Iraqi 1-Day Death Toll 46 in New Spate of Bombings

Almost 50 Iraqis were killed in a spate of explosions and attacks on Monday, adding to a one-month death tally already in excess of 500. The new escalation in violence is fueling the belief by many that Iraq is returning to the unbridled sectarian violence seen several years ago. As has been the case in recent months, the Sunni population is bearing the brunt of the attacks which have left 6,000 dead so far this year. A Monday evening blast in a crowded market place in Baghdad left more than 20 dead. A Sunni former legislator was gunned down inside his home, also on Monday.