What began as a quiet day changed late in the evening when a bomb left dozens of teenagers killed or wounded at a soccer field in Hilla. Although less deadly, Turkish shelling, which left one Iraqi civilian wounded, could be more troubling politically.. Overall, at least 19 Iraqis were killed and 41 more were wounded in the attacks.

An Iraqi group monitoring violations against journalists warned of a new government decree that could force the shutting of 44 media agencies, including the BBC and Voice of America outlets. The Journalistic Freedoms Observatory obtained a document purportedly sent by the Communications and Media Commission to the Interior Ministry. At least 14 Iraqis were killed and eight more were wounded in new violence.

Turkey continued shelling border areas in Iraqi Kurdistan. No casualties or damages were yet reported, but the artillery fire panicked the area’s residents. Separately, Parliament Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi’s weeklong criticism of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki earned him a request for dismissal from Maliki’s State of Law party. And, at least two Iraqis were killed and eight more were wounded in light violence.

A significant double bombing at a pet market hearkened back to the height of sectarian violence. Overall, at least 22 Iraqis were killed and 161 more were wounded across the country. Also, one Iranian pilgrim was killed and nine more were wounded in attacks in Samarra.