Oslo - The global financial crisis has affected the Norwegian aluminium and power generation group Norsk Hydro's third quarter sales and earnings, the group said Tuesday.

Third-quarter turnover was 23.98 billion kroner (3.65 billion dollars), down 9 per cent from the third quarter of 2007.

Underlying earnings before financial items and tax (EBIT) were down 8 per cent in the quarter to 1.49 billion kroner, the group said.

"The global financial crisis and uncertainty in world commodity markets have affected our results for the third quarter and will continue to do so in the coming quarters," Hydro Chief Executive Eivind Reiten said in a statement.

Oslo- Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit has sustained a minor concussion after falling down some stairs during a visit to Ukraine, reports said Monday.

The crown princess was in Ukraine in her capacity as a goodwill ambassador for the joint United Nations programme, UNAIDS, the Norwegian news agency NTB reported.

She apparently fell during a visit to a support group for people living with HIV-Aids, NTB added.

Oslo - A Swedish-made jet fighter - and an industrial cooperation package - would benefit Norway's defence industry more than a US rival in terms of high-tech jobs and other spin-offs, according to a report Thursday.

The Nordic NATO member is to replace its fleet of 48 F-16 jet fighters with the Swedish-made JAS Gripen competing for the bid against the US F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

The JAS Gripen was the overall better alternative, according to a joint report compiled by the Norwegian Defence and Security Industries Association, the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions, and the Norwegian Society of Engineers and Technologists.

Oslo - The Norwegian central b

Washington - The United States praised Martti Ahtisaari for dedicating his life to ending conflicts around the world after the former Finnish president won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday.

"The United States warmly congratulates President Ahtisaari and commends the Nobel Committee for its wise decision to award the Nobel Prize to Martti Ahtisaari," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.

New York - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday praised Martti Ahtisaari, winner of this year's Nobel Peace Prize, as a "long-standing United Nations colleague and ally in the cause of peace, development and human rights."

Ahtisaari, the former president of Finland, has had an "exceptional career" as a UN troubleshooter in missions including the former Yugoslavia, Namibia and the Horn of Africa. His latest mission was heading negotiations to resolve the status of Kosovo, a former Serbian province.