In Iraq, 12 policemen were killed and 35 other people injured in a blast in the city of Hilla south of Baghdad today. According to National Iraqi news agency, the incident occurred when a suicide bomber blew up a vehicle packed with explosives near a police station in the city of Hilla this morning. The explosion badly damaged the police station, while ambulances ferried the casualties to the hospital. Security forces cordoned off the blast site and an investigation has been launched.