot; PKK militants.

Commando units on the ground were continuing to search for PKK fighters.

The White House also condemned &quot;in the strongest terms the deadly terrorist attack today against a military checkpoint in southeastern Turkey that left many dead, including civilians, and scores more wounded.&quot;, AFP reported.

&quot;We remain steadfast in our support for our NATO ally, Turkey, and reaffirm our commitment to continue working together to defeat all forms of terrorism,&quot; Ned Price, the White House National Security Council spokesman said, AFP reported.

The bombing comes only a day after two suspects believed to have been preparing a car bomb attack blew themselves up on the outskirts of Ankara when police ordered them to surrender.

Turkish officials told AFP they believed the pair were linked to the PKK.

 
&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

The vehicle was loaded with five tonnes of explosives, Kurdish militants are being blamed for the attack

Eighteen people were killed on Sunday when a van loaded with five tonnes of explosives blew up in Turkey’s restive southeast, the prime minister said, in an attack blamed on Kurdish militants, AFP reported. 10 soldiers and eight civilians were killed in the bombing that is one of the deadliest attacks on security forces in Turkey since the failed coup attempt of July 15. "The attack was perpetrated by a suicide bomber who detonated a van (packed) with five tonnes of explosives," Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told a news conference in Istanbul, AFP reported. A security post in the Hakkari province was targeted in the attack when security personnel were searching vehicles in Semdinli district, the official news agency Anadolu said. The Hakkari governor said in a statement that a vehicle refused to stop as it approached the checkpoint, resulting in soldiers responding with gunfire. Militants then started shooting, the governor’s office said, quoted by Dogan news agency. 27 people were injured in the blast caused by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Erdogan said in a written statement. Soon after the attack, which Anadolu said left a seven-metre deep hole in the road, the military began a large-scale air operation which the governor’s office said was launched to "neutralise" PKK militants. Commando units on the ground were continuing to search for PKK fighters. The White House also condemned "in the strongest terms the deadly terrorist attack today against a military checkpoint in southeastern Turkey that left many dead, including civilians, and scores more wounded.", AFP reported. "We remain steadfast in our support for our NATO ally, Turkey, and reaffirm our commitment to continue working together to defeat all forms of terrorism," Ned Price, the White House National Security Council spokesman said, AFP reported. The bombing comes only a day after two suspects believed to have been preparing a car bomb attack blew themselves up on the outskirts of Ankara when police ordered them to surrender. Turkish officials told AFP they believed the pair were linked to the PKK. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Car bomb attack at Turkish military checkpoint kills 18

A car bomb explosion rocked a police headquarters in the town of Cizre in Turkey today, killing at least 11 people and wounding more than 70 people,Turkey&#39;s state-run news agency said, in the latest in a spate of attacks in the country&#39;s turbulent south-east. 
 
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said that the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has waged insurgency for Kurdish autonomy, was responsible for the attack in the province bordering Syria and Iraq. 
 
The news agency further said the attack targeted a checkpoint some 50 meters away from a police station in the town of Cizre, in Sirnak province. It said the blast caused severe damage to the police station 
 
News channel NTV showed large plumes of smoke billowing from the site which it said was a police checkpoint. Cizre is located in Sirnak, a province that borders both Syria and Iraq and has a largely Kurdish population. 
 
Ambulances rushed to the scene and hospital sources said at 64 wounded, Reuters reported.&nbsp; 
 
State-run Anadolu Agency blamed the attack on the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which has been involved in almost daily clashes in the region since last July, when a ceasefire between it and the government collapsed. 
 
The PKK is listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. More than 40,000 people, mostly Kurds, have died since the rebels took up arms in 1984. 
 
On Thursday, interior minister Efkan Ala accused the group of attacking a convoy carrying the main opposition party leader, Kemal Kilicdaroglu. 
 
The government has blamed the PKK for a series of attacks this month in the southeast. The group has claimed responsibility for at least one attack, on a police station. 
 
