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Sir Bob Geldof reveals why he can’t watch Live Aid as he says it still ‘resonates’ today

By in Entertainment News, News

Live Aid co-founders Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ure have reflected on the initial concert, which took place in 1985, that has inspired Just For One Day: The Live Aid Musical

Joel Leaver Showbiz Reporter and Hannah Roberts PA Entertainment Reporter

Bob Geldof has reflected on Live Aid(Image: Joe Maher / Getty Images)

Sir Bob Geldof has reflected on the impact of Live Aid as the charity initiative celebrates its 40th anniversary this week. He’s suggested that it still resonates decades later and recalled the acts who took place as having been “exceptional”.

Bob, 73, highlighted the ongoing significance of the concert in a recent interview. The musician pointed to the documentaries, radio shows and even a musical inspired by the events of July 13, 1985, “when something weird happened”.

Speaking to PA news agency before a special gala performance of Just For One Day: The Live Aid Musical, he recounted his recent experience at an Oasis gig in Manchester. He said: “I was at Oasis last night in Manchester, who were staggeringly brilliant. So I’m buzzing, and I’m still amazed that this old guy can be so thrilled by a great rock and roll band.”

Bob then reminisced about the spirit of Live Aid, where some of the biggest acts performed. He said: “But imagine 40 years ago, seeing all of the greatest rock and roll bands, one after the other, being exceptional for free, no contracts with anyone, they had to pay their own plane fares.”

Bob Geldof, in a brown jacket, black top and jeans, stood beside Midge Ure, in a blue suit.
Bob Geldof (right) and Midge Ure (left) launched Live Aid four decades ago(Image: Joe Maher / Getty Images)

He also noted the camaraderie among the artists, saying: “For some reason, the performances were ‘other’, just like the day itself. They rose way above and everyone hung around to watch each other.”

Despite its significance, Bob revealed he’s never watched Live Aid. He said: “I’ve never seen it because I can’t watch or listen to myself. I can’t stand all the stupid things I say. However, he did see the finale recently, sharing: “But I saw the end of Live Aid two weeks ago, which was the Christmas song.”

He compared the closing scene to a chaotic school play, teasing: “And here are the greatest creative talents of the rock era, and it’s like the worst ever nativity play in school, like the kids haven’t learned the lines, the teachers are going nuts, and they all hung around. They wouldn’t leave.”

Bob went on to say that the “sheer improbable exhilaration” of the concert is “what resonates” still, adding: “It’s a time when Britain did something profound with their American brothers.” He suggested that it “resonates particularly now” due to being in “the sort of age of the death of kindness”.

He added that it resonates “more” than when it was “possible for the boys and girls with guitars to corral the political and economic structures of the world”. He also encouraged “the entire electorate and population” to give over money that would help the situation.

Bob said: “I think that’s why you’ve got musicals. It’s why you’ve got documentaries, it’s why you’ve got whole stations dedicated to that day 40 years ago when something weird happened.”

Co-founder Midge Ure, 71, told PA about the bewilderment they felt during the event: “We were in the middle of this. We couldn’t see just how big this thing was. It’s like being in the middle of a cyclone or a hurricane or whatever. It’s all going on around you. There’s a weird stillness because you’re dealing with the nuts and bolts of the daily process. […] It seems to have grown over the last 40 years. It’s now a historic, social moment.”

Bob Geldof in a brown jacket, black top and jeans on stage.
They were at a gala performance of a musical inspired by the concert this week(Image: Joe Maher / Getty Images)

Established by Bob and Midge, the initiative took off with the Band Aid charity single Do They Know It’s Christmas? in December 1984. It featured a host of celebrities and topped the UK singles chart at the time.

In July that year, concerts took place in the US and London, with the latter gig attended by Princess Diana and the now King Charles III. They watched performances from the likes of Sir Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Spandau Ballet and Queen.

The broadcast was viewed by an estimated audience of over 1.5 billion, sparking similar concerts worldwide inspired by the initiative. The US concert took place at the John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, featuring performances from Crosby, Stills, Nash And Young, The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, Sir Mick Jagger and Tina Turner.

