* Australia kicks off New Year’s parties A million revelers in Australia staked out prime spots along Sydney’s iconic Harbor Bridge foreshore Monday, ushering in 2008 with a massive fireworks display.

* Scores dead in Kenya poll clashes Scores of people have been killed across Kenya in violence blamed on the disputed presidential election.

* ‘Iran can help Egypt get nuclear energy’ Iran is willing to assist Egypt in developing the technology to produce nuclear energy, Ali Larijani, the head of Iran’s National Security Council, said on Sunday.

* Intel Community: ‘Military killed Bhutto’ Lower and middle level officers of the Pakistani army and the Pakistani air force were involved in the killing of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, according to various intelligence sources, including members of India’s counter-intelligence service.

* Abbas expected to urge Hamas to accept early elections Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is expected on Monday to urge Hamas Islamists to agree to early elections, cede control of the Gaza Strip and hold talks with his Fatah faction, a Palestinian official said.

* Barak: Onus for conduct of war lies with government Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Monday that the overall responsibility for the conduct of the Second Lebanon War, including the decision to enter it and the decision to exit it, rests on the shoulders of the political echelon, regardless of the fact that the Knesset Foreign Affairs Committee chose not to focus on the government in its report.

* PM must OK new W. Bank construction As first reported by The Jerusalem Post on Sunday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has instructed government ministers that any new West Bank construction must first be authorized by him and Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

* UN to begin Darfur peace mission The new United Nations peacekeeping force for Darfur in Sudan is due to start its operations.

* Kosovo to test Slovenia leaders Sixteen years after independence, Slovenia takes up the presidency of the EU on Tuesday, offering to act as a bridge with the Balkans.

* Sharif opposes Pakistan election delay Former Pakistan premier Nawaz Sharif said today that elections should be held on time on Jan 8, adding that President Pervez Musharraf should be replaced by a national unity government.