Iraq Iraq's long-oppressed Shiite majority swept to a resounding victory in the country's first free elections in half a century, winning almost half the vote, according to final results released. Mideast Israel approved the release of some 500 Palestinian prisoners in a bid to bolster the position of moderate Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas as he tried to persuade militants to refrain from attacks. Iran Iran rejected a European offer aimed at limiting its nuclear fuel activities and warned the United States against "playing with fire" in an increasingly bellicose standoff between Tehran and the West. Germany UN Secretary General Kofi Annan called on Europe and the United States to devise new ways of adapting collective security solutions for a world facing fresh threats. Vatican Pope John Paul II went some way towards reassuring worried Catholics that his health had improved, during a regular Sunday Angelus appearance from his window overlooking Saint Peter's Square only a few days after being discharged from hospital. Germany The German city of Dresden paid its respects to tens of thousands of people killed in the Allied bombing 60 years ago, as far-right extremists rallied and marred the commemorations. Togo The government of the west African state of Togo was under increasing pressure as opposition groups warned of new protests over a power grab by the late president's son. Spain A pall of brown smoke dominated Madrid's skyline as officials said that a 31-floor office building in a central neighbourhood could collapse after the biggest fire in the Spanish capital's history. Pakistan Severe flooding and avalanches have killed around 350 people in Pakistan, officials said after a week of torrential rain and heavy snow, while 2,000 others were missing and tens of thousands left homeless. North Korea North Korea came under increasing pressure from traditional allies China and Russia to return to multi-party talks on eliminating its nuclear weapons programme. Nepal Nepal's military was on high alert as Maoist rebels marked the ninth anniversary of their bloody uprising with a transport blockade that has crippled road traffic outside the capital. Afghanistan Turkey took command of the NATO-led peacekeeping force in Afghanistan for a six-month stretch which will see the force expanding to the west of the country and overseeing security preparations for upcoming parliamentary polls.