A musical centred around Live Aid, featuring songs from Sir Elton John, Bowie and Queen, made its debut at The Old Vic theatre in January last year. It’s currently running at the West End’s Shaftesbury Theatre.

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Quick Facts About Muhammadu Buhari(1942-2025):Nigeria’s Second-Longest Serving Leader

By in News, Nigeria News

Nigeria’s former president, Muhammadu Buhari, has died at the age of 82. He passed on in a clinic in London on Sunday, July 13, 2025.

Buhari will be remembered as the country’s second longest serving leader—nine years, seven months and 27 days — as one who enforced strict discipline during his time as military head of state.

After three consecutive failed attempts, Buhari was able to return to power in 2015 after defeating the then incumbent President, Goodluck Jonathan, by 2,571,759 votes.

His winning campaign had emphasised three key promises: to tackle insecurity, stamp out corruption, and fix the economy.

Here are some quick facts about the former military and civilian leader:

  1. Buhari was born into a Muslim family in Daura, Katsina State, North-West Nigeria, in 1942.
  2. He attended the Katsina Provincial Secondary School (now Government College, Katsina) from 1956 to 1961.
  3. He joined the Nigerian Army in 1961 when he was admitted to the Nigerian Military Training College, Kaduna.
  4. He was Nigeria’s second longest serving leader:— 9 years, 7 months and 27 days; He spent 1 year, 7 months and 27 days as military leader (Dec 31, 1983 to Aug 27, 1985) and eight years as democratically elected President (May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023).
  5. He was the first military governor of Borno State in 1976.
  6. He was Federal Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources: 1976
    First Chairman, NNPC: 1977
  7. He was Chairman, Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF): 1994
  8. On December 31, 1983, as a General, Buhari became the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
  9. His regime as a military leader was renowned for instilling discipline among citizens, popularised by the War Against Indiscipline.
  10. Buhari joined politics in 2003, following Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
  11. He contested the presidential election five times, contesting under three political parties(ANPP, CPC and APC),lost three times in 2003, 2007, and 2011, won in his fourth attempt at the presidency in 2015 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, defeating the then-incumbent President, Goodluck Jonathan.
  12. Buhari was elected and inaugurated twice as President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in 2015 and 2019.
  13. The former president was married to Safinatu Yusuf from 1971 to 1988, and Aisha Halilu since 1989.
  14. He was blessed with 10 children.
  15. He died in a clinic in London on July 13, 2025, aged 82.

Sinner beats Alcaraz to win Wimbledon 2025 Grand Slam title

By in News, World News

Wimbledon, United Kingdom – It has taken Jannik Sinner just five weeks to exact revenge against Carlos Alcaraz in their blockbuster tennis rivalry and win the men’s singles final at Wimbledon 2025.

The top-seeded Italian overcame the emotional and physical toll of losing the French Open final to Alcaraz by defeating the Spaniard 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on Sunday.

Sinner turned the tables on the defending champion by overcoming a loss in the first set – and some early nerves – to win his fourth Grand Slam trophy and first on the famous Centre Court at SW19.

Two-time champion Alcaraz began the final with a strong service game, pouncing on Sinner’s nervous start in his first appearance in a Wimbledon final. The 22-year-old went on to break the world number one’s serve and wrap up the first set in 45 minutes, deploying a serve-and-volley style strategy to win the crucial points.

Sinner dug deep in the second set and was back to his ice-cool self as he applied the brakes on Alcaraz’s attempt for a three-peat of titles at Wimbledon.

The quality of tennis went up a notch as the 23-year-old matched Alcaraz shot for shot and left the crowd gasping at every other point.

Sinner didn’t waste much time in breaking back against the defending champion by deploying an excellent service game to keep Alcaraz at bay, altering his speed and delivery to ensure his opponent scurried for every point. He was soon on level terms.

The third set was, by far, the highlight of the final as both players threw everything at each other with sensational court coverage, scintillating aces, sublime drop shots and even a “tweener”.

