JERUSALEM – Mohammed Assaf became the first Palestinian to win the Arab world's version of "American Idol," setting off wild celebrations across the Palestinian territories.
After winning, Assaf was named a special youth ambassador Sunday by the U.N.'s Palestinian refugee agency. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared the singer an honorary ambassador. "I congratulate the talented singer Mohammed Assaf ... who conveyed the message of the Palestinian people to the Arab nation through his art," Abbas said in a statement.
Assaf has emerged as a rare unifying force among Palestinians, who are divided between rival governments in the West Bank, where Abbas rules, and the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Crowds gathered in the West Bank and Gaza late Saturday to watch the final episode of "Arab Idol" on big screens. After Assaf's victory was announced, fireworks lit up the sky over the West Bank and Gaza.
Minnesota junior chef to dine at White House
Two junior chefs from Minnesota and Wisconsin are among the winners of a White House challenge for kids ages 8 to 12 to create healthy lunchtime recipes. Liam Kivirist, 11, of Browntown, Wis., and 9-year-old Kaitlyn Kirchner of Madelia, Minn., will attend a meal at the White House. First Lady Michelle Obama will host the July 9 event. The contest encourages kids to come up with recipes that are healthy, affordable, original and tasty. At least half the recipe had to include fruits and vegetables. Liam won with his Wisconsin solar oven-simmered chili. He says it's unique because it includes pumpkin, quinoa and Wisconsin cheese. Kaitlyn submitted a garden stir fry featuring vegetables including carrots, broccoli and sugar snap peas. Both say they can't wait to meet Mrs. Obama.
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