Bring That Week Back: Week of June 21

Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz get a blessing in Africa. Jamaica nabs drug king and Nicki Minaj tones it down. Get more stories!

Laker Fans Celebrate - On Monday, thousands of cheering fans saluted their Los Angeles Lakers during a victory parade days after the team defeated the Boston Celtics for their 16th NBA Championship. Laker stars Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher, Andrew Bynum and Ron Artest waved to the crowd from a flatbed truck decorated in purple and gold during the two-mile parade. Bryant told reporters that his 5th title was “the best one by far because it was the hardest one to get."

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Laker Fans Celebrate - On Monday, thousands of cheering fans saluted their Los Angeles Lakers during a victory parade days after the team defeated the Boston Celtics for their 16th NBA Championship. Laker stars Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher, Andrew Bynum and Ron Artest waved to the crowd from a flatbed truck decorated in purple and gold during the two-mile parade. Bryant told reporters that his 5th title was “the best one by far because it was the hardest one to get."

Jamaica Nabs Dudus - Jamaican drug kingpin, Christopher “Dudus” Coke, was captured and arrested by police at a highway checkpoint in the nation on Tuesday. Coke, referred to as one of the world’s most dangerous drug lords by authorities, was on his way to turn himself in (at the advice of a preacher) before he was stopped. Last month, fighting between Jamaican security forces and those loyal to Coke took place in his Kingston neighborhood killing 76 people.  Now, Jamaica's top police officer is appealing for cool he

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Jamaica Nabs Dudus - Jamaican drug kingpin, Christopher “Dudus” Coke, was captured and arrested by police at a highway checkpoint in the nation on Tuesday. Coke, referred to as one of the world’s most dangerous drug lords by authorities, was on his way to turn himself in (at the advice of a preacher) before he was stopped. Last month, fighting between Jamaican security forces and those loyal to Coke took place in his Kingston neighborhood killing 76 people. Now, Jamaica's top police officer is appealing for cool he

Michael Jackson Death Anniversary - June 25 marks the one-year anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death. The music legend was celebrated across the world with music tributes on radio stations, in addition to the major networks devoting a portion of their morning news programs to Jackson. His burial place in California is expected to draw many fans and family members as well. Jackson died last year after being administered the powerful anesthetic propofol by Dr. Conrad Murray, who is currently on trial for manslaughter.

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Michael Jackson Death Anniversary - June 25 marks the one-year anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death. The music legend was celebrated across the world with music tributes on radio stations, in addition to the major networks devoting a portion of their morning news programs to Jackson. His burial place in California is expected to draw many fans and family members as well. Jackson died last year after being administered the powerful anesthetic propofol by Dr. Conrad Murray, who is currently on trial for manslaughter.

Jay-Z Sued By Private Jet Co. - A luxury private jet company is taking Jay-Z to court, claiming the rapper owes them almost $250,000 in fees. The papers, filed Monday in a Miami court, allege that Jay didn’t pay for 18 of the 55 hours he used the company, Air Platinum Club’s, private jets for international and domestic flights. In addition to the unpaid hours, the company is also asking for catering, taxes and fees and another $100,000 on top of all that for damages, reports E!.

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Jay-Z Sued By Private Jet Co. - A luxury private jet company is taking Jay-Z to court, claiming the rapper owes them almost $250,000 in fees. The papers, filed Monday in a Miami court, allege that Jay didn’t pay for 18 of the 55 hours he used the company, Air Platinum Club’s, private jets for international and domestic flights. In addition to the unpaid hours, the company is also asking for catering, taxes and fees and another $100,000 on top of all that for damages, reports E!.

Michelle Obama Will Headline NAACP Convention - The first lady will speak at this year’s NAACP Convention in Kansas City in July. The NAACP had invited President Barack Obama to address the convention, which will be held July 10-15, but the president will be in Kansas City on July 8 — two days before the convention — for a fundraiser for Democratic Senate candidate Robin Carnahan.

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Michelle Obama Will Headline NAACP Convention - The first lady will speak at this year’s NAACP Convention in Kansas City in July. The NAACP had invited President Barack Obama to address the convention, which will be held July 10-15, but the president will be in Kansas City on July 8 — two days before the convention — for a fundraiser for Democratic Senate candidate Robin Carnahan.

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McChrystal Resigns, Replaced with Gen. Petraeus - After a hectic week, where it was revealed that Gen. Stanley McChrystal, top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, criticized Obama during an interview with Rolling Stone, McChrystal submitted his resignation Wednesday. Obama replaced him with Gen. David Petraeus, who was formerly the head of U.S. Central Command.

