A Kiss Is Not Just a Kiss: Indian Court

Charges from smooch that scandalized India dropped

(NEWSER) - An Indian court has lifted an arrest warrant for Richard Gere issued last year after he publicly kissed a Bollywood star on the cheek, AFP reports. Outraged Hindus held rallies and burned Gere in effigy after he planted a few kisses on Shilpa Shetty at an AIDS awareness rally. "The case brings a bad name to the country," a justice from the country's Supreme Court said. More»

(NEWSER) - Richad Gere and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are hardly soulmates, but both got into trouble last week for kissing (not each other) in public. The actor was hanged in effigy by an angry mob for kissing a female Bollywood star during a charity event in India; the Iranian president reprimanded by religious leaders for a peck on the gloved hand of a former teacher. More»

The big names who've gotten in hot water overseas

(NEWSER) - Robin Williams’ comment to David Letterman last week that “Australians are basically English rednecks” set off quite a chain reaction—the Australian prime minister is mad at Williams, and the Alabama governor is mad at the Australian PM for implying Alabamians are the real rednecks. The Daily Beast rounds up a dozen more diplomatic scandals in the celebrity world:

• Adam Carolla: The Filipino people weren’t too happy last week when the comedian railed about boxer Manny Pacquiao being the only thing the country has to offer: “They got this and sex tours, that’s all they have over there. Get your shit together, Philippines. Jesus Christ. I mean, again, it’s fine to be proud of your countrymen. But that’s it? That’s all you got?”
• Richard Gere: When he kissed Celebrity Big Brother winner Shilpa Shetty in 2007, protesters in India shouted “Death to Shilpa Shetty!” and burned effigies of Gere.