Ten people were killed in fresh violence in Iraq and two Baghdad hotels were damaged in attacks on Thursday, two days before the first anniversary of the start of the US-led war to oust Saddam Hussein.
US troops at a checkpoint shot dead an Iraqi working for Dubai-based Arab satellite television channel Al Arabiya and wounded another as they drove through central Baghdad, Al Arabiya colleagues said.
They said another car had raced towards the checkpoint, and the American troops then opened fire on both cars, killing cameraman Ali Abdulaziz and wounding correspondent Ali al-Khatib.
The British military in Basra said four Iraqis were killed in an explosion outside the southern city's Mirbad Hotel. A child was one of at least two people wounded, witnesses said.
Three employees of a US-funded television station were shot dead at Baquba, north-east of Baghdad, and two Iraqis, including a child, were killed in fighting between guerrillas and US troops in another restive town, Falluja.
Guerrillas have targeted Iraqis seen as co-operating with US-led occupying forces, who blame Saddam supporters and foreign Islamic militants for attacks.
US soldiers at the scene said there did not appear to be any serious injuries in the attacks on the Burj al-Hayat and Rimal hotels in central Baghdad, used by foreign contractors, business people and media organisations.
Lieutenant-Colonel Peter Jones of the US 1st Armored Division said two rockets hit the Burj al-Hayat, blowing holes in the side of the hotel. Witnesses said the Rimal's roof was hit but there was no major damage.
Jones said the rockets were probably aimed at the headquarters of the US-led administration on the west bank of the Tigris river.
Warning sirens sounded briefly at the compound after the blasts rang out across Baghdad.