Iraq: Series of attacks kills 25

Insurgents have killed at least 25 Iraqis in attacks in towns north of Baghdad, reports say.

A suicide car bomber blew himself up in Balad, killing at least 15 people and wounding many others, police said.

In Baquba, five soldiers were killed in an attack on an army checkpoint, and five other people died in a series of other bomb attacks in the town.

Meanwhile attempts are continuing to form Iraq’s first democratic government before parliament opens next week.