Iraq: Suicide bombs cause carnage

The deadliest bombings were in Tikrit (27 killed) and the town of Hawija (30 killed).

Two suicide bombings rocked Baghdad, killing at least four people.

The bombings continue an upsurge in violence that has claimed more than 300 lives in the past two weeks, as US forces fight rebels in the west.

The attacks came a day after the US Senate unanimously approved an emergency spending bill authorising a further $82bn for US military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, among other activities.