Death toll rises in Iraq street clashes

In Iraq, at least 18 people have been killed overnight in violent clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces in Baghdad as anger escalates over government corruption and widespread unemployment.

More than 100 people have lost their lives since the clashes began 6 days ago. The scale of the protests has shaken the Iraqi government, which tonight has denied police fired directly at protesters.

There are some distressing scenes in this report.