The Russian president Medvedev met Bono for tea on the terrace of his holiday villa near the Black Sea resort town of Sochi. Besides their banter about Led Zeppeling the two spoke about the prevention of polio, which has resurged recently in Central Asian region south of Russia, and treatments to end the spread of HIV from mothers to their babies. The meeting lasted just over an hour, with Medvedev and Bono being filmed for around 15 minutes and then speaking off the record, according to a Kremlin spokesman.

Official Kremlin tweet and picture
(AFP report includes photos.)
More photos at NPR

Photos by Ulrica Törning

U2′s 2011 rescheduled dates were announced on Tuesday and the band made this little video to celebrate. That German surgeon has done wonders for Bono’s hairdo, let alone his back. Also: Larry speaks!

Here’s to your full recovery, Mr B. Get (and stay) fit.

Looking forward to resuming the tour, possibly in Turin, Edge confirms he’s working on new music and even states the band are “intending to play some new songs live”, before recording them.

We’ll have to see that last one to believe it.

Wohlfahrt: “On review of his MRI scan, I realized there was a serious tear in the ligament and a herniated disc, and that conservative treatment would not suffice. I recommended Bono have emergency spine surgery with Professor Tonn at Munich’s LMU University Hospital on Friday.”

Professor Tonn explained Bono had been in severe pain and was suffering partial paralysis in the lower leg:

“The ligament surrounding the disc had an 8mm tear and during surgery we discovered fragments of the disc had traveled into the spinal canal. This surgery was the only course of treatment for full recovery and to avoid further paralysis. Bono is now much better, with complete recovery of his motor deficit. The prognosis is excellent but to obtain a sustainable result, he must now enter a period of rehabilitation.”

Paul McGuinness confirmed that the eight week recovery period sadly means the definite postponement of all 16 shows on the North American leg of U2′s 360 tour from Salt Lake City on June 3rd, through to New Jersey’s Meadowlands Stadium on July 19th.

McGuinness: “‘Our biggest and I believe best tour has been interrupted and we’re all devastated. For a performer who lives to be on stage, this is more than a blow. He feels robbed of the chance to do what he does best and feels like he has badly let down the band and their audience. Which is of course nonsense. His concerns about more than a million ticket buyers whose plans have been turned upside down, we all share, but the most important thing right now is that Bono make a full recovery.”

Live Nation is rescheduling the 16 American dates for 2011. U2′s planned show at Britain’s Glastonbury festival has also been cancelled. According to their website Bono is ‘heartbroken’:

Bono: “We really wanted to be there to do something really special – we even wrote a song especially for the Festival.”

On the brighter side, Dr Muller Wohlfahrt ensured Bono is in good care:

“We are treating Bono as we would treat any of our athletes”.

Once his condition has been assessed further, a statement will be made regarding the impact on forthcoming tour dates.”

Another post announces the tour opener in Salt Lake city is postponed until further notice.

Update: Audio statement by Paul McGuinnes (mp3)

Get well, mr. B…

We don’t do birthday posts here too often, but we can’t let this one slip by unmarked. Bono turns 50 today. Fifty!

So, to our fearless leader, tireless activist, saviour of whales, honorary Frisbeetarian, keeper of the key to Dublin City, Knight Commander of the British Empire (ssssh!), don’t worry he’ll get that Nobel prize eventually, formerly Vox of O’Connell Street, the best singer in U2 (allegedly), one-third of the Funky Trinity, violater of indecency standards, the Pope of Lypton Village, 5’7”-ish creeper wearing hunk of Northside goodness: the Man that B…. Happy Birthday, Bono. Old souls stay young at heart.

Senator John McCain introduces Bono, speaking at the 2010 Acus Awards dinner. The the Atlantic Council presented its very first Humanitarian Leadership Award to Bono for his efforts in mobilizing resources and awareness in fighting disease and extreme poverty in Africa, as well as for his work to address other pressing humanitarian challenges.

Bono and The Edge remember Gerry Ryan.

Apologies for the dismal quality of this recording. Blame Realtek.

RTE news coverage:

Bono, his two sons and The Edge visited NASA Mission Control to talk to Guy LaLiberté and a giraffe called Harold.

Via atU2.com