Halle Berry ends pregnancy rumours with sexy look on TV

Washington, Sep 18 (ANI): Putting all speculations about her pregnancy to rest, Halle Berry appeared with a sexy look on TV in America on Thursday.

The ‘Monster’s Ball’ star arrived on The Jay Leno Show wearing a revealing black mini-dress and thigh-length boots.

And the 43-year-old actress was hoping that the outfit would be enough to end speculation she’s expecting a second child.

Talking to host Leno, Berry said that the pregnancy talk is beginning to give her a “complex”.

“I was like, ‘I gotta stop with the burgers, or something,’” Contactmusic quoted her as saying. (ANI)

Calvin Harris knocks MJ off the top spot in UK album chart

London, Aug 25 (ANI): Late King of Pop Michael Jackson has finally been knocked from the top of the UK album chart.

Calvin Harris has leapt straight to the top of the UK album chart with new release ‘Ready For The Weekend, knocking Jackson’s album ‘The Essential’ from the perch, where it had been for seven weeks, reports the BBC.

Meanwhile, French DJ David Guetta has hit the top spot in the UK singles chart – his new track with Akon has shot to number one.

Guetta’s latest collaboration, ‘Sexy Bitch’, has reached the highest position.

The Black Eyed Peas were knocked to number two with ‘I Gotta Feeling’, while British rapper Tinchy Stryder’s duet with Sugababe star Amelle Berrabah, ‘Never Leave You’, is at number three.

Scottish DJ Calvin Harris is at number four with ‘Ready for the Weekend’, while Beyonce’s ‘Sweet Dreams’ rounds out the top five.

The top five in the UK singles chart are:

1. Sexy Chick – David Guetta featuring Akon

2. Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling

3. Tinchy Stryder – Never Leave You

4. Calvin Harris – Ready for the Weekend

5. Beyonce – Sweet Dreams (ANI)

Black Eyed Peas break US chart record

London, Aug 21 (ANI): American hip-hop group the Black Eyed Peas have broken a US chart record by notching up 20 weeks on top of the singles countdown.

The band’s song ‘I Gotta Feeling’ has claimed an eighth week at number one, following 12 weeks at pole position with ‘Boom Boom Pow’.

The record beats Usher, who held the number one spot for 19 weeks in 2004 with Yeah! and Burn.

“It is amazing to know that these songs have connected with so many people,” the BBC quoted Black Eyed Peas frontwoman Fergie as saying.

She also added that it was what had “kept them alive for so long”.

“With this kind of success your ego wants to take all the credit,” fellow Black Eyed Peas member Will.i.am said.

“But your heart reminds your soul that it was your heart that had you slaving and creating in the studio making the music.

“In the fight between heart and ego my heart always wins,” he added. (ANI)

Peter Andre recorded song about crumbling marriage months ago

London, May 13 (ANI): It seems singer Peter Andre knew that his marriage to Jordan was heading for a splitsville, as he had recorded a song titled ‘Call Me a Doctor’ about his crumbling marriage six months ago.

Peter revealed his grief in the song by hinting that it’s difficult for him to let go his marriage, but he has been forced to do so.

According to the Mirror, the lyrics of the song are: “This girl was all I needed.

It hurts bad cos I was true to her. I gotta walk away. She was my girl, my closest friend, my honey, This girl was all I ever needed. What will I do now that I’m leaving? It hurts bad ‘cos I was true to her. I’m regretting having anything to do with her. I guess I gotta just walk away. The doctor says there ain’t no medication for my pain. So I’m done baby, I’m gone.”

The song revealed the anguish Peter had been going through, as he is known for writing lyrics close to his heart.

“Peter puts his heart and soul into his music and the lyrics were really personal to him. It’s pretty obvious they are about Katie and the problems they’ve been having,” a source said.

“But it’s shocking to say the least that he was writing all this stuff so long ago. It’s clear their relationship has been fraught for some time,” the source added.

Meanwhile, Peter has brushed off Jordan’s efforts for any kind of reconciliation.

“Katie has said she is heartbroken after Peter called time on their marriage,” the source added. (ANI)

Tom Hanks plans to shift home due to terrible stink from skunk attack

Washington, May 13 (ANI): Actor Tom Hanks is planning to move into a new home in California because his Los Angeles mansion has been infested with a terrible stink due to a skunk attack.

It was during a recent walk after dark that the Da Vinci Code star’s German Shepherd dogs were sprayed by the creature.

