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Kosovo honors former US president with statue

On Sunday a statue was unveiled in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, honoring a man many ethnic Albanians consider integral to their fight for independence - former U.S. president Bill Clinton.

“I never expected that anywhere, someone would make such a big statue of me,” Clinton told the crowd of thousands who stood in the cold, waving flags and cheering.

The statue is gold plated, stands 11 feet tall, and depicts Clinton waving and holding a folder with his name and the date March 24, 1999, engraved on it. It was erected on a street named after Clinton, who gave a speech at the unveiling of his new statue. He thanked the Kosovars and called for them to set aside the past and work together with minority groups to build their new country.

As president, Clinton ordered NATO air strikes on Yugoslavia on March 24, 1999, helping to end a wave of genocide that claimed the lives of 10,000 Albanians and displaced some 800,000 more. Kosovo was officially recognized as a state by 62 countries in the UN last year.

“He is our savior. He saved us from extermination,” sculptor Izeir Mustafa told an interviewer in 2007. “I was thrilled by the work because I know what he did for us.”

Kate spanks one of the eight

Reality show mom Kate Gosselin has come under fire for spanking one of her eight children. According to an In Touch story that hit shelves today, the child was blowing a whistle after having been told to stop, and so she was disciplined by her mother. The child does not appear to be abused and no legal action has been taken.

“Whether the paparazzi are there or not, I am a mother first. I love my children and when they misbehave, I discipline them as I deem appropriate for the situation,” a representative for Gosselin told Life&Style magazine earlier today.

The Gosselin family has been all over the headlines in recent months for rumors of infidelity, divorce, and exploiting their children through their TLC reality show, Jon and Kate Plus Eight. Even photos of the couple on separate vacations have made the cover of many gossip magazines. Despite the reports of marital problems, the show has started its fifth season and is in heavy rotation on the TLC summer schedule.

2009 Yearbook scandals - profanity and nudity

The cover of this year’s yearbook from Shaker Heights High School in Ohio was drawn by a student, and included a hidden message. The book must be upside down, and even then its difficult to read, but it didn’t take long for the student body to discover the prank. Hidden in a crowd of students is the message, “F*** You All.”

The principal has issued an apology to parents, including this from the artist:

“I can’t begin to clarify the unhappy emotion I brought upon myself, when I give up the trust of you all. I express regret for offending anybody and everybody. It is unlucky that I did not identify the big duty and admiration given to me as asked to design the cover of the Shaker Heights yearbook. I present my truthful apologies.”

Plans have been made to re-release the yearbook, minus the offensive message. The student body didn’t seem to mind, giving the artist a long, loud round of applause during the graduation ceremony on Thursday.

This hasn’t been the only scandal surrounding yearbooks this year. A story broke last month about a 16-year old student at Sickles High School in Tampa Bay, Florida, who neglected to wear underwear to school on picture day because, “She didn’t want panty lines.” As a result, the pottery club photo got a lot more attention than expected. That yearbook was also recalled and will be reprinted, despite the school officals’ claims that what the photo shows is nothing but shadow.

Federer wins Open, 14th title

Despite bad weather and a crazed fan running onto the Roland Garros court during the match earlier today, Roger Federer won the French Open 2009, beating opponent Robin Soderling 6-1, 7-6 (1), 6-4.

Soderling had defeated Spanish champ Rafael Nadal earlier in the day, 6-2, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 7-6 (2), keeping Nadal from winning his 32nd straight match at the famed Paris court. It came as a surprise to many that Nadal didn’t advance further, but Federer may have been relieved.

“Maybe you’ll miss him, but not me,” Federer said to reporters. “I’ve played him 20 times. It’s nice to play someone else, too. I know that I’ll be playing him plenty more times in the future.”

His victory earned him not only his 14th major title, but also a spot among other tennis greats Don Budge, Fred Perry, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver and Andre Agassi as the only men to have won all the Grand Slam titles in their careers.

“It’s maybe my greatest victory, or certainly the one that removes the most pressure off my shoulders,” Federer said. “I think that now and until the end of my career, I can really play with my mind at peace, and no longer hear that I’ve never won Roland Garros.”

Two bodies found from Flight 447

The bodies of two of the 228 passengers on Air France Flight 447 were found Saturday, along with a leather briefcase containing a ticket for the ill-fated flight which disappeared last week between Rio and Paris.

