Wyclef Jean has responded to the decision not to allow him to stand as a candidate in the Haitian presidential election in song, after it was announced that he would not be able to appeal the decision to block him from standing, along with fourteen other hopeful candidates.

As previously reported, Jean's plans to stand needed court approval because the former Fugee does not pass requirements in the country's constitution regarding presidential candidates, mainly regarding citizenship and being resident in Haiti for five years before running.

According to the BBC, the lyrics of the song, performed in Creole, the official language of Haiti, include the line: "It's not Wyclef that you have expelled, it is the youth you have denied".

He also seems to claim that outgoing president Rene Preval personally blocked Jean's application to stand in the election, saying: "I know all the cards are in your hands. I voted for you to be president in 2006, why today did you reject my candidacy?"

You can download the song here: wyclefjean.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/wyclef-jean-prizon-pou-k-e-p-a.mp3

Wyclef Jean will not be able to appeal the decision to disqualify him from standing in the upcoming Haitian presidential election, a lawyer for the country's electoral council said yesterday.

As previously reported, Jean's plans to stand needed court approval because the former Fugee does not pass requirements in the country's constitution regarding presidential candidates, mainly regarding citizenship and being resident in Haiti for five years before running. When that court failed to give its approval, Jean vowed to appeal.

However, speaking to Reuters, Samuel Pierre of the Haitian Electoral Council's legal department said that there is no process by which rejected candidates can appeal. Pierre said: "There is absolutely no possibility for Wyclef Jean to be added to the list of candidates approved to run in the next presidential elections. So, it's over. [Attempting to appeal the decision] is a waste of time because, when it comes to electoral matters, the electoral council is the Supreme Court, meaning there is nowhere else to go".

In an interview with MSNBC yesterday, Jean said: "I have spent half my life in Haiti going back and forth. The Electoral Council is very corrupted".

Hadopi, the agency set up to administer France's new three-strikes anti-copyright infringement system, has launched an information campaign to let illegal downloaders in France know about how the country's new Creation And Internet laws could affect them.

As previously reported, the French government was one of the first to respond to the music industry's call for new laws that force internet service providers to take a more proactive role in policing online piracy, by sending warning letters to and ultimately cutting off persistent illegal file-sharers.

Fully aware that the worst offenders when it comes to accessing illegal content on the internet are almost all car owners, the organisation distributed 260,000 leaflets to drivers on French roads last weekend, and plan to do the same again this weekend. It's possible they were actually trying to target families and their evil file-sharing children, rather than car owners.

According to Billboard, the leaflet informs its readers: "[The] internet is a space of freedom, expression and sharing. The development of new communications technology allows an increase in cultural exchanges. Our practices are changing and offer greater freedom. Nevertheless, [the enjoyment of] new freedoms brought new responsibilities".

It then goes on to explain that in return for all that new 'freedom' the government is going to kick them in the face (figuratively) if they fuck up and do anything wrong. I'm paraphrasing.

If French internet users are caught downloading illegal content, they will receive warning letters telling them to stop, after which they can be fined up to 1500 euros and have their internet access blocked for a month, while persistent offenders can expect to have their connections cut off for longer periods.

Those pulled up will be able to contest the claims against them in court, but not knowing that their accounts were used for infringement by others will not be a valid defence. By implication, of course, this obliges French net users to apply password protection to any wifi connections, an obligation that arguably already exists in Germany as a result of a civil file-sharing court case.

As previously reported, Hadopi demonstrated just how vigilant rights holders need to be in the internet age earlier this year when it unveiled it's logo in January. It turned out that the font employed in the logo had been used without permission. What's more, it had been designed exclusively for telecommunications company France Telecom. Hadopi apologised and no legal action was taken against them. It was still funny, though.

Wyclef Jean has said he will appeal a court ruling made late last week that banned him from running for the presidency of his home country Haiti.

