Gunmen kill 4 Shiite farmers in Iraq

Iraqi officials say gunmen have shot dead four Shiite farmers working in an orchard just north of Baghdad. Police officials said that two carloads of attackers opened fire Monday on the farmers pollinating date trees in the predominantly Sunni village of Rashidiyah. A hospital official said that four other farmers were wounded in the attack All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to release the information. Sunni insurgents launch frequent attacks on Shiite civilians or security forces loyal to the Shiite-led government. Suspected motives include undermining the government's authority, revenge, or reviving sectarian fighting in the country.