Blast Kills in Baghdad

Three children and 3 soldiers were killed in a blast in Baghdad. The military says overall violence is down 55% since troop buildup began, however, A suicide bomber detonated his explosives as American soldiers were handing out toys to children northeast of Baghdad on Sunday. Seven children were wounded in the attack.

Baghdad's Green Zone Under Fire

A number of mortars have hit Baghdad's Green Zone according to a US embassy official. He added that there were no fatalities. But about 12 mortars landed in the heavily fortified district where the government and parliament are based, and which is also home to many foreign embassies. Eyewitnesses reported smoke rising from the area around the US embassy. There were no immediate reports of damage. It comes a week after Prime Minister Nouri Maliki warned militants against attacks on the Green Zone.