Daily News Feed 8.6.08

Washington Helps Children in Africa
Actor Isaiah Washington has launched a new campaign through his Gondobay Manga Foundation and is aiming to help improve the lives of one million children in Sierra Leone. With the “Reach One Million” campaign, Washington is hoping to raise a minimum of $250,000 to help with social and economic issues in the West African republic. The new campaign, which Washington announced on his 45th birthday, will seek to educate the American public on the difficult conditions faced by Sierra Leonean children. Known for his appearances in such films as Crooklyn, Romeo Must Die, Bulworth, and Exit Wounds, as well as ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, Washington has dedicated himself to the people of Sierra Leone. He recently learned of his genetic link to the country’s Mende tribe. (Continue Reading…)

Dr. Dre About to Uncork Cognac, Vodka Brands
Hip-hop mogul Dr. Dre’s cognac and vodka brands will hit liquor stores in the next 60 days, according to celebrity booze marketer Drinks America Holdings Ltd. he products are the fruits of a joint venture between Wilton, Conn.-based Drinks America and Dr. Dre’s Interscope Geffen A&M Records label, a unit of Universal Music. Aftermath Congac will come out first, followed by an 80-proof flavored and unflavored sparkling vodka, Drinks America said Monday in its fourth-quarter earnings statement.\ It added that the marketing for the beverages will be tied in with the release of Dr. Dre’s long awaited “Detox” album. In late, July Dr. Dre told USA Today that the album would be out in “November or December.” (Continue Reading…)

Rwanda Accuses French Officials Over 1994 Genocide
Rwanda accused senior French officials Tuesday of involvement in the 1994 genocide that killed 800,000 people, naming late President Francois Mitterrand, former Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin and others. France’s Foreign Ministry said officials were reviewing the accusations, which were contained in a report, and they did not immediately comment. Rwanda’s government and genocide survivor organizations have often accused France of training and arming the militias and former government troops who led the genocide. But the latest accusations were the most detailed and point to top-level French officials. (Continue Reading…)