// [Upd] Vertigo 2006: Buenos Aires with Franz
From U2.com: U2 will play in Buenos Aires on March 1st with Franz Ferdinand in support. Tickets for the Estadio River Plate (River Plate Stadium) show will go on sale this Thursday, December 22nd.
It's expected that a second concert (March 2nd) is going to be announced after the first show sells out. U2 last visited Argentina in 1998, on the Popmart tour.
Update Dec. 28:
Tickets for a second show on March 2nd are on sale at the Ticketek Argentina website.
It is rumoured that this concert will be broadcast live by the Argentinian TV station 'Telefe'.
// Bono, Bill and Melinda: Persons of the Year
Time Magazine has named Bill Gates, his wife, Melinda, and Bono as its 'Persons of the Year' for being 'Good Samaritans' who made a difference in different ways.
The three were chosen for their work in trying to find ways to eradicate such calamities as malaria in Africa, HIV and AIDS and the poverty that kills 8 million people a year, said James Kelly, Time managing editor. (continued)
// Bono and Alicia Keys don't give up
Bono and Alicia Keys have recorded a version of the Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush classic 'Don't Give Up' for charity.
The new version of the song, now titled 'Don't Give Up Africa', was recorded for World AIDS Day and is available exclusively on iTunes.
The pair recently performed the song at the Black Ball in New York for the Keep A Child Alive fundraiser.
'I love this song.' says Keys in a statement, 'And I love Bono. I really respect what he has done for Africa and how he has used his fame to do good in the world. I hope I can do half as much in my life.'
You can watch and listen to 'Don't Give Up' on keepachildalive.org.
// Vertigo Mexico: Extra concert
Yesterday tickets went on sale for the February 15th Vertigo tour concert in Mexico City. The show sold out in in less than four hours, which makes it the fastest selling show in Mexican history.
U2.com has now announced a second show in Mexico City, which will take place the day after the first concert: February 16th, also at Azteca Stadium. Tickets will go on sale this Friday.
Tickets for the previously announced show in Monterrey (February 12th) will go on sale next Monday.
See the 4th leg tour schedule for all the dates of 'Vertigo 2006'.
// Kanye West to support U2
Rapper Kanye West will be the opening act for U2's 'Vertigo' tour concerts in New Zealand and Australia.
West was nominated for eight Grammy Awards last week, he's currently playing support for U2 on the final tour dates in the United States.
// Vertigo: Top-grossing tour of 2005
U2's 'Vertigo' tour was the top-grossing trek of 2005, according to year-end figures from Billboard. Vertigo reported grosses of $260 million and drew more than 3 million people to 90 concerts, all of which were sell-outs.
In addition, U2's June 24-27 run at Dublin's Croke Park was named Boxscore of the year, grossing more than $21.1 million and drawing nearly 247,000 fans.
Coming in second to U2 this year were the Eagles, who grossed $117 million from 77 shows, followed by Neil Diamond, who raked in more than $71 million. Country star Kenny Chesney placed fourth with a gross of $63 million; his attendance draw of 1.1 million was second only to U2.
// U2 receives human rights award
Amnesty International has awarded the members of U2 and their manager Paul McGuinness it's highest human rights accolade: the 'Ambassador of Conscience' Award for 2005.
 "From Live Aid in 1985 and Amnesty International's 1986 'Conspiracy of Hope' tour, through to Live 8 this past July, U2 has arguably done more than any other band to highlight the cause of global human rights in general and Amnesty International's work in particular. Their leadership in linking music to the struggle for human rights and human dignity worldwide has been ground-breaking and unwavering. They have inspired and empowered millions with their music and by speaking out on behalf of the poor, the powerless and the oppressed.", said Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
Read the full press release on the website of Amnesty International, and check out U2's biography at the Art for Amnesty site.
// Vertigo goes Mexico
U2 will open the 2006 leg of the Vertigo Tour in Mexico in February. The band will play Monterrey on Sunday, February 12th at University Stadium followed by Mexico City on Wednesday, February 15th at Azteca Stadium.
Tickets for both shows go on sale next Wednesday, December 14th. (continued)
// Five Grammy nominations for U2
U2 have been nominated for five Grammy awards, including Album of the Year and Best Rock Album, for 'How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb'.
Album single 'Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own' is up for Song Of The Year and Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal while 'City Of Blinding Lights' has been nominated for Best Rock Song.
Steve Lillywhite, who produced 'How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb', is also nominated, for Producer of the Year.
The Grammy awards will take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Feb. 8. They will be broadcast on CBS.
// More U2 for Auckland, Sydney and Melbourne
U2 have announced second and final shows in Auckland, Melbourne and Sydney.
Tickets for these three new performances will all go on sale on Monday, December 12 at 9 AM local time. See the 4th leg tour schedule for all the dates.
Yesterday tickets went on sale for the first 5 shows in New Zealand and Australia, they sold out in minutes.
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