Obama to nominate Jeh Johnson as new Homeland Security chief

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama will on Friday nominate Jeh Johnson, formerly the Pentagon's top lawyer, to lead the Department of Homeland Security, an official said.

Johnson, who will succeed Janet Napolitano who left earlier this year, was in his previous job responsible for a prior legal review of every military operation ordered by the president or the secretary of defense.

"The President is selecting Johnson because he is one the most highly qualified and respected national security leaders, having served as the senior lawyer for the largest government agency in the world," a US official said.

Johnson was also part of a review team behind the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" prohibition on gays serving openly in the military, earlier in the Obama administration.

Johnson was also involved in legal decisions surrounding the US drone program that has targeted terror suspects, and other key military operations.

The Homeland Security Department was set up after the September 11 attacks in 2001, and is responsible for counter-terror operations and protection on US soil.

It also oversees border enforcement, agencies including the Secret Service and works to combat natural disasters such as hurricanes.
Johnson served as the Defense Department's general counsel during Obama's first term.

His nomination must be confirmed by the Senate.


Johnson was also part of a review team behind the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" prohibition on gays serving openly in the military, earlier in the Obama administration.

Johnson was also involved in legal decisions surrounding the US drone program that has targeted terror suspects, and other key military operations.

The Homeland Security Department was set up after the September 11 attacks in 2001, and is responsible for counter-terror operations and protection on US soil.

It also oversees border enforcement, agencies including the Secret Service and works to combat natural disasters such as hurricanes.
Johnson served as the Defense Department's general counsel during Obama's first term.

His nomination must be confirmed by the Senate.

(AFP)

PIA starts post hajj operation today

LAHORE: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)will start its Haj operation from Saudi Arabia today (Saturday).

According to a PIA spokesperson, during the month long operation, the national flag carrier would bring back 67,000 Haj pilgrims, who were airlifted to Saudi Arabia via 149 flights.

The operation would conclude on November19, he added.


The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)will start its Haj operation from Saudi Arabia today (Saturday).

According to a PIA spokesperson, during the month long operation, the national flag carrier would bring back 67,000 Haj pilgrims, who were airlifted to Saudi Arabia via 149 flights.

The operation would conclude on November19, he added.

Germany closed Kabul embassy over security fears

BERLIN (AP)  - German officials say the country has temporarily closed its embassy in the Afghan capital due to fears of a possible attack.

Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere said Friday there were indications of plans for an attack and that "precautionary measures are being taken," the news agency dpa reported. He didn t give details.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer said the embassy in Kabul is currently closed but he couldn t go into greater detail "for security reasons." It wasn t immediately clear when the embassy would reopen for business.

Germany is one of the biggest contributors to the international security force in Afghanistan. It currently has some 3,860 soldiers there, stationed largely in the north of the country.

German officials say the country has temporarily closed its embassy in the Afghan capital due to fears of a possible attack.

Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere said Friday there were indications of plans for an attack and that "precautionary measures are being taken," the news agency dpa reported. He didn t give details.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer said the embassy in Kabul is currently closed but he couldn t go into greater detail "for security reasons." It wasn t immediately clear when the embassy would reopen for business.

Germany is one of the biggest contributors to the international security force in Afghanistan. It currently has some 3,860 soldiers there, stationed largely in the north of the country.

Archeologists discover pre-Christian religious monument

STOCKHOLM (AFP) - Swedish archaeologists said Friday they have discovered the country s largest Iron Age monument in Old Uppsala, a pre-Christian religious site in central Sweden.

The remains of two rows of wooden pillars appeared as researchers dug before the construction of a new railway line.

Lena Borenius-Joerpeland, archaeologist at the Swedish National Heritage Board, said the monument, found about 200 metres (660 feet) from an important Iron Age burial site, is likely to be from the 5th century.

The larger row stretches about one kilometre (0.6 miles), with 144 pillars, and the shorter one is at least half as long.

"We believe the pillars were high, maybe even up to 8 or 10 metres (26 to 32 feet)," said Borenius-Joerpeland.

"They were visible from a long distance and might have flanked the access to Old Uppsala."

Only some wooden remains of the pillars and the holes they were inserted in are left today.

The researchers have found horse, cow and pig bones in the postholes, which indicates animal sacrifices took place there.

Who built the monument and to what purpose remains unclear however.

"It could be a territorial mark or a religious demarcation," Borenius-Joerpeland said.

During the Iron Age, Old Uppsala was a major centre for trade, religion, handicraft and justice administration.

Swedish archaeologists said Friday they have discovered the country s largest Iron Age monument in Old Uppsala, a pre-Christian religious site in central Sweden.

The remains of two rows of wooden pillars appeared as researchers dug before the construction of a new railway line.

Lena Borenius-Joerpeland, archaeologist at the Swedish National Heritage Board, said the monument, found about 200 metres (660 feet) from an important Iron Age burial site, is likely to be from the 5th century.

The larger row stretches about one kilometre (0.6 miles), with 144 pillars, and the shorter one is at least half as long.

"We believe the pillars were high, maybe even up to 8 or 10 metres (26 to 32 feet)," said Borenius-Joerpeland.

"They were visible from a long distance and might have flanked the access to Old Uppsala."

Only some wooden remains of the pillars and the holes they were inserted in are left today.

The researchers have found horse, cow and pig bones in the postholes, which indicates animal sacrifices took place there.

Who built the monument and to what purpose remains unclear however.

"It could be a territorial mark or a religious demarcation," Borenius-Joerpeland said.

During the Iron Age, Old Uppsala was a major centre for trade, religion, handicraft and justice administration.