All posts containing the tag: "AFRICA"
Posted Jun 12th 2009 8:21AM by TMZ Staff
Madonna lost her husband, but just gained a kid -- as a Malawian court just ruled she can adopt a second child from the African country.
The court originally said Madge could not adopt 3-year-old Chifundo "Mercy" James because she hadn't spent enough time in Malawi -- but have since decided that decision was based on outdated laws.
Madonna already has a son from the country, David, who she adopted in 2006.
The Material Girl's rep released this statement on her behalf: "I am ecstatic ... My family and I look forward to sharing our lives with her."
Filed under: Kids, Madonna
Tags: adoption, africa, chifundo mercy james, ChifundoMercyJames, court, madonna, malawi
Posted Mar 28th 2009 10:40AM by TMZ Staff
Madonna's efforts to adopt another child are seriously under fire by a British organization that says she needs to ease up on the whole "give a kid a chance" thing.
According to a statement released by Save the Children UK, Madonna may be sending the wrong message by going through with her plans to adopt a second child from the poor African country, Malawi. A welfare official and a person involved in the adoption proceedings said the singer plans to adopt a 4-year-old girl.
The org believes Madonna's actions may unintentionally feed more interest into the criminal adoption industry in Malawi. Madonna faced criticism during the adoption of her son David Banda in 2008 after she allegedly circumvented the traditional two year waiting period by using her money and influence.
Some people may think buying people is wrong ... but everyone agrees that living with Madonna would be way worse.
Filed under: Baby Watch, Madonna
Tags: adopt, adoption, africa, child, children, madonna, malawi
Posted Oct 17th 2006 5:50AM by TMZ Staff
So you're an A-list celebrity. You've got everything the observable and commercially-available world could possibly offer -- bling, black card, Bentley. How do you truly distinguish yourself from your peers as a world-class member of celebdom's royalty? Apparently, you take the first Gulfstream to Africa.
Indeed, like lemmings, younger Hollywood is angling to get their own 15 minutes of sub-Saharan fame. Lindsay Lohan has talked about wanting to visit, Britney Spears was rumored to be planning a Jolie-like Namibian birth, and even Paris Hilton is reportedly trying to get in on the act by filming a reality program there.
Of course, Madonna, with her recent adoption of baby David in Malawi, is just the latest celebrity to flock to the continent, making endless headlines in the process. Bono, has been an incredibly diligent and active advocate for African causes for years, and Oprah built a school in South Africa in 2002, among other efforts. Jay-Z, along with the UN, took up the cause of clean water, and has been touring there over the last month, and Alicia Keys has been deeply involved with Africa AIDS charities ever since a 2004 visit.
But if all those stars made Africa seem like a good idea, Angelina Jolie made it a truly glamorous one -- and though she's contributed a great deal, one UN development officer with projects in Africa tells TMZ that it's not all good . "She gave aid work a certain sheen, and made Africa seem like the kind of place you can just go and make something happen," says the UN officer, who asked that we not use her name. "But the reality is that when celebrities decide they're going to go to Africa and 'do something,' the amount of actual good they do can be so disproportionate to the disruption they cause."
Filed under: The Biz, Madonna
Tags: Africa, Angelina Jolie, AngelinaJolie, Madonna
Posted May 30th 2006 10:42AM by TMZ Staff
In what was arguably the most anticipated delivery in the world, Angelina Jolie gave birth to Brad Pitt's daughter Saturday in Africa, Pitt's publicist announced.
"The night of May 27, 2006 in Namibia, Africa, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt welcomed their daughter Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt. No further information is being given," publicist Cindy Guagenti said in a statement.
No photographs were being released, she added.
The baby's arrival had been the subject of intense press speculation in recent months, compelling the superstar couple to decamp to Africa for privacy.
Click here... it's not over yet
Filed under: Baby Watch, Brad & Angelina
Tags: AFRICA, ANGELINA JOLIE, AngelinaJolie, BABY, Brad Pitt, BradPitt
Posted Jan 26th 2006 11:40AM by TMZ Staff
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
U2 frontman Bono unveiled a new push to fight HIV and AIDS in Africa, announcing a partnership with several companies Thursday to sell products under a brand called "Red," with the proceeds going toward anti-AIDS programs.
Bono said the money would go to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
"So, here we are, fat cats in the snow, and I say that as one," he said to laughs. "It is a great place to do business and we have some business we want to talk to you about."
"Red" includes red-theme products from American Express, Converse, Gap and Giorgio Armani.
The venture will include an American Express card, shoes, T-shirts and sunglasses and is meant to be a long-term fund-raiser for the group, fund executive director Richard Feachem said.
"'Red' will bring a rising income stream ... (and) increased awareness of HIV in Africa and the role of the Global Fund to finance programs to treat it," Feachem said. "Income from 'Red' will flow to support Global Fund programs in Africa against HIV Aids, especially programs that help women and children."
Filed under: Music, The Biz, Life Style
Tags: Africa, Bono, Global Fund to Fight Aids, GlobalFundToFightAids, HIV, U2