The dogs later transferred the pungent smell back to the house Hanks shares with his wife Rita Wilson.

Six weeks on, the couple are contemplating moving because the entire house has been infested by the smell.

“They say the only way to get rid of skunk smell is tomato juice. This is a lie.

We have gone through vats and vats of tomato juice. It’s sticky, it’s like hair gel when the dogs leap up on you and spread the skunk goo on top of you…,” Contactmusic quoted Hanks as saying.

“I put the clothes in the dirty clothes hamper. I’ve got to burn the clothes. We’ve gotta move out because it smells so bad. We’ve got to move out of our house because our dogs got skunked!” he added. (ANI)

Justin Timberlake’s tequila brand to hit shelves soon

New York, April 30 (ANI): Pop singer Justin Timberlake’s new line of tequila called 901 is set to hit liquor store shelves.

Timberlake’s new tequila passed the sip test among some New York tequila aficionados with very discerning tastes.

They found themselves giving the drink high marks.

“It’s actually a really nice product. It has a nice richness to it, a full-body mouth feel, a nice finish,” the New York Daily News quoted Dave Kaplan, owner of East Village speakeasy-style bar Death and Co, as saying.

Head bartender Brian Miller said. “I gotta admit, I’m a little surprised. I get some vanilla [notes] … I like that.”

The spirit – named for the area code in the singer’s hometown of Memphis – is crafted from an old, non-Timberlake family recipe using 100 percent blue agave from Jalisco, Mexico.

Kaplan said that those details are a mark of quality that lands this 40-dollar tequila somewhere on the spectrum between the upscale brands Herradura and El Tesoro. (ANI)

‘No drama Obama’ and MMS style similar

London, Apr.2 (ANI): On day two, the three thousand journalists who have come from around the world to cover the G-20 summit are all but acutely aware of the difference in styles of the current US President Barack Obama and his predecessor George W.Bush.

There is no backslapping, chummy chummy shoulder massage, or man-hugs with Obama. He is reserved, but warm. A style that is similar to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who is never effusive, however warm his ties with world leaders. Bush and Singh had a warm chemistry, but all the demonstrativeness of warmth came from Bush, not Singh
Obama’s interactions bordered on the awkward. They both began with their customary reservedness but then, their attempt to be humorous at the press conference fell flat. The geekiness that typifies Obama’s style left no room for chumminess with Brown though they were on a first name basis from the word go.

Obama does not share the same degree of warmth towards Britain as the two Bushes, Clinton or even Reagan. The set of DVDs that Obama gifted Brown during the latter’s visit to the White House last month did not go down well here in the local press.

But he seems to have put those vibes to rest and even tried to make amends by gifting an ipod to the Queen. Ta 6GB silver Mini version the ipod, comes loaded with pictures of the Queen’s last visit to the US. Apparently the Queen already owns a a 6GB silver mini version. Fortunately Obama did not wink at the Queen like Bush did nor did he touch the small of her back Australian PM John Howard had in 2007.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh gave the Queen a limp handshake which is the proper way. Of course, that he does that with other non-royalty VIP’s is another matter!

Singh’s mild manner and quiet confidence is much appreciated in the international community. His speech at Gordon Brown’s banquet yesterday was quite a rap on the knuckles for the rich nations of the world. He basically told them in no uncertain terms…open your markets, set your house in order, tell your banks not to be protectionist, don’t bully international lending bodies to give your guys the money…you cant ignore us anymore, and if you do you won’t get out of this quagmire….you dragged us into this mess and you gotta get us out.

But he isn’t saying it the Sarkozy (French President) way which is like a sulking school boy almost seeming like Navin Patnaik. He isn’t doing it the Angela Merkel (German Chancellor) way either, which is like Jayalalitha on the Cauvery issue. Merkel is so obsessed with nationalist parameters she refuses to see the larger issue…somewhat like the lady from Poes Garden whose my people, my river, shackles her from seeing the whole picture.
Autocratic ways and narcissistic personalities crush consensus building in international meets such as this. And this is a grouping of rich nations. Yet the leaders seem to be putting aside their differences simply because there is just so much at stake here. Their economies are going down the tube and their people are demanding action. By Smita Prakash (ANI)

G-20 protestors plan to fool cops on April 1st

London, Apr 1 (ANI): On the sidelines of the G-20 summit meeting are the innovative protests and demonstrations that will attract just about as much attention as the photo opportunity of world leaders shaking hands. Protestors have every intention of being innovative and clever and fool the over 20,000 cops who will be on duty on April 1st and 2nd during the summit.

