Damascus blasts death toll jumps to 74

The toll from twin bombings targeting Shia pilgrims in the centre of Damascus has risen to 74 dead, a monitor said yesterday. Among the victims of Saturday's blasts were 43 Iraqi pilgrims who had come to the Syrian capital to visit Shiite shrines in Damascus's famed Old City, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.