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McChrystal Resigns, Replaced with Gen. Petraeus - After a hectic week, where it was revealed that Gen. Stanley McChrystal, top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, criticized Obama during an interview with Rolling Stone, McChrystal submitted his resignation Wednesday. Obama replaced him with Gen. David Petraeus, who was formerly the head of U.S. Central Command.

Amber Rose Calls Kanye a Life Saver - Amber Rose, Kanye West’s on again-off again girlfriend, told YRB magazine that her relationship with the rapper is what kept her alive. “Honestly, Kanye saved my life,” she said. “I don’t even think about what I would have been. I just think about what I’m going to be…” She also talked a little about fame. “I don’t look at myself as a celebrity. I’m just a dope chick from South Philly.”

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Amber Rose Calls Kanye a Life Saver - Amber Rose, Kanye West’s on again-off again girlfriend, told YRB magazine that her relationship with the rapper is what kept her alive. “Honestly, Kanye saved my life,” she said. “I don’t even think about what I would have been. I just think about what I’m going to be…” She also talked a little about fame. “I don’t look at myself as a celebrity. I’m just a dope chick from South Philly.”

Quote  Monster - Wayne's quotes are like stray bullets: they can go in any direction. From radio to TV to magazine interviews, Dwayne Carter's tongue is a deadly weapon.

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Lil Wayne Enters a Plea - Late last week, Lil Wayne, currently serving an eight-month sentence in a New York jail for weapons charges, pled guilty to one count of possession in an Arizona drug case. He appeared in court via video. In 2008, the rapper’s tour bus was stopped at a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint and authorities say they found cocaine, Ecstasy and a handgun on the bus. He’s scheduled to be sentenced June 30 and could receive 36 months of probation.

Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz Get a Blessing - Rap producer Swizz Beatz and his pregnant fiancée Alicia Keys got a traditional Zulu blessing during a ceremony while they were in South Africa. During an interview this week, Beatz revealed that the two were doing an event under a special tree where abused kids come to get healing. “It turned into this ceremony that I didn’t know about. I felt like I was on “Punk’d” or something! But, yes we had a special blessing,” he said. Keys and the unborn baby were given Zulu names during the ritual.

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Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz Get a Blessing - Rap producer Swizz Beatz and his pregnant fiancée Alicia Keys got a traditional Zulu blessing during a ceremony while they were in South Africa. During an interview this week, Beatz revealed that the two were doing an event under a special tree where abused kids come to get healing. “It turned into this ceremony that I didn’t know about. I felt like I was on “Punk’d” or something! But, yes we had a special blessing,” he said. Keys and the unborn baby were given Zulu names during the ritual.

Son of Dallas Chief Dies in Police Shootout - Dallas’ newly sworn-in police chief, David Brown, received a double blow on Father’s Day, when he learned that: 1) One of his officers was murdered; and 2) His son, David Brown Jr. was behind the slaying and was murdered in the shootout. Investigators say 37-year-old Lancaster officer Craig Shaw was killed Sunday just minutes after Brown's son fatally shot a stranger in what authorities say was a random attack. “My family has not only lost a son, but a fellow police officer and a private citizen

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Son of Dallas Chief Dies in Police Shootout - Dallas’ newly sworn-in police chief, David Brown, received a double blow on Father’s Day, when he learned that: 1) One of his officers was murdered; and 2) His son, David Brown Jr. was behind the slaying and was murdered in the shootout. Investigators say 37-year-old Lancaster officer Craig Shaw was killed Sunday just minutes after Brown's son fatally shot a stranger in what authorities say was a random attack. “My family has not only lost a son, but a fellow police officer and a private citizen

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Kilpatrick in Trouble -- Again - On Wednesday, former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, already serving time for violating probation, was charged with fraud and tax crimes as the government accused him of enriching himself and others by milking $640,000 from the Civic Fund, a tax-exempt charity that he created as a good-works effort to enhance Detroit and improve the city's image.

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Kilpatrick in Trouble -- Again - On Wednesday, former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, already serving time for violating probation, was charged with fraud and tax crimes as the government accused him of enriching himself and others by milking $640,000 from the Civic Fund, a tax-exempt charity that he created as a good-works effort to enhance Detroit and improve the city's image.

Nicki Minaj - The Harajuku Barbie continues to rack up nominations. This time, she earns her first Grammy nod for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for her verse on Ludacris' "My Chick Bad."

