United States

US military aid linked to “conditionalities” not in either country’s interest: Haqqani

US military aid linked to “conditionalities” not in either country’s interest: HaqqaniLondon, Feb.7: The United States’ military aid to Pakistan should not be dependant on “conditionalities”, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Hussain Haqqani has said.

Haqqani said the aid being provided to Pakistan by Washington should not be accompanied by any terms and conditions.

"Assistance that is conditional is never good,” The News quoted Haqqani, as telling a UK newspaper.

Pakistan, Iran, Israel among the most negatively viewed countries, finds global survey

BBC WorldLondon, Feb. 6  Global public perceptions of Pakistan's influence has been rated among the most negative along with Iran and Israel, according to BBC World Service radio's annual poll of 21 countries.

Eighteen countries had mainly negative views of Pakistan''s influence according to the survey, almost all of which was conducted just after the attacks on Mumbai, widely believed to have been carried out by Pakistani-based guerrillas.

The survey, which questioned some 13,500 respondents in 21 countries around the world, found that perceptions of Iran and Israel''s influence also became considerably more negative this year, the Daily Times reported.

Obama considering 16 to 23-months Iraq withdrawal plan

Obama considering 16 to 23-months Iraq withdrawal planWashington, Feb 7: The Obama Administration is weighing three different military options for withdrawing troops from Iraq, including the possibility of breaking Barcak Obama's campaign pledge of a pullout within 16 months, a senior US official has said.

One of the options is along the lines of Obama'''s campaign pledge of 16 months, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff have drawn up what that would entail, FOX News reported.

Jennifer Hudson will sing surprise duet at Grammy party

Jennifer HudsonWashington, Feb 7 : American actress Jennifer Hudson is set to perform a "surprise duet" at a Grammy party honouring music exec Clive Davis on February 7 in Los Angeles.

Hudson, 27, had sung at the Super Bowl on February 1, and Davis revealed that she will be performing a surprise duet "that people won''t see elsewhere."

Celtics get second wind, blow past Knicks

NBALos Angeles - Emotionally drained and physically fatigued, the Boston Celtics got their second wind and blew past their opponents.

Paul Pierce scored 26 points, Ray Allen added 22 and the defending NBA Champion Celtics pulled away for a 110-100 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday night.

"It was a big win," Pierce said. "I thought we were mentally and physically drained coming into this game, especially after the tough loss. It took us a while, but this team continues to find ways to win."

American Idol’s ‘Bikini Girl’ receives ‘Playboy offer’

Katrina DarrellWashington, Feb 7 : American Idol contender Katrina Darrell also known as `Bikini Girl' has revealed after she was ousted from the show that she has been contacted by Playboy.

Darrell further stated that she has been receiving offers from other places too, with the men's magazine being one of them to show an interest in her after her departure from the show on February 4.

"[I've had] a lot of different offers like Vegas promotion offers. Of course Playboy has called," the NBC quoted her as telling Access Hollywood's Tony Potts on February 5.

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