Mideast Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas tried to nail down his pledge to stop attacks against Israel, preparing for talks with Gaza-based militants and dispatching a top aide for a showdown with Hezbollah. Iraq Iraqi authorities said the final results of the country's elections were being delayed for recounts, as gunmen shot dead a journalist for a US-funded television station amid a series of new attacks. EU The United States and Europe declared a fresh start after their Iraq divisions despite fresh tensions over Iran and China exposed during a visit here by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. EU US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice urged European negotiators to take a tough line with Iran, warning Tehran of sanctions if it refuses to renounce its suspected nuclear weapons program. Iran President Mohammad Khatami warned European countries that Tehran could reverse commitments made on its nuclear programme, saying Iran was facing 'psychological warfare'. Saudi Polls opened in Saudi Arabia's first ever elections, from which women have been barred, to pick half the members of 38 municipal councils in the Riyadh region. Vatican The Vatican was expected to announce the imminent discharge of Pope John Paul II from hospital after recovering from acute respiratory problems. Nepal Defiant human rights activists vowed to press ahead with an anti-monarchy protest in central Kathmandu despite a ban on rallies and the arrest of one of their leaders. US US nuclear strategy calls for outsourcing nuclear strikes in case of a major conflict in Europe to NATO allies that don't have such weapons, in what experts view as an attempt to skirt international law, according to an authoritative report said. Asia The number of people believed killed in December's tsunami disaster was lowered to 284,561 Thursday, more than six weeks after the catastrophe, as Indonesia revised its toll downwards. Somalia A British journalist working for the British Broadcasting Corporation died after being shot in the Somali capital, a physician at the hospital where she was being treated told AFP.