All leave has been cancelled in the Metropolitan police and extra officers are being drafted in from forces across the country to help the capital’s force during the entire week.

But anarchists, anti-globalisation, anti-war and environmental protest groups are forming alliances to storm buildings, seal off roads, set up impromptu climate camps and launch inflatable dinghies in an attempt to breach the summit security at the Excel centre in Docklands via the river Thames.

According to Financial News there are 10 groups planning to descend on the Square Minle and its neighbouring streets ANARCHISTS: This group is urging followers to meet in the Square Mile on April 1 and “take back what’s ours.” The plan is to storm banks, and what they say reclaim their money and “send the bankers packing.”

FINANCIAL FOOLS: This group is not clear where or when they will hold their protest march but they will gather at the financial district to protest “20 governments cannot decide on the future of the global financial system and economy.”

G-20 MELTDOWN: This group again has a grouse against rich nations having taken the world down with them. “Their tax-dodging, bonus-guzzling, pension-pinching, unregulated free market world’s in meltdown and those fools think we’re going to bail them out. They’ve gotta be joking!” The group is planning protests at Moorgate, Liverpool Street, London Bridge and Cannon Street.

FOSSIL FOOLS: This group will “Pull a prank that packs a punch.” on April 1st. So watch out for some pie throwing or to be contemporary some shoe hurling. Bankers beware because these guys have also asked supporters to “spank a bank” by shutting down cash machines with “out of order” stickers.

They will campaign against the use of fossil fuels over alternative energy sources.

CLIMATE CHANGE: Protesting under the banner of “because nature doesn’t do bailout,” Climate Camp plan to converge on the European Climate Exchange at Bishopsgate at 12:30 GMT on April 1. Will they get violent or play a prank is anybody’s guess.

BRISTOL DISSENT: Regional group Bristol Dissent has asked followers to crash the stock exchange on April 2 and, in their words, “eat capitalism for breakfast” and “disrupt the traders whose financial egomania perpetuates global injustice.”

STOP WAR COALITION: This group has teamed up with the British Muslim Initiative to hold a demonstration outside the US embassy on April 1st. .

CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT: Their protest will also take place outside the American Embassy on April 1.

GOVERNMENT OF THE DEAD: This group will meet outside the Bank of England at midday on April 1 and pledge to create a better world from the “train wreck bequeathed to us by the decadent, decomposing corpse of capitalism.” By Smita Prakash (ANI)

Pete Doherty talks of head-butting Moss’ man

London, Mar 23 (ANI): Brit singer Pete Doherty has revealed that he would not mind head-butting Kate Moss’ man Jamie Hince and running off with her.

Doherty, 30, who is still madly in love with Moss, even reckons he would come to blows with Hince if they ever crossed paths, and being asked to stay away from a Lily Allen gig because of Moss, did not help matters much.

“I wanted to see Lily Allen play the other week,” the Sun quoted him as telling Q magazine.

“But her label EMI got in touch and said, ‘We don’t want you there because Kate Moss will be there and it will take attention away from Lily. Can you not go?’

“I was so insulted. I don’t know. I think I would have been courteous enough.

“Then I’d probably have head-butted her new boyfriend, put her over my shoulder and run off,” he stated.

The Babyshambles member does not hesitate to reveal his feelings for her either.

“Really and truly, I miss her. And I would like to speak to her. It’s so confusing for me still. What am I supposed to say?” he said.

“If I was to turn round now and say ‘right, my heart’s not been mended, and I still miss her and I’m still in love with her’, that’s gonna wreck my chances with some other bird who’s gonna read that and I might blow my chances with her!

“So, you gotta hedge your bets,” he added. (ANI)

Ellen DeGeneres interviews wife on 7-month marriage anniversary

London, Mar 18 (ANI): Hollywood comedian Ellen DeGeneres interviewed her wife Portia DeRossi on her talk show to celebrate their 7-month marriage anniversary.

Although Portia was basically invited to the ‘The Ellen DeGeneres show’ to chat about her upcoming show ‘Better Off Ted’, the duo decided to talk about their married life to rejoice their 7-month anniversary.

“Our first guest is the star of the new ABC show Better Off Ted; she also happens to be my wife. Please welcome the lovely Portia De Rossi,” the Daily Express quoted Ellen as saying on the show.

