World datelines

Belgium: Election win

BRUSSELS — A separatist party that advocates independence for the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium, leaving the country's Francophones to fend for themselves, scored an unprecedented win in Sunday's general election.

Final results gave the Dutch-speaking New Flemish Alliance — a fringe factor until now — 27 of the 150 legislative seats, up 19 from the 2007 vote.

Colombia: Rescue

BOGOTA — Soldiers on Sunday freed two high-ranking police officers and an army sergeant who were among Colombia's longest-held rebel captives in a raid in southern jungles.

President Alvaro Uribe announced the rescue of police Gen. Luis Mendieta and Col. Enrique Murillo, both captured by the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, in a November 1998 siege of the remote eastern provincial capital of Mitu.

Also freed was soldier Arbey Delgado, who was held since an August 1998 rebel attack.

England: Africans

LONDON — For the second year in a row, organizers of a $5 million annual prize for good governance in Africa say they have decided not to give out the award.

The winner of the Ibrahim Prize for African leadership was to be announced today.

But the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, based in London, said Sunday the seven-member prize committee, led by former United Nations chief Kofi Annan, had not selected a winner.

Last year, the committee said it had considered "some credible candidates" but could not select a winner. The foundation said Sunday there had been "no new candidates or new developments" since then.

Kenya: Blasts kill 5

NAIROBI — Two explosions ripped through a park in Kenya's capital during a packed political rally late Sunday, killing five people and wounding 75, officials said.

The rally was held to protest a draft constitution the country will vote on in August. The country's president and prime minister support it, but several prominent political leaders do not.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga said officials don't yet know the cause of the blasts but that they wounded 75 people.