The first known kidnapping of a foreigner in Iraq since the Jan. 30 election is now on the books.

An excerpt from the BBC story:

Italian woman kidnapped in Iraq

Giuliana Sgrena was abducted while talking to Falluja refugees An Italian journalist has been seized in Baghdad while interviewing people in the street, Iraqi police have said. Armed men abducted Giuliana Sgrena, 56, who was working for Il Manifesto newspaper, as she spoke to refugees from Falluja near Baghdad University. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said Italy is trying to secure Ms Sgrena's negotiated release but gave no details. A French woman reporter, Florence Aubenas, and her Iraqi assistant went missing in Iraq in January. Two other French journalists, Christian Chesnot and Georges Malbrunot, were released in December after being held hostage by Iraqi militants for four months. I heard shots and people running but I did not hear her speak Barbara Schiavulli Italian radio journalist In September, Italian aid workers Simona Torretta and Simona Pari were freed three weeks after they were kidnapped from their offices in Baghdad. Italy denied paying any money or negotiating with the hostage-takers.