December 3, 2003	Wednesday	Shawwal 8, 1424

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 2: The child molestation charges against pop star Michael Jackson reverberated in the corridors of the United Nations on Monday as his brother Jermaine Jackson addressed a press conference to promote “The Battle of Hope,” a World AIDS Day boxing and musical event to be held in Nigeria on Jan 10.

Questions put to Jermaine Jackson — promoting the Abuja event — by the media in the UN press room him about his younger brother Michael, were cut off by a moderator and Jackson was whisked away by his handlers after a presentation about the AIDS Day event.

Also at the press briefing were hip-hop singer Ashanti and female boxer Laila Ali, daughter of former world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, who will be taking part in the event.

When the President of the UN correspondents association tried to ask Mr Jackson a question, the women’s boxing champ jumped in and shouted that she hadn’t yet made her presentation.