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. 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 US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was to hold her first talks with the new Palestinian leadership after urging Israel to take the "hard decisions" needed to advance the Middle East peace process. Togo Togo's parliament gave backing to the controversial appointment of a new president as the international community cried foul, condemning what it said was a violation of the constitution in the west African state. 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. Thailand Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra savoured his crushing election victory over opposition parties, as critics voiced fears that the kingdom could effectively become a one-party state. 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. Ethiopia More than 300,000 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. Brazil Throngs of Brazilians, from Rio's poorest favelas to its richest beach-front penthouses, converged on Rio's famed Sambodrome stadium to watch thousands of costume-clad or barely-dressed dancers shake and shimmy to the sounds of samba. Spain Spain was in mourning after 18 people were killed in their sleep by a gas leak after spending all night celebrating a birthday in a mountain lodge in the east of the country.