He said a Live Aid 2, nearly 20 years after the first epoch-defining event to help the starving people of Ethiopia, would not raise enough cash to adequately tackle the AIDS crisis. Instead, he urged the countries of the European Union (EU) to fulfil their pledge to commit 0.7 percent of their national incomes to overseas aid.

'At this point there are no plans for a Live Aid 2,' Bono told reporters as he entered a meeting of EU development ministers in Dublin. 'It's always there in the background but right now, no.'

Bono, frontman of rock giants U2 and a long-time campaigner on development issues, said a Live Aid concert would not be needed if governments in the developed world kept their promises on aid.

'We saw those pictures (of the starving in Ethiopia) 20 years ago. I don't want to see those pictures again,' he said.

'There are some laggards hanging out here, and I'm going to be putting my hand in their wallets,' he said as he headed in through the imposing doorway of Dublin Castle to meet the ministers. ‘For me it's not really about charity at this point, it's about justice,' said Bono.

Aishwarya: the new brand ambassador
Former Miss World and Bollywood star, Aishwarya Rai, poses in front of large poster of her at a press conference in Bombay, recently. The Indian superstar and worldwide brand ambassador for L'Oreal Paris appeared at the announcement of L'Oreal India's ten year presence in India with the launch of a new television campaign.

Aamir finds Miss Perfect
Aamir Khan seems to be making most of his current single status.

If his neighbours are to be believed, his latest girl friend has moved into his Pali Hill residence. "She's South Indian and her name is Kiran; she's an assistant director to Ashutosh Gowarikar," reveals a friend.

Kiran has just returned to Mumbai after completing the New Delhi schedule of Swades.

Aamir had divorced his wife, Reena, soon after the release of Lagaan.

Pearl Jam planning shows, hits package
After a long break, activity is slowly brewing in the Pearl Jam camp.

The group's official Web site (http://www.pearljam.com) hints at a handful of future releases and live performances by the fall. 'There could be some shows -- maybe acoustic, maybe not, a possible CD of some sort, and it's possible the band may head back to the studio toward the end of the year to begin work on their eighth album,' the site says.

The prospective fall shows may be held in swing states in the run-up toward the U.S. presidential election. And while Pearl Jam actively campaigned for Ralph Nader in the 2000 election, the site says the group will not play any fundraisers on his behalf this year.

Bassist Jeff Ament and guitarist Stone Gossard will be seen in the upcoming documentary Malfunksun: The Andrew Wood Story.

Finally, the site confirms that Sony Music is working on a Pearl Jam greatest hits album, with details to be announced. The band exited Sony's Epic Records last year after spending its entire career on the label. Pearl Jam says it is 'still leaving options open' for a new record deal.

Sources : AFP, Reuters, Times of India