Ndour calls for Darfur action

Earlier this week, Time called Youssou N'Dour one of the most influential people on the planet. Let's hope so: he's trying to mobilise artists from across Africa to campaign for immediate help for people in Darfur.

He might not solve the civil war and the humanitarian nightmare we've all helped to create, but it's got to be more use than Hugh Grant throwing egg-timers filled with blood around, surely?

Remember Darfur; forget Lennon

You could be forgiven for not having noticed yesterday's day of action to show solidarity with the people of Darfur - presumably bands were too busy arguing about how many solar-paneled toilets they get at Live Earth to do anything about it. So credit to Green Day, who have recorded a special track for Darfur victims. It's a cover of Working Class Hero, which wouldn't have been our choice, but it should raise a load of cash when it goes up on iTunes tomorrow.

Save Darfur petition
Oxfam's Darfur appeal page