Briefly world

Al-Qaedas No 2,in an audio message issued Sunday,slammed the Turkish government for its support of Israel....

Qaedas Zawahri slams Turkey for Israel support

CAIRO: Al-Qaedas No 2,in an audio message issued Sunday,slammed the Turkish government for its support of Israel. The Arabic language recording from Ayman al-Zawahri called on Turkish people to pressure their government to cut its military and economic ties with Israel. The Turkish government shows sympathy with Palestinians through statements or aid but actually it recognises Israel, he said.

Sri Lanka launches Hambantota port

HAMBANTOTA: Sri Lanka flooded a new port on Sunday,built with Chinese assistance as part of a 6 billion drive to rebuild the nations infrastructure after a quarter century of civil war. The Hambantota port,built at an estimated cost of 1.5 billion on the southern coast,will begin handling ships from November. This is part of making this country an emerging wonder of Asia, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

Bomb threat at Lourdes,pilgrims evacuated

PARIS: Thousands of people were evacuated Sunday from the shrine at Lourdes in France after a bomb threat on the Catholic holy day of Assumption. Pilgrims returned after explosives experts scoured the area. Some 30,000 pilgrims were at the site,whose spring water is reputed to have healing powers,when Lourdes police got the threat.

Jordan peacekeepers kidnapped in Darfur

AMMAN: Jordan says two of its peacekeepers deployed with the joint United Nations-African Union mission were kidnapped in Sudans Darfur region. The mission said the two police advisers were near their home in Nyala in South Darfur early Saturday when they were abducted by three gunmen in a vehicle. The motive is still unclear.

Boyle chooses paramedic for duet

LONDON: Scottish singing sensation Susan Boyle has chosen a paramedic to duet with her for her second album. The Britains Got Talent singer had launched a talent hunt on YouTube,with candidates posting their version of the song Silent Night. Amber Stassi,33,from New York,has won the competition and will perform the song with Boyle for her latest album,reported Mirror online.

Hillary Duff ties the knot

LOS ANGELES: Hollywood beauty Hillary Duff and Mike Comrie are now officially husband and wife. The 22-year-old actress and the Canadian hockey player married Saturday during an intimate ceremony in Santa Barbara,California,reported OK magazine. Dressed in a white mermaid gown by Vera Wang,the Lizzie McGuire star said I do to the 29-year-old,in front of family and friends.