Oslo  - The global financial crisis affected Norwegian aluminium and power generation group Norsk Hydro that Wednesday posted a loss for fourth-quarter 2008.

The group reported a loss before financial items and tax (EBIT) of 3.1 billion kroner (444 million dollars) and underlying earnings before EBIT dropped to 868 million kroner, including inventory write- downs of 700 million kroner.

Fourth-quarter turnover was 21.36 billion kroner, down 1 per cent from the fourth quarter of 2007.

Brussels - NATO said Wednesday it was committed to keeping Afghan civilian casualties to a minimum and accused the Taliban insurgency of hiking their numbers by using them as human shields.

"Let no one doubt NATO's determination to reduce (civilian casualties) to a minimum," said James Appathurai, the alliance's spokesman.

"Let also no one doubt who is primarily responsible for civilian casualties," Appathurai said.

Oslo  - Norwegian energy giant Statoil Hydro's fourth-quarter net income has dropped 67 per cent on the previous year, the group said Tuesday, citing a drop in oil prices.

The stronger US dollar rate also impacted earnings, the state-controlled group said, reporting net income for the quarter of 2.0 billion kroner (291 million dollars) compared to 6.2 billion kroner for the corresponding quarter 2007.

Net operating income increased 22 per cent to 37.8 billion kroner, while turnover was up 3 per cent to 150 billion kroner.

Oslo - The Islamic Council of Norway on Monday distanced itself from remarks attributed to a leading Islamic scholar quoted as saying the Holocaust was a "divine punishment" against the Jews.

Yusuf al-Qaradawi, an Egyptian-born, Qatar-based scholar made the alleged comments in a speech on the Arab broadcaster al-Jazeera in January, prompting widespread condemnation.

Dusseldorf, Germany  - Norway snatched a rare 1-0 win over Germany in a friendly international in Dusseldorf on Wednesday.

Christian Grindheim scored from close range in the 63rd minute to get a new spell in charge by coach Egil Olsen off to a winning start.

It was the second successive home defeat by Germany who had been beaten 2-1 by England in Berlin in November.

Norway, who were without a win in 2008, were full value for their first victory against Germany since the 1936 Olympics.

Dusseldorf, Germany  - Norway snatched a rare 1-0 win over Germany in a friendly international in Dusseldorf on Wednesday.

It was the second successive home defeat by Germany who had been beaten 2-1 by England in Berlin in November.

Christian Grindheim scored from close range in the 63rd minute to get a new spell in charge by coach Egil Olsen off to a winning start.

Norway, who were without a win in 2008, were full value for their first victory against Germany since the 1936 Olympics.