sources said the explosion occurred at the Iraq army centre, Tamarat, near the town of Tal Afar, close to Mosul city.

There have been three attacks on Wednesday by suicide bombers and gunmen.

A coordinated string of four bomb attacks within seven minutes killed at least 18 people and wounded 39 in northern Iraq on Tuesday, while a Baghdad car bomb injured 28, officials said.

Another bomb hit Iraqi children plaing near an American military convoy in Baghdad, killing three and injuring 22.

As the last regular season event got underway this week, no Swede had lifted an ATP singles trophy in 2003.

As many as 54 boats, including 19 snake boats, took part in the race that is considered the country's biggest watersport event.

The Commonwealth Games Federation's Bid Evaluation Commission will assess Delhi's bid between August 4 and 7.