Daily News Feed 6.27.08

Ciara Inks Deal With Modeling Agency
R&B singer Ciara has signed with modeling agency Wilhelmina and is in talks to launch her own clothing line. Wilhelmina will now focus on casting Ciara, who’s currently ending a print modeling run for Jay-Z’s Rocawear line, in both clothing and fragrance campaigns, according to the singer. “Modeling has always been one of my aspirations,” says Ciara. “But I was insecure about my height. I thought I was 5′7″ but I just found out that I’m 5′8″ so I’m really excited about that.” Ciara’s also in talks with the budget-friendly department store, Steve & Barry’s, to create a reasonably priced clothing line that bridges her personal style with affordable price points. Steve & Barry’s also carries Sarah Jessica Parker’s Bitten line as well as the New York Knicks’ Stephon Marbury’s Starbury collection. (Continue Reading…)

Study shows blacks don’t share similar views of world
As a black man, John Bess says it has been important for him to know much about the white world, yet he says whites have not been so curious about his. “We’ve always known what’s happening in the white sector,” says Bess, a 56-year-old consultant in New York City, “but they (whites) have no idea who we are, what we’re about. … My mother may take one position and I take another and my brother takes another. You have to talk to the segments of our community.” A study out Friday provides a nuanced portrait of black Americans’ social views, consumer tastes and notions of identity, undermining the idea that most black Americans share a similar world view and life experience. Conducted by Yankelovich, a consumer market research firm, and sponsored by Radio One Inc., the survey finds that blacks have made progress economically and educationally and that most have a positive outlook for the future. Nearly one-third make more than $50,000 a year and 47% own homes. (Continue Reading…)

G8 Warns Sudan of More UN Action on Darfur
Group of Eight powers warned Friday they could take further action against Sudan at the UN Security Council unless it complies with demands to bring Darfur war crimes suspects to justice. Foreign ministers of the industrial powers called for an immediate ceasefire in the parched province, where the United Nations estimates that up to 300,000 people have died since the conflict broke out in 2003. Sudan has refused to comply with UN Security Council demands to hand over two suspects to the International Criminal Court who are accused of 51 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity including murder, torture and rape. (Continue Reading…)