While some families of the missing passengers hold out hope that their loved ones are still alive, officials doubt there are any survivors. This is the deadliest accident in Air France history, and the most deadly plane crash overall since 2001. No conclusive word yet has been released on the cause of the crash, but French authorities say airspeed instruments may not have been properly updated. Ice may have built up on the wing, interfering with airspeed readings and causing the autopilot to shut off or alter the plane’s speed, putting it at risk as it flew through a thunderstorm about 400 miles north of Rio.

Both French and Brazillian agencies are searching for remains, including the black box, but little has been recovered. The U.S. Navy has provided equipment to aid in the efforts, and the discovery of the two bodies has given officials a more specific area in which to search.

Obama Gives Speech In Cairo

As part of a Middle East tour, Obama spoke to an audience at Cairo University today.  His speech focused on the “War on Terror” and the tensions between Muslims and the western world. 

His speech attempted to reassure the mid east about America’s intentions in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq, saying that we seek no permanent military bases there as well as investing in the countries’ infrastructures.   Obama reminded the crowd that the war in Afghanistan was not a choice and that protecting innocent life is a common trait between both Muslims and the western world.  Obama also remined the audience that Guitanamo has been ordered to be closed within months and the large forthcoming withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

Obama highlighted Israel’s right to soveirngty and the Jewish people’s tragic history.  Obama said to deny the Halocaust is “Hateful”.  He went on to say that the Palestinians also have the same rights as Israelis and that both parties need to recognize each other’s right to exist.  On a firmer note, Obama states: “The United States does not accept the ligitamacy of continued Isreali settlements” and “It is time for these settlements to stop.”

Obama’s speech was largely a history lesson, but an accurate one.  He repeated many things most of us already knew, but need to be reminded of often. 

“Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire.”

Air France Flight 447 Investigation Continues

Investigators and searchers have found the wreckage of Air France flight 447.  Remnants of the plane have been located in the mid-atlantic, between Africa and South America.  It is presumed that none of the 228 passengers survived.

Air France Flight 447 was on a scheduled international  flight from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Paris, France, when it crashed in the Atlantic Ocean on June 1, 2009.   The plane was an Airbus A330-203.

No evidence of mechanical or technical issues preceding the crash have been found at this time.  Several weather centers throughout the world have released reports that strong, widespread thunderstorms had developed in the area the plane crashed.  The pilot’s final transmission reported bad weather. 

The black boxes have not yet been recovered, however, investigators will attempt to recover them soon.  Each black box is designed to sink and transmit a faint signal that can be detected from a range of one kilometer.   Investigators have detected the signal of the  boxes, but are unsure of their exact locations.  They are using the process of triangulation to pintpoint the exact location for a recovery attempt.

Obama Visits the Tomb of Unknown Soldiers

Monday, May 25th, 2009 - President Barack Obama pays homage to our fallen comrades in Arlington, VA.  In observance of Memorial day, Obama prepared a short speech.

Our fighting men and women - and the military families who love them - embody what is best in America. And we have a responsibility to serve all of them as well as they serve all of us,” he said. “Yet, all too often in recent years and decades, we, as a nation, have failed to live up to that responsibility. We have failed to give them the support they need or pay them the respect they deserve. That is a betrayal of the sacred trust that America has with all who wear - and all who have worn - the proud uniform of our country.

The Tomb of the Unknowns is one of Arlington cemetery’s most popular tourist sites and is located near the center of the cemetery,

The monument houses the remains of unknown American soldiers from World War I,  World War II, the Korean Conflict and (until 1998) the Vietnam War.  Obama is an avid supporter of American War veterans.   His statements this memorial day seem to hint at how American vets  were treated and viewed after the Vietnam War.

Suspected Student Shot Near Harvard University Dorm

Police report that a man has been shot near a Harvard University dormitory.  harvard University is located in Cambridge, Mass.

Local police reported that the shooting occurred at approximately 5 p.m. near the Kirkland House and Mount Auburn street.

The victim remains unidentified and was taken to a nearby hospital.  It is not known if the victim was a student.

Shortly after the shooting, and email was dispatched by the Kirkland House Administrators and sent to Harvard students.  The email urged the students to cooperate with authorities.  The area immediately surrounding the area was cordoned off and some students are unable to return to their rooms.  Those students are being asked to stay in the dining hall or basement.

A anonymous witness stated that the victim “appear college aged” and “was bleeding but conscious”.

The university has been unavailable for comment at this time.