Seven bombs kill 49 in Iraq

AT least seven bombs ripped through apartment buildings across Baghdad yesterday and another struck a market, killing 49 people and wounding more than 160, authorities said.

The explosions were the latest in a five-day spree of attacks in and around the capital that have killed at least 119 people.

The violence, which has largely targeted families and homes, is reminiscent of the sectarian bloodshed that tore Iraq apart from 2005 to 2007 and prompted the US to send tens of thousands more troops to the front lines to try to stabilise the country.