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Nicki Minaj, the Role Model? - Young Money rapper Nicki Minaj is looking to tone it down in an effort to show young girls that there’s more to life than just sex appeal. “I made a conscious decision to try to tone down the sexiness. I want people, especially young girls, to know that in life, nothing is going to be based on sex appeal,” she told Interview magazine. “You’ve got to have something else to go with that.”

Manute Bol Dies - Retired NBA player and Sudanese humanitarian Manute Bol passed away on Saturday at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville. He was 47. He was being hospitalized for severe kidney trouble and a skin condition, prior to his death. Bol, a towering 7-foot-7, played 10 seasons in the NBA with Washington, Golden State, Philadelphia and Miami. “Sudan and the world have lost a hero and an example for all of us,” said the executive director of the group Sudan Sunrise. “Manute, we’ll miss y

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Manute Bol Dies - Retired NBA player and Sudanese humanitarian Manute Bol passed away on Saturday at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville. He was 47. He was being hospitalized for severe kidney trouble and a skin condition, prior to his death. Bol, a towering 7-foot-7, played 10 seasons in the NBA with Washington, Golden State, Philadelphia and Miami. “Sudan and the world have lost a hero and an example for all of us,” said the executive director of the group Sudan Sunrise. “Manute, we’ll miss y

iPhone Mania - The iPhone 4 came out on Thursday, and many stores across the world sold out of the product within hours. In addition, more than 600,000 customers had rushed to pre-order iPhones on the first day they were available, prompting Apple and its exclusive wireless partner in the U.S., AT&T Inc., to stop taking orders for pickup or shipment by Thursday's launch. On Apple's website, new orders weren't promised for delivery until July 14.

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iPhone Mania - The iPhone 4 came out on Thursday, and many stores across the world sold out of the product within hours. In addition, more than 600,000 customers had rushed to pre-order iPhones on the first day they were available, prompting Apple and its exclusive wireless partner in the U.S., AT&T Inc., to stop taking orders for pickup or shipment by Thursday's launch. On Apple's website, new orders weren't promised for delivery until July 14.

Meeting With Russian Leader - Obama will meet with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday at the White House. The two leaders will discuss ways the two nations can better collaborate on trade, investment and innovation ahead of the upcoming G-8 and G-20 meetings.

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Meeting With Russian Leader - Obama met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday at the White House. The two leaders discussed ways their nations can better collaborate on trade, investment and innovation ahead of the upcoming G-8 and G-20 meetings.

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Rapper Bun B to Teach at Texas Univ. - Texas rapper Bun B. will be teaching a Hip-Hop course at Rice University in Houston, TX. he told XXL magazine on Monday. But aspiring rappers shouldn’t expect a career boost from taking his course. “If they’re coming into the course specifically to give me a demo…that’s a wrap on the first day,” he said.  He’s due to start teaching the course, registered as a Hip-Hop and Religion course, next spring.

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Rapper Bun B to Teach at Texas Univ. - Texas rapper Bun B. will be teaching a Hip-Hop course at Rice University in Houston, TX. he told XXL magazine on Monday. But aspiring rappers shouldn’t expect a career boost from taking his course. “If they’re coming into the course specifically to give me a demo…that’s a wrap on the first day,” he said. He’s due to start teaching the course, registered as a Hip-Hop and Religion course, next spring.

Lawrence Taylor Indicted - Former NFL star Lawrence Taylor was indicted Wednesday by a New York grand jury on third-degree rape charges and patronizing a prostitute. The indictment follows his May 6 arrest at a Holiday Inn in Ramapo, N.Y., where prosecutors say he paid a 16-year-old girl $300 to have sex with him. The former New York Giants linebacker also was indicted on charges of endangering the welfare of a child, and sexual abuse and criminal sexual act in the third degree. He faces up to four years in prison.

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Lawrence Taylor Indicted - Former NFL star Lawrence Taylor was indicted Wednesday by a New York grand jury on third-degree rape charges and patronizing a prostitute. The indictment follows his May 6 arrest at a Holiday Inn in Ramapo, N.Y., where prosecutors say he paid a 16-year-old girl $300 to have sex with him. The former New York Giants linebacker also was indicted on charges of endangering the welfare of a child, and sexual abuse and criminal sexual act in the third degree. He faces up to four years in prison.

