Suicide Bombing Kills 16 in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq - A suicide car bomber struck a busy commercial district Monday, killing at least 16 people and injuring more than 30, police said.

The attack near the well-known Mutanabi book market in central Baghdad was the first major blast in Baghdad in several days. It sent a huge pillar of black smoke above the city.

The death toll from police was preliminary and could rise.

In other violence, gunmen opened fire on Shiite pilgrims in two separate incidents around Baghdad on Monday, killing five people, police said.