As previously reported, Jean announced earlier this month his intent to run in the upcoming Haitian elections. However, his plans to stand needed court approval because the former Fugee does not pass requirements in the country's constitution regarding presidential candidates, mainly regarding citizenship and being resident in Haiti for five years before running. Being a US citizen and being mainly based in America also went against him.

The musician argued that his past work representing Haiti on the international stage should allow him to circumvent the constitutional requirements to stand, but last week the relevant court in Haiti - the 'election board' - disagreed and blocked his application to stand.  

Jean confirmed to the Associated Press this weekend that his lawyers were preparing to appeal that ruling. He added that he was convinced his legal case for being able to stand was sound, and that last week's court ruling was politically motivated. He also argued that it was wrong of the election board to rule on his plans to stand on Friday before the country's National Electoral Dispute Office had ruled on the residency issue.

Wyclef Jean has gone into hiding in Haiti after receiving death threats following the announcement of his intent to run in the election for the country's new president. He is currently waiting for electoral officials to confirm his eligibility to stand - an announcement that was due on Tuesday but has now been delayed until tomorrow as a number of candidates apparently remain under review.

In a series of emails to Associated Press, Jean said that he had not obeyed instructions in the threats telling him to leave Haiti, but was nonetheless in a secret location in the country. As for the pending decision on whether he could stand in the election or not, he said that "the laws of the Haitian constitution must be respected" but added that his lawyers were already at the electoral commission's offices waiting to argue his case, if necessary.

As previously reported, Wyclef Jean officially announced his intention to run in the upcoming Haitian presidential election in the country's capital city of Port-au-Prince earlier this month, after weeks of rumours.

After registering to stand as a candidate for the Viv Ansanm party at an electoral office in the city, Jean told cheering supporters: "I would like to tell President Barack Obama that the United States has Obama and Haiti has Wyclef Jean. This is the only president who will dance when Creole hip hop is being played".

If his application is approved, it already looks certain that he will win. However, according to constitutional rules, potential presidential candidates must have lived in Haiti for five consecutive years and never had foreign citizenship. Jean moved to the US as a child, still lives there and holds a US passport. But he says his work as "ambassador-at-large" for the country, a position given to him by outgoing president Rene Preval in 2007 after several years of work supporting the country's youth, exempts him from these requirements.

Wyclef Jean yesterday officially announced his intention to run in the upcoming Haitian presidential election in the country's capital city of Port-au-Prince. Earlier in the day he also stepped down as chairman of his charitable organisation Yéle Haiti in preparation for his new career in politics.

After registering to stand as a candidate for the Viv Ansanm party at an electoral office in the city, Jean told cheering supporters: "I would like to tell President Barack Obama that the United States has Obama and Haiti has Wyclef Jean. This is the only president who will dance when Creole hip hop is being played".

The musician is not yet officially in the race, though. His application must first be approved by officials, a decision which has to be made by 17 Aug. If this happens, it already looks certain that he will win. However, there has been speculation as to whether or not Jean is eligible to become president of Haiti.

According to constitutional rules, potential presidential candidates must have lived in Haiti for five consecutive years and never had foreign citizenship. Jean moved to the US as a child, still lives there and holds a US passport. But he says his work as "ambassador-at-large" for the country, a position given to him by outgoing president Rene Preval in 2007 after several years of work supporting the country's youth, exempts him from these requirements. Whether the review board examining his application will agree remains to be seen.

Speaking on CNN's 'Larry King Live' show last night, Jean said: "After 12 Jan [when Haiti was hit by a massive earthquake] ... being out here with my wife and picking up dead bodies from the ground, I felt that because of the youth of Haiti and the population that this is not even Wyclef saying that 'I want to be the president of Haiti'. I feel like I'm being drafted by the population right now to give them a different face, a different voice".

Asked why someone who has no experience in politics would make a good president, he continued: "What qualifies me to be president of Haiti, when I look at the past 200 years, with what our people have suffered - political instability, coup after coup d'état - I feel that me running, it brings a neutral situation, meaning that Wyclef Jean can sit with any political party and have a conversation. I'm coming in neutral".

