Several Christian artists are joining U2 front man Bono in his international
effort to fight AIDS and poverty in Africa.

Gotee acts Jennifer Knapp, Out of Eden, Relient K, GRITS, Jeff Deyo and John
Reuben are joining Michael W. Smith, Margaret Becker, Third Day, Sixpence
None the Richer, dc Talk, Jars of Clay, the Newsboys and others who have
begun showcasing a three-minute video appeal from Bono during this summer’s
festivals. In his cameo the Irish singer cites the 2,300 verses in the Bible
which focus on the poor and asks audiences to respond to the profound need
in Africa.

This multi-artist partnership was initiated a few months ago when Gotee’s
publicity manager, Jay Swartzendruber, teamed with his mentor Charlie
Peacock to write a proposal for Bono’s initiative called DATA — Debt Aids
and Trade for Africa. Soon the brilliant mind and heart of Steve Taylor
joined the mix and the rest is becoming history.

More than 15 Christian artists have chosen to endorse DATA’s initiative.
While concert goers are being asked to provide their name and email address
to receive DATA’s strategic initiatives, many of the artists are also
recommending other immediate ways fans can respond to Africa.

For more information visit datadata.org.

To watch the Bono video click on this link:
http://easylink.playstream.com/g1network/bono_high.rm

Belgian fan site U2 Vlaanderen (http://www.u2vl.org) reports that the Swiss owner of the
airplane used by U2 during the Elevation Tour met with a BBC film crew this week for a
documentary it is making on Bono’s life.

The airplane owner said, “They [the BBC crew] took several shots of the aircraft used for the
tour and interviewed the PrivatAir pilot who flew the band. We understand the film will be
aired on the BBC this fall.”

Today’s Daily Telegraph newspaper in Sydney (Australia) claims that the new
U2 single will be entitled “Electric Storm” and is due for commercial
release on October 21, 2002.

Hum, we’ll see mate!

— www.u2swisshome.com, 11.7.2002 —

U2swisshome.com has receive exclusive information from Universal Music about
the coming U2 Single and Album release. The exact title of the ‘Best Of’
compilation is not know yet, but it is thought from various rumours that the
album will cover the years 1990 – 2001. Now we can exclusively reveal the
following information:

16 September 2002 new U2 single released to radio
21 October 2002 new U2 single – commercial release

11 November 2002 new U2 ‘Best Of’ compilation released as double CD set. The
first CD will include 17 tracks, including the brandnew U2 single as well as
another new track. The bonus disc will feature rarities and b-sides from the
90’s

18 November 2002 new U2 ‘Best Of’ compilation released as standard
single-disc edition.

early December 2002 new U2 “Best Of 1990 – 2000″ DVD release. This DVD will
include the video clips to all tracks from the CD as well as special
features.

Promotion the following material will be used to promote these releases:
-U2 “Live At Slane Castle”, 45/50 minute film of the U2 concert, Slane
Castle, 1 September 2001
-’track by track’ video interview
-TV Performance of the new U2 Single (with and without “Top Of The Pops”
logo)
-the band will not be available for further promotion.

Irish rocker Bono has spoken out as he is upset for the world’s poor after the recent G8 world leader summit in Canada saying enough was not going to be done.
“The scale of the response does not match the scale of the problem. The message we’re trying to get to the politicians is don’t move in baby steps. Take the big leap forward. It’s cheaper to put the fires out before they happen and there are another 10 Afghanistans waiting to happen in Africa. I just though they’d have the imagination to take giant, giant leap here. There is a little bit more money going around but none of the vision we were hoping for.”

He went on. “It’s bewildering to me that we are not treating this as an emergency.”

He also said that if he was still speaking about the issue of AIDS in Africa next year that he has been nothing more than a tourist in someone else’s tragedies.

- ShowbizIreland.com

On July 25, 2002, Spanish fans will conmemorate the 15th anniversary of
the first U2 show in their country with “Fiesta U2.” This party will include
a live performance by cover band Exit, U2 videos and concerts projected on
big screens, give-aways of DVDs and other material donated by Universal
Spain.

The party will begin at 22:00hs PM at the teather Sala Riviera (Santa
Engracia, 17) Madrid. You may buy the tickets through
http://www.bbvtickets.com and in BBV Ticket Stores.

More info (in Spanish) is available at http://u2.zero.org/fiesta25.htm.