Washington, Feb 9: Pakistan is the most urgent foreign policy challenge for the Obama Administration, according to a study carried out by the US Central Command.

The Centcom, which is directly responsible for all American military activities in the Afghan-Pakistan region, is expected to submit the report to President Barack Obama in a few days.

The Obama Administration is conducting a high-level strategic review of the war in Afghanistan, and says it will unveil the results before NATO holds a 60th anniversary summit in early April, The Dawn reported.

Dhaka  - The United States wants to help Bangladesh protect mineral-rich waters it claims in the Bay of Bengal through maritime patrolling, a senior US official said Sunday.

"I think there is some interest in maritime patrols to protect your sea areas better. There are some areas where we can help ...," Richard A Boucher, the US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, told a press conference.

Wrapping up a two-day visit to Bangladesh, the US official said the modalities of the proposed cooperation in maritime patrols depends on Bangladesh's requirements and US ability to meet them.

Munich  - Russia's deputy premier said on Sunday that he was "cautiously optimistic" on relations with the US after talks with US Vice President Joe Biden in Munich - the highest-level meeting yet between a Russian official and the new US administration.

"We are cautiously optimistic but let's wait and see. We need to be realistic, (US President Barack) Obama's administration has been in power for a very limited time," Sergei Ivanov said at the end of the prestigious Munich Security Conference.

Kabul  - A bomb detonated by Taliban militants in southern Afghanistan killed four people including two American nationals on Sunday, police said.

Afghan police forces found a roadside bomb device in Nad Ali district of southern Helmand province and called the US military advisors in area to defuse it, Kamal Khan, deputy provincial police chief said.

"When the advisors and district police chief arrived at the scene, the bomb was remotely detonated, killing two US citizens, their interpreter and one Afghan policeman," Khan said.

Washington, Feb 08 : Buying life experiences - such as going for vacations or going to the theatre - rather than material possessions leads to greater happiness for both the consumer and those around them, according to new study.

The study, conducted by researchers at San Francisco State University, has shown that experiential purchases result in increased well-being because they satisfy higher order needs, specifically the need for social connectedness and vitality - a feeling of being alive.

Islamabad, Feb. 8 : United States Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, will be arriving here on Monday on his maiden visit after being appointed Barack Obama's special envoy to the region.

During his four day mission, Holbrooke is expected to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and other top leaders.

Holbrooke's visit is being considered important as it might influence a change in Washington's strategies with regard to Afghanistan and Pakistan.