Ellen then asked Portia: “How’s married life for you… Are you enjoying being married to me?”

Portia responded: “Yes, I am.”

DeGeneres later displayed a photo from the duo’s wedding day.
“That was the happiest day of my life, it really was,” Portia said.

“People always ask me if there’s anything that she does that’s annoying around the house, like if she leaves wet towels on the floor, if she’s messy, and I gotta tell you she is considerate and kind and wonderful and neat,” she added. (ANI)

Bikini babes, wet T-shirt competitions to boost tourism in Queensland

Melbourne, Mar 13 (ANI): Tropical Tourism North Queensland has kicked off a new raunchy campaign with bikini babes and wet T-shirt competitions to boost their backpackers market.

According to The Courier Mail, once dumped in favour of politically correct images of the reef and rainforest, tourism leaders are back promoting sex and sun to attract tourists.

A raunchy new website “Gotta Love the Wet Season” shows the weekly wet T-shirt competitions of the Cairns party scene.

One picture shows a blonde woman with exposed midriff and wet T-shirt dancing away as she’s sprayed with water at one popular inner-city venue.

However, the steamy new image has sparked uproar, and has divided the community.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland chairman Stephen Olle said it was “crunch time” for the industry.

According to him, a lot of tourism-related businesses were in “survival mode”, laying off staff, waiting for the market to pick up again in the traditional tourist season of May to September.

“Sex and raunchiness is part of the backpacker market but it is certainly not all of it,” News.com.au quoted Olle as saying.

“They do the trips to the reef, the tours, the dive courses, and they go out and make a night of it,” he added.

However, the Family First candidate for Cairns, Janice Skipp condemned the flesh-for-fantasy approach of the ad campaign.

“I know sex sells,” she said.

“But to promote sex and wet T-shirts is not a good image.

“Some would like to see Cairns as party town, but families come here, too.I don’t think backpackers are the future of Cairns. I think we should aim at the higher end of town,” she added. (ANI)

Scary Spice turns burlesque babe for spicy lingerie

London, Mar 11 (ANI): Former Spice Girl Melanie Brown has shown her raunchy side as a burlesque babe for the latest underwear from lingerie giant Ultimo.

The stunner, a.k.a. Scary Spice, stripped off to bra, knickers and stockings to display the new collection.

Keeping in sync with the burlesque theme, the 33-year-old mum posed with vintage props including a fan, elbow-length satin gloves and beaded necklaces.

“Burlesque is all about embracing and celebrating your body. The shoot was fantastic and I felt every inch the burlesque star,” The Daily Star quoted her, as saying.

“A girl’s gotta have great lingerie, but it’s also all about the wink and the tease that goes with it. Modelling lingerie is really empowering and it was fantastic to get in character. The new Ultimo collection is super-feminine, with lashings of elaborate detailing, luscious colours and sexy fabrics. I just love it!” she added.

The shoot even ties in with her new Las Vegas burlesque extravaganza Peep Show, where she plays mistress of ceremonies Peep Diva.

It kicks off on March 30 at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. (ANI)

Kendra Wilkinson doesn’t want wedding dress to have ’80s prom look’

Washington, Feb 26 (ANI): While Hugh Hefner’s ex-girlfriend Kendra Wilkinson is all braced up for her wedding with NFL player Hank Baskett, she has admitted that she is very nervous about her bridal dress and hopes it doesn’t have a 80′s prom look.

The ‘Girls Next Door’ star has revealed that she’s designed the dress herself, as she wants it to be simple and elegant.

“I’m getting the dress made, and I don’t know how it’s going to turn out,” Us magazine quoted her as saying at the Haven Evening of Fashion in Beverly Hills.

“I hope it turns out good. I’m having my wedding at the Playboy Mansion, 500 guests – I gotta have a good dress!I designed it. There’s only so much material you can use for a wedding dress.

“I’m nervous – I don’t like the 80′s prom look. I like a simple look-and it’s hard to find it,” she added.

However, the 23-year-old bride-to-be is staying mum on who is making the dress.

“It’s a surprise. I don’t want to give the name yet in case it doesn’t turn out the way I want,’ said Kendra.

Wilkinson and Baskett are scheduled to tie the knot on June 27 at the Playboy Mansion. (ANI)

Duffy’s Diet Coke ads condemned over road safety fears

London, Feb 22 (ANI): Welsh singer Duffy’s multi-million pound Diet Coke ads have enraged campaigners.

