Ex-French president top gift giver to Obama family

Published April 26, 2013

Associated Press

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New documents show that former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni showered President Obama and his family with more than $41,000 worth of gifts in 2011.

The presents to the Obamas ranged from Hermes travel bags and crystal to soaps and perfumes, according to the State Department, which tracks gifts to U.S. officials from foreign leaders and publishes an annual accounting, often one or two years late due to processing. The latest was published Friday. 

The Sarkozys were the top presidential gift-givers in 2011.

But the single most valuable package of goodies -- $29,450  in art, watches and electronics -- was given to former joint chiefs of staff chairman Gen. Mike Mullen by Kuwait's emir.

Most of the gifts are turned over to the National Archives.

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Family mourns 25-year-old US diplomat killed in Afghanistan

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KABUL, Afghanistan –  Anne Smedinghoff had a quiet ambition and displayed a love of global affairs from an early age, joining the U.S. Foreign Service straight out of college and volunteering for missions in perilous locations worldwide.

So when the 25-year-old suburban Chicago woman was killed Saturday in southern Afghanistan — the first American diplomat to die on the job since last year's attack in Benghazi, Libya — her family took solace in the fact that she died doing something she loved.

"It was a great adventure for her ... She loved it," her father, Tom Smedinghoff, told The Associated Press on Sunday. "She was tailor-made for this job."

Anne Smedinghoff grew up in River Forest, Ill. — an upscale suburb about 10 miles west of Chicago — the daughter of an attorney and the second of four children. She attended the highly selective Fenwick High School, followed by Johns Hopkins University, where she studied international relations and became a key organizer of the university's annual Foreign Affairs Symposium in 2008. The event draws high-profile speakers from around the world.

Those who knew Smedinghoff described her as a positive, hard-working and dependable young woman.

While a student in Baltimore, she worked part time for Sam Hopkins, an attorney near campus. He described her as ambitious "but in a wonderfully quiet, modest way."

Her first assignment for the foreign service was in Caracas, Venezuela, and she volunteered for the Afghanistan assignment after that. Her father said family members would tease her about signing up for a less dangerous location, maybe London or Paris.

"She said, 'What would I do in London or Paris? It would be so boring,'" her father recalled. In her free time, she would travel as much as possible, her father said.

Smedinghoff was an up-and-coming employee of the State Department who garnered praise from the highest ranks. She was to finish her Afghanistan assignment as a press officer in July. Already fluent in Spanish, she was gearing up to learn Arabic, first for a year in the U.S. and then in Cairo, before a two-year assignment in Algeria.

Secretary of State John Kerry said Sunday at a news conference in Turkey that Smedinghoff was "vivacious, smart" and "capable." Smedinghoff had assisted Kerry during a visit to Afghanistan two weeks ago.

He also described Smedinghoff as "a selfless, idealistic woman who woke up yesterday morning and set out to bring textbooks to school children, to bring them knowledge."

Her father said they knew the assignments were dangerous, though she spent most of her time at the U.S. Embassy compound. Trips outside were in heavily armored convoys — as was Saturday's trip that killed five Americans, including Smedinghoff.

"It's like a nightmare, you think will go away and it's not," he said. "We keep saying to ourselves, we're just so proud of her, we take consolation in the fact that she was doing what she loved."

Friends remembered her Sunday for her charity work too.

Smedinghoff participated in a 2009 cross-country bike ride for The 4K for Cancer — part of the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults — according to the group. She served on the group's board of directors after the ride from Baltimore to San Francisco.

"She was an incredible young woman. She was always optimistic," said Ryan Hanley, a founder of the group. "She always had a smile on her face and incredible devotion to serving others."

Funeral arrangements for Smedinghoff are pending.

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Flight diverted after family raises concerns over PG-13 inflight movie

A family's criticism of inflight entertainment allegedly prompted a United flight to be diverted over "security concerns."

In a story published in The Atlantic, one family recounts traveling from Denver to Baltimore with two young sons, ages 4 and 8. During the flight, the PG-13-rated detective film "Alex Cross" was shown on drop-down monitors across the plane.

The family worried about their young children seeing inappropriate content in the film.

"Alarmed by the opening scenes, we asked two flight attendants if they could turn off the monitor; both claimed it was not possible," the family said, according to The Atlantic.

After some back and forth between the family and the flight crew, the family reportedly relented to the movie being shown and did their best to engage their children to keep them from watching the movie.

"We asked if the captain has the authority to address this issue, but received no response," the family said. "Throughout these interactions the atmosphere was collegial, no voices were raised and no threats, implicit or explicit, of any kind were made. The flight continued without incident, while my wife and I engaged our children to divert their attention from the horrific scenes on the movie screens."

But shortly after that, the captain announced the flight was being diverted to a Chicago airport due to "security concerns." 

When the family disembarked, they were questioned by law enforcement officials then booked on a new flight.

"United flight 638 from Denver to Baltimore diverted to Chicago O'Hare after the crew reported a disturbance involving a passenger," United Airlines told FoxNews.com. "The flight landed without incident and the customers were removed from the aircraft. We reaccommodated the customers on the next flight to Baltimore and have since conducted a full review of our inflight entertainment."

The family argues the captain overreacted to the incident.

"We understand that airline captains can and should have complete authority," the family said. "However, when this authority is used for senseless, vindictive acts, it must be addressed."

The family also contends that United should reassess the movies they screen to ensure they are appropriate for all audiences. 

"Had this been in a cinema or a restaurant, we would have simply left if the content were too violent," the family said. "Cruising at 30,000 feet, leaving was not an option.

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Mandela family launches wine collection in Miami

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. –  For decades, Nelson Mandela's name has been synonymous with political reform and the struggle against South African apartheid.

Now with the launch of House of Mandela Wines, his daughter and granddaughter hope to add fine wine to the list of associations.

It's a sign of just how far both the wine industry and the country have come since 1994, when apartheid was dismantled and Mandela was elected the nation's first black president.

"The wine movement is growing," said Tukwini Mandela, his granddaughter. "More and more people are experimenting with wine beyond spirit drinks. And there's a large segment of the black community who is interested in wine now."

The family launched their blends of red and white grapes this week during the South Beach Wine and Food Festival. Prices range from about $12 to $50 for their royal reserve collection.

The screw-capped bottles are adorned with an image of a bee, the company's logo that symbolizes compassion, sharing, humanity and "one who is brave enough to challenge the status quo."

"We are praising our ancestors," said Tukwini Mandela. "We are telling the story of our family and who we come from with these wines so it's only natural that we would use the name Mandela."

The line includes red, white and sparkling wines. Unique to South Africa, House of Mandela also features a pinotage that is a Mandela family favorite.

"It's a reflection that South Africa is maturing in terms of its wine product," said Makaziwe Mandela, daughter of the political reformer.

House of Mandela Wines will donate a portion of its proceeds to charitable groups working to resolve education, health, culture and energy issues in South Africa.

"There is a lot of synergy between wine and our family," said Makaziwe Mandela. "But when you look at how the vine grows, the vine doesn't grow in a straight line. It twists and turns, representing the twists and turns of life. Life is not a straight line. What we are proud of is that out of adversity we helped create a wonderful experience."

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