Mideast Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip, which Israel has occupied for nearly 40 years, moves into a decisive phase Sunday with its expected adoption by the government. Iraq At least 40 people were killed and more than 100 wounded in insurgent attacks across Iraq as Shiites marked their holiest day of Ashura, scarring the commemoration for the second year running. Lebanon Lebanon's embattled pro-Syrian government said it wanted an explanation from the United Nations of its decision to appoint a commission of inquiry into the assassination of former premier Rafiq Hariri and hit out at France over opposition calls for an "uprising". Togo Togo's new military-installed leader was under intense pressure to step down, a day after west African leaders imposed sanctions and the United States said it did not recognize his regime. Asia Former US presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush arrived in the tsunami-shattered Indonesian province of Aceh to see first-hand the devastation caused by December's disaster. US-Japan The United States and Japan expressed "deep concern" over North Korea's nuclear weapons program and declared Taiwan a common security concern in the face of a Chinese military buildup. Zimbabwe Russia is the only European country among 32 nations invited by President Robert Mugabe to observe next month's crunch parliamentary elections in Zimbabwe, state radio reported, quoting Foreign Minister Stan Mudenge. Ireland Some 50,000 pounds (95,000 dollars, 72,000 euros) discovered at a police sports centre in Belfast came from a spectacular bank heist in the city last December, the police said. Britain Up to half a million hunters and supporters rallied across England and Wales in a massive display of force against a new fox hunting ban, vowing to reverse the controversial law. Bangladesh Thirty-seven people were killed around 150 were missing after a ferry capsized when it was struck by a cyclone overnight near the Bangladesh capital Dhaka, police said.