* Egypt bomb kills 21 at Alexandria Coptic church President Hosni Mubarak has urged Egypt’s Muslims and Christians to stand united against terrorism after a bombing outside a church in Alexandria.

* Pope Benedict XVI to hold religious peace summit Pope Benedict XVI has said he will organise a summit in Assisi with religious heads to discuss how they can promote world peace.

* Washington Post calls Russian regime untrustworthy after endorsing New START A Washington Post editorial on Nov. 19 endorsed Senate passage of the New START treaty with Russia.

* Estonian cashpoints begin pumping out euro-notes Cashpoints in Estonia began issuing euro banknotes at around 20 minutes past midnight local time on Saturday (1 January) in a development marking the fourth phase of expansion for the troubled single currency.

* Please, not again Without boldness from Barack Obama there is a real risk of war in the Middle East.

* ‘US secretly talking to Damascus about Israel-Syria peace’ Kuwaiti paper ‘Al-Rai’ reports Syrian officials told Dennis Ross they are prepared to distance themselves from Iran, Hizbullah and Hamas.

* Top Israeli news story of 2010: The Gaza flotilla raid Like other military and diplomatic conflagrations in the past, the Gaza flotilla’s aftermath was most felt in its exposure of Israeli weaknesses.

* NKorea warns war would bring ‘nuclear holocaust’ North Korea welcomed the new year Saturday with a call for better ties with rival South Korea, warning that war “will bring nothing but a nuclear holocaust.”

* Website aims to be Facebook for gays in military After nearly two decades of hearing “don’t ask, don’t tell,” gay U.S. military men and women are now hearing, “do ask, do tell,” and even, “find a friend” from a new social network website, Out Military.

* Palestinians vow revenge following protestor’s death Member of Bilin popular committee says ‘Israel’s lethal response to our campaign will not be ignored’ following death of Jawaher Abu Rahma who inhaled large quantities of tear gas in anti-fence protest