One month into the new academic year and education at the sprawling University of Baghdad is as near to normal as it has been for years – the grisly killings of two professors and two students aside.

An Iraqi taxi driver was shot dead by a private security guard hired to protect US convoys driving through Baghdad, Iraqi officials said Monday.

Turkish women protest on Monday against Israel in Istanbul as Israeli President Shimon Peres was in Ankara to address parliament today. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who arrived in Ankara on Monday, is also due to address the assembly.