Phnom Penh - Cambodia's National Assembly on Tuesday passed a 2009 budget of 1.77 billion dollars, topping last year's expenditure plan by 28 per cent.

The budget came less than a week after a pledge of more than 1 billion dollars for 2009 from donor nations, and will increase government spending on defense, health, education and agriculture.

Defense and security will receive 20 per cent of the 2009 budget, while 16 per cent will go to education, 11 per cent to health, and agriculture will receive 1.7 per cent.

Abu Dhabi, Dec 09th, 2008 : At the largest congregation on earth, on the foothills of Mount Arafat, where the rituals of Hajj reach their peak, came the voice of the Grand Mufti. Witnessed by hundreds of millions around the world, he reminded once again that "terrorism is contrary to the teachings and tenets of Islam".

Khaleej Times dedicated its editorial today to this 'Voice of Reason' and wrote: 'The message from the Mount of Arafat is loud and clear: "The world must confront and criminalise terrorism we must be cautious of terrorism and fight hostile criminal gangs that destroy countries and people".

London - A lollipop man in Britain was Tuesday reported to be distraught over a decision to ban the Christmas tinsel fixed to the circular sign with which he traditionally escorts primary school children across a busy road.

Hampshire County Council, in south-west Britain, asked Kevin Simpson to remove the tinsel from his lollipop for safety reasons, saying it curtailed clear vision of the sign.

Maputo - Mozambican police on Tuesday denied reports that Anibal dos Santos Junior, the convicted killer of investigative journalist Carlos Cardoso, had been arrested following his escape from prison on Sunday.

Teofilo Nhampossa, an interior ministry official, told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa that the reports in private media of dos Santos' recapture were false.

Dos Santos, nicknamed "Anibalzinho" and two fellow prisoners were still at large, he said.

"Up to now there is no information whatsoever on his whereabouts," he added.

Moenchengladbach, Germany - A man who blew up his house after his girlfriend said s

Fujairah, Dec 09th, 2008 : HH S