Iraq was counting the votes today in national elections whose run-up cost scores their lives in insurgent attacks.

Iraqi forces clashed with Shiite militias in the southern oil port of Basra today as a security plan to clamp down on violence between rival militia factions in the region began.

Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki warned today that carving up his country into self-ruled regions could lead to more strife and the country’s break-up.

Police ordered a curfew today in Shiite holy city of Karbala and told more than one million pilgrims to leave after two days of violence claimed least 26 lives during a Shiite religious festival.

DUBLIN-based Treasury Holdings yesterday announced a €1.2 billion joint venture to develop a 900-acre island site off the coast of China.