News From Iraq

- Family members said a soldier from southern Anne Arundel County, Maryland was killed Saturday in an ambush in Iraq. Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Swanson, 25, of Rose Haven, was on his third tour of Iraq when he was killed. His uncle, Glenn Swanson, said his nephew was destined to be a career soldier and said he was a dedicated servant. DETAILS

-A pair of mortar rounds followed minutes later by a car bomb blasted Baghdad's Karradah district Thursday, killing 25 people and wounding 46, police said. DETAILS

-The following are security and other developments in Iraq on Thursday as of 1430 GMT.

KIRKUK - A policeman and an Iraqi soldier were killed after their patrols opened fire on each other near a petrol station in the town of Debes, 45 km (28 miles) northeast of Kirkuk, police sources said.

BAGHDAD - The toll from a car bombing and mortar attacks in central Baghdad climbed to at least 27 people killed and 101 wounded, Interior Ministry sources said.

BAGHDAD - Nineteen bodies with bullet holes and showing signs of torture were found in different areas of the capital, Interior Ministry sources said.

BAGHDAD - Gunmen opened fire on Georgian troops manning a checkpoint near Baquba, 65 km (40 miles) north of Baghdad, and hurt five, according to the U.S. military. An official from the office of the Georgian president said six had been injured.

BAGHDAD - Gunmen wearing military uniforms and using military vehicles attacked a cash-in-transit vehicle and stole two Iraqi billion dinars, worth around $1.3 million, police sources said.

NEAR TIKRIT - A roadside bomb killed two policemen and wounded two more near Tikrit, 175 km (110 miles) north of Baghdad, police sources said.

NEAR KIRKUK - A body was found with bullet wounds and signs of torture near the northern city of Kirkuk, 250 km (155 miles) north of Baghdad.

NEAR KUT - A translator working for U.S. troops was found killed in his car near Kut, 170 km (105 miles) southeast of Baghdad, police said.

KUT - A former member of Saddam Hussein's Baath party was killed in a drive by shooting in front of his house, police sources said.

ISHAQEE - A roadside bomb in the city of Ishaqee, 90 km (60 miles) north of Baghdad, killed one civilian and wounded four others, police sources said.

BAGHDAD - Two mortar shells hit the Dora district of southern Baghdad on Wednesday, wounding four civilians, Interior Ministry sources said on Thursday.

BAQUBA - A car bomb exploded in Baquba, wounding three people, police sources said.

BAQUBA - A roadside bomb exploded beside an ambulance as it headed to Baquba hospital, killing five people and wounding four others on Wednesday, police sources said.

MOSUL - A policeman was wounded when gunmen opened fire on him in the city of Mosul, 390 km (240 miles) north of Baghdad, police sources said.

KIRKUK - An army lieutenant was wounded and a soldier was killed when gunmen attacked their car in Kirkuk, police sources said.