The protests came during a weekend that saw at least 40 Iraqis killed. The deadliest attack occurred south of Baghdad in Latifiyah where 15 Iraqi National Guard members died. In Ramadi, the city’s newly appointed police chief was assassinated shortly after he met with U.S. troops. In Baghdad, a Pakistani diplomat was kidnapped. Meanwhile the New York Times reports that Pentagon officials are now saying it may be able to begin removing about one quarter of the US troops in Iraq by next year.