Speaking to MTV News, he added: "This is a move I have been considering for a long time, and now, with conditions in Haiti worse than they've ever been, I want to take my commitment to helping my country to the highest level it can go. I can't imagine a better way to ensure the development and growth of Haiti, and I worry that at this critical time if we do nothing, then nothing will be done. Now that our country has toppled, it's a chance to rebuild from the bottom on up".

Earlier in the day, Jean stepped down as chairman of his charity, Yéle Haiti, which raised $10 million for victims of the earthquake which hit Haiti earlier this year but was also accused of financial irregularities, leading Jean to admit that it had been "poorly run" while denying accusations that he had misappropriated finds from the organisation. Businessman Derek Q Johnson will replace him there.

Support for Jean is not universal, though. Early opposition came from his former Fugees bandmate, Pras Michel, who said via Twitter: "All Haitians around the world it's going to take all of us to start this reconstruction for Haiti. Michel Martelly for president 2010! It's official, the people are asking for it. I'm here in the belly of Haiti. I endorse Michel Martelly as the next president of Haiti!"

Also appearing on 'Larry King Live' was actor Sean Penn, who co-founded the J/P Haitian Relief Organisation after the earthquake and has been working in the country as manager of the organisation's 55,000 person camp for those left homeless in the aftermath. He said: "Right now, I worry that this is a campaign that is more about a vision of flying around the world, talking to people. It's certainly not one of the youth drafting him. I would be quite sure that this is an influence of corporations here in the United States and private individuals that may well have capitalised on his will to see himself flying around the world. What the Haitian people need now is a leader who's genuinely willing to sacrifice".

He continued: "What the Haitian people need now is a leader who is genuinely willing to sacrifice. I haven't seen or heard anything of him in these last six months that I've been in Haiti. I think he's an important voice. I hope he doesn't sacrifice that voice by taking the eye off the very devastating realities on the ground".

Amongst the other registered candidates is Jean's uncle, Raymond Joseph, who is currently Haiti's ambassador to the US. The election will take place on 28 Nov.

Politician Chuck DeVore has reached an out of court settlement with Eagles frontman Don Henley over those parodies of two of the musician's songs used by DeVore in a political campaign last year.

As previously reported, while politicians can play music at political rallies without specific artist permission, using a blanket public performance license, if they sync a track into a video posted on their websites - as an increasing number of political types seem to do - they need clearance from relevant artists, labels and publishers.

Unless, that is, the songs are reworked to be parodies of the artist, when there is a case for using a song without clearance under US copyright law's fair use provisions. DeVore argued both his reworks of Henley's songs were parodies, one mocking Henley himself, the other   his Democrat rival Barbara Boxer.

Back in June, US Judge James Selna said, in a provisional ruling, that use of the song reworked to be about Boxer could not be excused under the parody provision, because the person being parodied did not have any connection to the song being used. And while, in the song DeVore rewrote to make fun of Henley's support for the Democrats, the person being parodied did have such a connection, the provision still didn't apply because the Republican's rework went "far beyond what's necessary to hold the singer up to ridicule".

Despite that ruling being only provisional, DeVore seems to have backed down. As part of an out of court settlement with Henley, the political man will hand over an undisclosed damages payment and has issued a public apology.

DeVore said in a statement: "The court's ruling in this case confirms that political candidates, regardless of affiliation, should seek appropriate license authority before they use copyrighted works. Further, we regret all inaccurate, derogatory or disparaging remarks made about Mr Henley during the course of this dispute".

Henley told copyright blog Copyrights & Campaigns: "This is a moral victory, and a victory for every copyright holder in the United States. We set a precedent that will likely discourage this kind of behaviour. I think this is going to have a very positive effect on the creators of music".

