Iraq death toll tops 270 in 9 days

(MSNBC) Two suicide car bombs killed at least 24 Iraqis on Friday, continuing nine days of violence that have left a death toll topping 270 people.

One bomb exploded at a market in Suwayrah, 25 miles south of the capital, killing at least 16 people and wounding 47, police said. The other bomb destroyed a police minibus at a checkpoint in Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit, killing at least eight policemen and wounding seven people, officials said.

The attacks were part of a surge of violence since Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari announced his new government on April 28.