DUDE, SERIOUSLY THAT’S NOT FUNNY – Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud was all laughs about deadly U.S. airstrikes during an interview with reporters Sunday. It was his first appearance since becoming the leader of the militant group, dispelling

rumors that he had been killed in a U.S. attack. Mehsud used the words “love and affection” to describe the Taliban’s relationship with al-Qaida. Osama bin Laden and his accomplices are suspected to be hiding out in territory controlled by Mehsud. The militant leader vowed

retaliation against U.S. and Pakistani air strikes that killed several of his allies. The militant reported his forces are prepared to attack any offensive moves by Pakistani military in the Swat Valley and South Waziristan.