Thursday, January 20, 2011

** Iraqi suicide bomber uses explosives packed ambulance to attack police compound

** UK moped gunman fires on crowd around medics as stabbing victims treated

IRAQ NEWS

** At least seven people are dead after a suicide bomber used an explosives filled ambulance to attack the Baqouba guard force headquarters Wednesday. The Associated Press (January 20) said the strike, which sought to take out the headquarters and training grounds, also leveled a nearby building. According to the newspaper, the ambulance barreled through the front gate of the compound, exploding when guard fire hit it. Seventy-four people were wounded, including several children from a nearby kindergarten. Diyala provincial spokesman Duleir Hassan, who oversees security in the region, said it remains unclear how the bomber obtained the ambulance.

UNITED STATES NEWS

** Four people were injured last Thursday after a moped rider opened fire on a call scene where paramedics were treating patients. The London Evening Standard (Justin Davenport/January 19) said the south London incident occurred around 8:40 p.m. outside a takeout restaurant. While medics began attending on a 15-year-old and 23-year-old stabbing victim, the moped gunman jumped the sidewalk and began shooting towards a group of youths gathered around the victims. A 14-year-old boy sustained bullet wounds to the stomach, while an 18-year-old was wounded in the leg. Two other teens were also hit in the leg. The medics, meanwhile, were uninjured. A police spokesman said they are uncertain as to whether the shooter was linked to the previous stabbing. A public alert for more information has been issued.