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Thursday, March 25, 2010

Israel approves new building in east Jerusalem


The Jerusalem municipality has approved 20 new apartments for Jews in an Arab neighborhood of east Jerusalem, the city said Wednesday, in a move that could stir a new diplomatic crisis with the United States just as Israel's leader is in Washington on a fence-mending visit. The announcement marked the second time this month that Israel has announced new construction in the disputed section of the holy city during face-to-face meetings between top U.S. and Israeli officials. The Obama administration is seeking "clarification" of the latest building plan and continues to believe Israeli construction in Jerusalem is destructive to the Mideast peace process, said White House spokesman Tommy Vietor. Israeli lawmaker Eitan Cabel accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of unnecessarily provoking the U.S. "Is this another 'unfortunate' mistake? Is this another 'misunderstanding?'" said Cabel, a member of the Labor Party, which sits in the governing coalition. "Netanyahu decided to spit into Obama's eye, this time from up close. He and his pyromaniac ministers insist on setting the Middle East ablaze." On Wednesday evening, Israel's Channel 10 TV reported that an additional 200 apartments were approved last month for private land near the first 20. The report could not be confirmed, and the Jerusalem municipality had no immediate comment.

Saudi arrests over 'terror plot'


Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, has arrested more than 100 people suspected of having links with al-Qaeda, the interior ministry has said. A statement from the ministry on Wednesday said the suspects were plotting attacks on oil and security installations in the kingdom. One cell consisted of 101 people, and two smaller cells were made up of six men each. The large cell comprised 47 Saudis and 51 Yemenis, as well as a Somali, a Bangladeshi and an Eritrean, said the statement read out on state television. The two smaller groups were made up of 11 Saudis and a Yemeni, who security officials described as being a prominent member of al-Qaeda.

Differences remain between Israel and US - White House


Differences remain between Israel and the US, following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington, the White House has said. President Obama urged the Israeli PM to take steps to build confidence in the peace process, during "honest" talks on Tuesday, said spokesman Robert Gibbs. Mr Gibbs also said the US was seeking "clarification" of the latest plans to build homes in occupied East Jerusalem. Mr Netanyahu's trip came amid the worst crisis in US-Israeli ties for decades. The Israeli prime minister delayed his departure from Washington on Wednesday to meet the US Middle East peace envoy, George Mitchell. The spat flared two weeks ago when, during a visit by US Vice-President Joe Biden, Israel unveiled plans to build 1,600 homes in part of East Jerusalem, which Washington branded an insult.

Google’s tough call on China

If Google produced iron ore as well as providing an internet search engine, it really would have been conflicted. Even as it was, the decision to “pull out” of China (all the way to Hong Kong) was finely balanced. Google decided that its brand, which depends on its image as a champion of liberalism, was worth more than a slice of China’s still-nascent online advertising market. That judgment became easier as Beijing grew more heavy-handed in policing the internet and as Chinese hackers – with or without the authorities’ blessing – grew more adept at tunnelling into Google’s databases. But Google has hedged its bets. For the moment, it will retain a research and development presence, as well as a sales team, in the mainland. By taking advantage of the “one-country, two-server” system – an unintended relic of British colonialism – it is hoping to have its cookie and eat it too. Chinese users who log on to Google.cn will automatically be diverted to an uncensored site in Hong Kong. Google has thus fulfilled its pledge of “doing no evil”. If Beijing wants to play the baddie by blocking some search results – and earlier this week it was doing so with heavy-booted abandon – so be it.

India: 24 killed many injured in fire


At least 24 people were killed and it was feared that many more people are still missing after a huge fire that engulfed prime commercial building in Kolkata city. The fire gutted one of the oldest buildings in the city, which had many famous shops including a large music store and a popular confectionery. 100 fire fighters along with three dozen fire tender vehicles spent several hours putting out the blaze. The probable cause of the fire was a short circuit in a lift but the investigation into the cause was continuing.

Nationwide strikes in France against Sarkozy


Nearly 800-thousand French workers have taken part in nation-wide strikes. In Paris, protesters took to the streets, criticizing reforms planned by President Nicolas Sarkozy.  It was only two days after Sarkozy's party's stinging defeat in regional elections. The Socialists took 23 of France's 26 regions. The protesters include union members and workers. Unions say amid the weak economy, Sarkozy's conservative government hasn't offered satisfactory plans for jobs, salaries, purchasing power and working conditions.