Deadly Bombing In Iraq; Palau To Accept 17 Detainees; 'Tube' Strike Chaos In London

The day starts with news from Iraq of a bombing in in the southern town of Bathaa that has reportedly killed more than 30 people. From Baghdad, NPR's Quil Lawrence reports that the explosion devastated a marketplace, killing shopkeepers and customers:

In Pakistan, meanwhile, investigations are underway into Tuesday's attack on a luxury hotel in Peshawar. At least 11 people were killed and about 70 others wounded. The attack followed vows from the Taliban to strike back against the Pakistani government. From Islamabad, NPR's Julie McCarthy reported on Morning Edition today about the government's battle against the Taliban and the frustration some Pakistanis are expressing:

As for other stories making headlines, they include:

— Morning Edition — Palau Agrees To Take 17 Uighurs Being Held In Gitmo: "The tiny Pacific island nation of Palau says it will temporarily resettle a number Uighur detainees currently being held in Guantanamo Bay. The 17 Uighurs are Turkic Muslims from northwestern China captured after the Sept. 11 attacks, but found not to be enemy combatants. They can't be returned to China, for fear Beijing might execute them."

Related news from the Associated Press — U.S. May Give Palau $200 Million In Aid: "Two U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the U.S. was prepared to give Palau up to $200 million in development, budget support and other assistance in return for accepting the Uighurs and as part of a mutual defense and cooperation treaty that is due to be renegotiated this year."

— The New York Times — Obama Has "No Realistic Plan" For Eliminating Deficit: "There are two basic truths about the enormous deficits that the federal government will run in the coming years. The first is that President Obama's agenda, ambitious as it may be, is responsible for only a sliver of the deficits, despite what many of his Republican critics are saying. The second is that Mr. Obama does not have a realistic plan for eliminating the deficit, despite what his advisers have suggested."

— BBC News — "Travel Chaos For Tube Passengers": "Millions of people have been hit by travel disruption as they make their way around London during a 48-hour strike by Tube staff. The strike began at 1859 on Tuesday after talks broke down between London Underground bosses and the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union."

From a related live-blog at The Guardian: "Blogger Sam writes 'like when it snows, we can't cope when something different is thrown in our face.' He says there were fights at bus stops."

— Detroit Free Press — Chrysler-Fiat Deal Clears Legal Hurdle: "Fiat's historic purchase of Chrysler LLC under the guidance of the Obama administration was all but complete Tuesday, as the Supreme Court lifted a temporary halt to the deal and a New York bankruptcy judge approved Chrysler's plan to shed 789 dealers."

— NPR News — "Cash For Clunkers" Bill Passes In House: As NPR's Jean Cochran reports, consumers could get vouchers of up to $4,500 for buying more fuel-efficient vehicles under a plan passed by the House yesterday: