UAE thought of keeping Hamas hit under wraps: Cables

WikiLeaks storms into English lexicon

LOS ANGELES: According to Global language Monitor GLM,the word WikiLeaks appeared sporadically in global media in 2006,but now it is cited more than 300 million times. GLM recognises a word once it meets criteria of geographic reach and depth and breadth of usage.

Pirates release ship with 19 Indians

LONDON: A German-owned chemical tanker with 19 Indians among its crew of 22 has been released by Somali pirates almost eight months after it was taken hostage in waters south of Oman,the European Union Naval Force said Tuesday. MV Marida Marguerite was captured by pirates on May 8.

Frances spy service bulks up amid threats

PARIS: Frances secretive international spy agency,the DGSE,is recruiting hundreds of people and getting a budget boost,despite frugal times. The move follows hostage-takings abroad and bomb scares at the Eiffel Tower.

2 jailed for hijacking plane in Turkey

ANKARA: Turkeys Anatolia news agency said a court convicted a Palestinian man of having ties to al-Qaeda and his Turkish accomplice to 27 years in prison. The two,using a fake bomb,attempted to divert an Atlasjet flight to Iran after it took off from Cyprus in 2007.

Tit-for-tat: Russia expels Spain envoys

MADRID: Spain said it expelled two Russian diplomats and that Russia had responded in kind in an episode sparked by allegations the Russian diplomates were spying in the country. Two secretaries at Russias embassy in Madrid were invited to leave a month ago, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said. Russia has taken reciprocal action, he added.