In Iraq, at least 56 people have been killed in a series of nationwide attacks. Blasts were reported in the northern city of Kirkuk, the capital city of Baghdad and the southern Shiite cities of Najaf, Kut and Karbala. Attackers used a combination parked car bombs and roadside bombs, and in one case, a suicide bomber rammed a vehicle into a police station. The attacks marked the first major act of violence since Iraqi officials announced they would begin negotiations over whether to keep U.S. forces in Iraq beyond the scheduled withdrawal date of December 31.