Labelled as nation&#39;s &#39;deadliest terror attack&#39; this year, more than 50 people had died in southeastern Gaziantep town on Saturday following an attack on wedding party.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The car bomb explosion near the police headquarters in Cizre is one of the many recent attacks in south-west Turkey

A car bomb explosion rocked a police headquarters in the town of Cizre in Turkey today, killing at least 11 people and wounding more than 70 people,Turkey's state-run news agency said, in the latest in a spate of attacks in the country's turbulent south-east. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said that the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has waged insurgency for Kurdish autonomy, was responsible for the attack in the province bordering Syria and Iraq. The news agency further said the attack targeted a checkpoint some 50 meters away from a police station in the town of Cizre, in Sirnak province. It said the blast caused severe damage to the police station News channel NTV showed large plumes of smoke billowing from the site which it said was a police checkpoint. Cizre is located in Sirnak, a province that borders both Syria and Iraq and has a largely Kurdish population. Ambulances rushed to the scene and hospital sources said at 64 wounded, Reuters reported. State-run Anadolu Agency blamed the attack on the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) which has been involved in almost daily clashes in the region since last July, when a ceasefire between it and the government collapsed. The PKK is listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. More than 40,000 people, mostly Kurds, have died since the rebels took up arms in 1984. On Thursday, interior minister Efkan Ala accused the group of attacking a convoy carrying the main opposition party leader, Kemal Kilicdaroglu. The government has blamed the PKK for a series of attacks this month in the southeast. The group has claimed responsibility for at least one attack, on a police station. Labelled as nation's 'deadliest terror attack' this year, more than 50 people had died in southeastern Gaziantep town on Saturday following an attack on wedding party. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Explosion in Turkey kills 11, Prime Minister holds Kurdish insurgents responsible

At least eight people were killed today when two huge bombs went off near Mogadishu&#39;s airport, including one close to the UN&#39;s political office in the Somali capital, a security source told AFP. 
 
An AFP journalist at the scene heard gunfire after the explosions tore through the area, one of which was believed to be a car bomb. 
 
Somalia&#39;s Al-Qaeda-linked Shabaab has carried out a string of similar attacks. 
 
The city&#39;s airport is heavily fortified and adjoins the capital&#39;s main base for the African Union mission to Somalia, the 22,000-strong force backing the government in the battle against Shabaab insurgents. 
 
The jihadists were chased out of Mogadishu in 2011 but remain a serious threat in both Somalia and neighbouring Kenya, where they carry out frequent attacks. 
 
(AFP)&nbsp;

Somalia's Al-Qaeda-linked Shabaab has carried out a string of similar attacks

At least eight people were killed today when two huge bombs went off near Mogadishu's airport, including one close to the UN's political office in the Somali capital, a security source told AFP. An AFP journalist at the scene heard gunfire after the explosions tore through the area, one of which was believed to be a car bomb. Somalia's Al-Qaeda-linked Shabaab has carried out a string of similar attacks. The city's airport is heavily fortified and adjoins the capital's main base for the African Union mission to Somalia, the 22,000-strong force backing the government in the battle against Shabaab insurgents. The jihadists were chased out of Mogadishu in 2011 but remain a serious threat in both Somalia and neighbouring Kenya, where they carry out frequent attacks. (AFP)

Twin explosions kill at least 8 in Somali capital

A car bomb blast yesterday hit an upmarket area of Damascus housing several government buildings, Syrian state news agency SANA reported, saying there were &quot;several wounded&quot;. 
 
The explosion took place in front of a 10-storey building in the Kafar Sousse district in the southwest of the war-torn country`s capital, an AFP journalist at the scene said. 
 
Debris littered the ground, including pieces of metal apparently from the vehicle used in the blast, which the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said caused casualties, without giving details. 
 
Since Syria`s civil war erupted numerous attacks have hit Damascus, a stronghold of President Bashar al-Assad, though they have become less frequent in recent years. 
 
Kafar Sousse, home to the foreign ministry and the council of ministers, was the scene of some of the first major attacks in the Syrian conflict, when 44 people were killed and 166 wounded in two suicide bombings in December 2011. 
 
Those attacks, targeting intelligence and military security buildings, were blamed by the opposition on the government, who blamed Al-Qaeda. 
 
The district was also where Lebanese Hezbollah commander Imad Mughnieh was assassinated in 2008. 
 
Syria`s civil war has cost more than 280,000 lives and sent more than half the country`s population fleeing abroad. 
 
The increasingly complex conflict has drawn in regional and international powers and seen the rise of jihadist groups including the Islamic State. 
 
