String of bombings kill 76 in Iraq

Baghdad: Rapid-fire bombings and mortar strikes in mostly Shiite neighbourhoods of Baghdad on Tuesday night have killed 76 people and wounded nearly 200, calling into question the ability of Iraqi security forces to protect the capital.

The blasts - at least 13 separate attacks - came just two days after gunmen in Baghdad held a Christian congregation hostage in a siege that ended with 58 people dead.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks.

But the coordination of the blasts, the complexity of the operation and the predominantly Shiite targets point to Al-Qaida-linked Sunni insurgents.