Updated at 8:17 p.m. EST, Dec. 19, 2008
At least 10 Iraqis
were killed or found dead and another eight were wounded in today's attacks.
A judge has admitted that the journalist shoe-lobber was beaten while in Iraqi
custody. No Coalition deaths were reported.
The judge investigating the
shoe-tossing incident involving U.S. President Bush and an Iraqi journalist has
reported
seeing bruises on the journalists face. The family of Muntazer al-Zaidi said they
have not seen him since his detention, but have heard conflicting reports about
his health and safety. Also, Iraqi preachers are demanding
the journalist's release.
Meanwhile, another judge has dropped
all charges against a group of government officials who were arrested this week
on suspicion of plotting a coup. There was speculation that the arrests were politically
motivated.
Iraqi and Turkish Kurds have agreed
to hold a peace conference to discuss ending decades of violence perpetrated by
Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) members. The PKK declined to attend but welcomed
the meeting. The separatist group wants an autonomous Kurdistan created from parts
of Iraq, Turkey and three neighboring countries. Only Iraq has a semi-autonomous
region dedicated as a Kurdish homeland.
Independent High Election Commission
decided
that Ninewa Province cannot postpone January election despite a council vote asking
for a delay. The council wanted more time for residents who had fled violence
to return home.
In Baghdad, seven
disembodied heads and two bodies were recovered from a house in Ur.
A bomb in Zayouna wounded
six people.
In Mosul, the body
of a female college student was discovered in her home.
A landmine
injured two shepherds in Makhmour.
A bullet-riddled body was discovered
in Kut.
The last of South Korea's troops have returned
home from Iraq. Macedonia also ended
its mission.
Eleven suspects were detained
across northern and central Iraq.
A suspect known as the "prince of slaughters"
was captured in Iskandariya.
Two missiles fell on a U.S. base in Yathrib, but no reported of
casualties were released.
Compiled by Margaret Griffis