U2's Bono favourite for Nobel Prize

U2 frontman Bono and Bob Geldof are among the favourites to win the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize. Bono and Geldof are favoured by UK bookmakers and third on the Australian bookies' list with 7 to 1 odds. The two musicians are nominated for their work to relieve poverty and hunger in Africa, including the organization of this year's massive series of Live 8 concerts around the world. The Nobel Peace Prize is selected in secret by a five-person committee and will be announced on Friday (October 7th).

U2 guitarist The Edge told us that the band has never worried about Bono's activist efforts alienating its audience:
[ click here to listen if you have a Backstage Pass] "There are, I'm sure, people who'd rather that there were less direct references to politics in the show, or that Bono wouldn't end up on TV talking about his work for Africa, but we're fine with that, you know. We think that it's really important, and the small downside that comes with it is far outweighed in every respect by the positives."

There are 199 candidates for this year's prize, which can be split among three winners.

The Nobel Peace Prize was founded by Alfred Nobel, with the intention of recognizing individuals who worked for world peace. It is unclear whether the committee will honor Bono and Geldof instead of more traditional nominees like anti-nuclear activists and peace negotiators.

The 2004 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded for the first time to an environmentalist for leading a campaign to plant millions of trees across Africa.

U2 begin a five-night stand at New York's Madison Square Garden on Friday.
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