Napoleon showed way for Hitler's 'Final Solution'?(Go To Top)

     London: A French historian has said that Napoleon Bonaparte had provided the model to Adolf Hitler for the latter's 'Final Solution' by slaughtering more than 100,000 Caribbean slaves. Claude Ribbe has "In The Crime of Napoleon", accused the French emperor of genocide and held him responsible for gassing rebellious blacks, a century before Hitler and Reichsfuhrer Heinrich Himmler put the extermination of the Jews into practice at Auschwitz-Birkenau, Treblinka Dachau, and other concentration camps across occupied Europe. Napoleon had apparently used extreme methods to put down a ferocious uprising in Haiti at the start of the 19th century. Then known as San Domingo, the colony was considered a jewel of the French Empire, and to save it, French troops launched a campaign killing all blacks aged over 12. The rebels were gassed in the ships' holds using sulphur dioxide and the killed rebels were replaced with new docile slaves from Africa, reports The Independent. "In simple terms, Napoleon ordered the killing of as many blacks as possible in Haiti and Guadeloupe to be replaced by new, docile slaves from Africa. I want the French to know exactly what happened in that period," said Ribbe, adding that many officers had refused to take part in the massacres. "As for the good things Napoleon did, that is irrelevant. Hitler developed the autobahns and inspired the Volkswagen; are we supposed to excuse him for his war crimes?" he added. Ribbe, who was recently appointed a human rights commissioner by French Premier, Dominique de Villepin, further said: "I was taught to think of Napoleon as a superstar. To mention his crimes against humanity has been a taboo".

George Clooney to star in 'Suburbicon' (Go To Top)

     London: Actor-turned-director George Clooney is teaming up with Coen brothers for their new comedy 'Suburbicon'. The Hollywood great, however, will just act in the movie by Joel and Ethan, with whom he made 'O Brother Where Art Thou?' and Intolerable Cruelty' "I'm going to do a comedy with Joel and Ethan in around a year. I really like working with them and I like doing comedy with them. They offered me a part in Suburbicon a long time ago, and since then decided they have other projects they want to work on," Contactmusic quoted him as telling Empireonline.com. "So I called them up and said, 'How about me taking a spin at it?' Because it's a really interesting, really funny, very dark comedy," he added.

Art Director's Guild to honour Spielberg (Go To Top)

     Washington: 'Jurrasic Park' director Steven Spielberg is to be honoured with the coveted 'Outstanding Contribution to Cinematic Imagery' Award at the annual Art Director's Guild award function to be held in Beverly Hills next year. According to Contactmusic, the Oscar winning director, who has given the world movies such as, 'Schindler's List', 'E.T' and 'Jurassic Park', among countless others, will be presented with the prestigious award which is given to an individual whose work in the film industry has changed and enhanced the visual aspects of the cinematic experience for movie goers. Previous winners of the award include Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood, Frank Oz and Norman Jewison.

Liz and Nair to tie the knot next year in India (Go To Top)

     London: The suspense seems to be finally over, as Hollywood beauty Elizabeth Hurley will reportedly marry her fiance Arun Nair in India next year. The pair are planning to tie the knot in a lavish three-day ceremony with Arun making a grand entrance atop an elephant. The star-studded bash will take place in the grounds of the 16th century Devigarh Fort in Rajasthan,now a swanky five-star hotel. Guests will include David and Victoria Beckam, Patsy Kensit and Pamela Anderson. The actress' close friends Elton John and David Furnish will also be there, with David taking the unusual role of maid of honour'. "They are delighted with the venue. They've been looking for the perfect place for ages and now they've found it," a friend of the couple was quoted by the Newsoftheworld,as saying. "Arun celebrated his fortieth birthday there and they both loved it so much they decided to get married there. It will be a three- day-long ceremony and there will be Indian and western celebrations. They haven't decided on the exact date yet, but it will be some time in March. Liz has some very high-profile friends and she is determined to keep the security very tight and the details top secret," he added.