Blog Entries Posted on February 7 2013 :

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, we've got our sights set on the Graffik Gallery's Zeus Solo Show and its hilarious approach to matters of the heart, while fried chicken, after hour desserts, Othello in Peckham and dancing for a good cause sounds like just the trick for what might be another frosty weekend in the capital - lovely times nonetheless but wrap up warm!

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The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) released in February 2013 a major report on "Sub-Saharan Africa: Trends in U.S. and Chinese Economic Engagement" that focuses on trade, aid, investment and contracts. It is one of the few studies that compares US and China's approach to these issues. The GAO issued a supplementary report titled "Sub-Saharan Africa: Case Studies of U.S. and Chinese Economic Engagement in Angola, Ghana and Kenya."

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Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali's announced intention of dissolving the government and forming a technocratic cabinet has been rejected by his own al-Nahda Party, which says he doesn't habe the power to do it. No one seems to know for sure if he does or doesn't; they're still writing the Constitution. But Jebali is al-Nahda's Secretary-General. Does this portend a split in the party, or will Jebali back down, or will the party?

Tomorrow there's a general strike in the offing. Things could go downhill fast, if these issues aren't resolved.

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WB set an official release date of April 12, 2013 for 42, its Jackie Robinson biopic that Brian Helgeland directed for Legendary Pictures. Relative newcomer Chadwick Boseman (who's worked primarily in television on shows like Fringe, Justified and Castle) is playing Jackie Robinson in the film, with Nicole Beharie as Robinson's widow, Rachel Robinson, née Rachel Isum. Also Harrison Ford co-stars as Branch Rickey - the Brooklyn Dodgers manager who made history by signing Robinson as the first black player in the history of...

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I was actually supposed to moderate a PAFF Insitute panel this weekend, at the Pan African Film Festival, which opens tonight; alas, the entire Northeast is being threatened with a blizzard, scheduled to hit our shores later tonight/early tomorrow morning, and will last through much of the weekend, causing the cancelation of some 1,600 flights thus far, and counting - mine included. So, it's highly unlikely that I'll make it out west over the next 24 to 48 hours, which is upsetting! I was looking forward to not only screening films at the festival (many that I haven't seen already), but also participating in my panel and covering others. I should note that...

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Here's a short but sweet video with Quvenzhané Wallis, done for Time Magazine, in which she talks about her experiences working on Beasts of the Southern Wild. Today, the magazine posted a series of videos called Great Performances, with several of this year's Oscar nominated actors and actresses; so, of course, there was no way they couldn't do one without Ms. Wallis. Take a look:

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Life in an Ethiopian palace full of African leaders Source: Africa Report At the Sheraton Addis Ababa, in the Ethiopian capital, Heads of State, diplomats and government officials exchanged pleasantries, talking about issues, as those at diplomatic...

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There's a good card at Newbury tomorrow and I think Nicky Henderson's stable has a very good chance of gaining some small compensation for the loss of Darlan - one of their star horses - earlier in the week with exciting novice My Tent Or Yours.

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Best-Selling Travel Writer Patricia Schultz To Host 'Imperial Ethiopia' Adventure Source: Forbes The land of Ethiopia, rich in natural, cultural and religious treasures and centered on the crossroads between North Africa, the Middle East and Sub-Sa...

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Ginni Rometty, IBM's chief executive IBM in Ethiopia: it's all about data By Katrina Manson Financial Times The link between one of the world's most powerful corporate leaders and a small bank in Ethiopia might not be immediately obvious. In...

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Hamada Saber is the name of an Egyptian man, who was seen in a video (which went viral) while he was being beaten and stripped of his clothes by police forces. The incident brought about a wave of shock and disbelief and shook the nation in disgust.

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On display this month at the Centro Cultural Franco-Moçambicano in Maputo are Mozambican photographer Mário Macilau's portraits he made of elderly people all over the continent (Nigeria, Congo, Mozambique, Cameroon, Kenya, Mali, etc.) during the year 2012. The title of the series is "Esquecidos" (Forgotten). In a short email, Mário Macilau explained his project: A [...]

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The murder of an outspoken opposition leader in Tunisia sparks copycat threats in Egypt by radical clerics. Two years on, François Picard's panel reacts to the growing climate of fear and lawlessness happening on the watch of Islamist parties who came to power through the ballot box.

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The murder of an outspoken opposition leader in Tunisia sparks copycat threats in Egypt by radical clerics. Two years on, François Picard's panel reacts to the growing climate of fear and lawlessness happening on the watch of Islamist parties who came to power through the ballot box.

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Reuters is reporting the claim by pro-autonomy Tuareg MNLA rebels that they have seized Mohamed Moussa Ag Mohamed, who imposed...

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