GERMANY

German federal and state interior ministers declared the Church of Scientology in conflict with the constitution, opening the way for a possible ban.

Germany does not recognize Scientology as a religion and regards it as a cult masquerading as a church to make money.

Scientologists reject this view and said in a statement that more than 50 court decisions in Germany had acknowledged the group as a religious community.

"The interior ministers' statement has no factual basis," a spokeswoman said by e-mail.

The officials gave no specific examples for their decision, but the most recent annual report on extremism compiled by their agencies asserted that Scientology "seeks to limit or rescind basic and human rights."

FIJI

Cyclone skirts population centers

A powerful cyclone packing winds of up to 155 mph pounded some small islands in northern Fiji, but missed heavily populated areas as it swung to the southeast, officials said today.

Cyclone Daman remained a Category 4 storm, forecaster Daini Donu said, but was slowly weakening as it moved toward the Tonga islands.

Worst hit on the northern Fiji island was Cikobia, which was out of contact with disaster officials. About 65 of its 100 residents had evacuated to caves before homes were flattened by the storm, Donu said.

ARUBA

3rd suspect freed in Holloway case

A judge ordered the release of the last of three suspects rearrested last month in the disappearance of Alabama teenager Natalee Holloway, ruling that the evidence was not strong enough to continue holding him.

Joran van der Sloot was arrested Nov. 21 along with Surinamese brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe, who were released Dec. 1 with a similar ruling.

The three were the last people known to have seen Holloway, who vanished May 30, 2005. They have denied involvement in her disappearance.

MIDDLE EAST

Rice presses Israel on housing plan

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told Israel that its plan to build 300 housing units on land captured in 1967 threatened U.S.-backed peace efforts.

Rice spoke after talks with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on the sidelines of a NATO meeting in Brussels.

Israel has issued a tender for the construction at Har Homa.

RUSSIA

Official says arms parity is needed