A series of car bombs and shootings in Iraq has killed at least 27 people and and left at least 57 more wounded. In the most serious attack, Wednesday, Iraqi officials say three near-simultaneous car bomb blasts in a Shi'ite district of Baghdad killed at least 18 people and wounded 48 others.
In the northern city of Mosul, local officials say a car bomb attack targeting a U.S. military patrol killed three Iraqis and wounded seven others.
There were no reports of American casualties in the incident. Also, gunmen shot and killed a legal expert involved in the process of drafting Iraq's new constitution in Baghdad. His son was also killed.
Separately, the Philippine government said one of its citizens was released after being taken hostage in Iraq nearly eight months ago.
Information for this report is provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
