Kidnapped Russians freed in Iraq

Four Russian foreign service employees kidnapped in Iraq have been released. Sky News reports that Russian commandos launched a surprise night time raid on the hideout in south eastern Baghdad and freed the four who were all unharmed. One diplomat was killed when the kidnappers attacked their car in Baghdad on Saturday. The kidnappers were all arrested. At least 439 foreigners including diplomats have been kidnapped in Iraq since the US-led invasion three years ago, according to figures from a US anti-kidnapping task force. More than 40 people were killed across Iraq on Saturday and dozens more injured. Twenty-eight died in a suicide car bombing in Basra.