Akon wants brighter future for Africa
Grammy-nominated singer Akon has a goal of bringing solar-powered electricity to 1 million homes in Africa by the end of the year, and the singer is using millions of his own dollars for the cause.
Akon started an initiative called “Akon Lighting Africa” this month. The singer, who was born in the U.S. of Senegalese parents and was reared in both countries, said he was “pained” after seeing people in the continent without electricity.
“How could you build any infrastructure with no lights?” he said in a recent interview. “Without electricity, you can’t even operate the machines to build roads or bridges. … That’s what created the initiative.”
Akon’s project aims to install solar equipment in households to improve energy sufficiency. He’s partnered with Give1 Project, ADS Global Corporation SA and public-private solar energy companies. He also met with government leaders about the project in Senegal, Gambia, the Ivory Coast and other countries.
“I saw what simple lights did to those people there,” he said. “It was like a huge festival when that light switch was hit. Now, kids can study during the afterhours. It’s a luxury. It touched me.”
Spacey teaching at ‘Bollywood Oscars’
Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey is coming to Tampa to lead an acting workshop when the “Bollywood Oscars” – the International Indian Film Academy’s weekend and awards – arrives in April.
The IIFA announced Thursday that Spacey will be joined in the master class with Bollywood actress Vidya Balan, who won India’s prestigious National Award for her thriller “Kahaani.”
The awards event honors Indian culture, fashion and film and will take place April 24-26.
Police seeking would-be Banksy thief
New Orleans police say they’re looking for a Los Angeles man accused of trying to steal a big chunk of cinderblock wall bearing a painting by the world-renowned graffiti artist Banksy.
An emailed news release says police have a warrant to arrest 30-year-old Christopher Sensabaugh on charges of attempted theft and criminal damage to property.
An Internet database does not have a current phone number for Sensabaugh.
Police say the mural could be worth $200,000 to $1.1 million.
The man was photographed by local residents. He told them he was removing the piece for an art show in London.
The birthday bunch
Actor Chuck Norris is 74. Rock musician Tom Scholz (Boston) is 67. Actress Aloma Wright is 64. Producer-director-writer Paul Haggis is 61. Actress Sharon Stone is 56. Rock musician Jeff Ament (Pearl Jam) is 51. Music producer Rick Rubin is 51. Britain’s Prince Edward is 50. Actor Jon Hamm is 43. Rapper-producer Timbaland is 42. Singer Robin Thicke is 37. Country singer Carrie Underwood is 31. Actress Olivia Wilde is 30. Actress Emily Osment is 22.