Bono pushes to fight AIDS

Bono pushes to fight AIDS
DAVOS, Switzerland -- Bono unveiled a new push to fight HIV and AIDS in Africa, announcing a partnership with several companies to sell products under a brand called Red, with proceeds going toward anti-AIDS programs. The U2 frontman said the money would go to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. "So, here we are, fat cats in the snow, and I say that as one," the 45-year-old rocker said Thursday to laughs. Bono was flanked by Italian fashion tycoon Giorgio Armani and corporate executives who joined him for the announcement at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss ski resort of Davos. Red includes red-theme products from American Express, Converse, Gap and Giorgio Armani. The venture will include an American Express card, shoes, T-shirts and sunglasses and is meant to be a long-term fund-raiser for the group, fund executive director Richard Feachem said. The Global Fund was created to finance a dramatic turnaround in the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. To date, the fund has committed $4.4 billion in 128 countries to fight the diseases.
A new U.N. ambassador
UNITED NATIONS -- Nicole Kidman has a new role -- working to advance women's rights around the globe as a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. The Oscar-winning actress will work with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) on "critical gender concerns such as ending violence against women," according to a U.N. statement Thursday. She joins Princess Basma of Jordan, who focuses her attention on the Middle East, and Phoebe Asiyo, a member of the Kenyan Parliament, as a UNIFEM ambassador. Since the 1950s, U.N. agencies have enlisted the help of prominent personalities from the arts and sports worlds to highlight key issues, including Angelina Jolie, who has traveled widely as a goodwill ambassador for the U.N.'s refugee agency. Kidman's screen credits include "The Interpreter," a 2005 thriller in which she played a U.N. interpreter caught up in a cloak-and-dagger assassination attempt.
Ryan adopts baby girl
NEW YORK -- Meg Ryan has adopted a baby girl from China. The 44-year-old actress recently traveled to China for the adoption. She and her daughter are now home in California together, Ryan's publicist, Stephen Huvane, confirmed Thursday. No further details were available. The "Sleepless in Seattle" star also has a 13-year-old son with her ex-husband, actor Dennis Quaid. She and Quaid divorced in 2001. Ryan's most recent films include "Against the Ropes" in 2004 and "In the Cut" in 2003. Later this year, she'll return to the big screen in "In the Land of Women," a comedy starring Adam Brody from Fox's "The O.C." Ryan's other movies include "When Harry Met Sally," "Courage Under Fire" and "Prelude to a Kiss."
Today's birthdays
Singer Bobby "Blue" Bland is 76. Actor James Cromwell is 66. Actor John Witherspoon is 64. Rock musician Nick Mason (Pink Floyd) is 61. Rhythm-and-blues singer Nedra Talley (The Ronettes) is 60. Ballet star Mikhail Baryshnikov is 58. Country singer Cheryl White is 51. Actress Mimi Rogers is 50. Rock musician Janick Gers (Iron Maiden) is 49. Actress Bridget Fonda is 42. Actor Alan Cumming is 41. Country singer Tracy Lawrence is 38. Rock singer Mike Patton is 38. Rapper Tricky is 38. Rock musician Michael Kulas (James) is 37. Actor Josh Randall is 34. Country singer Kevin Denney is 30.