25 die in attack on Iraq funeral

Over 30 people died and more than 50 were injured when a car bomb exploded at the funeral of a Kurdish official at Tal Afar, northern Iraq, on  Sunday.

Six other car bombs exploded in Baghdad Sunday as rebels stepped up attacks and ambushes which have killed over 125 people over the past four days.

One of the car bombs reportedly hit Iraqi children playing near an American military convoy in southern Baghdad, where soldiers were distributing candy. A hospital official said three children were killed and at least 22 wounded.

Rebels said to belong to the Shura Council of the Mujahedeen of Iraq rebels also released a video showing Douglas Wood, an Australian hostage, pleading for his life.

But Australian Prime Minister John Howard said he would neither negotiate with the rebels nor pull out Australian soldiers from Iraq.

Hundreds of mourners had gathered for the funeral of an official of the Kurdish Democratic Party when the car slammed into the tent at Tal Afar. Iraqi and US forces which rushed to the site were engaged by unidentified forces, said sources.