In brief: 29 dead in Iraq attacks

BAGHDAD – A wave of attacks across Iraq on Tuesday killed at least 29 people, mostly members of the security forces, while a Sunni lawmaker escaped an assassination attempt, officials said.

Police officials said the deadliest of Tuesday’s attacks took place at night when a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden tanker into a security checkpoint in the northeast suburbs of Baghdad, killing six soldiers and three civilians. The officials added that 21 people were wounded in the attack.

Generals accused of Venezuela coup

CARACAS, Venezuela – Three Air Force generals were arrested in Venezuela for their alleged involvement in a coup attempt, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said Tuesday.

Addressing the foreign ministers of members of the Union of South American Nations, who had gathered in Caracas to show their support for Maduro after weeks of protests, Maduro insisted he is facing a “continuous coup.” This time, however, he referred to a concrete episode.

“I have to surprise you here. Last night, three aviation generals who were being investigated were arrested thanks to the powerful morale of our armed forces – three generals who intended to get the Air Force to rise up against the legally constituted government and are now at the disposal of the courts,” Maduro said.