Queen Elizabeth’s secret teenage crush revealed in 1945 letter

A letter from 1945, which was written by Queen Elizabeth, at the tender age of 19, to her cousin Diana Bowes-Lyon, has revealed the fact that she had a bit of a crush on one of Royal family’s security officers.

According to a UK publication, the letter showed her excitement to share her feelings about good-looking men and parties, the Courier Mail reported.

She addressed the note to her ‘darling’ Bowes-Lyon and said that a devastatingly attractive young giant, called Roddy Macleod, with fair hair and blue eyes, had fallen from the sky.

Drunk Dominican man passes out only to wake up to missing penis

A man from Dominican Republic got the shock of his life when he passed out after a night of heavy drinking and woke up without his penis.

Although Geraldo Ramos told a local TV station Noticias Sin, that he has no clue where his penis went, his neighbors alleged that a dog attacked Ramos, while he was out of it, the Huffington Post reported.

But, 45-year-old Ramos claimed that he had no memory of the dog and that the suspected dog has not been found. (ANI)

State Department clarifies no timeline set for ending drone strikes in Pak

Though the United States and Pakistan have agreed to re-establish a “full partnership” in the hope of ending years of acrimony over American drone strikes on Pakistani soil, the State Department has, however, said there is no exact timeline set for stopping such attacks.

State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said Washington has achieved significant progress against al Qaeda by using drones as counter-terrorism tools, but added that their use will be reduced according to the situation prevailing and evolving in Pakistan.

One in 10 Brits need booze to get in mood for sex

One in 10 Brits have admitted that they need a drink before they get between the sheets for sex, a new survey has revealed.

Two thirds of the adults, who said that they need a stiff drink before they get between the sheets for sex, admitted that they just cannot perform when they are sober, the Daily Star reported.

The poll conducted by UKMedix.com found that only 11 percent of Brits last had sex without having a drink first over the past half year.

Centre not in favour of giving ‘super powers’ to CBI

The Central Government has rejected most demands of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for making it an autonomous investigation agency.

The government has contended that the “authority without accountability will be draconian,” particularly for the CBI which had the power to arrest, seize and raid like the police, besides keeping the accused in confinement.

U.S. issues global travel alert for August amid perceived al-Qaeda threat

The U.S. Department of State has issued a global travel alert, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, amid a perceived al-Qaeda threat of conducting attacks in the period between now and end of August.

According to the BBC, the State Department has recommended to U.S. citizens abroad to be vigilant about using public transportation systems and other tourist facilities.

The alert comes after the U.S. announced the closure of 14 American embassies in the Middle East and North Africa on Sunday.

Germany cancels ‘intelligence sharing’ pact with US and Britain post Snowden revelations

The German government has reportedly ended its Cold War-era pact for sharing intelligence, dated 1968-69, with the US and Britain after revelations about their secret surveillance programs by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden.

According to the BBC, Snowden’s revelations about the secret snoop-op involving the transatlantic allies prompted Germany to take the decision.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said that the cancellation of the administrative agreements is a necessary and proper consequence of the recent debate about protecting personal privacy.

Meet the man who experiences orgasms hearing James Bond movie theme

A Canadian man has revealed that he experiences orgasmic sensations every time he hears the 007 theme music, according to reports.

The 45-year-old stroke patient suffers from the neurological condition of synesthesia- where he perceives some senses as others, the New York Daily News reported.

The Toronto based man told the National Post that he can taste and feel colours, but in the case of the James Bond song, he experiences heightened sexual sensations.

World’s first flying bicycle does 25mph 4000 feet above ground

A pair of designers and aviation enthusiasts have built what they call the ‘world’s first flying bicycle.’

The bike, which as been named as ‘the XploreAir Paravelo’ by the designers, is an ordinary two-wheeled bike- with off-the-shelf handlebars, a seat and brakes – with a trailer attachment containing a parachute and a turbofan, Fox News reported.

It works as any ordinary one would until you unfurl the chute, which is called as wings by its creators, and power up the fan.

How to motivate employees to get up and moving

A new study suggests that efforts to encourage employees to increase physical activity become most effective when they incorporate tools such as pedometers, email reminders, helpful websites and related electronic health information.

The review also finds benefits for interventions that alter the social and physical environment to support greater physical activity, such as the use of prominent signs to encourage people to use the stairs.

Snowden offered job by ‘Russian Facebook’

NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden has been reportedly offered a job at Russia’s most popular social networking site VKontakte (VK) soon after he was granted a temporary asylum by the government.

VK co-founder Pavel Durov praised Snowden for ‘exposing the crimes of American security services against the world”s citizens’ and invited him to join the dream team of VK programmers, News24 reports.

Durov is often compared with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg due to his young age and extravagant statements.

LinkedIn revenue soars 59% in Q2 following spurt in membership

Social networking site for working professionals, LinkedIn reportedly saw a rise in its revenue as a result of robust membership growth.

According to the New York Daily News, LinkedIn exceeded market expectations with second-quarter revenue rising to 59 percent and its shares rose 7 percent to record levels and the company also raised its full-year guidance.

The site in a bid to attract more traffic has found its way through sponsored ads with the mobile-friendly format of the site’s update stream predicting for a new revenue source for the company.

Snowden misses girlfriend amidst outpouring of love from Russian girls

Shortly after being granted temporary asylum, NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden has been receiving overwhelming requests for jobs, interviews and love.

According to the New York Daily News, Snowden’s lawyer Anatoly Kucherena said that the soft-spoken, mild-mannered whistleblower has become an object of intense fascination for the Russian media.

