BAGHDAD — The death toll from Iraq's worst attack in more than two years climbed to 155 today as Iraqis buried the dead from the twin suicide bombings that devastated the heart of Baghdad.

Funerals were held around the city amid heightened security that snarled traffic during the morning rush hour. The bombings targeted two government buildings, calling into question the state's ability to protect itself as it prepares for January elections and the U.S. military withdrawal.

The attacks targeted the Baghdad Provincial Administration building and the Justice Ministry, wounding hundreds of people, including three American contractors. Officials revised the number of wounded down to about 500 today, from 700 the day before. There have been no claims of responsibility or arrests so far.

The initial investigation suggested the vehicles, each packed with explosives, might have passed through some security checkpoints before hitting their destination, said Maj. Gen. Qassim al-Mousawi, a spokesman for the city's operations command center.

RIGA, Latvia — Scientists were investigating today whether a large crater found in a meadow in northern Latvia had been created by meteorite. One expert said it was likely a hoax.Experts in the Baltic country rushed to the site after reports that a metorite-like object had crashed late Sunday in the Mazsalaca region near the Estonian border.Uldis Nulle, a scientist at the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Center, said his first impression after observing the site late Sunday was that the 27-foot-wide and 9-foot-deep crater had been caused by a meteorite. He said there was smoke coming out of the hole when he arrived.However, Dainis Ozols, a nature conservationist who examined the hole in daylight today, said it appeared to be a hoax. Ozols said he believes someone dug the hole and tried to make it look like a meteorite crater by burning some pyrotechnic compound at the bottom. He added he would analyze some samples taken from the site.When asked about Ozols' theory, Nulle refused to comment, saying he needed more time to make tests at the site.Inga Vetere of the Fire and Rescue Service said they received a call about the alleged meteorite Sunday evening from an eyewitness. She said a military unit was dispatched to the site and found radiation levels were normal. There were no injures.Experts outside Latvia said it would be unusual for such a large meteorite to hit the Earth. The planet is constantly bombarded with objects from outer space, but most burn up in the atmosphere and never reach the surface.

JERUSALEM — Israeli police firing stun grenades faced off Sunday against masked Palestinian protesters hurling stones and plastic chairs outside the Holy Land's most volatile shrine, where past violence has escalated into prolonged conflict.A wall of Israeli riot police behind plexiglass shields marched toward young men covering their faces with T-shirts and scarves, sending many of them running for cover into the Al-Aqsa mosque, one of the Islamic structures in the compound known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary.They remained holed up in the mosque with police outside for several hours until dispersing before nightfall. No serious injuries were reported. But even mild troubles at the disputed compound in Jerusalem's Old City can quickly ignite widespread unrest, and police remained on high alert.

LONDON — Rare Michael Jackson memorabilia will go on display in London later this week.The official exhibit opens Wednesday and includes one of the late singer's Rolls-Royces, some of his trademark gloves and sequined jackets and a contract from his early days with the Jackson 5.It is timed to coincide with the release of a posthumous album and a movie consisting of rehearsals for his ill-fated "This is It" comeback performances in London.The sold-out shows were canceled after Jackson's sudden death in June.The exhibition at London's 02 Bubble arena includes more than 250 items from Jackson's personal estate. It includes a crystal-studded hat and other items never before shown to the public.