18 countries, including China, boycott Nobel Prize ceremony

Several governments have declined invitations to attend Friday’s ceremony to award imprisoned Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo the Nobel Peace Prize, the Norwegian Nobel Commission said Tuesday.Several governments have declined invitations to attend Friday’s ceremony to award imprisoned Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo the Nobel Peace Prize, the Norwegian Nobel Commission said Tuesday.

The committee said China and 18 other countries have decided not to be represented for various reasons. It noted that number has tripled from six weeks ago. The countries joining China in its boycott include Russia, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Venezuela, Cuba, Colombia, Tunisia, Iraq, Iran, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Pakistan, Egypt, Morocco and the Philippines. The 58 countries who have embassies in Oslo were invited to attend. China strongly objected to Liu’s win last October and levelled more criticism Tuesday, calling members of the Nobel committee clowns who are interfering in China’s judicial affairs.

The 54-year-old writer and academic was jailed in December 2009 to serve an 11-year term for subversion. He was detained just days before the publication of what has turned out to be an explosive political document, Charter 8, which he co-wrote. Charter 08 calls for an end to one-party rule and the introduction of democratic reforms in China. It was signed, via the internet, by thousands of people, some of them Communist Party officials. No one is expected to be on hand to accept the award on behalf on Liu. Geir Lundestad, the committee’s secretary, said there will be an empty chair and a portrait of Liu on the podium during the ceremony in Oslo.

CIA tapes show 9/11 suspects in secret prisons

WASHINGTON: The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has videotapes made at a secret prison in Morocco showing the interrogation of a conspirator in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, an international news channel reported on Tuesday. The tapes were reportedly found three years ago under a desk at the CIA’s headquarters in Langley, Virginia, and may offer insights into the controversial role that some foreign countries played during former president George W Bush’s war against terrorism.

The tapes show Ramzi Bin al-Shibh, who has admitted to helping plot the Sep 11 attacks on New York and Washington, CNN reported, citing a “knowledgeable US source”. Bin al-Shibh is not being subjected to torture, instead he is shown being interrogated behind a desk.

It would mark the only video evidence remaining of the CIA’s secret overseas prisons system, which was

Studio 18 titles syndicated to Middle East & North Africa

Studio 18 has closed a seven-nation licensing deal of 12 top film titles owned by The Indian Film Company. The Free-To-Air Satellite rights have been licensed for Middle East & North African countries including Abu Dhabi, Egypt, Kuwait, Lebanon, Algeria, Morocco & Tunisia. Some of the titles under the agreement include JAB WE MET, WELCOME, SINGH IS KINNG, KIDNAP, GOLMAAL RETURNS, GHAJINI, LUCK and LIFE PARTNER.

Commenting on the deal, Studio 18′s Head of International Business, Tanuj Garg said, “This is in continuation of our efforts and success at syndicating our diverse catalogue to new potential-laden markets.” The Studio had recently announced a first-of-its-kind Hotel-VoD deal with the three top five-star hotels in China.

Karan Johar’s Stepmom remake titled as We Are Family

It starred Susan Sarandon and Julia Roberts and it will now star Kajol and Kareena Kapoor. The Stepmom remake that has been in news for quite a while had been haggling for a fitting title for quite sometime. While on one side the release date was a big question mark, Karan Johar turned to twitter to look for an apt title.

He left the title open for discussion to all his followers and in came the rather creative and some humorous options. Today, on twitter, Karan has finally announced the final and official title of his remake film, which is We Are Family. As about the release date, the tweet said, “…will post the release date in a few days!!”K

We Are Family stars Kajol, Kareena and Arjun Rampal and is directed by debutant Siddharth Malhotra.

Kareena to skip Karisma’s birthday due to Agent Vinod

Frantic efforts are on to accommodate Karisma Kapoor’s birthday into her sister Kareena’s choc-a-clock schedule. But it seems unlikely that the busy actress would be able to join her Didi for her birthday on June 25.

Ironically, it is Saif who seems more concerned about missing Karisma’s birthday.

Says a source, “Saif gets along like a house on fire with Karisma and her husband Sanjay. The two guys often share a lot of outdoor fun activities together. Saif doesn’t want that he and Kareena should miss her sister’s birthday this year.”

Saif’s concern and guilt for the sisters not being together on that very special day is heightened by the fact that Kareena would be shooting for his film Agent Vinod in Morocco on Karisma’s birthday.
Kareena rules out that possibility of Karisma flying down to Morocco “How can my sister fly down to Morocco? No, she’ll be in Mumbai with her baby. She has just had a baby boy who’s not even four months old. She can’t leave the city.”

Interestingly, Kareena seems to handle her absence from this important day in her sister with much pragmatism and common sense. “How can I be in Mumbai? I’ll be shooting in Tangiers in Morocco on my sister’s birthday. Work always comes first in our family. So there would be no birthday plans with my sister this year.”

The over-worked sister says she won’t even have time to buy anything for Karisma this year. “There’s no time to breathe. Forget buying anything. I don’t know whether I’m coming or going,” sighs Kareena.

Kareena has never missed any of her sister’s birthdays. In recent years Kareena had quite often gone to join Karisma in Delhi when the elder sister was staying in the Capital with her husband.

This time Kareena is trying to focus on Saif’s project rather than on Karisma’s birthday. “I looooove the title Agent Vinod. It’s the coolest. We’ve already started shooting for it. We leave for Tangiers in Morocco on June 22 for twenty days.”

Russian FM dismisses Iran criticism

MOSCOW: Russia’s foreign minister brushed off Iran’s recent criticism Thursday as an emotional outburst and expressed frustration with the country in the standoff over its nuclear program.

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Russian FM dismisses Iran criticism

Arab League urges Iraqis to form government

CAIRO: Arab nations are urging rival Iraqi politicians to end their bickering and form a new government nearly three months after the country’s inconclusive election.

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Arab League urges Iraqis to form government

Morocco gives Elton John a rapturous welcome

RABAT: Singer Elton John defied hostile Islamists to headline Morocco’s biggest music festival on Wednesday night and received a rapturous welcome from a crowd of thousands.

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Morocco gives Elton John a rapturous welcome

World stocks up, but traders wary on Europe

LONDON: World stock markets rebounded Wednesday following steep losses the previous day, but sentiment remained fragile amid fears Europe’s debt crisis could hamper global economic growth.

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World stocks up, but traders wary on Europe

Elton John to perform in Morocco despite outcry

RABAT: Elton John will be the highlight of Morocco’s biggest music festival despite calls by the country’s main Islamist party to shelve the British singer because of his homosexuality, organizers said Wednesday.

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Elton John to perform in Morocco despite outcry

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