U.S. Embassy stresses vigilance during Ramadan

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh said Saturday it continued to receive information that terrorists are planning future operations and urged Americans to be "particularly vigilant" during the holy Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.

The U.S. Embassy warning came a day after Britain's Foreign Office said it believed that "terrorists may be in the final phases of planning attacks" in Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi government said Saturday it was taking action against terrorism and criticized Britain for issuing the warning without consulting it first. The kingdom launched a crackdown against Islamic militants following a string of bombings on Western residential compounds in Riyadh on May 12 in which 26 people and nine assailants were killed.

A message on the U.S. Embassy Web site advised American citizens "of the ongoing terrorist threat" in Saudi Arabia.

Jamaican crowds burn cars after police shooting

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica -- Crowds burned cars and buses and blocked roads near Montego Bay's airport Saturday to protest the killing of two men by police.

Police fired guns in the air and used tear gas to disperse the protesters, who numbered about 4,000, but the crowds regrouped, tossing bottles at officers and preventing them from clearing moving burnt vehicles from the roadways leading to the resort city's airport.

No injuries or arrests were reported.

Protesters set a fire at the road leading to the nearby Sandals Montego Bay resort, preventing people from entering or leaving, independent RJR radio reported.

A senior manager, who refused to give his name or confirm the report, said all guests at the 244-room resort were safe and probably unaware of what was happening.

The protests began early Saturday after police shot and killed two men who the officers said opened fire first from a car, said police superintendent Newton Amos said.

Jordan's king swears in 21-member Cabinet

AMMAN, Jordan -- Jordan's new prime minister was sworn in Saturday, and he pledged to increase democracy and work for a "moderate and tolerant" nation that will be an example for others.

Faisal al-Fayez, 51, and 20 Cabinet colleagues were sworn in Saturday during a brief ceremony in the Throne Chamber at Raghadan Palace in Amman.

King Abdullah II later issued a royal decree naming the new ministers, which for the first time include women.

According to the list, al-Fayez retained nine ministers from the Cabinet of former Prime Minister Ali Abul-Ragheb.

Most significantly, al-Fayez kept Marwan Muasher as foreign minister. The pillars of Jordan's foreign policy are diplomatic relations with Israel -- Jordan is one of only three Arab states to have established relations with the Jewish state -- and close political and military ties with the United States.

The new Cabinet is also strong on technocrats, notably Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Bassem Awadallah, a U.S.-educated economist retained from the old government and who champions IMF reforms for Jordan.

-- From wire reports