It was end-to-end action up until the eighth game, when Alcaraz slipped up by the barest of margins but ended up having his serve broken. Sinner wasted no time to bring out his ruthless streak and finish off Alcaraz’s chances in the set.

Leading the final two sets to one, Sinner stepped on the gas in the fourth and ensured there would be no late Alcaraz comeback as so memorably occurred in the French Open final on June 8.

He broke Alcaraz in the third game, and the stoic Italian showed a glimpse of emotion as he looked towards his team in the stands.

Crowd favourite Alcaraz had most of the capacity crowd on Centre Court behind him, including King Felipe of Spain, but it was not enough to help him stay in the final for one more set as Sinner sealed the trophy with a faultless service game.

Jannik Sinner celebrates winning the men’s singles title at Wimbledon [Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP]

‘Dream of a dream’

With joy and disbelief etched on his face, and with the match now over, Sinner raised both arms with a jolt before squatting down on the court to pat the grass with the other hand, all the while hiding the emotions on his face.

Not only did he avenge his French Open final loss with a fourth major trophy, Sinner also moved to within one Grand Slam title of his great contemporary Alcaraz.

The two-time Australian Open champion has become the first man from Italy to win the Wimbledon title, a feat he described as akin to “a dream of a dream”.

“I had never thought of being in this position [to win Wimbledon] growing up so far away from here,” an unusually emotional Sinner said on court after the match.

“I had a very tough loss in Paris, but I tried to understand what I did wrong and kept working [hard].”

Sinner has now won Grand Slam titles on two of the three surfaces and said he was happy to have held his nerve while serving for the championship in the fourth set. Alcaraz, ever the gracious opponent in defeat as in victory, kept up his applause for Sinner even after returning to his chair after losing the match. But he said it was a difficult loss.

“I love playing here and I’m going to be back for sure,” the Spaniard told his fans on Centre Court.

Both players walked off to a loud round of applause after providing yet another enthralling glimpse into another “golden era” of tennis.

Sinner and Alcaraz have won all seven Grand Slam finals since the beginning of 2024, and it will only be a matter of eight weeks until tennis fans can hope to see the next instalment of their flourishing rivalry at the last Grand Slam of the year, the US Open.

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz react.
Jannik Sinner, left, poses with the men’s singles trophy alongside Carlos Alcaraz with the runner-up trophy [Clive Brunskill/Getty Images]

Three-Storey Building Collapses In Kano

By in News, Nigeria News

A three-storey building has collapsed in the Abedi area of Sabongari, Kano State, following a heavy downpour on Sunday evening.

An eyewitness who spoke with our correspondent via telephone confirmed that the incident occurred around 7:30 p.m.

“We just heard a loud sound after the rain, and the building came down,” the source said. “People are still inside. We don’t know how many, but some are trapped.”

As of the time of filing this report, the exact number of people affected remains unknown. However, authorities from the fire service, Red Cross, and police have begun a rescue operation.

‘Nigeria Has Lost A Patriot’, Osinbajo Mourns Buhari

By in News, Nigeria News

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has expressed profound sadness over the passing of former Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari.

Osinbajo served as the vice president of Nigeria under President Buhari from 2015 to 2023.

Buhari’s death was confirmed by President Bola Tinubu, who directed national flags to be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the late leader.

In a statement he personally signed, Osinbajo said that Nigeria has lost a true patriot—a man whose life was marked by unyielding devotion to the nation he loved.

READ ALSO: Former President Muhammadu Buhari Dies At 82

The statement reads, “Dolapo and I received, with profound sadness, the news of the passing of His Excellency, former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon.

“In the moments that followed, we spoke with Her Excellency Aisha Buhari and their son Yusuf Buhari to express our heartfelt condolences and to share in the deep grief of their beloved family—one with whom we had the honour of serving our nation for eight memorable years.

“Nigeria has lost a true patriot—a man whose life was marked by unyielding devotion to the nation he loved. President Buhari’s legacy will endure as a testament to the nobility of public service, defined by honesty, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to the public good.