The telethon transmission of Geo TV (that lasted for three-and-a-half hours) with Indian film star Amir Khan and Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan made a great contribution for the cause of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, raising a total of Rs 80 million.

The two chief guests-Amir Khan and Imran Khan-discussed important issues at this unique programme, and a number of people from different countries, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United States and Dubai, made phone calls and paid glowing tributes to Amir Khan and Imran Khan for their devotion to the cause of treating cancer patients. These telephone callers announced their donations for Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital.

Chicago led the Academy Awards with six trophies, including best picture, at a ceremony Sunday that allowed Hollywood to exalt itself while muting the Oscar pageantry because of the U.S.-led war on Iraq.

The Academy Awards ceremony took place on Sunday allowed Hollywood to exalt itself while muting the Oscar pageantry because of the U.S.-led war on Iraq, was taken away by the Chicago who led the Academy Awards with six trophies, including best picture.

The razzle-dazzle satire Chicago became the first musical since 1968’s Oliver! to win the top Oscar. The other awards were given to Catherine Zeta-Jones for best supporting actress, and four technical honors including costume design and art direction.

MADONNA has defended the anti-war video for her new single ‘AMERICAN LIFE’, after criticism was levelled at her for being “anti-BUSH.”

The star has posted a message on her website, www.madonna.com declaring: “I am not anti-Bush. I am not pro-Iraq. I am pro-peace.”

The Jonas Ackerlund-directed video depicts military outfits being modelled at a fashion show, with Madonna dressed as a superhero throwing hand grenades, cut with images of war victims. Her spokesperson said the fashion show escalated into a “mad frenzy, depicting the catastrophic repercussions and horror of war”.