Monday, August 21, 2006

Nick Lachey's gay themed commercial.

It's amazing how quickly the world is changing. Just years ago, it would have been impossible to see any hint of guy on guy action on prime time tv. Heck, it would have been unthinkable to see guy on guy anything. But lately, we've seen anything from comedy shows to gay themed ads and everything in between.

As I was watching the Teen Choice 2006 awards last nite, I was amused and kinda surprised to see this Axe-Clix commercial where Nick Lachey gets lustful attention from both men and women and appears to have no issue with his masculine suitors. Way to go!

Sunday, August 20, 2006

Saturday, August 19, 2006

Friday, August 18, 2006

Rwanda to review the death penalty.


Twelve years after a horrific genocide that left a million people dead and twice as many displaced, the country known to have been struggling to rebuild a rundown infrastructure, bring justice to the survivors and engage in talks with rebellious factions, is doing a hell of job in dropping some of its questionable practices such as the death penalty. After a well known genocide suspect, Emmanuel Nteziryayo, was apprehended in England and could possibly be extradited to the ICTR(the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, based in Arusha, Tanzania), the authorities in Kigali are considering discarding that extreme measure since a lot of western countries are continuously refusing to hand in some suspects due to the use of torture and execution. Details for the country's profile can be found here.

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Child sex allegations against UN peacekeepers in Congo.

The UN has started an extensive investigation on some of its own officers after allegations of child sexual abuse by locals as well as some soldiers. Young girls, some as young as 13 years old have been offered money and food in the south eastern province of Kivu, for sexual favors. The UN immediately implemented a ban on its troops to have sex with any locals. BBC online has more.

Needless to say that the said peacekeeping troops are there to oversee the congolese first ever democratic elections.

Monday, August 14, 2006

Africa catches on with the metrosexual frenzy!


Congolese men, in Africa, are known to be sharp dressers since day one. But nowadays, men from all walks of life aren't afraid of getting their finger nails trimmed and toe nails varnished. Cedric Mukoko, 16, says he has been looking after the nails of Kinshasa (the capital)'s elite, men and sometimes women, for four years and uses colored varnish on women and clear varnish for men. In Congo, men have been known to pluck their eye brows since the invention of a mirror. With the scorching heat, most people wear sandals and, well, men just want to show what they got. For details, check out these interesting pictures!

Sunday, August 13, 2006

International AIDS conference opens in Toronto.














Over twenty six thousand people from 170 countries attended this afternoon the 16th International AIDS conference at the Rogers Center. Among them were guests of honor with opening remarks. For instance Bill and Melinda Gates; co-chairman Dr Mark Wainberg; Governor of Canada, Haiti-born Michaëlle Jean; Toronto mayor David Miller; co-chairwoman of AIDS 2006, Dr Helene Gayle and the Executive Director for UNAIDS, Dr Peter Piot.

"We are dismayed that the prime minister of Canada, Mr. Stephen Harper, is not here this evening," Dr Wainberg said, prompting a standing ovation from the crowd with signs that read "Sleep in Steve? HIV Never Sleeps!"
The prime minister is said to have turned down the invitation to open with a speech due to "previous commitments". Dr Wainberg also said that "...Mr. Harper, the role of prime minister includes the responsibility to show leadership on the world stage. Your absence sends a message that you do not regard HIV/AIDS as a critical priority and clearly all of us here tonight disagree with you!"

Bill Gates mentioned Microbicides which are products designed to help prevent the sexual transmission of HIV and other STIs when applied either in the vagina or rectum. They can be developped in many forms, including gels, creams, sponges, etc. They are still being tested and are not available on the market as of yet. He also mentioned President Bush's promise to dedicate $15 billion in AIDS prevention, the mention of which the crowd booed in contempt. He explained how male circumcision has recently been scientifically proven to be effective in reducing the risk of contracting the virus. But also reminded the crowd that in some cultures women have no control over their spouses willingness to take those measures. Melinda Gates took a moment to raise awareness once again that stigma is one of the biggest obstacles to prevention and treatment. She gave the example of a hospital the couple visited in India where women and men are separated in a segragationist way, in which men have the best care from hospital staff and family members but right across the hall, the women's lives are wasting away. And finished her speech with a quote that prompted a standing ovation from the crowd. She said that "Saving lives is the HIGHEST ethical act!"

The week long conference will include speeches from actor and activist Richard Gere, former president Bill Clinton on Tuesday as well as NAACP chairman Julian Bond. There will be a vigil on Thursday and the closing on Friday. Click here for an in depth coverage of the ceremonies.

Friday, August 11, 2006

Drag queen disses Mugabe!


Curvaceous Kudah, as I like to call him (stage name Kudah Samuriwo), one of Zimbabwe's out and about drag queens, has revealed what his life was like back in his native country. During the 90's, he was the first black drag queen to win the "Jacaranda" beauty contest. A crown usually limited to "colored" transvestites (mixed race). Standing over 6 feet tall, he is a rather impressive performer. He was disinherited after revealing his sexuality to his parents and had to flee to neighboring South Africa, where he modeled himself after such African female artists as Brenda Fassie and Yvonne Chaka Chaka.

He remembers constantly being harassed and abused by the police, whom he'd eventually bribe with sexual favors in order to be released. A practice imprisoned gays still follow nowadays. He now lives in England.
"I don't know what Mugabe has against pigs and dogs; he must have had the worst sex ever with them...Maybe he's had gays as well that's why he makes comparisons. Experts can be so one-sided," he sarcastically says during an interview with BBC.

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Female DJ takes day off and gets suspension.


