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RAMALLAH: The Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has terming the attack on mosque located in West Bank as Jewish terrorism, has said that it is a bid to cease chances of reopening of dialogue between Palestine-Israel.Jewish settlers attacked on a West Bank mosque where fire was set to a library and hate messages were sprayed on the building, Palestinian security sources said on Friday.Clashes erupted as village residents hurled stones at Israeli troops sent to investigate the overnight incident at the mosque in Kfar Yasuf village. The security forces responded with teargas, local officials said. The northern West Bank area is home to some of the most hardline Israeli settlers who advocate a “price tag” policy under which they target Palestinians in retaliation for any Israeli government measure they see as threatening Jewish settlements. One of the slogans sprayed on the wall read, “Get ready to pay the price,” Israeli public radio said. Another read, “We will burn you all.”This ...

Saturday, December 12, 2009 ATHENS: The Christmas tree adorning the Athens city centre will be given a 24-hour police guard after its predecessor was burned to a crisp during youth riots last year, police said on Friday.The 15-metre (49-foot) metallic structure covered with scores of small fir trees will be "discreetly" monitored by police foot patrols, a police source told media.The tree, which is the centrepiece of Athens' Christmas festivities on central Syntagma Square, is to be lit Friday night.Television footage of last year's burning tree was one of the most emblematic images of riots sparked by the fatal shooting of a teenage boy by a policeman whose squad car was allegedly assaulted by a group of youths.A replacement tree was later also targeted by demonstrators who pelted it with garbage after authorities ringed it with riot police.The city of Athens postponed this year's tree unveiling until after street demonstrations held in several cities last weeke...

Saturday, December 12, 2009 OSLO: US president has turned down an invitation to lunch with the king of Norway, will not hold a press conference nor attend the Nobel concert held in his honour the day after the prize ceremony. Obama is due to arrive in Oslo in the morning and will stay in the Norwegian capital for less than 24 hours. The official Nobel programme is usually spread out over three days. His decision is thought to be fuelled by embarrassment over being given the award so early in his presidency and a wish to avoid a public backlash in the US. But his decision to pull out of parts of large sections of the programme has been taken as a snub in Norway. Polls suggest the Norwegians are deeply unimpressed by his decision not to make more of the visit.

Saturday, December 12, 2009 WASHINGTON: The US Central Intelligence Agency has cancelled a contract with a security company formerly known as Blackwater Worldwide that allowed the company to load bombs on CIA drones in Pakistan and Afghanistan, The New York Times reported late Friday. Citing intelligence officials, the newspaper said the contract gave Blackwater employees an operational role in one of the CIA's most significant covert programs, which has killed dozens of militants with Predator and Reaper drones. The contract with the company, now called Xe Services, was canceled this year by CIA Director Leon Panetta, the report said. CIA spokesman George Little said Panetta had ordered that the agency's employees take over the jobs from Xe employees at the remote drone bases in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the paper noted.Panetta had also ordered a review of all contracts with the company, according to the report.

Saturday, December 12, 2009 RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's crown prince and veteran defence minister, Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, returned to the country on Friday after more than a year's absence that gave rise to widespread concern over his health.The government said Sultan, a half-brother to King Abdullah who has served as defence chief for almost half a century, returned after medical treatments in New York and a lengthy convalescence at his vacation palace in Agadir, Morocco."He has completed the treatment period and stopped taking medication about two months ago," his son and deputy defence minister Prince Khaled bin Sultan announced ahead of his return.Prince Sultan, officially listed as 78, was greeted at Riyadh airport by King Abdullah and dozens of members of the ruling Al-Saud royal family, and other government officials.The streets of the Saudi capital were decked out with the kingdom's flags to mark his return and scores of officials issued public statements laud...

LONDON: A delighted audience clapped and cheered as the lights came on after the world premiere of James Cameron's sci-fi extravaganza "Avatar" in London on Thursday.The 3-D epic about humans taking extraterrestrial form as they explore a distant world is reportedly one of the most expensive movies ever made, with a price tag well in excess of the $200 million spent to make "Titanic."The industry has been watching closely to see how audiences respond to Cameron's long-awaited film, which uses cutting-edge digital technology to create dizzying special effects. On Thursday, the film provoked a breathless response from many in the audience."It's brilliant, it's as good as the hype, both the 3-D effects and the story," said 28-year-old Victoria Blasdale."This was remarkable, Unlike anything I've ever seen before," added law maker John Whittingdale, who had joined the media, Cameron fans and families at the premiere.Stars Sigourne...

Saturday, December 12, 2009 MOHALI: Indian cricketer S Sreesanth was admitted in a city hospital and has been tested positive for swine flu.Director of a local hospital in Mohali told reporters that the Kerala cricketer, who has been ruled out of Saturday’s Twenty20 International against Sri Lanka, is doing better now.“Sreesanth was brought here last night with cough, sore throat and fever. Various tests have been done and he is doing fine,” Banerjee said.He said samples have been taken for swine flu tests as well and the results are awaited.With the mercury going down, Chandigarh in the past 10 days has seen a sharp increase in number of swine flu cases and has already registered 10 deaths.India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni earlier said Sreesanth would miss Saturday’s match because of “viral infection”.