3 blasts kill 8 in central Iraq

BAGHDAD – Police say three blasts near a market and police station in a central Iraqi city have killed at least eight people and wounded dozens more.

The bombings Friday evening in the city of Balad came within minutes of each other. Police and health officials say at least 38 people were wounded in the attack, which came toward the end of the deadliest month in Iraq since January.

Local security and hospital officials confirmed the casualty toll. All spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information.

Balad is 50 miles north of Baghdad.