* Pakistanis mourn at Bhutto burial Tens of thousands of people have attended the funeral of assassinated Pakistani politician Benazir Bhutto.

* ‘Bhutto could’ve been bridge to Muslims’ Israeli leaders paid tribute to slain Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto on Thursday, even though Israel and Pakistan do not have diplomatic ties.

* US election focus turns overseas US presidential hopefuls are battling for political advantage in the final days before the Iowa caucuses on 3 January start the nominating contest.

* Foreign Ministry plans to drop Syria from ‘radical axis’ list The Foreign Ministry has placed the Syrian issue as one of its central objectives for 2008.

* Japan and China pledge closer ties Japan’s prime minister has urged China to use its growing influence to make an impact on global issues like climate change.

* PM to Abbas: Israel won’t undermine final status talks Israel will not undermine negotiations toward a final-status agreement, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert promised Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

* Olmert Caves in to US: No Construction in Har Homa, Atarot As a result of the United States government’s demands upon the government of Israel, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has ordered a halt to all construction in Judea, Samaria and parts of Jerusalem.

* Iran receives second shipment of nuclear fuel Russia has transferred a second shipment of nuclear fuel to the Iranian nuclear reactor at Bushehr.

* A grim year 2007 for Pakistan It has been a grim year for Pakistan. Since the start of 2007 the country has experienced 54 suicide terrorist attacks, including two Thursday, one of which killed Benazir Bhutto.

* Proud Portugal leaves mixed EU presidency record With Portugal at its chair, the EU completed two major projects – its new treaty and an expansion of its passport free zone to include nine new member states.