Egyptian film-makers and critics denounced the authorities on Monday for blocking the screening of a "taboo" film about a love story between a Christian woman and a Muslim man.

"We denounce the fact that censorship authorities have prevented the screening of Hesham Issawi's 'Cairo Exit' at the Luxor African Film Festival," dozens of film-makers and critics said in a signed statement.

Actor James Spader's stay at "The Office" will be short.

NBC said Monday that Spader, who appeared in last season's finale and more this year as the oddball boss Robert California, won't be back next year.

Pakistan's first Oscar winner launched a campaign on Tuesday, hoping that her documentary about survivors of acid attacks can help eliminate a crime that disfigures hundreds of women each year.

"Saving Face" by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy won the short documentary category at the Academy Awards on Sunday.

Yves Saint-Laurent confirmed Monday that Italian designer Stefano Pilati was quitting but did not name his successor.

"The house will disclose the name of the new creative director in the coming weeks," a company statement said, adding that Pilati would present his last collection for YSL on March 5.

Iranians took to the Internet and mobile phones on Monday to proclaim their pride and joy at their country's first win at the Oscars -- and at the speech by triumphant director Asghar Farhadi putting culture above politics.

Messages filled SMS servers and social networks moments after the movie, "A Separation," was awarded the best foreign language Oscar at the U.S. Academy Awards.

"Xena: Warrior Princess" actress Lucy Lawless was arrested in New Zealand Monday after occupying an oil-drilling ship for three days to protest plans to search for oil off Alaska, Greenpeace said.

Police climbed a 53-meter (175-foot) drilling derrick on the Noble Discoverer ship in the North Island port of Taranaki and arrested Lawless along with five other Greenpeace activists, the environmental group said.

Silent movie "The Artist" crowned its spectacular awards season success by winning five Oscars including the coveted Best Picture prize at the 84th Academy Awards on Sunday.

The French-directed black-and-white movie earned Oscars for best director for Michel Hazanavicius and best actor for Jean Dujardin, who played a silent movie era star whose career was torpedoed by the arrival of the "talkies."

Hollywood's hottest stars strutted down the Oscars red carpet on Sunday in a stunning parade of bejeweled couture gowns, glittering diamonds and debonair tuxedos.

Many of Tinseltown's A-list actresses opted for strapless dresses and minimal jewelry. While some made a statement with the metallic glamour of silver and gold, others opted for bold eye-catching colors.

Singer Celine Dion has canceled several upcoming concerts in Las Vegas because of a virus.

Caesars Palace officials said her doctor advised her to rest for a week to recover from the virus, which caused an inflammation of her vocal cords. Shows scheduled for Friday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday were canceled at the resort's Colosseum.

Tom Cruise and Angelina Jolie lit up the Hollywood & Highland Center with their star power when they came to rehearse for Sunday's Oscar show.

The megastars each practiced walking on stage and presenting their categories Friday, handing out prop Oscars to stand-ins pretending to be winners.