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!!

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.

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.

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.

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!!

Grenades kill three in Burundi.

On sunday night, grenade blasts have killed three people and injured dozens in two different bars in Bujumbura. Gun traficking has become open currency ever since the FNL, a rebel group, has begun talks with the government. And although the rebel group hasn't admitted anything yet, it is speculated that the crimes were perpetrated by them. Some also suggests that it could be just another gang related issue. BBC online has more.

Oh La La Thierry!!

Yes I've done it again..."Profiling" Thierry Henry!!
I don't know what it is but he just does it for me!

Profiling Rio Ferdinand

I know the world cup has been over for about a month now but I just couldn't resist profiling this guy. Rio Gavin Ferdinand was born November 7, 1978 in Peckham, London and is half St Lucian and half Anglo-Irish. He is middle backer although he's played midfield in the past for Manchester United.
He made headlines in 2003 when he failed to attend a drug test because "he was moving" and got an eight month ban for that.
A self-professed AIDS activist, he's visited half of the world for AIDS awareness and he's been known for saying things like"...although I didn't grow as poor as you did, I know what it feels like to want things you can't have..."
A true hero indeed. Standing 6'1 and weighing 167 lbs, Rio is one tall of water and I would have him any given day. Damn!!

Happiest country in the World...

According to researchers, Denmark is the happiest country and Burundi is "saddest". The research was conducted based on health provision, wealth and education. CNN.com has more.

N'SYNC member comes out!!

Like we ever had a doubt about it, Lance Bass of boyband N'SYNC finally steps out of the closet. No, really!! In a recent interview, he acknowledges the incessant pressure to disclose his sexuality over the years but he was fully aware of repercussions if he ever did while still part of the band. He knew he would be playing with the careers of the other boys.
He is currently in a "stable" relationship with Amazing race's Reichen Lehmkuhl. You go boys!!

News from Africa

-Congo is expected to hold her first ever democratic elections on July 30 to elect a president and parliament. A move that has been a luxury for every other nation in the region but the rich nation of Congo. More to come.

-"Dubya" is expected to meet with Darfur rebel leader Minni Minnawi in Washington who also happens to head the one rebel faction to have signed a peace deal. The other two refused citing "inadequate" terms.

-In entertainment news, MTV has launched an "African" branch of it. The same way there's MTV Europe, Canada, Australia and so on. But critics are sceptical as to what good that is going to do for the poverty, famine and war torn continent since about 70% of video clips played are mostly american hip hop.
African music and artists from the continent make up only about 30% of the output. BBC online has more.

It hurts...It hurts so badly...

It was a rainy late saturday afternoon at the end of march in 1998 when I met him. It was on March 21st to be precise. I had never seen such radiance in anyone before. You know, the type that's actually contagious. He stepped into the SUV we were driving (my cousin and I) as we were headed out of town for a picnic organized by some friends. So we picked him up on our way to the countryside.
I didn't know him but my cousin did. I didn't know we were picking anyone up, so I kinda dozzed off a bit and was awaken by the door slaming shut. I opened my eyes and there he was. Fine as hell. He said hi and we introduced ourselves. Turns out we had the same first name. At the same time my cousin stepped back into the car and we drove off. As we picked more people up on our way, we had to kinda squeeze in and some had to seat on other people's laps. Yeah this is back home so the police really didn't care about such a security breach. Just use your imagination to guess who was seating on whose lap.
Anyways, as the day went on and darkness started to befall some "rubbing" occured of course. Which was to be expected given the circumstances and a few drinks that were being had during the 5 hour trip. Ahem...We finally reached our destination and started installing up our tents and our sound system. This is like around midnight. I think I had had one too many drink and I was still young, 19 to be exact. So I started vomiting. Moments later I hear someone holding me and helping me to get it all out. You know, with little taps on the back and shoulders. A very affectionate and sweet gesture indeed. So I finished up and got cleaned and went to one of the cars to just relax and listen to music.
He joined me just a few minutes later. We started talking and somewhere along the conversation he mentioned his girlfriend. Oh crap, I thought! He took my hand and started asking me if I had a girlfriend. Which I didn't but I lied to him. One thing led to another and the next thing you know we were kissing. To make a long story short, we were inseparable that week end and the days to follow. We'd talk on the phone for hours and my mom would barge in on me and yell at me since she was the one paying the bill. I actually believe she knew as she once smiled and shook her head after I asked her for money to get some medication for him as he had come down with a cold. She did give me the money. At that time I was getting ready to move to Canada and I had never felt helpless and desperate at the same time. So the day eventually came, June 28 of 1998. I almost missed my plane saying my tearfull adios to him on the phone. I don't think I would have handled seeing him in person. So off I went and that was the beginning of the end of a fairy tale. I knew then that there was nothing wrong with me since that love for me felt pure and natural. Nothing toxic about it, it seemed. We stayed in touch via letters and e-mails but the distance eventually got the best of a beautiful thing. He stopped writing and I kept writing and I guess he eventually heard of my coming out and simply switched gears. He would send a "hi" via one of my sisters, as they were in regular contact but never directly to me. He eventually came to Canada as well and went to live with his friends out west. Then the strangest thing happened.
As if I hadn't suffered enough, fate had me move as well to that part of the country, where I'm residing right now. I never would have thought that I would be feeling this way since I was 178% sure I was over him, done and begone. But no, seeing him last night brought back everything I had burried long ago. The same amazing smile, the same affectionate look that he gives you as if you mean the world to him, the same sweet scent that has been locked in my brains all these years. I was mad, angry and terrified. I always thought I was less vulnerable than that. I know, that was my ego doing its job.There was a time when I would have given up everything just to be with him and I prayed time and again for a chance to be with him again. And now I believe more than ever in the words of India Arie when she said "...watch what you ask for, coz you might receive..." . Taken from Ready for love.

Brown skinned hotties.

Distinguished hotties.

Mid-week hotties.

Early Britain had an "apartheid-ized" society.

It's a well-known fact that modern day Britain has a predominantly germanic gene pool and that fact is well reflected in the language.The English language being a West Germanic language heavily influenced, in comparison with other Germanic languages, by French and Latin.
According to experts, migrants from Denmark, Holland and Germany would have settled there with a much higher economic power than native Britons and might have changed the local gene pool by out-breeding the natives.
More details available here