Sepcial Report: Tension accelerates in Iraq    

Doctors tend to a wounded Iraqi following an explosion in front of a Baghdad courthouse on Thursday, May 4, 2006. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

    BAGHDAD, May 4 (Xinhua) -- At least nine people were killed and 46 others wounded in a powerful bomb explosion near a courthouse in the mainly Shiite residential area in eastern Baghdad on Thursday, an Interior Ministry source said.

    "An explosive charge went off at about 9:45 a.m. (0545 GMT) near the Sadr City courthouse in the Palestine Street," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

    "We have now nine people killed and up to 46 others wounded in the blast," the source added. Enditem.