Attacks Leave More Than 50 Dead in Iraq
A militant strapped with more than 100 pounds of explosives and disguised in an army uniform blew himself up in a crowded mess hall Wednesday as brutal attacks across Iraq killed more than 50 people. In a dramatic raid, Iraqi and U.S. forces freed Australian hostage Douglas Wood, held by insurgents for 47 days. The swell in violence — which caused the highest daily death toll in more than three weeks — appeared aimed at derailing stepped-up efforts by Shiite politicians to bring the disaffected Sunni Arab minority into the political process. The two groups are trying to write a groundbreaking constitution and gain necessary approval to allow government-building to move forward.Full Story