(AFP)

The bomb hit Kafar Sousse area, southwest of the capital. A Britain-based human rights group reported casualties without giving details

A car bomb blast yesterday hit an upmarket area of Damascus housing several government buildings, Syrian state news agency SANA reported, saying there were "several wounded". The explosion took place in front of a 10-storey building in the Kafar Sousse district in the southwest of the war-torn country`s capital, an AFP journalist at the scene said. Debris littered the ground, including pieces of metal apparently from the vehicle used in the blast, which the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said caused casualties, without giving details. Since Syria`s civil war erupted numerous attacks have hit Damascus, a stronghold of President Bashar al-Assad, though they have become less frequent in recent years. Kafar Sousse, home to the foreign ministry and the council of ministers, was the scene of some of the first major attacks in the Syrian conflict, when 44 people were killed and 166 wounded in two suicide bombings in December 2011. Those attacks, targeting intelligence and military security buildings, were blamed by the opposition on the government, who blamed Al-Qaeda. The district was also where Lebanese Hezbollah commander Imad Mughnieh was assassinated in 2008. Syria`s civil war has cost more than 280,000 lives and sent more than half the country`s population fleeing abroad. The increasingly complex conflict has drawn in regional and international powers and seen the rise of jihadist groups including the Islamic State. (AFP)

Car bomb blast wounds several in Damascus

At least seven were killed and 11 wounded north of Baghdad today when a suicide bomber detonated a car full of explosives at a checkpoint, security and medical sources said, the second bombing in the district in two days. 
 
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast in Rashidiya, but Islamic State has been regularly carrying out such bombings in the capital and other parts of Iraq, where it seized large swathes of territory in 2014. 
 
A similar attack in Rashidiya on Tuesday killed nine people. 
 
A blast in the central Karrada district on July 3 killed at least 292 people, making it one of the worst among the hundreds of suicide bombings carried out in Iraq since US-led forces toppled Saddam Hussein 13 years ago. 
 
The high death toll prompted a public outcry in Baghdad, with residents blaming the government for not sufficiently securing the capital. 
 
Islamic State has been turning increasingly to suicide bombings, which US and Iraqi officials have touted as proof that battlefield setbacks are weakening the jihadists. 
 
In a US-backed offensive, the Iraqi army retook the city of Ramadi from Islamic State this year, and more recently Fallujah, which the government said had been a launchpad for the group&#39;s Baghdad suicide bombings. 
 
But critics say a global uptick in suicide attacks attributed to the group suggests it may just be adapting and would survive. 
 
(Reuters)

The second bombing in the district in two days left 11 wounded when a suicide bomber detonated a car full of explosives at a checkpoint

At least seven were killed and 11 wounded north of Baghdad today when a suicide bomber detonated a car full of explosives at a checkpoint, security and medical sources said, the second bombing in the district in two days. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast in Rashidiya, but Islamic State has been regularly carrying out such bombings in the capital and other parts of Iraq, where it seized large swathes of territory in 2014. A similar attack in Rashidiya on Tuesday killed nine people. A blast in the central Karrada district on July 3 killed at least 292 people, making it one of the worst among the hundreds of suicide bombings carried out in Iraq since US-led forces toppled Saddam Hussein 13 years ago. The high death toll prompted a public outcry in Baghdad, with residents blaming the government for not sufficiently securing the capital. Islamic State has been turning increasingly to suicide bombings, which US and Iraqi officials have touted as proof that battlefield setbacks are weakening the jihadists. In a US-backed offensive, the Iraqi army retook the city of Ramadi from Islamic State this year, and more recently Fallujah, which the government said had been a launchpad for the group's Baghdad suicide bombings. But critics say a global uptick in suicide attacks attributed to the group suggests it may just be adapting and would survive. (Reuters)

Car bomb kills seven in Baghdad

At least nine people were killed and 32 wounded on Tuesday when a car packed with explosives was detonated in a district just north of Baghdad, security and medical sources said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast in Rashidiya, but Islamic State regularly carries out such bombings in the capital and other parts of Iraq, where it seized large swathes of territory in 2014.

Baghdad is on high alert for attacks after a blast in the central Karrada district on July 3 killed at least 292 people, making it one of the deadliest bombings in Iraq since US-led forces toppled Saddam Hussein 13 years ago.

Islamic State has turned increasingly to ad hoc attacks, which US&nbsp;and Iraqi officials have touted as proof that battlefield setbacks are weakening the jihadists. But critics say a global uptick in suicide attacks attributed to the group suggests it may adapt and survive. 
 
