After months of delays the English language Al-Jazeera channel is finally ready to go. Plans call for the new network to broadcast around the clock with 12 hours a day devoted to live news while the other 12 go to interviews, features, and analysis. Like the current Al-Jazeera, the International version will also be headquartered in Doha, Qatar. There will also be newsrooms in London, Washington, and Kuala Lumpur.

The channel's chief competitors will be CNN International and BBC World. As would be expected, Al-Jazeera International will specialize in news from the Middle East and executives promise news with an Arab perspective. No deals have been announced to broadcast the channel in the US, but negotiations are ongoing. The goal for launch is to have the channel available in 30 to 40 million homes worldwide.

Diana DeGarmo, who is now 18 years old, rang in the New Year by entertaining American troops across the globe. The American Idol runner-up's schedule had her performing for troops in seven countries, in seven days. Tonight is her final performance, in Germany. She's also been to Qatar, Afghanistan, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, and Iraq, where she spent the night in one of Saddam's many palaces. She's performing with comedian Reggie McFadden and country singer Michael Peterson as part of the USO Tour. Her part of the show includes pulling troops up on stage to compete in an impromptu-style dance contest and she wraps up each performance by singing America the Beautiful.