Tag: Africa

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Music: Band Aid Thirty “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”

Band Aid 30 "Do They Know It's Christmas?"

Last night, The X Factor debuted the latest version of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” featuring Bono, Ellie Goulding, Sam Smith, Seal, One Direction and many more lending their talents to raise funds to combat the spread of Ebola in Africa.

The 1984 original became the biggest selling single in UK Singles Chart history, selling a million copies in the first week alone, and passing three million sales on the last day of 1984. It stayed at Number 1 for five weeks, becoming Christmas number one, and has sold 3.7 million copies domestically.

The song was re-recorded in 1989 by Band Aid II and in 2004 by Band Aid 20, again raising funds for famine relief. The 2004 version of the song sold 1.17 million copies.

Download the 2014 version on iTunes here.

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Gambia passes legislation imposing life in prison for gays and lesbians

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh

The West African nation of Gambia has passed a bill which would impose life sentences for “aggravated homosexuality.” Under the new legislation, charges could be brought against those who are “repeat offenders” or people living with HIV/AIDS.

Previously, the country sanctioned punishment for homosexuals with up to 14 years in prison. In 2005 the laws were amended to include lesbians as well as gays.

The bill currently awaits President Jammeh’s signature.

Jammeh has a documented anti-gay past. In February, while addressing the nation on television, Jemmeh said, “We will fight these vermins called homosexuals or gays the same way we are fighting malaria-causing mosquitoes, if not more aggressively.”

In 2008, Jammeh “instructed” gays and lesbians to leave the country or risk being beheaded.

(source)