According to them, the 24-year-old singer is setting a bad example for her young fans because she is riding illegally through dark streets without lights or reflectors and is not wearing a helmet.

“Clearly, riding at night without lights is not something we could condone…it’s illegal,” the Daily Star quoted Roger Geffen, of the national cyclists’ organisation CTC, as saying.

A representative for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said: “Unfortunately, advertisers do forget sometimes to make sure they are showing safe and legal behaviour when someone is using the road in an advert.”

Road safety charity Brake, which campaigns for all cyclists to wear helmets, said: “We would like to see advertisers think about safety implications and what message they are sending out. Adverts which show people not belting up or cycling without lights may send the wrong messages out to viewers.”

Wearing tiny shorts, tights and a close-fitting top, Duffy is seen jumping on to a racing bike just before a stage appearance.

Supping Diet Coke at the start and end of her trip and singing ‘I’ve Gotta Be Me’, she cycles through streets, a car park and a supermarket.

A rep for Coca-Cola said: “The advert is a fictional depiction of how Duffy might take some time out and is not intended to be a real-life scenario.

“Diet Coke would urge all road users, including cyclists, to adhere to the Highway Code and to follow safety advice from government and other relevant agencies,” the rep added. (ANI)

Katy Perry urges fans to pray she gets well soon for tour

Washington, Feb 20 (ANI): An unwell Katy Perry has urged her fans to pray for her quick recovery from influenza so that she can make it for her European tour dates.

Perry, 24, was not well when she attended the Brit Awards in London on February 18, and her condition has not improved since then.

She is worried for her tour, scheduled to begin on February 22.

The ‘I Kissed a Girl’ singer admitted in a posting on her website that her hotel room “smells like death”, and that she is doing everything to beat the bug.

“I can’t tell you how bad I feel right now. Last night I was sweatin’ it out… I have the doctor on speed dial if the fever gets over 101/102,” Contactmusic quoted her as saying.

“I thought I was invincible and then my body decides to show me otherwise.

“I’m stuck in bed for the next couple of days as I should be… I’m gonna go back to sweatsville and try and sleep it off some more… I gotta get better; I’m starting (a) tour on Sunday here (in London)… so say a little prayer if you think of it,” she added. (ANI)

Badly beaten Rihanna was recording a song on a ‘cheating partner’

London, Feb 12 (ANI): Prior to getting badly bruised by an alleged attack by Chris Brown, pop star Rihanna had been recording a song about killing a cheating partner, which has leaked on the internet.

The ‘Umbrella’ hitmaker had teamed up with rapper AKON for the track, called ‘Emergency Room’, which tells the saga of a woman seeking revenge from her unfaithful man.

The song further reveals about the woman’s intention of removing the intravenous drip of her hospitalized man, reports The Sun.

The song’s lyrics leaked on the internet are as follows: “I’m going to leave your heart broken on the floor/ You’re gonna be in the emergency room/ I’m standing by your bed/ And so tempted to pull out your IV.

“Tryin’ to call a nurse but nobody can help you now/ Let me see you try to live without me/ Now where’s your heartbeat?/ Flatline on the ECG. I gotta say I found this a bit shockin’/ It’s on receipts to tell you went shoppin’/ You bought some Nike shoes. But why you buying stockings?”

The ‘Umbrella’ hitmaker was allegedly attacked by Chris Brown in their car, after they got into a heated argument over a text message from other woman, after which she was left with a split lip, a bloody nose and bite marks on her hands.

After fleeing the crime scene, Brown later surrendered to police and was charged on suspicion of making criminal threats.

He was later released on 35,000 pound bail.

Meanwhile, Brown’s former step-father recently claimed that he “wouldn’t be surprised” if the popstar had assaulted Rihanna. (ANI)

Kanye West has no faith in shrinks

Washington, Jan 28 (ANI): Rapper Kanye West doesn’t believe in shrinks because therapy freshens up the past.

And that’s why the singer has refused to seek professional help after his mother’s death.

The Stronger hitmaker’s mother Donda died in November 2007 because of complications from plastic surgery.

And shortly afterwards, he and fiancee Alexis Pfeiffer broke off their engagement and parted ways.

While the rapper took time out of the spotlight to grieve his loss and his love split, he claims that he never felt the need to consult a psychiatrist at any point during that tragic period.

Instead, he preferred to get through it day by day.
“I don’t believe in therapy. I believe in you gotta walk it out, you gotta live it out. Life has its ups and downs. And sometimes you sprain an ankle, you have to walk it out, like back in the day in summer camp. Walk it out. And sometimes you have to cry it out,” Contactmusic quoted him as telling Vibe magazine.

