President Ricardo Lagos presented U2 frontman Bono with Chile’s highest award for the arts, telling him he should learn to play the traditional Andean instrument known as the charango.

General Augusto Pinochet was today stripped of his immunity from prosecution on charges of responsibility for 59 cases of torture and kidnapping.

Chile’s historical rivals and long-time allies joined yesterday in congratulating president-elect Michelle Bachelet, with one South American leader saying women were more than qualified to rule in the region.