US Senator to freeze promotions in defence dept.

US Senator Jim Webb is threatening to freeze high level US defence department promotions and hiring in a dispute over plans to close a military command in his state.
Sen. Jim Webb, a Democrat, says he can not get answers about the planned closing despite weeks of asking. Webb wrote to Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Monday, saying he would impose a Senate hold, or freeze, on new nominations until he gets the information. The Senate must approve top civilian and military promotions. Webb opposes plans to close the Joint Forces Command, based around Norfolk. The Pentagon has ordered the closure as part of a cost-cutting plan.

Last US combat brigade exits Iraq

BAGHDAD: The last US combat brigade pulled out of Iraq at dawn on Thursday, a key milestone in the withdrawal of American forces more than seven years after the US-led invasion ousted dictator Saddam Hussein.

Under the cover of dark, the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, crossed the border into neighbouring Kuwait ahead of the planned declaration of an end to US combat operations in Iraq by an August 31 deadline.

The pullout came two days after a suicide bomber killed 59 people at a Baghdad army recruitment centre in Iraq’s deadliest attack this year, sparking concern the country’s forces are incapable of handling security on their own.

“Yes, they did,” Lieutenant Colonel Eric Bloom told AFP, when asked if the 4th Stryker Brigade had crossed into Kuwait. “The last one crossed at about 6:00 am this morning.”

“They have a few more days to

Imran warns of protest if Zardari visits UK

LAHORE: Chairman Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan Sunday warned that a strong protest would be staged in case President Zardari went ahead with his scheduled visit to the UK.

Addressing his party’s worker convention here, Imran Khan pointed out that the whole country is in the grip of worst floods that unleashed widespread devastation. In view of these circumstances, President Zardari should suspend his planned visit to the UK, he asserted.

He said people are dying due to severe floods, needing government’s help, but the ruler’s focus is on the proxy war of the US.

Imran Khan demanded of the country’s politicians to bring in light the details of their properties outside the country.

Larry King and wife file to dismiss divorce

NEW YORK: Broadcaster Larry King and his seventh wife have filed legal papers withdrawing their planned divorce, King’s spokesman said on Thursday.

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Larry King and wife file to dismiss divorce

40,000 may be evacuated in southern Philippine floods

MANILA: Up to 40,000 people may be forcibly evacuated after torrential rains caused heavy flooding in the southern Philippines, an official said Tuesday.

Ten villages in the town of Sultan Kudarat on southern Mindanao island were under waist-deep waters after a river overflowed its banks due to rains that began on Friday, local social welfare department head Pombaen Kadir said.

“We are preparing to evacuate them,” Kadir told media.

“They still do not want to leave their homes which are now under waist-deep water, but we may force them to leave once the situation deteriorates.”

She said the main highway that cuts through the affected areas had been rendered impassable to light vehicles.

Army troops in the area have also dispatched trucks to help in the planned evacuation efforts, she said.

Director quits Hobbit film over production delay

WELLINGTON: Hollywood director Guillermo del Toro said Monday that production delays have forced him to quit the planned film version of J.

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Director quits Hobbit film over production delay

Gilani, Manmohan to meet on Thursday

THIMPHU: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani is to meet his Indian counterpart Dr. Manmohan Singh on Thursday on the sidelines of 16th SAARC Summit here, Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said Wednesday.

Basit while talking to newsmen confirmed the meeting saying that both the leaders will meet on Thursday afternoon.

He said although the agenda for the meeting has not been finalized but, the two leaders will discuss bilateral issues, and other related subjects of resumption of bilateral talks between the two countries as Pakistan always said it is ready for result oriented talks with India.

The spokesman said the venue of the meeting has not yet been decided but diplomatic sources said the meeting will be held at Bhutan House, where Prime Minister of Bhutan is residing in connection with the 16th SAARC Summit.

Both the Prime Ministers met at Sharm el Sheikh where they had one-on-one and delegation level talks and vowed to continue the dialogue process to resolve all outstanding issues including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

Fazal wants revival of MMA alliance

KARACHI: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has urged the need to regroup the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) by learning a lesson from the past mistakes.

“Dr. Aafia Siddiqi’s return is a question of nation’s honor,” he told newsmen after meeting Dr. Ismat Siddiqi, the mother of detained neuroscientist, at her residence in Karachi.

The government, he said, has not yet taken a bold stop for the release of Dr. Siddiqi from the US detention.

Rehman told that a meeting of the MMA was being called on May 6 for evaluating past mistakes.

To a question, the JUI-F chief questioned the government’s reluctance to accept Iran and China’s offer to supply cheap electricity.

Gilani, Manmohan have informal chat

THIMPHU: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh have exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes ahead of their planned meeting on Thursday afternoon on the sidelines of SAARC summit here.

Speaking to Geo, Foreign Office spokesman confirmed that two prime ministers had an informal chat during the summit. However, he said that a formal meeting would take place on Thursday.

The spokesman said there is no fix agenda for Thursday’s meeting. But resumption of composite dialogue process will be Pakistan’s priority in the meeting, he said.

PML-N workers stage rally to support Shoania wedding

MULTAN: The activists of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) held a demonstration at the Multan Press Club in a show of support for Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik and Indian tennis star Sania Mirza ahead of their planned marriage on April 15.

The demonstrators said that love would finally prevail no matter what the enemies did. They were chanting slogans of “Welcome Welcome Sania, Shoaib welcome”

They were of the view that Sania would be the daughter-in-law of entire Pakistan after her marriage with Shoaib.

In addition, the protestors slammed the registration of an FIR against Shoaib and seizing of his passport.

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