ONE NEWS

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...

Wednesday, December 09, 2009 WASHINGTON: Speaker Nancy Pelosi, joined by the acting architect of the Capitol, members of the Arizona congressional delegation, the governor of Arizona, and 12-year-old Kaitlyn Ferencik of Surprise, Ariz., lit the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree during a ceremony this evening. This year's tree, a 85-foot blue spruce, came from Arizona's Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. As part of the Capitol's continuing commitment to save energy, strands of energy-efficient LED lights were used to decorate the tree. Below are the Speaker's remarks: "Thank you very much, Architect Ayers. The bad news for me is I don't have much of a voice. The good news for you is I am going to speak very briefly. But that is not any indication of the enthusiasm that I have this evening to welcome this beautiful tree from Arizona. "Senator McCain, Governor Brewer, Congresswoman Kirkpatrick, it is my honor to join you in receiving and welcoming Arizona's gi...