In brief: Bombs, clashes kill 21 in Iraq

BAGHDAD – A series of car bomb attacks and clashes between security forces and militants around and north of Baghdad killed at least 21 civilians, officials said Sunday.

The deadliest blast occurred at a bustling bus station in central Baghdad when a car exploded outside, killing at least nine people, a police officer said.

Another parked car bomb targeted a gathering of buses and taxis in Baghdad’s northern Hurriyah neighborhood, killing four, the officer said.

Shortly after sunset, gunmen attacked a military convoy, authorities said. Army artillery shells later landed on the Sunni village of al-Mahsna in Abu Ghraib, killing five civilians and wounding 13, police said.

Bangkok prepares for mass protests

BANGKOK – Thailand braced for a new wave of mass unrest today as anti-government demonstrators blocked major roads to “shut down” Bangkok in a bid to thwart February elections and overthrow the prime minister.

The protests, which could last weeks or more, raise the stakes in a long-running crisis that has killed at least eight people and fueled fears of more bloodshed to come and a possible army coup.

Vigilantes advance on Mexican town

NUEVA ITALIA, Mexico – Gunfire erupted Sunday in western Mexico as hundreds of vigilantes pressed their fight over territory with a drug cartel, and Mexico’s top security officials prepared to make yet another effort to try to stop the violence.

Members of so-called self-defense groups entered Nueva Italia in Michoacan state on a campaign they say is aimed at liberating towns from the control of the Knights Templar cartel.

Hundreds of vigilantes drove into Nueva Italia late Sunday morning in a caravan of large trucks, then surrounded the city hall and disarmed local police. But shooting broke out almost immediately in and around the center square. Only one injury was reported by midday.

Both federal police and soldiers were seen nearby but didn’t intervene in the fighting.