US & World News, Friday 6/6

US/World Summary --- Obama And Clinton Discuss November Race The meeting many Democrats have been waiting for has finally taken place. Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama paid former rival Hillary Clinton a surprise visit yesterday in an attempt to begin unifying the party. The "Washington Post" reports Obama delayed returning home to Chicago so he could chat with the New York senator. The meeting reportedly took place at the Washington, DC home of California Senator Dianne Feinstein and included discussion about the important work that needs to be done to win the presidential election in November. --- Defense Chief Confirms Air Force Resignations (Arlington, VA) -- The resignations of Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Michael Moseley have been confirmed by Defense Secretary Robert Gates. The two were caught up in a controversy over a mistaken shipment of nuclear warhead missile fuses to Taiwan. Secretary Gates acknowledged serious security issues but insisted that the integrity of the U.S. nuclear weapons program was never at risk. He said it underscored a "chain of failures" in the Air Force oversight command structure. --- Parishioners Want Controversial Priests Reinstatement (Chicago, IL) -- His parishioners want suspended priest Michael Pfleger 1/81/8 FLAY-ger 3/83/8 to be reinstated at Chicagos Saint Sabina 1/81/8 sa-BYE-nah 3/83/8 Catholic Church. They met last night with Francis Cardinal George to demand the reinstatement of their controversial leader. Cardinal George gave Pfleger a leave of absence after the priest made mocking remarks about Senator Hillary Clinton during a guest sermon at Barack Obamas former church home, the Trinity United Church of Christ. That appearance led Obama to resign his church membership. Theres no word on whether or not Pfleger will be reinstated. --- Ten Airports Installing Body Scanners (Baltimore, MD) -- Ten more of the nations busiest airports are about to get body-scanning machines. "USA Today" reports the machines will be installed this month at airports in Dallas, Detroit, Las Vegas and Miami. Reagan National Airport near Washington starts using the scanner today. The controversial machines, which show images of people underneath their clothing, have already been tested at airports in Los Angeles, Baltimore, Denver, Albuquerque, Phoenix and New Yorks Kennedy airport. The Transportation Security Administration says a total of 38 machines will be in use within weeks. --- Barry Bonds To Appear In Federal Court Today (San Francisco, CA) -- Barry Bonds faces a different kind of doubleheader today. Baseballs scandal-tainted home-run king is scheduled to appear in federal court in San Francisco early in the day to be arraigned on a revised grand jury indictment. The indictment alleges 14 counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice. Bonds is accused of lying to a federal grand jury probing the distribution of steroids to athletes. Later in the day, Bonds will appear before a trial judge for a status hearing. --- France Mourns Yves Saint Laurent (Paris) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy was among the mourners yesterday who said farewell to fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. The French designer was hailed as one of the great couturiers of the 20th century and was considered part of a line of designers who helped make Paris the fashion capital of the world. Yves Saint Laurent died this past Sunday at the age of 71 after a long battle with cancer. --- Arabic Word For Muhammad Appears On Tree Bark (Chicago, IL) -- An Illinois Muslim claims a piece of tree bark contains a sign from God. The "Chicago Tribune" reports 69-year-old Assad Busools tree message is the Arabic word for Muhammad which was carved into the bark by insects. Busool says he believes the insects were guided from on high to make the writing. A professor of religion at Northwestern University said while some Muslims might accept Busools interpretation of the barks markings, conservative Islamic sects would dismiss such an idea. (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-06-06-08 0848CDT