At least 40 people killed in holiday attacks - Detroit Free Press

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Iraq

At least 40 people killed in holiday attacks

Bombings and other attacks primarily targeting Iraq's Shi'ite community killed 40 people Saturday, challenging government efforts to promote stability by preventing attacks during a major Muslim holiday.

Authorities increased security to prevent attacks during the four-day Eid al-Adha celebrations, when people are off work and families gather in public places.

The deadliest blast happened on the outskirts of Baghdad and struck near playground equipment set up for the holiday in a neighborhood market. Police officials said 12 people were killed, including four children.

Indonesia

Terror suspects arrested in raids

Police arrested 11 people accused of planning attacks, including on the U.S. Embassy and near the Australian Embassy.

The suspects were arrested in raids Friday and Saturday in four provinces, police said.

Police said the suspects belonged to a new group called the Harakah Sunni for Indonesian Society.

Bombs, explosive materials, a bomb-making manual and ammunition were seized, police said.

The group planned to target the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, a plaza near the Australian Embassy and an office of U.S. mining giant Freeport-McMoRan. It also planned to attack the U.S. Consulate in Surabaya, police said.

Quick hits

Myanmar violence: Myanmar's government said 67 people were killed over the past week in clashes between Buddhists and Muslims in the country's west. The clashes are the deadliest since June, when more than 90 people were killed.

Syrian violence: A Syrian warplane flattened a three-story building, suspected rebels detonated a deadly car bomb, and both sides traded gunfire across the country Saturday, activists said, leaving a United Nations-backed holiday truce in tatters.

Accident: The 12-year-old daughter of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida was airlifted to a hospital after a motor vehicle accident Saturday. A spokesman said the girl was in stable condition. The senator was told after a rally with GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney.