A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Iraq van bomb leaves 22 dead, dozens injured
BAGHDAD – A minivan packed with explosives blew up at a crowded market in Iraq’s troubled northern Diyala province yesterday, killing at least 22 people and wounding 53 others.
The attack took place near a crowded cafe in the town of Khalis, about 80km north of Baghdad, police said. A bomb in Khalis in March killed nearly 60 people. Another car bomb yesterday in Nimrud, near Mosul, wounded seven, police said. – (Reuters)
Portugal vote diffuses poll risk
LISBON – Portugal’s parliament rejected a no-confidence motion against the minority Socialist government yesterday, confirming the main opposition party’s backing for the cabinet’s austerity plan and defusing the risk of snap elections until 2011, analysts said. The motion, proposed by the Communist Party, received 31 votes. – (Reuters)
Israeli troops kill two Palestinians
NIRIM – Israeli troops killed two armed Palestinians who crossed into Israel yesterday from the Hamas- controlled Gaza Strip, a military spokeswoman said.
They entered Israel near Nirim, a farming community, after breaching the security fence along the border with the Palestinian enclave, she said. No group in the Gaza Strip claimed responsibility for the incident. – (Reuters)