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Sir Elton John said he is currently arranging to meet Russian president Vladimir Putin to discuss LGBT rights. This is following a recent hoax call from a radio presenter pretending to be President Putin to the musician, that resulted in a genuine phone call from the president.

A report by Human Rights Watch last year said Russia was failing to prevent and prosecute homophobic violence amid a rise in attacks against minorities.

Sir Elton explained to Today presenter Justin Webb that he wants Africa to change to make life better for people who are gay or lesbian or transgender and either have AIDS or are at risk of contracting the disease.

The singer has joined with the American government in giving 10m dollars to organisations in sub-Saharan Africa that might help: because he says the stigmatisation of these people allows AIDs to spread.

Not everyone agrees, last months Catholic bishops at a meeting in Rome said pressure to legalise gay marriage should not be linked to aid.

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