Ramallah, June 27: Palestinian women are speeding into the record books by competing in the first all-female car racing team the Speed Sisters.
Along the way, they’re crashing through another gender barrier in this conservative Muslim society. The eight women have entered a popular race called ‘Speed Test.’ Souped-up cars race around a track, weaving their way around obstacles and spinning circles around others.
Toronto, June 27: The US agreed Saturday that it would take command of South Korean forces in the case of an outbreak of war until at least 2015, a nod to growing tensions on the Korean peninsula.
The decision came during a meeting between US President Barack Obama and South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak on the sidelines of a summit of the Group of 20 (G20) nations in Toronto.
Obama said that North Korea had to be held accountable for its alleged sinking of a South Korean vessel in March, which prompted South Korea to cut all rapprochement talks with its northern neighbour.
Sanaa, June 27: Two Pakistanis were sentenced to death by a Yemeni court Saturday after being convicted of drug trafficking, state media reported.
“Salim Dawod Abdulrahim and Imam Bakhsh Eyepub Yakoub received death penalty after the court convicted them of smuggling 1,695 kg of hashish into Yemen through its coastal territories,” official Saba news agency cited the court’s verdict as saying.
Huntsville, June 27: The leaders of the world’s eight most powerful developed states turned the screw on North Korea, Iran and Israel Saturday as they concluded a two-day meeting in Canada.
The Group of Eight (G8) includes four of the five veto-holders on the United Nations Security Council and the world’s most powerful military states, making it a key commentator on security issues.
Islamabad, June 27: To its detractors, the Al-Huda chain of Islamic schools across Pakistan is a driver of conservative Islam, especially among the secular elite. But to the thousands who attend its classes across the country, it is a blessing.
Take Mariam Afzal, who says she was once so selfish she would take up two spots in a parking lot without a second thought. Back then, she knew little about Islam beyond the basic rituals. A decade later, the 30-year-old credits Al-Huda with turning her into the veil-wearing Quran teacher she is today.
Paris, June 27: A demonstration has been held by the anti-Iranian terrorist group Mojahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) calling for stiffer sanctions to be imposed on Tehran over its nuclear program.
Former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar and former US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton delivered speeches at the gathering in the suburb of Taverny outside Paris on Saturday.
The two pro-Israeli figures called for tougher action against Iran over its nuclear program.
New Delhi, June 27: Opposition parties hit the streets in many States on Saturday, enforcing strikes in Kerala, Orissa and West Bengal, in protest against the Centre’s decision to hike fuel prices and warned of more agitation unless there was a rollback.
Protests were also staged in Andhra Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh among other States. In Mumbai, senior BJP leader Gopinath Munde led an agitation of party workers. The BJP also staged protests in Jammu and Kashmir and Chandigarh.
London, June 27: The war in Afghanistan is a “mission impossible” and Britain and other NATO allies should heavily reduce their presence next summer or risk a Vietnam-style defeat, a new Conservative MP Rory Stewart said on Saturday.
Toronto, June 27: US President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Saturday that the troubled Afghanistan war must show progress this year.
The two leaders, concluding their first meeting since the conservative British leader took power last month with a coalition government, said their nations have the right strategy in Afghanistan.
“This period that we are in is going to be critical,” Obama said.
“Making progress this year, putting everything we have into getting it right this year is vitally important,” Cameron said.
Islamabad, June 27: The premier agencies of Pakistan and India the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will interact with each other on terrorism and the Mumbai attacks.
This was stated by Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rehman Malik in the presence of Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram here on Saturday.
The announcement came hours after both ministers addressed separate press conferences, where they offered hope of some forward movement in India-Pakistan ties, without getting into specifics.
“Not questioning intentions”
Chennai, June 27: Most law graduates remember the case distinctly. In 1954, K. Balavendram vs. S. Harry, the Madras High Court declared the husband impotent on the ground that his abnormally large sex organ rendered sexual intercourse impracticable.
More than five decades later, the long arm of the law is still creating bedlam in the bedroom. Some legislations have an impact on conduct between the sheets.
Hyderabad, June 27: Senior BJP leader Bandaru Dattatreya has demanded that chief minister K Rosaiah convene a review meeting on the irregularities that are taking place in Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
Chittor, June 27: In a shocking incident, a 35-year-old farm worker committed suicide after killing his two daughters at Kuppam today.
K Venkatesh used to quarrel with his wife Lakshmi (27) frequently for giving birth to two daughters Pavitra (9) and Shanta (3).
Following a quarrel with his wife on Wednesday night, Venkatesh hit Lakshmi with a pestle resulting in her instantaneous death. Later, he fled by taking his two daughters with him.
