BAGHDAD -- Two suicide bomb attacks on Thursday killed 16 Shiite worshippers and wounded 33 others outside two Shiite mosques in southeastern Baghdad, an Interior Ministry source said.

The first suicide attack occurred when a suicide bomber wearing an explosive vest blew up himself outside al-Rasoul Shiite mosque in Baghdad's al-Jadida district, or New Baghdad, killing 12 worshippers, and injuring 25 others, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. (Iraq-Suicide Bombing)

- - - -

WASHINGTON -- U.S. President George W. Bush on Wednesday hailed the approval of a financial bailout plan by the Senate, urging the House of Representatives to take similar actions.

"I applaud the Senate for its strong bipartisan vote in favor of the financial rescue plan," Bush said in a statement issued shortly after the Senate passed the plan by a vote of 74-25.

He stressed the 700 billion-U.S.-dollar bailout plan was "essential to the financial security of every American." US-Bush- Financial Bailout)

- - - -

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday denied rumors of government plans to aid sectors likely to be affected by the world financial turmoil, saying the Brazilian economy remained sound.

The government has not prepared any package of measures to minimize the impact of the current global financial crisis on Brazil, as the country's economic situation is "calmer," Lula said after meeting with senior ministers over the fallout of the crisis. (Brazil-Financial Market)

- - - -

VIENNA -- Iran announced Wednesday that it would give up its board membership bid in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and would support Syria to become a board member instead, a move that has aroused strong opposition from some Western countries.

Ali Asghar Soltanieh, the Iranian ambassador to IAEA, made the announcement while speaking to an Arabic radio station Al-Alam here.

"Iran has officially given up the competition for the membership of board of IAEA and will support Syria for the coming election," he was quoted as saying by local media. (Iran-IAEA)

(c) 2008 Xinhua News Agency - CEIS. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.