* Blair cancels Gaza visit, citing threats Mideast envoy Tony Blair on Tuesday called off what would have been the first visit of a top Western diplomat to Hamas-ruled Gaza.

* Rights group fears Sudanese backlash Human rights activists said Tuesday they feared a move by the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to file genocide charges against Sudan’s president could provoke a violent backlash.

* Ahmadinejad: We won’t accept any conditions Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told state TV on Monday that he won’t accept any conditions on his country’s disputed nuclear program.

* Hizbullah Gears Up For War, Olmert Asks for UN Help Arab reports indicate that Hizbullah is preparing to arm its rockets with chemical warheads and to build extensive fortifications.

* Hamas using Gush Katif synagogues to train gunmen One of the most visible conflicts in public opinion prior to the Gaza Strip pullout in August 2005 dealt with the issue of public structures following the evacuation of settlers.

* Polish leader pledges not to block EU treaty Polish President Lech Kaczynski said he will not create “obstacles” to the ratification of the EU’s new Lisbon treaty.

* World’s biggest Christian festival launched with Sydney mass The world’s biggest Christian festival opened Tuesday with a spectacular harbourside mass for up to 150,000 pilgrims.

* Sexuality stance ’embarrasses’ Anglicans The head of the Anglican church in the US has said that her church has embarrassed other parts of the Anglican Communion with its approach to sexuality.

* Earthquake near Rhodes felt in Israel Tremors of a powerful earthquake with an epicenter near the Greek island of Rhodes were felt throughout Israel on Tuesday morning.

* Dollar Falls to Record Versus Euro; Credit Woes May Damp Growth The dollar declined to a record low against the euro.