R. Kelly says Cup anthem carried message of hope

R. Kelly says Cup anthem carried message of hope

By David Macdougall, Associated Press Writer

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Singer R. Kelly said he hopes his new World Cup anthem can inspire people in much the same way as his signature song "I Believe I Can Fly."
Kelly's new "Sign of a Victory" has been declared the official anthem for the World Cup. The songwriter said in an interview on Wednesday that it carried a message of hope and triumph.

"It's definitely no doubt a humanity song, and I'm hoping that everybody feels the same way when they hear it," he said. "(I'm) hoping they can be as touched by it as I was when I heard it in my head."

Working with the Soweto Spiritual Singers on the song was an "unbelievable" experience, he said.

It's R. Kelly's second trip to Africa. He toured the continent last year, overcoming his fear of flying.

"I always said, 'I can't get on the plane, I can't get on the plane,'" he explained. "But when I finally did get up the nerve to get on the plane and come on over to Africa, the welcome was so unbelievably warm. It was just so touching that I couldn't believe it."

R. Kelly say Cup anthem has message of hope

R. Kelly say Cup anthem has message of hope

By David MacDougall

updated 6/10/2010 12:17:04 PM ET

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Singer R. Kelly says he hopes his new World Cup anthem can inspire people in much the same way as his signature song "I Believe I Can Fly."

Kelly's new "Sign of a Victory" has been declared the official anthem for the World Cup. The songwriter said Thursday that it carried a message of hope and triumph.

"It's definitely no doubt a humanity song, and I'm hoping that everybody feels the same way when they hear it," he said. "(I'm) hoping they can be as touched by it as I was when I heard it in my head."

Working with the Soweto Spiritual Singers on the song was an "unbelievable" experience, he said.
It's R. Kelly's second trip to Africa. He toured the continent last year, overcoming his fear of flying.

"I always said, 'I can't get on the plane, I can't get on the plane,'" he explained. "But when I finally did get up the nerve to get on the plane and come on over to Africa, the welcome was so unbelievably warm. It was just so touching that I couldn't believe it."

British FM says aid to Afghanistan conditional

British FM says aid to Afghanistan conditional

By DAVID MAC DOUGALL Associated Press Writer

ISLAMABAD (AP) - Britain's foreign secretary said Saturday that international financial support for Afghanistan was conditional on a better performance by Afghan President Hamid Karzai's government, which has been tainted by accusations of corruption.
"We won't pay, and others won't pay, if we're not sure where the money's going," David Miliband told Associated Press Television News in an interview in the Pakistani capital.
Miliband was in Pakistan for a two-day visit, his sixth since becoming foreign secretary. He was in the British-allied South Asian nation to promote an upcoming conference in London on Afghanistan.
The conference will be co-hosted by the British and Afghan governments at the end of January and bring together more than 60 countries and international institutions.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has laid out a series of milestones for the conference, which Afghanistan's government will have to stick to. Those milestones include a timetable for reforming the country's police force and fighting corruption.
Miliband said Karzai had set out a "very clear roadmap" during his recent inauguration speech asking the international community for more support. But Miliband said the world would be watching to see if Karzai would fulfill his promises to improve the lives of Afghans.
Miliband also said while the Afghan people "don't want to go back to Taliban misrule," he voiced support for reducing the militants' ranks through reconciliation and other efforts.
Some people who were attracted to the insurgency should be "brought back into the community" to work and defend it, he said.
Earlier Saturday, David Miliband met with Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousaf Reza Gilani and held talks and a press conference with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. He is expected to see President Asif Ali Zardari and opposition politician Nawaz Sharif, as well as military chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.