Bono Pushes Red Apple iPod in Africa AIDS Fight

Bono, the Irish front man for the band U2, has joined forces with Apple Computer as part of the “Red” initiative to help fight the AIDS epidemic in Africa, touting a limited-edition red iPod nano, and a portion of its sales will be donated to Global Fund, a United Nations-backed program meant to eliminate the most dangerous diseases in the world, namely in Africa, Reuters reports.

Bono appeared on the popular Oprah Winfrey talk show on Friday to announce the new red iPod, saying “this generation can be the generation that says ‘no’ to extreme poverty” in Africa by purchasing “Red” clothes and electronics—like phones and iPods—as well as shoes and other accessories, according to Reuters. A percentage of sales from all Red products will go to AIDS programs, Reuters reports.

Bono and Bobby Shriver, a nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, started the Red effort, which has raised some $10 million for the cause in Britain since its launch in early 2006, according to Reuters.

Additional participating U.S. retailers include Gap, Motorola, Converse and Giorgio Armani, Reuters reports, and as much as 50 percent of some Red products’ profits will be donated to AIDS funds.

Hip hop artist Kanye West, actress Penelope Cruz and model Christy Turlington also expressed their support for the initiative on Friday by tagging along with Bono and Oprah for a Chicago shopping spree, according to Reuters.

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