Kucherena said that queries don’t limit to jobs and interviews and even Russian girls call for him but Snowden said that he still misses his girlfriend.

How FBI uses hacking to snoop on you

By now people are aware of their respective government’s surveillance programs to tackle terrorism, but sources have now thrown light on the capabilities of US’ federal agencies which can turn even the most personal of devices into a governmental tool for snooping.

According to the Fox News, sources have revealed that the federal agents use hacking tools including spyware delivered to computers and phones through email or Web links-techniques more commonly associated with attacks by criminals.

Akram claims Pakistan could beat India in 2015 Cricket World Cup

Former Pakistan pace bowler Wasim Akram has said that although it was still a long way for the 2015 Cricket World Cup, Pakistan could beat India this time.

According to pakpassion.net, Akram said that the Indians had moved ahead of Pakistan as far as cricket was concerned and they were organising more tours around the world for all of their teams at all levels, adding that everyone wanted to play against India at home or in India. The former player said that the Indian Premier League has been a major boost for the country”s cricket and their players.

9 Afghans die in suicide bombing near Indian consulate

At least nine Afghans, including children, were killed and 24 wounded Saturday when a suicide bomber blew up a car loaded with explosives near the Indian consulate in Afghanistan’s Jalalabad city, police said. The mission staff was unhurt.

“Nine civilians were killed in the coordinated suicide attack in the 3rd police district near the Indian consulate in Jalalabad at around 10 a.m. Saturday,” the Nangarhar provincial government said in a statement. The three attackers were also killed.

SRK, Vijay, Pawan Kalyan to lock horns

Come Aug 9 and three superstars – Shah Rukh Khan, Vijay and Pawan Kalyan – from the Hindi, Tamil and Telugu film worlds – are set to battle it out at the southern box office. The outcome is likely to be phenomenal, say industry experts.

Shah Rukh-starrer “Chennai Express”, which has a heavy southern flavour, Vijay’s Tamil political drama “Thalaivaa” and Pawan Kalyan’s Telugu family drama “Attarintiki Daaredhi” are releasing on the same day.

Goodbye friendship bands, welcome e-gifts!

Remember how Friendship Day became a fad after “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” released in 1998? The Shah Rukh Khan-starrer not only popularised it but also made colourful friendship bands the rage. But 13 years later, impressive e-gifting options have taken over, say trade experts.

Friendship Day falls on the first Sunday of August every year and this year on Aug 4.

Mishra stars in India’s maiden 5-0 series win away from home

India today created history by recording their first-ever five-match ODI series whitewash on foreign soil as they thrashed Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the fifth and final cricket one-dayer, riding on leg-spinner Amit Mishra’s career-best six wicket haul.

Mishra’s fine effort of 6 for 48 saw India bowl out Zimbabwe for a paltry 163 in 39.5 overs after opting to bowl and the visitors then chased down the small target comfortably with 16 overs to spare at Queens Sports Club here.

Ensure Durga Shakti is not unfairly treated: Sonia to PM

The suspension of a UP IAS woman officer, who took on the powerful sand mafia, kicked up a political storm today with Sonia Gandhi coming out in her support, saying she should not be penalised for standing up against “vested interests”, evoking a sharp retort from Mulayam Singh Yadav’s ruling Samajwadi Party.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Gandhi said there is widespread concern that the suspended officer Durga Shakti Nagpal in the course of her public duties was seen to be standing up against vested interests engaging in illegal activity.

BJP should name PM only after polls: Jaswant Singh

Senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh today joined the voices within the party who are not in favour of naming Narendra Modi as its prime ministerial candidate ahead of the elections, saying India does not have a presidential system of democracy.

He said naming of prime ministerial candidate ahead of the polls was a “new phenomena” but a name would emerge on the numbers that the country throws up after polls.

Bifurcation: Seemandhra continues to simmer with protests

Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions continued to simmer for the fourth day today with protests against Congress’s decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh and creating Telangana state.

Students and government employees gathered in large numbers on roads in most of the cities in the two regions, including Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Tirupati.

Protests and demonstrations were also reported from Chittor, Kadapa, Anantapur, East and West Godavari, Guntur and Krishna districts.

State-run APSRTC has suspended its bus services in these regions in view of the agitation.

India says won’t be deterred by Jalalabad attack

Hit by yet another suicide bomb attack on its mission in Jalalabad, India today said “terror machines” that operate from “beyond the borders” was the main threat to the security of Afghanistan and refused to be deterred from its commitment to assist the war-torn country.

At least 12 people were killed in the deadly attack targeting the Indian Consulate in Jalalabad city, bordering Pakistan, in the backdrop of reports that the ISI-backed Haqqani network among others were again plotting to attack Indian interests in Afghanistan.

Seemandhra employees in secretariat boycott work

Tension prevailed at the Andhra Pradesh state secretariat here Saturday as the employees from Rayalaseema and Andhra regions boycotted their work and staged protests against the decision of the central government to carve out separate Telangana state.

After staging protests during lunch-hour for last three days, the employees Saturday boycotted their work and took out a rally. They staged a sit-in in front of chief minister’s office, demanding resignation of all ministers, MPs and state legislators from Seemandhra (Rayalaseema and Andhra).

Sonia pitches for suspended IAS officer

Congress president Sonia Gandhi has asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to ensure fair treatment for IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal, who has been suspended by the Uttar Pradesh government, and stressed need for safeguards to protect officials “working to uphold rule of law”.

“We must ensure that the officer is not unfairly treated,” Gandhi wrote in her letter to the prime minister, suggesting it be ensured the officer was not unduly harassed by the state government.