(Reuters)

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast

At least nine people were killed and 32 wounded on Tuesday when a car packed with explosives was detonated in a district just north of Baghdad, security and medical sources said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast in Rashidiya, but Islamic State regularly carries out such bombings in the capital and other parts of Iraq, where it seized large swathes of territory in 2014. Baghdad is on high alert for attacks after a blast in the central Karrada district on July 3 killed at least 292 people, making it one of the deadliest bombings in Iraq since US-led forces toppled Saddam Hussein 13 years ago. Islamic State has turned increasingly to ad hoc attacks, which US and Iraqi officials have touted as proof that battlefield setbacks are weakening the jihadists. But critics say a global uptick in suicide attacks attributed to the group suggests it may adapt and survive. (Reuters)

Car bomb kills nine north of Baghdad, say sources

Several dozen people were killed or injured in two bombings that hit a shopping area and a popular market in Baghdad in the early hours of Sunday as they observed Ramzan, local TV channel al-Sumaria said. 
 
Islamic State claimed responsibility for a suicide car bomb in the Karrada shopping area, in a statement circulated online by supporters of the ultra-hard line Sunni group. 
 
The car bomb blew up near a restaurant in Karrada, killing or wounding at least 20, the independent al-Sumaria channel said, citing police sources. Iraqis like to eat out late during the Muslim fasting month of Ramzan which ends next week. 
 
A video posted on social media showed a large blaze in main street of Karrada from the blast. 
 
The second bombing hit al-Shaab, a popular Shi&#39;ite district in the north of the Iraqi capital, leaving a number of casualties, the station said. 
 
Iraqi forces last month dislodged Islamic State militants from Fallujah, their stronghold just west of the capital that served as a launch pad for such attacks. 
 
(Reuters) 
 
 
&nbsp;

Two car bombs targetted popular shopping areas as Iraqis prefer to dine out late during the fasting month of Ramzan

Several dozen people were killed or injured in two bombings that hit a shopping area and a popular market in Baghdad in the early hours of Sunday as they observed Ramzan, local TV channel al-Sumaria said. Islamic State claimed responsibility for a suicide car bomb in the Karrada shopping area, in a statement circulated online by supporters of the ultra-hard line Sunni group. The car bomb blew up near a restaurant in Karrada, killing or wounding at least 20, the independent al-Sumaria channel said, citing police sources. Iraqis like to eat out late during the Muslim fasting month of Ramzan which ends next week. A video posted on social media showed a large blaze in main street of Karrada from the blast. The second bombing hit al-Shaab, a popular Shi'ite district in the north of the Iraqi capital, leaving a number of casualties, the station said. Iraqi forces last month dislodged Islamic State militants from Fallujah, their stronghold just west of the capital that served as a launch pad for such attacks. (Reuters)

Dozens killed or injured in overnight Baghdad bombings, says local television channel

A car bomb wounded nine people in the eastern Turkish province of Tunceli today near a housing block for civil servants working at a local courthouse, security sources said. 
 
Three of those wounded were in critical condition after the bomb was detonated near the lodgings in the district of Ovacik, the sources said. Television images showed remains of a vehicle burning on the road and smoke rising from damaged buildings. 
 
Turkey has seen a series of such attacks over recent months, including last week when a car bomb ripped through a police bus in central Istanbul near the main tourist district, a major university and the mayor&#39;s office. 
 
Kurdish militants claimed responsibility for that attack. The militants have increasingly staged bombings outside the largely Kurdish southeast, where they have been waging an armed insurgency for three decades. 
 
Tunceli is a mainly Kurdish province but lies further north than where most of the fighting between Kurdish militants and the security forces has been centred in recent years. 
 
Most of those hurt in the latest attack were civilians, security sources said. Authorities have stepped up security measures around the town, they added. 
 
Islamic State has also been blamed for suicide bombings including two in Istanbul this year.

The attacks have increased in recent months,last week a car bomb ripped through a police bus,a university and the mayor's office

A car bomb wounded nine people in the eastern Turkish province of Tunceli today near a housing block for civil servants working at a local courthouse, security sources said. Three of those wounded were in critical condition after the bomb was detonated near the lodgings in the district of Ovacik, the sources said. Television images showed remains of a vehicle burning on the road and smoke rising from damaged buildings. Turkey has seen a series of such attacks over recent months, including last week when a car bomb ripped through a police bus in central Istanbul near the main tourist district, a major university and the mayor's office. Kurdish militants claimed responsibility for that attack. The militants have increasingly staged bombings outside the largely Kurdish southeast, where they have been waging an armed insurgency for three decades. Tunceli is a mainly Kurdish province but lies further north than where most of the fighting between Kurdish militants and the security forces has been centred in recent years. Most of those hurt in the latest attack were civilians, security sources said. Authorities have stepped up security measures around the town, they added. Islamic State has also been blamed for suicide bombings including two in Istanbul this year.

Car bomb detonates in eastern Turkey, 9 wounded

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