Mideast Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon responded to a respite in militant attacks by resuming political contacts with the Palestinian leadership and curtailing "targeted killings" of militants. Switzerland More than 2,000 business and political leaders and a dash of celebrity gathered in the Swiss ski resort of Davos for five days of brainstorming on the world's biggest challenges, from climate change to poverty via the ethics of globalisation. Iraq A US marine helicopter crashed in western Iraq and an American hostage was shown pleading for his life in a videotape, as Al-Qaeda loyalists attacked polling stations ahead of Sunday's key vote. Iraq Al-Qaeda and Baathist supporters of ousted president Saddam Hussein have formed a "marriage of convenience" to mount violent opposition to Sunday's Iraqi elections, a top US commander said. Iran Iran will carry out an "astonishing" retaliation to any attack against the Islamic republic by Israel or the United States, Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned in published comments. India Tearful relatives collected bodies after at least 257 Hindu devotees, mainly women and children, were crushed or burnt to death during a pilgrimage disaster in western India. Israel Israel has learned the lesson of the Holocaust that it must defend itself against enemies, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told a special session of parliament marking the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Asia Tsunami-hit Asian nations discussed ways to prevent future disasters at a meeting in Beijing. Asia Sri Lanka observed a minute's silence as a sign of respect for the nearly 31,000 people who died in the tsunami disaster a month ago. UNICEF Hoping to cash-in on an unprecedented wave of charity that followed last month's tsunami disaster, the UN Children's Fund launched an annual appeal for children in other crisis zones such as Afghanistan and Ethiopia.