Are Happy Meals Making Kids Fat? - The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has threatened to sue McDonald’s Tuesday, saying that the fast food giant “unfairly and deceptively” markets Happy Meal toys to children. "McDonald's marketing has the effect of conscripting America's children into an unpaid drone army of word-of-mouth marketers, causing them to nag their parents to bring them to McDonald's," CSPI's Stephen Gardner wrote to the heads of the chain in a letter announcing the lawsuit. The group is hoping that the

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Are Happy Meals Making Kids Fat? - The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has threatened to sue McDonald’s Tuesday, saying that the fast food giant “unfairly and deceptively” markets Happy Meal toys to children. "McDonald's marketing has the effect of conscripting America's children into an unpaid drone army of word-of-mouth marketers, causing them to nag their parents to bring them to McDonald's," CSPI's Stephen Gardner wrote to the heads of the chain in a letter announcing the lawsuit. The group is hoping that the

Michelle Obama Visits D.C. School - The first lady visited D.C.’s Bell Multicultural High School on Wednesday to launch the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. The council used to be called the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, but will now include healthy eating habits. "We're spending billions of dollars on treating obesity-related conditions and we can't afford to keep going down this road," she said. Obama jump-roped, juggled with scarves and helped assemble trail mix snacks with the student

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Michelle Obama Visits D.C. School - The first lady visited D.C.’s Bell Multicultural High School on Wednesday to launch the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. The council used to be called the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, but will now include healthy eating habits. "We're spending billions of dollars on treating obesity-related conditions and we can't afford to keep going down this road," she said. Obama jump-roped, juggled with scarves and helped assemble trail mix snacks with the student

Tiki Barber Can’t Afford to Pay Ex - The fact that he’s no longer playing in the NFL and was let go from his reporting gig at NBC has reportedly taken its toll on former NY Giants star Tiki Barber. He says he’s broke and can’t pay the divorce settlement his estranged wife and mother of his four children, Ginny, wants, reports the New York Post. Barber left his wife while she was eight months pregnant for a former NBC intern earlier this year and was let go from NBC’s “Today” show due to a “morality clause.”

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Tiki Barber Can’t Afford to Pay Ex - The fact that he’s no longer playing in the NFL and was let go from his reporting gig at NBC has reportedly taken its toll on former NY Giants star Tiki Barber. He says he’s broke and can’t pay the divorce settlement his estranged wife and mother of his four children, Ginny, wants, reports the New York Post. Barber left his wife while she was eight months pregnant for a former NBC intern earlier this year and was let go from NBC’s “Today” show due to a “morality clause.”

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Uncle Luke Disowns Children - Rap legend Uncle Luke has five children, but he’s only claiming one. In an interview with Houston’s 97.9 The Box radio station, Luke responded to his daughter publicly calling him a deadbeat. “I have one kid. His name is Blake Campbell and he stays with me, and me and my wife raise him…” he said. “When you get a [child support check], the results of that check ends up where your sperm donation kids are online talking bad about you after you spent millions and millions dollars in child support…”

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Uncle Luke Disowns Children - Rap legend Uncle Luke has five children, but he’s only claiming one. In an interview with Houston’s 97.9 The Box radio station, Luke responded to his daughter publicly calling him a deadbeat. “I have one kid. His name is Blake Campbell and he stays with me, and me and my wife raise him…” he said. “When you get a [child support check], the results of that check ends up where your sperm donation kids are online talking bad about you after you spent millions and millions dollars in child support…”

Jamie Foxx Developing New Series - Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx is in the process of developing a new mob drama, according to reports. The series called “Tommy’s Little Girl” will feature Selma Blair and Paul Sorvino and will chronicle the lives of older mobsters, according to Deadline Hollywood Daily. After Foxx finishes editing the trailer, he’ll shop it to cable networks.

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Jamie Foxx Developing New Series - Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx is in the process of developing a new mob drama, according to reports. The series called “Tommy’s Little Girl” will feature Selma Blair and Paul Sorvino and will chronicle the lives of older mobsters, according to Deadline Hollywood Daily. After Foxx finishes editing the trailer, he’ll shop it to cable networks.

Fat Joe Accused of Sexual Assault - A Wisconsin woman claims she was sexually assaulted while riding in rapper Fat Joe’s limo with his entourage Sunday. He was in town performing at the Orpheum Theater. After the concert, the woman, 33, says she was invited to join the rapper in his limo, and that’s when she says the assault happened. After she reported the alleged incident early Monday, Fat Joe and some of his friends were detained for questioning but were not arrested. A lawyer for the rapper denied the allegations.

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Fat Joe Accused of Sexual Assault - A Wisconsin woman claims she was sexually assaulted while riding in rapper Fat Joe’s limo with his entourage Sunday. He was in town performing at the Orpheum Theater. After the concert, the woman, 33, says she was invited to join the rapper in his limo, and that’s when she says the assault happened. After she reported the alleged incident early Monday, Fat Joe and some of his friends were detained for questioning but were not arrested. A lawyer for the rapper denied the allegations.

