Updated at 8:27 p.m. EDT, Apr. 7, 2009

U.S. President Obama made a secret visit to Iraq today and declared that there is “still a lot of work to do.” In Baghdad, bombings continued to rock the city. At least 15 Iraqis were killed and 27 more were wounded there and throughout the country. Meanwhile, shoe-lobbing journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi saw his sentence for tossing his shoes at former U.S. President Bush reduced to one year from three.

In Baghdad, nine people were killed and 20 more were wounded when a car bomb exploded in Kadhimiya; a man who rescued a baby from a burning car has become a local hero. Gunmen tossed a grenade at a storefront in New Baghdad; no casualties were reported but the store burned down. A roadside bomb left no casualties in Zaafaraniya.

A suicide bomber attacked a Fallujah checkpoint, killing three policemen and wounding seven others, including policemen. However, the number of wounded was as high as 35 in one report. Security forces implemented a number of measures after the bombing.

In Mosul, U.S. forces brought a dumped body in to the morgue.

South of Mosul in Wadi Hajar, U.S. troops killed a suspect and arrested five others.

An Awakening Council (Sahwa) member was found dead in the Iskandariya district.

Arms were confiscated in Amara.

In Dhi Qar, 42 suspects were arrested.

Ten suspects were arrested in Rashad.

Authorities in Kut tightened security after yesterday’s string of bombings in Baghdad.

Sixty-five suspects were detained in Basra.

In Duluiya, seven suspects were arrested in connection with yesterday’s suicide bombing there.

Read more by Margaret Griffis

• HRW Urges Iraq To Stop Executions, Two Men Later Hanged – February 9th, 2012
• Iraq To Limit Foreign Contractors, As Violence Continues – February 8th, 2012
• Iraq: Autonomy-Bid Governor Quits Over Tensions and Violence – February 7th, 2012
• Shi’ite-Led Govt. Still Targeting Rivals, Even As Cabinet Drops Boycott – February 6th, 2012
• Iraqi Town Asks For Help in Removing Landmines – February 4th, 2012