At least 54 dead in string of car bombings in Iraq

Baghdad was the worst hit by explosions at a bus station and markets in Shiite Muslim districts after two bombs went off in Basra and a blast in Samarra killed three people. Nearly 200 people were injured during the day. Iraq is in the throes of an upsurge of tit-for-tit sectarian attacks. Another eight killed in a bombing that targeted a bus carrying Iranian pilgrims in Balad north of Baghdad.