Obama says Suu Kyi release long overdue

YOKOHAMA: U.S. President Barack Obama said on Saturday that he welcomed the release of Myanmar pro- democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

“She is a hero of mine and a source of inspiration for all who work to advance basic human rights in Burma and around the world. The United States welcomes her long overdue release,” the president said in a statement. AGENCIES

Obama thanks Saudi king for role in averting bombings

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday thanked Saudi King Abdullah for the “critical role” of Saudi counterrorism authorities in uncovering a parcel bomb plot and averting attacks, the White House said.

“The president spoke to Saudi King Abdullah this morning to discuss the terrorist plot that was disrupted yesterday at East Midlands Airport and in Dubai,” the White House said in a summary of Obama’s phone call to the Saudi monarch. AGENCIES

Ivanovic eliminated at rainy French Open

PARIS: Ana Ivanovic hit another low in her slide since winning the French Open two years ago, losing 6-3, 6-0 Thursday to 28th-seeded Alisa Kleybanova in the second round at a rainy Roland Garros.

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Ivanovic eliminated at rainy French Open

Merkel: Iranian nuclear program not transparent

DOHA: German Chancellor Angela Merkel says work on a new round of U.

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Merkel: Iranian nuclear program not transparent

New Security Strategy of Obama Breaks With Bush

President Barack Obama is breaking with the go-it-alone Bush years in a new strategy for keeping the nation safe, counting more on U.

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New Security Strategy of Obama Breaks With Bush

LHC takes suo moto notice of doctors manhandling

LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) Wednesday took suo moto notice of the manhandling of doctors in Muzzaffargarh by guards of MNA-elect Jamshed Dasti .

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LHC takes suo moto notice of doctors manhandling

Shakira dancing since four

LOS ANGELES: Singer/songwriter Shakira has been dancing to Arabic tunes when she was just four years old.

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Shakira dancing since four

Ahmadinejad urges Obama to accept nuke swap deal

KERMAN: Iran’s president is urging Barack Obama to accept a nuclear fuel swap deal, warning the U.

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Ahmadinejad urges Obama to accept nuke swap deal

Afghan election commission chiefs step down

KABUL: The head of Afghanistan”s Independent Election Commission and his number two have stepped down, the government said Wednesday, amid international pressure following last year”s fraud-tainted vote.

“The tenure of the president of the election commission, Dr Azizullah Ludin, has come to an end,” President Hamid Karzai”s spokesman Waheed Omer told a news conference in Kabul.

“Yesterday (Tuesday) he told the president that he did not want to continue in the position any more. It was accepted by the president. ” Chief electoral officer Daoud Ali Najafi also resigned. His resignation was accepted and a new figure will be appointed,” the spokesman said.

Indian fears on Pak aid unaddressed as yet: IAF chief

NEW DELHI: Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal P V Naik Wednesday stressed on the US to take stock of India’s reservations over the US military aid to Pakistan.

The US remained noncommittal Pakistan over the issue, however.

Addressing a press conference after the inauguration of Rajasthan airbase, he said India fears that Pak aid from the US could be utilized against India, adding Indian reservations are hitherto unanswered.

He expressed his unwillingness to use the air force in ongoing anti-Naxal operations, saying the situation has not worsened so much merit military action.

Air Chief Marshal Naik said the State Government and Central security forces are able to handle crisis.

“The state and Central security forces are trained to handle such situations, I don’t think the situation has worsened to the level of ordering a military operation,” Air Chief Marshal Naik said.

“At this level, it is not required. If the state is willing, they can order us at any time, we are ready for that,” he added.

Air Chief Marshal Naik’s reaction came barely 24hours after Naxals killed 76 CRPF in Dantewada.

Air Chief Marshal Naik said the IAF is trained for dangerous attacks and not for limited lethality.

” We are not trained for limited lethality, but for lethal attacks,” he said.

HE said the Naxals are our own people and the military can not be engaged against them.

He also said it is difficult to carry out an aerial surveillance on the Naxals.

Earlier, Army Chief, General V K Singh also expressed his reservations about using the military in anti-Maoist operations.

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