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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Iraqi bomb blasts leave 23 dead | Iraqi bomb blasts leave 23 dead |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A series of bomb attacks has killed at least 23 people in Iraq. | A series of bomb attacks has killed at least 23 people in Iraq. |
| The latest attacks, which appeared to target Shia Muslims, saw eight people killed in predominately Shia areas of the capital Baghdad. | The latest attacks, which appeared to target Shia Muslims, saw eight people killed in predominately Shia areas of the capital Baghdad. |
| Earlier, a twin bomb blast in Hilla, 100km (62 miles) south of Baghdad, killed at least 15 people. | Earlier, a twin bomb blast in Hilla, 100km (62 miles) south of Baghdad, killed at least 15 people. |
| Shia pilgrims are celebrating the festival of Ashura, and security has been increased around the country to prevent attacks by Sunni militants. | Shia pilgrims are celebrating the festival of Ashura, and security has been increased around the country to prevent attacks by Sunni militants. |
| One of the most important dates in the Shia religious calendar, Ashura is a 40-day mourning period to commemorate the martyrdom in 680 AD of the revered Imam Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad's grandson. | One of the most important dates in the Shia religious calendar, Ashura is a 40-day mourning period to commemorate the martyrdom in 680 AD of the revered Imam Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad's grandson. |
| Five people were killed at a Shia funeral in Baghdad when a bomb went off in a tent where mourners were gathered in the suburb of Sadr City, police and hospital officials told the Associated Press. | Five people were killed at a Shia funeral in Baghdad when a bomb went off in a tent where mourners were gathered in the suburb of Sadr City, police and hospital officials told the Associated Press. |
| Three died in a second blast in the eastern district of Zaafaraniya. | Three died in a second blast in the eastern district of Zaafaraniya. |
| Scores wounded | Scores wounded |
| The day's first blast, in a bus and taxi station in Hilla, reportedly went off as a bomb disposal experts were trying to defuse a roadside bomb. | The day's first blast, in a bus and taxi station in Hilla, reportedly went off as a bomb disposal experts were trying to defuse a roadside bomb. |
| Officials say this blast was not aimed at Shia pilgrims. | Officials say this blast was not aimed at Shia pilgrims. |
| A local leader was among the dead and scores of others were wounded, Reuters news agency reported. | A local leader was among the dead and scores of others were wounded, Reuters news agency reported. |
| The bomb disposal team had arrived at the bus station to defuse a device when a car next to the place they were working suddenly exploded, officials said. | The bomb disposal team had arrived at the bus station to defuse a device when a car next to the place they were working suddenly exploded, officials said. |
| That explosion set off the bomb they were defusing. | That explosion set off the bomb they were defusing. |