Gunmen killed 23 members of an ancient religious sect in northern Iraq after stopping their bus and separating followers of other faiths, as car bombings in the capital killed at least another 20 people.

Gunmen killed 23 members of the Yazidi religious minority in northern Iraq today, after stopping their bus and separating out followers of other faiths, police said.

Iraq’s landmark constitution was adopted by a majority of voters during the country’s October 15 referendum, election officials said today.

Iraqi officials released the first partial returns from national elections, showing a commanding lead by candidates backed by the Shiite Muslim clergy.