Iraq suicide bombers target city of Baquba

Suicide attacks in the central Iraqi city of Baquba have killed at least 31 people and injured dozens more.

Two car bombs exploded within minutes of each other near government buildings in the capital of Diyala province, 60km (40 miles) north of Baghdad.

A later third blast targeted the city's main hospital, where victims of the first attacks were being treated.

The attacks come just days before parliamentary elections, the third since the US-led invasion in 2003.

Nearly a million military and police personnel have been placed on the highest alert ahead of Sunday's polls, defence officials have told the BBC, amid fears the country could slide back into sectarian conflict.......... read more>>

Iraq suicide bombers target city of Baquba

China activist demands quake recovery budget info

BEIJING — A prominent Chinese artist and activist has filed a suit against the Ministry of Civil Affairs for allegedly failing to respond to his request for information about the toll and cost of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake.

Ai Weiwei told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he filed a request in November asking the ministry how many buildings fell in the quake, the amount of donations received, the cost of recovery and other details but has yet to receive a response.

China enacted a freedom of information regulation on May 1, 2008, allowing citizens to request information and get a response from the government within 15 to 30 days, but implementation has been slow and uneven.......... read more>>

China activist demands quake recovery budget info