He added that he was opposed to any reworking of his songs without permission, whether it's by a politician or a twelve year old on YouTube: "I don't condone it. I'm vehemently opposed to it. Not because I don't like parodies or satires of my work. But it's simply a violation of US copyright law. People in my age group generally don't like it. Songs are difficult to write; some of them take years to write. To have them used as toys or playthings is frustrating. The internet is slowly but surely killing the whole concept of copyright. I don't like where it's going... The internet is a wonderful thing but it also has a very dark side".

Wyclef Jean will officially announce his intention to stand for the position of president of Haiti this week, according to Time magazine.

As previously reported, the Haiti-born R&B star was appointed "ambassador-at-large" for the country by outgoing president Rene Preval in 2007, and has led various charitable initiatives to help disadvantaged youth in the country. Though, in the wake of the earthquake that hit the country in January, Jean was accused of irregularities in the accounting of his own Haiti-supporting charity, the Yele Haiti Foundation, and later admitted that it had been "poorly run".

In a statement issued last week, after rumours of Jean's planned move into politics began to circulate, his people remained tight lipped on the issue, saying: "Wyclef's commitment to his homeland and its youth is boundless, and he will remain its greatest supporter regardless of whether he is part of the government moving forward. At this time, Wyclef Jean has not announced his intent to run for Haitian president. If and when a decision is made, media will be alerted immediately".

However, in a new interview with Time, Jean said this week: "If I can't take five years out to serve my country as President, then everything I've been singing about, like equal rights, doesn't mean anything".

He added that, at 37, he was unusually young to be running for the position, but defended his decision to move into politics now, saying: "If not for the earthquake, I probably would have waited another ten years before doing this. The quake drove home to me that Haiti can't wait another ten years for us to bring it into the 21st century".

Already a popular figure in Haiti, particularly amongst the country's youth, it has been predicted that Jean would win a leadership election with little contest, though there is speculation as to whether he meets all the requirements of a potential leader.

Like Elton John last week, Lady Gaga has also refused to join the Sound Strike boycott of Arizona, which, as previously reported, many artists have joined in protest against the US state's controversial new immigration laws. Similarly to John, who labelled those other artists "fuckwits", Gaga referred to them (and herself) as "dumb fucking pop stars", but unlike John, did use her performance to speak out against the new legislation, known as SB 1070.

Gaga said that, despite considerable pressure, she had decided to go ahead with the show in Phoenix, telling her audience: "I got a call from some big rappers and big rockers. They said, 'We'd like you to boycott Arizona because of SB 1070'. I told them, 'Do you really think that pop stars are going to shut down the state? You really think us dumb fucking pop stars are gonna collapse the economy in Arizona? I'll tell you what we have to do about SB 1070. We have to be active. We have to actively protest'".

She continued: "I will not cancel my show. I will hold you, and we will hold each other, and we will protest this state. Do not be afraid. Because if it wasn't for all of you immigrants, this country wouldn't have shit. And I mean it. I mean it so deeply in my soul".

Rage Against The Machine have been particularly proactive in setting up the Sound Strike, but a diverse range of "dumb fucking pop stars" and "fuckwits" have vowed to not perform in the state in protest at SB 1070, including Cypress Hill, Conor Oberst, Kanye West, Maroon 5, Gogol Bordello, My Morning Jacket, Ben Harper, Pitbull, Steve Earle, Billy Bragg and Throwing Muses.

Elton John won't be signing up to the Sound Strike campaign. As previously reported, a whole stack of artists have signed up to a boycott of the US state of Arizona because of new immigration laws being introduced there which, it has been argued, will result in a new era of racial profiling and in non-whites being harassed by law enforcement officials.

Rage Against The Machine have been particularly proactive in setting up the campaign, but a diverse range of artists have vowed to not perform in the state in protest at the new laws, including Cypress Hill, Conor Oberst, Kanye West, Maroon 5, Gogol Bordello, My Morning Jacket, Ben Harper, Pitbull, Steve Earle, Billy Bragg and Throwing Muses.

But Elton John will not be adding his name to that list. He played in the state this week and, according to the Arizona Daily Star, the singer told his audience: "We are all very pleased to be playing in Arizona. I have read that some of the artists won't come here. They are fuckwits! Let's face it, I still play in California, and as a gay man I have no legal rights whatsoever. So what the fucks with these people?"