Kids “Need Us to be Present” - During his personal speech, Obama admitted that he’d “missed out on moments in my daughters’ lives that I’ll never get back.” But he also urged fathers to take an active role in their children’s lives. “[Our children] need us to be present. They need us to show up and give it our best shot, no matter what else is going on in our lives.”

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Obama Talks About Fatherhood - On Monday, the president attended a Father’s Day event at the Town Hall Education Arts and Recreation Campus (THEARC) theater in D.C. During his speech, Obama admitted that he’d “missed out on moments in my daughters’ lives that I’ll never get back.” But he also urged fathers to take an active role in their children’s lives. He went on to host a Father’s Day barbecue at the White House later in the day.

Wizards Pick John Wall - Kentucky standout John Wall was chosen No. 1 in the NBA draft by the Washington Wizards Thursday night. Wall could replace Gilbert Arenas as the Wizards' point guard, or perhaps play alongside him in a potential high-scoring backcourt. Ohio State’s Evan Turner went No. 2 to the Philadelphia 76ers and Derrick Favors of Georgia Tech went to the New Jersey Nets.

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Wizards Pick John Wall - Kentucky standout John Wall was chosen No. 1 in the NBA draft by the Washington Wizards Thursday night. Wall could replace Gilbert Arenas as the Wizards' point guard, or perhaps play alongside him in a potential high-scoring backcourt. Ohio State’s Evan Turner went No. 2 to the Philadelphia 76ers and Derrick Favors of Georgia Tech went to the New Jersey Nets.

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Fab Rings for NASDAQ - New York’s own Fabolous rang the NASDAQ stock market opening bell Monday morning. The rapper was representing the After-School All-Stars as National Music Ambassador. The organization was founded in 1992 by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and, in addition to Fabolous, Kobe Bryant and Common serve as spokesmen for the group.

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Fab Rings for NASDAQ - New York’s own Fabolous rang the NASDAQ stock market opening bell Monday morning. The rapper was representing the After-School All-Stars as National Music Ambassador. The organization was founded in 1992 by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and, in addition to Fabolous, Kobe Bryant and Common serve as spokesmen for the group.

Cop Testifies in Calif. Train Shooting Trial - On Friday, former Bay area transit officer Johannes Mehserle, will continue his testimony in an L.A. courtroom. He’s facing murder charges for shooting an unarmed Black man, Oscar Grant, early New Year's Day 2009. Mehserle is pleading not guilty to murder, saying that the shooting was an accident.

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Cop Testifies in Calif. Train Shooting Trial - On Friday, former Bay area transit officer Johannes Mehserle, will continue his testimony in an L.A. courtroom. He’s facing murder charges for shooting an unarmed Black man, Oscar Grant, early New Year's Day 2009. Mehserle is pleading not guilty to murder, saying that the shooting was an accident.

Bob Johnson Announces Haitian Factories - BET founder Bob Johnson announced a project for factories that will build construction materials in Haiti. According to a press release, the two factories will build earthquake- and hurricane-resistant panels for housing in Haiti’s quake-battered capital and the city of Cap-Haitien. Johnson announced the project Wednesday during a visit to Port-au-Prince, where he met with Haitian President Rene Preval and Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive.

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Bob Johnson Announces Haitian Factories - BET founder Bob Johnson announced a project for factories that will build construction materials in Haiti. According to a press release, the two factories will build earthquake- and hurricane-resistant panels for housing in Haiti’s quake-battered capital and the city of Cap-Haitien. Johnson announced the project Wednesday during a visit to Port-au-Prince, where he met with Haitian President Rene Preval and Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive.

U.S. Advances, Faces Ghana - After a thrilling late victory (1-0) against Algeria in the World Cup Soccer Tournament on Wednesday, the United States soccer team will face Ghana on Saturday. With Cameroon, Nigeria, Algeria and host nation South Africa all eliminated in the first World Cup in Africa, Ghana stands to be the only nation representing the continent (providing the Ivory Coast fails to advance).

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U.S. Advances, Faces Ghana - After a thrilling late victory (1-0) against Algeria in the World Cup Soccer Tournament on Wednesday, the United States soccer team will face Ghana on Saturday. With Cameroon, Nigeria, Algeria and host nation South Africa all eliminated in the first World Cup in Africa, Ghana stands to be the only nation representing the continent (providing the Ivory Coast fails to advance).