Stars on tap for Nobel event

Oslo, Norway — Tom Cruise and Oprah Winfrey will continue the tradition of bringing a superstar shine to dark December nights in Norway when the pair host the annual Nobel Peace Prize Concert.

The Saturday concert, held to honor Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai, will also feature musical artists such as Joss Stone, Andrea Bocelli, Diana Krall, Cyndi Lauper and Patti LaBelle.

The 64-year-old Maathai, Kenya’s deputy environment minister, was honored as founder of the Green Belt Movement, which has sought to empower women, improve the environment and fight corruption in Africa for 30 years.

Winfrey said it was a “great pleasure” to celebrate “the first African woman recipient of one of the most meaningful awards of our time.”

Koch honored on his 80th

New York — A who’s who in New York politics turned out to celebrate former Mayor Ed Koch’s 80th birthday at a party at Gracie Mansion.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Charles Schumer, and Gov. George Pataki all spoke at Thursday night’s bash, at which Bloomberg announced that a gift had been given to establish the Edward I. Koch scholarships at City College, Koch’s alma mater.

“Simply put, Ed was not only a great mayor and a great source of advice and support to other mayors, he happens to be one of the greatest leaders and politicians in the history of our city,” Bloomberg said.

Koch spoke to the crowd and was presented with a cheesecake with two candles forming the number 80.

Richie put on tape-delay

New York — The Billboard Music Awards were broadcast live from Las Vegas — but reality TV star Nicole Richie was beamed out taped-delayed.

“I’m not actually allowed to do the show live because I cursed last year,” Richie told syndicated entertainment TV show “Access Hollywood” before Wednesday night’s awards show, which was broadcast by Fox television live on the East Coast. Excerpts of the interview, set to air Thursday night, were released in advance.

Richie, who stars with model-socialite Paris Hilton on “The Simple Life,” added, “That’s why I’m here so early. Then I’ll stay for the show.”

Scott Grogin, a spokesman for Fox, told The Associated Press Thursday the segment was taped minutes before the show. He wouldn’t comment on the reason for the caution.

Jagger wins livelihood award

Stockholm, Sweden — Bianca Jagger was among the winners of this year’s Right Livelihood Awards — dubbed the “alternative Nobels” — presented by Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf in a ceremony at parliament.

The awards include a $297,160 cash prize. They are funded by an endowment established by Jakob von Uexkull in part to honor what he said were oversights by the annual Nobel Prizes.

Jagger, a former model and ex-wife of Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, was honored Thursday for showing how a celebrity can help the exploited and disadvantaged, organizers said.

“The financial award will allow me to set up a foundation to continue my human rights work,” she said. “Everything I do has its theme, which is justice — social and economic justice.”

Birthday: Sen. John Kerry

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., is 61. Actress Rita Moreno is 73. Singer Brenda Lee is 60. Actress Teri Garr is 56. Singer Jermaine Jackson is 50. Actress-comedian Mo’Nique (“The Parkers”) is 36. Rapper Mos Def is 31.