BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) — Iraq's prime minister is blaming al-Qaida and members of the deposed regime of Saddam Hussein for today's deadly suicide bombings in Baghdad. Nouri al-Maliki says the blasts were meant to "block the political process and the elections" -- but he says they "will not break the will of the Iraqi people." The twin bombings killed at least 147 (new figure) people and wounded hundreds more.

PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Authorities say a longtime friend of Bernard Madoff is dead after being found at the bottom of his swimming pool at his Palm Beach home. Jeffry Picower, who was 67, was the former New York lawyer and accountant alleged to have extracted billions of dollars from Madoff's investment scheme.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — More than 100 federal authorities have entered a smoldering fuel depot in Puerto Rico to investigate whether someone intentionally caused an explosion that spewed thick, toxic smoke across the region. Both the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives sent more than 60 agents each to the Caribbean Petroleum Corp. west of San Juan.

BOSTON (AP) — Harvard University police are investigating the August poisonings of six medical researchers. University officials say the six reported symptoms ranging from dizziness to ringing in the ears after drinking coffee laced with a chemical preservative, and one passed out.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia transit workers have voted to authorize a walkout, less than a week before the Phillies play their first home game of the 2009 World Series. Union president Willie Brown says workers have been without a contract since March and this will be the "last week" they'll work without one. Talks with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority are continuing.