LONDON (AP) – The Arctic Monkeys took home three major trophies, including best British band and best new band, at the NME Awards, firmly cementing the Sheffield quartet as the darlings of Britain’s music scene.

The NME Awards, which were presented Thursday, are an edgier version of the Brit Awards, Britain’s version of the Grammys.

The Monkeys, whose debut album, “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not,” sold more than 360,000 copies in its first week of release, also won an award for best track for “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor.”

They became the first act to win best new band and best British band in the same year.

The Kaiser Chiefs, nominated in six categories, won just one award, for best album for “Employment.” Kanye West took the trophy for best solo artist and The Strokes won best international artist.

Pete Doherty, the ex-boyfriend of supermodel Kate Moss, was named sexiest man, and Madonna was named sexiest woman.

Bob Geldof, who organized 1985’s Live Aid concerts and last summer’s Live 8 shows, was named hero of the year.

The former leader of Irish punk group the Boomtown Rats is among the nominees for the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize. Geldof was nominated for organizing last year’s Live 8 benefit concerts.

Bono gives Brazil a break

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) – Thousands of Brazilians took a break from samba to rock with U2 frontman Bono during Carnival celebrations in the northeastern city of Salvador.

Bono performed an impromptu duet of “Vertigo” with Brazilian popular singer Ivete Sangalo as Carnival got underway in Salvador on Thursday, a day earlier than in Rio de Janeiro.

While the highlight of Brazil’s carnival celebrations is Rio’s annual samba parade on Sunday and Monday nights, many people prefer Salvador’s carnival, where giant sound trucks with bands on top jam the city’s streets night and day.

The U2 singer is attending Salvador’s Carnival as a guest of Culture Minister and pop star Gilberto Gil. The O Globo newspaper reported Friday that music producer Quincy Jones was also attending Carnival as a guest of Gil.

Bono sang the duet from Gil’s private box as Sangalo and her band performed from atop a sound truck.

U2 played two sold-out concerts in Sao Paulo’s Morumbi soccer stadium Monday and Tuesday nights.

Bono is among the nominees for the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize. The Irish singer was proposed for his fight against world poverty.