Bono calls for support of Myanmar protesters

London – Bono says he had “slept uneasily” since seeing extraordinary photos and TV footage of the violence in Myanmar and is praying for the country’s pro-democracy demonstrators.

After a month of mostly peaceful demonstrations against Myanmar’s military government, security forces opened fire on protesters Wednesday, and witnesses said police beat and detained dozens of Buddhist monks.

“It is extraordinary to see the Buddhist monks, isn’t it? Their nonviolence may, I pray, win out over the ugliness of the situation,” the U2 frontman said at the London premiere of the new movie “Across the Universe.”

“There is jeopardy. I slept uneasily last night, and I’m sure everyone else that watched did, too,” he said. “How far are they going to have to go?”

The 47-year-old singer said he had met and corresponded with Aung San Suu Kyi, the pro-democracy leader of Myanmar’s opposition National League for Democracy Party.

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty detained

Mumbai, India – Five months later, Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty is still feeling the effects of a kiss from Richard Gere.

Immigration officials at Mumbai airport briefly detained Shetty, saying she was still wanted for obscenity charges filed in the wake of the public kiss with the Hollywood star, her publicist, Dale Bhagwagar, said Thursday.

Shetty was in tears late Wednesday after being stopped at the airport while on her way to Berlin where the musical “Miss Bollywood” opens this weekend, said Bhagwagar. Shetty plays the musical’s lead role.

“She called me in the middle of the night and was in tears,” said Bhagwagar, adding Shetty was finally permitted to join her dance troupe after prolonged questioning.

Gere embraced and kissed Shetty on her cheek at a public AIDS awareness event in New Delhi in April, sparking an outcry among conservative hardline Hindus, who claimed the pair had violated the country’s strict anti-obscenity laws.

Bandits steal Francis Ford Coppola script

Buenos Aires, Argentina – Armed bandits raided Francis Ford Coppola’s Argentine headquarters and stole a computer with the screenplay for the upcoming feature film “Tetro,” according to local news media.

The director of “The Godfather” apparently was not in Buenos Aires at the time of the robbery Wednesday night.

Independent news agency Noticias Argentinas reported at least five people entered the offices of Zoetrope Argentina, tied up employees and took computers, cameras and other valuables.

Noticias Argentinas said one of the stolen computers contained the 68-year-old director’s script for “Tetro,” a story about Italian immigrant artists set to begin shooting next year and starring Matt Dillon.

Kathleen Talbert, a New York-based representative for Coppola, said the script was saved in other places.

Yoko Ono to unveil Imagine Peace Tower

Los Angeles – Yoko Ono will unveil the Imagine Peace Tower in Reykjavik, Iceland, on Oct. 9 – on what would have been husband John Lennon’s 67th birthday.

Lennon was shot and killed outside their New York City apartment by deranged fan Mark David Chapman on Dec. 8, 1980.

“This is something that we spoke about 40 years ago,” Ono told The Associated Press by phone this week before heading for Iceland. “Our dream is finally coming true.”

The Imagine Peace Tower is a stories-tall beam of light that will emanate from a wishing well bearing the words “imagine peace” in 24 languages.

The tower will be lit each year from Oct. 9 to Dec. 8, “so it has the feeling of the shortness of life, but the light is eternal,” Ono said.

McCartney, Starr join Liverpool lineup

Liverpool, England – Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr will pay tribute to their native city when Liverpool becomes European Capital of Culture next year.

“I’m very excited about Liverpool being the European Capital of Culture in 2008,” McCartney told the launch event in a video message Thursday. “We have a fantastic series of events, which are sure to get you excited, too.”

The ex-Beatle will headline a June 1 concert for more than 30,000 people at Liverpool Football Club’s Anfield stadium.

Starr – along with Eurythmics founder Dave Stewart and the Liverpool Symphony Orchestra – will lead the opening ceremony Jan. 12 with “Liverpool The Musical,” a tribute to the city’s musical heritage.

Liverpool-born conductor Simon Rattle will lead concerts with the Berlin and Liverpool Philharmonics, and hundreds of bands from around the world are due for Liverpool Music Week in November.

Scorsese to direct late Beatle’s documentary

Los Angeles – Martin Scorsese will direct a documentary film on the late Beatles guitarist George Harrison.

“Harrison’s music and his search for spiritual meaning is a story that still resonates today and I’m looking forward to delving deeper,” Scorsese said in an e-mailed press release Thursday.

“It would have given George great joy to know that Martin Scorsese has agreed to tell his story,” Harrison’s widow, Olivia, said.

Scorsese has made other films focusing on music stars, including the 2005 documentary “No Direction Home: Bob Dylan” and 1978’s “The Last Waltz.”

Harrison, born in Liverpool, England, and the youngest of the Beatles, died at 58 in Los Angeles on Nov. 29, 2001, after battling lung cancer and a brain tumor.