It's not the only pop protest John has shunned this year. Last month he played in Israel despite opposition from some quarters who were lobbying artists to cancel gigs there in protest at the recent Gaza flotilla raid.

In related news (related to the Sound Strike that is), a US federal judge yesterday issued a temporary injunction against key parts of Arizona's new immigration laws, though State officials say they plan to appeal the decision.

Wyclef Jean is apparently considering running to be president of Haiti, as the country continues to rebuild after it was devastated by an earthquake earlier this year.

The Haiti-born R&B star was appointed "ambassador-at-large" for the country by outgoing president Rene Preval in 2007, and has led various charitable initiatives to help disadvantaged youth in the country. Though, in the wake of the earthquake, which hit the country in January, Jean was accused of irregularities in the accounting of his own Haiti-supporting charity, the Yele Haiti Foundation, and later admitted that it had been "poorly run".

Despite various reports Jean is considering moving properly into politics, his people remain tight lipped on the issue, saying in a statement yesterday: "Wyclef's commitment to his homeland and its youth is boundless, and he will remain its greatest supporter regardless of whether he is part of the government moving forward. At this time, Wyclef Jean has not announced his intent to run for Haitian president. If and when a decision is made, media will be alerted immediately".

A Lady Gaga concert in Missouri was picketed by idiots from the Westboro Baptist Church this weekend. The 'church' opposes Gaga's raunchy shows and, more importantly, her public support for those horrible gays.

Having heard that the protest would happen, Gaga blogged ahead of her show on Saturday night: "At the risk of drawing attention to a hateful organisation, I would like to make my fans aware of a protest being held outside the [concert] in St Louis tonight. My request to [fans] and public authorities is to pay these hate criminals no mind. Do not interact with them, or try to fight. Do not respond to any of their provocation. Don't waste your words, or feelings, no matter what you hear or see you are more fortunate and blessed than they are, and in your heart just pray for them".

She added: "This group of protesters are hate criminals and preach using lewd and violent language and imagery that I wish I could protect you all from. Their message is of hatred and divisiveness, but inside at the Monsterball we preach love and unity. Although I respect and do not judge anyone for their personal views on any politics or religion, this group in particular to me is violent and dangerous. I wanted to make my fans aware of my views on how to approach, or rather not approach, these kinds of hate activists".

Although the protest went ahead, it did so without any real trouble. After the concert Gaga tweeted: "Tonight love and hate met in St Louis. And love outnumbered the hate, in poetic thousands. Hate left. But love stayed and together, we sang".

Jennifer Lopez has called off a show in North Cyprus after she found herself caught up in the Mediterranean island's long running political conflict.

J-Lo had been due to play at the launch of a new luxury hotel in the Turkish-controlled North of the country on her birthday, 24 Jul. But the plans caused outrage among Greek Cypriots, who do not recognise the legitimacy of the independently controlled North of the island, which has been separately controlled by Turkish Cypriots since 1974. They argued that J-Lo playing in the region gave credence to what they still consider an illegal country.

Despite relations between the North and South of Cyprus being less aggressive in recent years, tensions still very much exist. As soon as Lopez's appearance at the hotel launch was announced, Greek Cypriots began an online campaign pressuring the singer to cancel her performance. The campaign included various claims of human rights violations by the rulers in the North of the island.

Lopez was initially quiet about the campaign, but last week a statement was posted on her website confirming she'd cancelled the Cypriot booking. The statement said the singer had decided against performing at the hotel launch after undertaking "a full review of the relevant circumstances in Cyprus", adding: "Jennifer Lopez would never knowingly support any state, country, institution or regime that was associated with any form of human rights abuse".

Greek Cypriots hailed Lopez's decision as a "victory", while Turkish groups criticised both the campaign and the singer's resulting decision, claiming things like this only hinder efforts to reunite the island.

