GRAMMY AWARD WINNER APPOINTED STATE MINISTER

Grammy-winning African music star Youssou N'Dour has been named as Senegal's minister for culture and tourism. Earlier this year the singer-songwriter, perhaps best known for co-writing and singing Neneh Cherry's 1994 hit '7 Seconds', announced his intention to stand as a presidential candidate against the octogenarian incumbent, Abdoulaye Wade. N'Dour criticized Wade's tenure, stating he was "hearing in mono, not stereo" and claiming he has held back the creation of a "new Senegal".
N'Dour failed in his bid for presidency, as his application was disqualified due to a lack of valid signatures. However, the new Senegalese president, Macky Sall, named N'Dour as member of his new cabinet earlier this week (April 4). N'Dour also held a concert in celebration of Sall's win.
When his own bid failed, N'Dour became an avid supporter of Sall, joining in street protests against the undemocratic reign of Wade – who was seeking an unconstitutional third term in office - and getting hit in the leg by a flying projectile in the process.
N'Dour has released 27 albums over the past 28 years, his most recent being 2011's 'Mbalakh Dafay Wakh'.

YOUSSOU N’DOUR IN NAIROBI TO FIGHT HUNGER

Legendary Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour talked about his visit with communities that have been badly affected by the ongoing famine at the Dadaab refuge camp.
"Whenever there is a problem it is the Westerners who are in the foreground, where are the Africans?" Youssou said, speaking after a visit to Kenya's giant Dadaab refugee camps as an ambassador for the UN children's agency.
Youssou and Somali rapper K'naan are planning a series of events across Africa to raise funds and awareness about the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.
"I think Africa should be at the forefront," he added.
Youssou was joined by UNICEF Regional Director for Southern and Eastern Africa Elhadj As Sy, on Tuesday (Sept 6) and spoke about the specific needs of children, the response of the humanitarian community, what more he believes needs to be done to alleviate the current suffering faced by so many, and what the future holds for the millions of children caught up in the combination of drought, rising food prices and insecurity in many parts of the Horn of Africa.