Iraq Interior Minister Falah Naquib announced a tough package of security measures that will effectively seal Iraq off from the outside world for landmark January 30 elections. Iraq Insurgents freed eight Chinese hostages on Saturday but continued their bloody campaign of intimidation ahead of Iraq's landmark January 30 elections, while expatriates were granted two more days in a late bid to boost turnout. Mideast Three militant Palestinian groups, including the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades linked to the mainstream Fatah, said they were ready to back new Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas's bid to end armed conflict with Israel. Iran A ban on women standing in Iranian presidential elections in June remains in force, a constitutional watchdog body said, rejecting earlier reports in the official media that the ban had been lifted. Spain More than 10,000 people, including senior politicians, took to the streets of Madrid to remember the victims of terrorism.