Iraq Suicide Blasts Kill 30

A string of three deadly suicide bombings killed at least 30 people in the former insurgent stronghold of Baqouba today, including a blast from a suicide bomber who rode in an ambulance with the wounded before blowing himself up at a hospital, police said. The bombings come just days before March 7 elections that will decide who will oversee the country as US forces go home, and whether Iraq can overcome deep sectarian tensions.

US and Iraqi officials have warned repeatedly that insurgents were expected to launch such attacks in an attempt to disrupt the crucial vote. Most of today's victims came from the blast at the hospital. Police later safely detonated a fourth car bomb about 220 yards away. (More iraq election stories.)