Five killed in Iraq bombings

Two separate blasts killed five people and wounded nearly three dozen today, officials said, in the latest reminder of the violence and instability in the country as US troops prepare to leave.

The first bomb, hidden in an empty rickshaw, blew up near Shiite pilgrims headed to the holy city of Karbala early this morning, killing two people and wounding 26, two policemen said. A doctor in Karbala confirmed the casualty figures.