Rage Against The Machine's Zack de la Rocha has told Billboard that some special concerts are being planned as part of the Sound Strike campaign against new immigration laws that are about to be introduced in the US state of Arizona.

As previously reported, a number of bands have joined RATM in boycotting the state on any upcoming touring activity in protest at the new laws which, amongst other things, will give police more powers to stop anyone they suspect as not being a US national and to demand to see paperwork that proves their right to stay or such like. Critics say the new rules will result in a new era of racial profiling and in non-Whites being harassed by law enforcement officials.

The special concerts will put more pressure on the state government of Arizona, but also offer music fans who live there who oppose the new laws the opportunity to enjoy some of the acts boycotting other gigs in the state. I think the idea is the concerts will take place just outside the state, but tickets will be sold via agents within the state boundary. Though specifics like that aren't entirely clear as yet.

De la Rocha told Billboard yesterday: "In the coming weeks we are going to be organising a series of concerts that are respectful of the nature of the boycott in its attempts to isolate the Arizona government but not isolate the people, and especially the organisations that are fighting this on the ground. Many of us have begun to plan concerts that include bands that have signed on the Sound Strike, and make tickets available so that people within Arizona can come and see these concerts as they roll out. These are things that are being set into motion right now - a series of concerts or maybe even one giant concert in late July".

Other artists signed up to the Sound Strike so far include: Cypress Hill, Conor Oberst, Kanye West,
Maroon 5, Gogol Bordello, My Morning Jacket, Ben Harper, Pitbull, Steve Earle, Billy Bragg and Throwing Muses.

A number of other US artists have followed the lead of metal types Korn in boycotting BP on their current tours in protest at the oil giant's handling of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf Of Mexico.

As previously reported, Korn announced earlier this month that they'd not be using BP fuel to power their vehicles as they tour with the North America-wide Mayhem festival this summer. Frontman Jonathan Davis told reporters: "We need to do our part to let BP know there are consequences for causing something like this. We want to send a message to corporations like BP so that they will take more preventative measures in the future. The more costly their punishment, the more money they will spend to make sure disasters like this don't happen again. It's plain and simple capitalism".

Last week the founder of Mayhem, Kevin Lyman, announced that the rest of the tour would follow Korn's lead and boycott BP. The Mayhem tour is already known for using biofuels where possible, but Lyman has confirmed these won't be bought from BP or their affiliates either.

Meanwhile other bands from outside the Mayhem tour have also announced they will join the boycott. These include Lady Gaga, Backstreet Boys, Disturbed and Megadeth.

Korn have announced that they are boycotting BP, and will therefore not use the company's petrol to fuel their touring vehicles as they make their way around the US with the Mayhem touring festival, in the wake of the oil spill disaster in the Gulf Of Mexico. In a statement released yesterday, the band's frontman, Jonathan Davis, urged other bands to follow suit.

Davis said: "The daily images are hard to watch. We need to do our part to let BP know there are consequences for causing something like this. We want to send a message to corporations like BP so that they will take more preventative measures in the future. The more costly their punishment, the more money they will spend to make sure disasters like this don't happen again. It's plain and simple capitalism. We urge the other acts on Mayhem and anyone on tour this year to be with us on this".

The band release their new album, 'Korn III - Remember Who You Are', through Roadrunner next month.

Tory man John Whittingdale has been reinstalled as chairman of the Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee in parliament. Select committees are responsible for holding government officials and departments to account on all issues relating to their area of remit, and often publish reports recommending changes to legislation or government operations, which the government can then choose to adopt or ignore.

Whittingdale's Culture Select Committee were very critical of the impact of the 2003 Licensing Act on the grass roots live music community, and made a number of recommendations for how the law should be changed to make it easier to stage small gigs. The Labour government pretty much ignored said recommendations, though the Liberals backed the proposed reforms and some should now happen now the Tory/Lib coalition is in power.