Hyderabad, June 27: Communist Party of India state secretary K Narayana has prophesied that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi would retain majority of the seats in the byelections to the Assembly. It would not be a clean sweep for the TRS, nor the result would have any bearing on the formation of Telangana state, he said.
Speaking to press persons here today, he said the CPI would not contest the elections as its results would have no impact in the state, he said.
United Nations, June 27: Fighting drug abuse, trafficking and other social evils must be parts of the battle against poverty, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has said.
“Our work to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and fight drugs must go hand-in-hand. In seeking to eradicate illicit crops, we must also work to wipe out poverty,” Ban said in his message on the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
New Delhi, June 27: Security agencies probing the Samjhauta Express blast case of 2007 have gathered evidence that points a strong finger of suspicion at Abhinav Bharat, a Hindu right wing extremist organisation said to be having strong connections with the RSS.
Sixty-eight passengers, mostly Pakistani citizens on their way back home, were killed in the Samjhauta Express blasts around midnight on February 18, 2007, near Panipat in Haryana.
Toronto, June 27: The Group of Eight rich nations focused on recovery from a global economic crisis in their two-day summit but made note of other thorny issues in their final statement issued Saturday.
In it, they singled out Iran and North Korea for criticism.
G8 leaders condemned North Korea’s communist government for its alleged role in the March 26 sinking of the South Korean navy ship Cheonan that killed 46 sailors.
“Such an incident is a challenge to peace and security in the region and beyond,” the G8 final communique said.
Islamabad, June 27: Pakistan has virtually ruled out barring Jamaat-ud Dawah chief Hafiz Sayeed, mastermind of Mumbai terror attack of 2008, from giving inflammatory speeches targetting India .
Srikakulam, June 27: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah today unveiled the Statue of Former Chief Minister Late Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy in the Seven Roads Junctions in the Main town.
Speaking after the inveiling of the statue here, He said the Congress and Dr Reddy implmented all the welfare schemes.
Hyderabad, June 27: Police foiled the indefinite hunger strike by Backward Classes leader R. Krishnaiah who began his protest earlier in the day on Friday demanding release of funds for fee reimbursement scheme and scholarships by the State government.
He was forcibly lifted by the police, along with his supporters, and admitted to Gandhi Hospital, but the BC leader vowed to continue his fast. Minutes before police swooped down on the camp, a medical check-up was conducted on him by Dr. S. Manohar of Osmania General Hospital.
Sanaa, June 27: : A private flight from Dubai, with more than 100 passengers on board, landed safely in a Yemeni province despite bursting a tyre, airport officials said.
The incident happened when the Dubai-Al Rayyan-Barbara flight landed at the Al Rayyan International Airport in Hadramout province for refuelling.
All the 112 passengers and the six crew members were unharmed, the officials added.
——–Agencies
Mumbai, June 27: “Main kunwara kab tak baithu, meri shaadi karvao, meri shaadi karvao”. So went the popular song in the movie ‘Jis Des Mein Ganga Rehta Hai’, where Govinda is asking people to find out a suitable match (bride) for him.
Well, the motormouth stripper Rakhi Sawant is perhaps singing the similar song as she is said to be tired of her single status.
News is that the drama queen is dying to tie the nuptial knot and wants to settle down.
Rakhi wants to go the swayamvar way again.
Mumbai, June 27: All of a sudden, movies starring Kangna Ranaut would be arriving in a heap. First to come would be ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI. This would be followed by KNOCK OUT, NO PROBLEM and then GAME. Meanwhile, another film of hers, TANU WEDS MANU, would also arrive in the interim, hence making it five films starring Kangna in a matter of six months.
Considering the fact that most of her earlier roles have featured her as a character with slight or major psychotic disturbances, it is heartening to see variety of roles being played by the pretty girl.
Mumbai, June 27: Promos of two films starring Sonam Kapoor, I HATE LUV STORYS and AISHA, are currently on air. What is pretty much visible in the fact that there is a new Sonam one sees in both the films, especially when compared to her earlier two efforts – SAAWARIYA and DELHI 6. So in a way, is it an altogether new beginning for Sonam, especially so since she is seemingly a different route for her newer films?
London, June 27: “Harry Potter” actress Emma Watson was spotted with former model George Craig at a music festival – fuelling rumours that the two are a couple.
The two were seen at the Glastonbury music festival, reports contactmusic.com.
Watson was seen spending time with Craig, who also fronts rock band One Night Only, at the iconic music event.
Emma admits she is enjoying the festival, especially after having wrapped up shooting for the final instalment of the “Harry Potter” series.