Iraq The spiritual leader of Iraqi Shiites, who are set to dominate the new government, demanded a major say for Islam in lawmaking as the abduction of four Egyptians heightened fears for foreigners. Thailand Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra claimed an historic reelection victory, winning an unprecedented second term after polls appeared to make him the most powerful person yet elected to lead the nation. Vatican A frail looking but alert Pope John Paul II made an 10-minute appearance at his hospital window, allaying immediate fears for his health and sending an eloquent signal that, even diminished by illness, he continues to lead the Roman Catholic Church. Mideast Visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called on Israel to take "hard decisions" for peace as she kicked off a renewed diplomatic push by Washington in the Middle East. Togo The military in the west African state of Togo faced mounting international criticism after it hastily swore in the son of veteran president Gnassingbe Eyadema to succeed him on his death. Afghanistan Bad weather forced foreign peacekeepers and Afghan police and troops to abandon efforts to reach the spot where a plane carrying 104 people crashed in snowclad mountains east of Kabul, as the US embassy said all those aboard were dead. Kuwait Kuwait announced a new anti-terror strategy and launched a fresh bid to counter extremist ideology, after five suspects were arrested in a crackdown on Islamist militants blamed for a string of gunbattles. Nepal Nepal's new government told schools and businesses to stay open despite the state of emergency declared after King Gyanendra seized power, and threatened action against anyone attempting to stage protest strikes. AFPLifestyle More than 200,000 music fans, Rastafarians and the merely curious swarmed central Addis Ababa, turning the capital's huge Meskel Square into a sea of red, green and yellow to celebrate what would have been reggae legend Bob Marley's 60th birthday.