A HOMEMADE bomb exploded yesterday in Baghdad, missing an American military patrol but killing at least one Iraqi and injuring 18 others as it destroyed two civilian buses.

Nearly 60 Iraqi people were captured by US troops following a battle against Saddam Hussein loyalists near the ousted dictator’s hometown of Tikrit, the military said.

A BIG explosion rocked central Baghdad last night and a huge cloud of smoke was seen rising from the direction of Martyrs’ Square where the US military maintains a base.

Saddam Hussein’s last defence minister surrendered to an American commander today after weeks of drawn out negotiations which led to him getting special treatment.