As a Tory with a culture remit, Whittingdale was also crucial in ensuring the Digital Economy Act became law during the wash up ahead of this year's General Election. Getting the DEA's more controversial elements - including the three-strikes anti-piracy system - onto the statute book required Tory support for the Labour government's proposals. Shortly before the DEA was passed by parliament, and with the deadline for getting it through getting very close, then Culture Minister Ben Bradshaw told a UK Music gathering "God and John Whittingdale permitting, we will get there". They did.

For the first time select committee chairmen are being appointed by a private ballot of MPs, rather than via back room deals between the key party's whips. That said, Whittingdale was unopposed in his bid to stay on as chair of the culture committee.

Pixies have cancelled their first ever performance in Israel, seemingly in protest at the country's recent adventure at sea when Israeli soldiers raided six ships carrying aid to Gaza, killing nine pro-Palestinian activists in the process.

Despite claims by the Israeli government that their military officers shot at activists in self-defence, the assault on the aid ships has been condemned worldwide, more so since Israel announced it would oppose any international inquiry into the incident, which occurred in international waters.

Pro-Palestine lobby groups often call on international artists to boycott Israel, and those efforts have presumably been stepped up since Israel's latest misadventure. Pixies were due to play as part of Israel's Pic.Nic festival in Tel Aviv tomorrow night, put pulled out yesterday citing "events beyond our control".

They added: "The decision was not reached easily. We all know well the Israeli fans have been waiting for this visit for far too long. We'd like to extend our deepest apologies to the fans but events beyond all our control have conspired against us".

Although the band didn't specifically mention the aid ship attack, Pic.Nic organisers confirmed it had motivated Pixies' decision to pull out of the event. Both Klaxons and the Gorillaz DJs have likewise pulled out of the festival on the same grounds.

Placebo's set on the first night of the Pic.Nic festival did go ahead, however frontman Brian Molko did make a critical reference to the Gaza aid ship attack in a pre-gig interview. According to Billboard, when an Israeli journalist remarked "it's important to [endorse] Israel these days", Molko responded: "I suppose so; you know, if you decide to go sailing".

Elsewhere in pop boycotts, Hall & Oates have joined the previously reported boycott of the state of Arizona. A number of artists, including Rage Against The Machine and Kanye West, are refusing to play gigs in the US state because of new immigration laws being introduced there which critics argue will lead to racial profiling and discrimination.

Daryl Hall and John Oates' manager Jonathan Wolfson confirmed to the Associated Press yesterday that the duo were pulling out of a planned gig in Pheonix in protest at the new laws, which are due to come in to force at the end of the month.

As the Rage boys get ready to rock Finsbury Park in London this weekend in celebration of their successful raging against the 'X-Factor' machine last December, back home they're doing some proper political raging, taking on the whole state of Arizona.

Rage Against The Machine are leading a political campaign called The Sound Strike, and are encouraging bands to officially boycott Arizona in response to new immigration rules which were voted through by the state's government back in April and which will come into effect at the end of next month.

Amongst other things the new laws give police more powers to stop anyone they suspect as not being a US national and to demand to see paperwork that proves their right to stay or such like. Critics say the new rules will result in a new era of racial profiling and in non-Whites being harassed by law enforcement officials.

Writing about the new rules - which have been criticised by numerous political and civil rights groups, and by President Obama - RATM's Zach de la Rocha writes: "Some of us grew up dealing with racial profiling, but this law takes it to a whole new low. Fans of our music, our stories, our films and our words can be pulled over and harassed every day because they are brown or black, or for the way they speak, or for the music they listen to. We are not going to play in Arizona. We are going to boycott Arizona. If other states follow the direction of the Arizona government, we could be headed towards a pre-civil rights era reality".

Other artists who have pledged to not perform in Arizona until the new laws are repealed or dramatically amended are Cypress Hill, Conor Oberst, Kanye West, Joe Satriani, Serj Tankian, Ozomatli, Massive Attack, Spank Rock, Sonic Youth and Tenacious D.

More info at www.thesoundstrike.net