African stars joined U2 frontman Bono on Friday in a campaign to use music to help empower women around the world. Bono and top African male musicians D'banj, Diamond and Banky W announced that they will be included in a remix of the song "Strong Girl," a rallying cry for women's empowerment which features top African female talent.

Stephen Harper once said that meeting celebrities wasn't his ``shtick'' -- but it seems he's had a change of heart. The prime minister is granting an audience to U-2 frontman Bono, who's coming to Ottawa on Monday. Bono, who's known as much for his humanitarian efforts and AIDS activism as he is for his music, will also meet with N-D-P Leader Tom Mulcair and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau.

From the May 12, 2006 Dallas Business Journal: