"Their deaths are potentially devastating blows to al-Qaeda Iraq, but equally important, in my view, is this action demonstrates the improved security strength and capacity of Iraqi security forces. In short, the Iraqis have taken the lead in securing Iraq and its citizens by taking out both of these individuals."
Officials in Pakistan say at least 23 people were killed when a suicide bomb exploded in a crowded market in Peshawar. Aleem Maqbool reports from Islamabad.
The explosion happened close to a police station, in what's called the Storytellers' Bazaar, an historic market place in the central Peshawar that was packed with shoppers and also a large crowd protesting against the frequent power cuts in the city. One of Peshawar's senior most police officers was among those killed. It is Taliban militants who'd be suspected of carrying out the attack. They’ve recently come under increasing pressure across Northwest Pakistan, for Pakistani military carries out operations against them.
World News from the BBC
The Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak has said Israel must recognize that the world will not accept Israeli rule over Palestinians for decades to come. He also warned of growing alienation between Israel and its long-standing ally, the United States. Mr Barak's warning comes at the time of growing criticism of the right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Pope Benedict has invited the world's 400,000 Catholic priests to Rome in June to show their support for him over what, the Vatican says, are unjust attacks on his policies concerning pedophilia crimes. The invitation was contained in a letter from Cardinal Claudio Hummes. In the letter, the cardinal says the presence of so many priests in St Peter's Square will be a good way to show that they haven't been intimidated, as he put it, by the crimes committed by a few of their fellow clergy.