New U2 album nearly finished

Los Angeles — The wait is almost over: U2’s follow-up to the Grammy-winning “All That You Can’t Leave Behind” album three years ago is almost done, reports the Los Angeles Times.

“We’re in the home straight,” singer Bono told a gathering in Dublin recently. “It’s filled with big tunes and it’s driven by a guitar player who is sick of the sight of me shaking hands with dodgy politicians.”

Bono was referring the group’s guitarist The Edge, who has recently expressed anger at Bono’s political activity.

Kidman wins libel suit

London — Nicole Kidman accepted an apology and undisclosed damages Tuesday from a British newspaper group to settle a libel lawsuit for an article alleging that she’d had an affair with her co-star, Jude Law.

The settlement with News Group Newspapers, publishers of The Sun tabloid, is the second for Kidman over the same allegations.

Kidman’s lawyer told the High Court libel hearing that a story The Sun published in March implied that the 36-year-old actress had initiated an affair with Law, leading to the breakdown of his marriage to actress Sadie Frost.

Kidman filmed the upcoming movie “Cold Mountain” with Law in Romania.

The Oscar winner said she would donate the damages from both cases to Fara, a charity that helps Romania’s abandoned children.

Gary Coleman’s next move

Los Angeles — Gary Coleman didn’t win California’s recall election, but he’ll still get a political platform on the new Hollywood-based All Comedy Radio network.

The 35-year-old former child star will be the network’s political analyst and said his experience as a candidate would come in handy.

Coleman finished eighth out of 135 candidates vying to replace Gov. Gray Davis in last week’s election, losing to fellow actor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“We’re delighted to have a commentator with such keen insight and experience as Mr. Coleman,” said All Comedy Radio co-founder and chief executive officer Michael O’Shea.

To Arnold: Good luck

Paris — Clint Eastwood, himself no stranger to the rough and tumble of elected office, said his friend and fellow actor Arnold Schwarzenegger was going to need a good measure of luck in his new role as California’s governor.

“Politicians have to make unpopular decisions. Schwarzenegger is going to understand the nature of his job. I wish him good luck; he’s going to need it. It’s going to be difficult for him,” Eastwood said in an interview published Tuesday by French daily Le Monde.

Eastwood was elected mayor of Carmel, Calif., in 1986.

Eastwood, 73, told Le Monde that his love of movies curtailed his own political career.

“I knew I was in place for two years, and I had absolutely no desire to present myself” for re-election, he said.