Thursday, March 15, 2012

2 dead in Albanian school shooting

An apparently jealous teenager stormed into an Albanian high school class room Tuesday, fatally shooting a young woman he had met on Facebook and then committing suicide, police and media said.

Police said 19-year-old Endrit Llambaj entered the classroom in the southern town of Elbasan with a handgun and ordered all the students out except 18-year-old Gerta Baja. Three shots were then fired, and Baja was found dead at her desk.

The gunman ran away before fatally shooting himself a few hundred yards (meters) away when he realized police were chasing him.

Elbasan police spokeswoman Valbona Begu said Llambaj was probably motivated by jealousy.

Upcoming highlights: Who's in focus in August@head.fgc48:Upcoming highlights: Who's in focus in August

MSNBC's "Headliners & Legends with Matt Lauer" premiere thefollowing profiles:

Oprah Winfrey--Wednesday, Aug. 6

Rob Lowe-- Thursday, Aug. 9

Chris Rock-- Monday, Aug. 13

Bill Murray--Tuesday, Aug. 14

Madonna--Thursday, Aug. 16

Meg Ryan--Monday, Aug. 27

Russell Crowe--Tuesday, Aug. 28

A&E's "Biography" will feature Pop Goes the Music Week, Aug. 27-31

Monday, Aug. 27 will feature a two-hour special "Hitmakers: TheTeens Who Stole Pop Music"

Tuesday, Aug. 28 premieres the profile of Dionne Warwick

Wednesday, Aug. 29 premieres the profile of Bobby Darin

Thursday, Aug. 30 premieres the profile of the words …

Summary Box: Microsoft aims big with Kinect

WHAT IS IT: Kinect is an add-on gadget for Microsoft's Xbox 360 gaming console that lets players control games using hand gestures, body movements and their voices.

THE LAUNCH: It goes on sale Thursday for $150, or $300 if it's bundled with an Xbox 360 that has a …

Mountain Sweet Pitcher-plant

Mountain Sweet Pitcher-plant

Sarracenia rubra ssp. jonesii

Status Endangered
Listed September 30, 1988
Family Sarraceniaceae (Pitcher Plant)
Description Insectivorous, perennial herb with erect, dull waxy-green leaves and maroon flowers.
Habitat Mountain bogs and stream banks.
Threats Drainage of wetlands, natural plant succession, collectors.
Range

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Losing distractions

The concept of "self-help" has never been well received in black America. The classic response to those who implore African Americans to "pick themselves up by the bootstraps" has long been: "How can we do that when we have no boots?" The alternative to self-help has been to assume the status of a victim.

This fit well with the civil rights movement because an appeal for equal rights unavoidably looked to the largesse of those in power. However, the commitment and courage of the civil rights activists who confronted the violent opposition of the bigots gave the "victims" a heroic aura.

But that day is past. There is no longer anything heroic in continuing to be a victim. …

Waterloo Reenactment Draws Thousands

WATERLOO, Belgium - When Edmund Gulvin first joined the Black Watch regiment, he was a 6-year-old "powder monkey." He is now a rifleman and hopes to make sergeant one day - if he manages to make it through the Napoleonic Wars.

Gulvin, 18, is one of tens of thousands of enthusiasts around Europe who share a common passion - the reenactment of famous historical battles. Over the weekend, about 4,000 set up camp, donned uniforms, strapped on bayonets and sabers and took up muskets for the anniversary of the 1815 Battle of Waterloo.

"You have to be passionate to do this. I could be clubbing back home, but instead I'm marching around in a skirt in this rain," said Gulvin, who …

Security Council wants Myanmar's Suu Kyi released

The U.N. Security Council on Friday called for the release of all political prisoners in Myanmar including Aung San Suu Kyi and expressed concern at the "political impact" of the pro-democracy leader's trial.

A press statement approved by all 15 council members reiterated the need for Myanmar's military leaders "to create the necessary conditions for a genuine dialogue" with Suu Kyi and other opposition and minority groups "to achieve an inclusive national reconciliation."

The United States had initially urged the council to adopt a stronger presidential statement, which becomes part of the council's official record. But …