BONO - BONO EARNS NERUDA AWARD IN CHILE

Campaigning rocker BONO has been honoured with the prestigious Neruda Award by Chilean President RICARDO LAGOS.

The U2 frontman received the medal during a ceremony at La Moneda, the presidential palace, in the Chilean capital of Santiago yesterday (26FEB06).

The nation's first female leader MICHELLE BACHELET, who will be inaugurated next month (MAR06), also attended and praised Bono for his activism.

She said, "You are a reminder to all of us that the world is not changed only by politicians and governments. The world is changed by all of us."

Bono and band members THE EDGE, LARRY MULLEN JR and ADAM CLAYTON also received the 2005 Amnesty International award for Ambassador of Conscience this weekend (25-26MAR06).