As most of South Africa was celebrating a national holiday on August 9th, a well known female DJ took the day off without her employer's approval, to celebrate with hundreds of thousands of other women across the nation, only to get suspended for not following the station's policies. "Unathi Nkayi is facing a disciplinary hearing by her employer, youth station YFM, and is accused of insubordination", BBC online reports.

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Historical anti-apartheid march re-enacted.


On August 9th, 1956 over twenty thousand women from all over the country protested in front of the Union Buildings, in order to get a "pass book" law abolished. The said law was an attempt to restrict non white women on where they could live, work or travel. The march was led by former Mandela's wife and partner, Winnie, and current spouse Graça Machel, the widow of late Mozambican president Samora Machel. Early in the morning, women started pouring in. Estimated in the tens of thousands, they came in via hundreds of buses, some dressed in tradional others in more modern clothing. BBC online has detailed pictures.

Thierry Henry Nike Football



I got the idea of posting this youtube commercial after finding out through Rod 2.0 that his double in the said commercial was arrested on robbery charges. Nothing fancy about the video...It's just that it's Thierry and by now everyone who visits this site knows how much Je l'adore.

Monday, August 07, 2006

Ethiopian floods " a disaster"...


While most media networks are focused on what's happening in the middle east, not too far from there, precisely in the Horn of Africa, things are quickly getting out of hand. Heavy rains that poured non stop on saturday night caused the Dechatu river to burst its banks and sweep away a small township called Dire Dawa as its residents were asleep. The death toll is estimated to be between 150-200. My whole family is gone! Shouts a young man who had been out clubbing with his friends."The destruction caused to property could run into millions of dollars," one police inspector said. Let's hope that the Middle-east crisis doesn't overshadow the International Community's responsibility to intervene.

Long week end hotness-es!!



Sunday, August 06, 2006

Tearfund condemns the Church's attitude towards sex in Africa


The Christian aid agency has expressed its concern and asked for more international funding to African Churches in order to fight AIDS.
It has applauded the progress made by some churches regarding their support for people infected with AIDS but also condemned the overwelming negative attitude towards sex by the majority of some Christian denominations.
The act was welcomed by some analysts who also worry that the Church ongoing practice of preaching abstinence instead of safe sex as well as their inability to talk openly about sex was getting in the way of such efforts. BBC online has more.

Friday, August 04, 2006

Nokia Face Of Africa 2006





Nokia Face of Africa is the continent's own version of Next Supermodel. It started as a way to bring African beauty and fashion to the international stage. The finals are to be held next week. The top ten finalists will progress to the Nokia Face of Africa 2006 final, which will be broadcast live on M-Net (South Africa's entertainment channel) on Sunday, August 13. The finalists are Kea Basima from Botswana, Sandra Bigirimana from Burundi, Mirash Davis from Ghana, Catherine Hemans Yankey from Ghana as well, Andenyi Anjalo from Kenya, Venantia Otto from Namibia, Ishioma Onyebo from Nigeria, Melody Zulu from SA, Mulenga Mubanga from Zambia and Munira Namakula from Uganda.
Check out the official site for details on the young women who will be competing.

Toronto Caribbean Carnival 2006


Yes you guessed it!! Caribana week end is upon us. I was supposed to fly back to Toronto for the festivities but I couldn't. Oh darn. Well, there's still next year.
As you all know Caribana began as Toronto Afro-Caribbean community's salute to the country centennial year, exactly 39 years ago. It's been going on ever since. Attracting more than a million participants from around the Globe, it has become one of North America's biggest celebrations. You could experience any musical styles from Jamaican reggae, African djembe rhythms, Brazilian Samba, Haitian zouk or urban sounds, mixed in with calypso and soca vibes.
Check out the official site for details at caribana.ca . The event coincides with Toronto Black Pride . An eventful week end indeed since they both happen side to side. Happy Pride for those who'll attend.

Bill Gates donates almost a million dollars for AIDS facilities.


During a recent quick trip to the Great Lakes region of Africa, the wealthiest man on earth funded a Center for Training and Operation Research to serve five nations: Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The center to be built and operated in Kigali, Rwanda, which he visited allegedly along side Oprah ( the latter could not be confirmed), will be an ultra-modern facility run by experts under the coordination of Rwanda's AIDS Treatment and Research Center, said Dr. Agnes Binagwaho, executive secretary of Rwanda's National Aids Commission. Rod 2.0 has an excellent article on the philanthropist couple.

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Madonna "blasphemous" performance.


Jews,Muslims and Christians alike unite to condemn Madonna for her latest stunt. A mock crucifixion during her latest show, where she appears on a giant cross wearing a crown of thorns. She defended herself saying that it was an attempt to appeal to her audience for an AIDS charity. BBC Online has more.
She made headlines almost two decades ago with her controversial black Christ (Leon Robinson as Jesus in the Like a prayer video) and burning crosses but she doesn't seem to be bothered by religious outrage prompted by her stunts.

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Sexy Cissé.




Born August 12th,1981 in Arles, France, Djibril is an international player for both France and Olympique de Marseilles. Of Ivorian descent he signed with Auxerre at age 15 and made an amazing debut on the international scene against Belgium in 2002. He had a leg injury that almost got him amputated. Which would have been unfortunate since we LOVE his notorious sexy legs.
Standing 6'1 and weighing 170 lbs, he is a handfull glass of hot chocolate.Yum!

Coupe de Boule...Zidane's "gaffe" turned into video clip!



The now infamous headbutt from "Zizou" to Italy's Marco Materazzi during the World Cup final has inspired a new video clip that's making "ravages" in Europe as the new summer hit. Although it's sung with a heavy "African" accent and beat, for those who speak french, it's a pretty dumb but funny video. Check it out!!