He added: “What’s good for me is I have the opportunity to sing these songs. But I don’t believe in sitting down with a shrink. And I don’t believe in medication or painkillers.” (ANI)

Monty Python classic tops Best ‘Alternative’ Funeral Songs poll

London, Jan 27 (ANI): The classic Monty Python song ‘Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life’ has topped a new poll of the Best ‘Alternative’ Funeral Songs.

The tune, taken from the film The Life Of Brian, beat competition from The Jam’s Going Underground and The Animals’ We Gotta Get Out Of This Place.

The survey, which was commissioned by the Children’s Society, also revealed that nine out of ten people find talking about funeral arrangements more difficult than discussing sex.

A fifth of those surveyed said they would like ‘Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life’ to be played at their funeral while 16 percent went for Cabaret, sung by Liza Minnelli.

Sid Vicious’s cover of My Way, They’re Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa by Napoleon and Enjoy Yourself, It’s Later Than You Think by the Specials were other popular choices.

“Funerals have changed a lot in the past few years – more people are planning ahead to make their funerals personal and reflective of themselves,” the Telegraph quoted Lorraine Groves from the Children’s Society, as saying.

“We know many people prefer a simple affair and would rather their mourners give donations in memory rather than lots of flowers, along with a little light hearted twist during the proceedings like an alternative song,” Groves added.

The top 10 ‘alternative’ funeral songs:

1. Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life – Eric Idle / Monty Python

2. Cabaret – Liza Minnelli

3. Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye – Gracie Fields

4. My Way – Sid Vicious

5. They’re Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa – Napoleon

6. Fame! I Want To Live Forever – The cast of Fame

7. We’ve Gotta Get Out Of This Place – The Animals

8. Going Underground – The Jam

9. Spirit In The Sky – Dr and The Medics

10. Enjoy Yourself, It’s Later Than You Think – The Specials (ANI)

Winslet grills director hubby about her performance over dinner

London, Jan 15 (ANI): English actress Kate Winslet has revealed that when ‘Revolutionary Road’ was being filmed, she would ask her director husband Sam Mendes about her performance even over dinner.

Winslet, 33, said that she was so obsessed with her acting that she would not allow him to eat until after he went through with her on her performances with actor Leonardo Dicaprio.

“What was a shock to Sam was to get home from rehearsal and I’d go, ‘Right now, when you said today that thing…’ He’d be like, ‘Whoah, babe! Hang on! Stop! You’ve gotta just give me a second here – let me just eat dinner. Write these things down and we’ll talk about them in rehearsal tomorrow’,” the Daily Express quoted her as saying.

“I’d be like, ‘No but, but no because then the intricacies will be gone and I’ll forget about it and it won’t come out the same anyway if i write it down and say it tomorrow’,” she added. (ANI)

Under Obama, aim will be to marginalize Osama bin Laden

Washington, Jan.15 (ANI): Incoming US President Barack Obama has said that as far as Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden is concerned, his administration’s policy will be to marginalize his influence, and not necessarily seek to capture or kill him.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with CBS News anchor Katie Couric, Obama said: “I think that we have to so weaken his infrastructure that, whether he is technically alive or not, he is so pinned down that he cannot function. My preference obviously would be to capture or kill him. But if we have so tightened the noose that he’s in a cave somewhere and can’t even communicate with his operatives, then we will meet our goal of protecting America.”

As far as the withdrawal of American troops was concerned, he said: “My job is to withdraw in a responsible way from Iraq and stabilize the situation there. But our real focus has to be on Afghanistan, the border regions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. And we have to put as much pressure on them as possible.”

“And, I’m confident that we can keep them on the run, and ensure that they cannot train terrorists to attack our homeland. That’s my number one priority as President of the United States,” he added.

On Israel’s offensive on the Gaza Strip to neutralize and eradicate the Hamas, Obama said that he would reveal his action after President Bush leaves office. He, however, said that secretary of state designate Hillary Clinton has already revealed how his administration would deal with the issue once it assumes charge.

“We’re gonna have to take a regional approach. We’re gonna have to involve Syria in discussions. We’re gonna have to engage Iran in ways that we have not before. We’ve gotta have a clear bottom line that Israel’s security is paramount. But that also we have to create a two-state solution where people can live side by side in peace,” Obama said. (ANI)