BAGHDAD - A Shi’ite Islamist bloc won Iraq’s first election since Saddam Hussein’s overthrow, sealing the political resurgence of the long-oppressed majority but leaving the restive Sunni Arab minority in the cold.

DUBAI - Kidnappers have abducted the head of a Christian party in Iraq and are demanding the withdrawal of U.S. troops, Al Arabiya television reported.

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JERUSALEM - Israel’s cabinet approved the release of 500 Palestinian prisoners in what Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called a goodwill gesture to bolster new Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and build mutual trust.

TEHRAN - Iran warned the United States not to attack its nuclear facilities and said talks with Europe might produce a deal to defuse the dispute over its alleged covert ambitions to build atomic weapons.

SEOUL - North Korea’s declaration that it possesses nuclear weapons does not make it a nuclear weapons state, South Korea’s unification minister said.

KATHMANDU - Nepal ordered more troops to patrol highways and warned against hoarding in an effort to break a Maoist blockade across the nation, the biggest challenge so far to King Gyanendra’s seizure of absolute power this month.

MADRID - The biggest fire in Madrid’s history gutted a 32-storey skyscraper in the Spanish capital’s financial district without causing injuries but raising fears the charred tower could collapse.

LONDON - Britain’s Tony Blair appealed to voters to give him a third chance as prime minister in a strikingly personal speech that sought to heal wounds over Iraq and tackle discontent before an expected May election.

DRESDEN, Germany - Waving black flags and carrying banners, thousands of neo-Nazis marched in Dresden, marring the official 60th anniversary commemoration of one of the fiercest Allied bombing raids of World War Two.

QUETTA, Pakistan - Pakistan stepped up search and rescue operations on Sunday for tens of thousands affected by flash floods after the heaviest rains in the country in two decades, in which close to 300 people have been killed.

LISBON - Lucia de Jesus dos Santos, the last of three children who claimed to see the Virgin at Fatima and who revealed a vision the Catholic Church said foretold the attempt to kill Pope John Paul, has died, the Church said.

VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul, his voice still weak, delivered his first blessing since leaving hospital last week and through an aide thanked the world for praying for his recovery.

LOS ANGELES - Ray Charles’ posthumous duets album won six prizes in early ceremonies at the 47th annual Grammy Awards. Britney Spears won the first Grammy Award of her brief but colorful career, taking the prize in the best dance recording category, while pop band Maroon5 won the best new artist prize.