By Shout-Africa – Harare – The cabinet of the Zimbabwe’s coalition government has agreed to immediately embark on selling diamonds from a controversial diamond field in the east of the country, according to a state-controlled daily newspaper. The decision reported by the Herald and citing Minister of Mines Obert Mpofu, flies in the face of a continuing ban by the world watchdog on so-called blood diamonds on the sale of Chiadzwa gems because of human rights abuses. “It was clear from the meeting that the cabinet agrees with the immediate sale of our diamonds,” Mpofu was quoted as saying in... Continue Reading
By Shout-Africa – PHILADELPHIA- David Eisner, President and CEO of the National Constitution Centre, announced today that former British Prime Minister Tony Blair will receive the 2010 Liberty Medal in recognition of his steadfast commitment to conflict resolution. President Bill Clinton, Chair of the National Constitution Center, will award the prestigious medal to former Prime Minister Blair at a public ceremony on Monday, September 13, 2010 at 7:00 p.m., at the National Constitution Center on Independence Mall in Historic Philadelphia. The ceremony will be broadcast live on WPVI-TV/6abc and webcast live on www.6abc.com. The 2010 Liberty Medal ceremony will kick... Continue Reading
By Shout-Africa – KINSHASA, Dem. Rep. of Congo – Reporters Without Borders and Journalist in Danger (JED), its partner organisation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, said they are alarmed about the situation of press freedom in this country on the eve of the 50th anniversary of its independence. As many foreign leaders arrive in Kinshasa for tomorrow’s celebrations, the two organisations have called on the Congolese authorities and the international community to work together to improve the climate for journalists. In particular, they call on Belgium – which will be represented by King Albert at the celebrations and which... Continue Reading
By Shout-Africa NEW YORK — The live premiere of the BET AWARDS ’10 on Sunday, June 27, drew 7.4 Million Total Viewers, making it the #1 cable awards show among adults 18-49 for the fifth consecutive year. (NMR, Live + Same Day, 6/27). This year’s show, which aired from 8:00-11:30 p.m.,* marked the tenth anniversary of the BET AWARDS and featured a moving tribute to Michael Jackson where Chris Brown channeled the King of Pop while dancing to a montage of his classics like “The Way You make Me Feel,” “Remember The Time,” “Billie Jean,” “Smooth Criminal,” and then broke... Continue Reading
By Shout-Africa – Darfur rebel leader Khalil Ibrahim has pulled out of peace talk with the government of Sudan and Sudan has announced it is closing its border with Libya because Darfur rebels operate in the area. The border is to close on Thursday, 1 July, an interior ministry statement said. Libya said it understood the decision, given the upheaval in Darfur. Rebel leader Khalil Ibrahim is based in Libya and the move is seen as attempt to prevent him from returning to Darfur. The Sudan-Libya border includes the Darfur region, where the UN estimates that 300,000 people have died... Continue Reading
