Morrissey steps in to help Smiths youth club: report

Morrissey steps in to help Smiths youth club: report


LONDON (AFP) - British pop star Morrissey has made a donation to help restore a youth club which his former band, the Smiths, immortalised on one of their albums, the club and his management told a newspaper Saturday

Morrissey and bandmates Johnny Marr, Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce posed outside the Salford Lads Club in their home city of Manchester, north-west England, for the cover of 1986 album "The Queen Is Dead".
The club, which has become a mecca for Smiths fans from around the world, launched a one million pound (1.4 million euro, two million dollar) restoration campaign earlier this year.
Now the singer has pledged 20,000 pounds to help upgrade the red-brick building, which was established in 1903.
Club secretary Brian Ball told the Manchester Evening News newspaper: "Morrissey and the Smiths made a big difference to the Salford Lads' Club by having their picture taken outside in 1986... it's a marvellous gesture".
Morrissey's manager Merck Mercuriadis added that the donation was intended as a "private gesture" but the club requested it be made public to encourage further contributions.

SNL's Fallon marries producer Juvonen

SNL's Fallon marries producer Juvonen


LOS ANGELES - Longtime "Saturday Night Live" performer Jimmy Fallon and movie producer Nancy Juvonen were married in the Caribbean, a publicist announced Saturday.

Fallon, 33, and Juvonen, 40, were married in a Dec. 22 ceremony on Necker Island "with family and close friends in attendance," said a statement from Ina Treciokas.
It was the first marriage for both.
No other details were released.
Fallon joined "Saturday Night Live" in 1998. He also has made movies, including the 2005 comedy "Fever Pitch," which Juvonen co-produced.

Children challenge James Brown's will

Children challenge James Brown's will


AIKEN, S.C. - Five of James Brown's children say their late father's will should be invalidated because his former advisers used undue influence to get him to create charitable trusts that the advisers would profit from, according to court documents filed this week.

The children were largely left out of the financial portion of the will, which leaves the bulk of the soul singer's money to trusts set up to educate Brown's grandchildren and needy kids.
Atlanta attorney Louis Levenson said the children discovered earlier wills drafted by their father that cast doubt on whether he truly wanted to leave his estate to charity.
"There was sporadic indication that Mr. Brown intended to benefit some charities, but the circumstances surrounding the making of these documents have always been clouded in mystery," Levenson said.
Five Brown children are challenging the will in Aiken County Probate Court. They claim Brown's longtime advisers Buddy Dallas, Alford Bradley and David Cannon convinced the soul singer to create the trusts so the advisers would profit from managing the two charities after Brown died.
Dallas denied the allegations and called attempts to void the will "an act of desperation."
"No one told James Brown what to do," Dallas said, adding that if he were going to use his influence to benefit himself, "I would have just influenced him into giving me something."
The Brown children challenging the will are Deanna Brown Thomas, Venisha Brown, Daryl Brown, Yamma Brown Lumar and Larry Brown. A sixth child named in Brown's will, Terry Brown, has hired a different attorney.
One grandchild whose tuition would be paid for by the trusts has accused his relatives of trying to break the charities to get the money.
Most of Brown's estate, including his Beech Island home and rights to his image, name and music, would go to the James Brown "I Feel Good" Trust for the education of needy children in South Carolina and Georgia, as well as to a family trust to educate his grandchildren younger than 35.
Brown died on Christmas Day 2006 of heart failure. He was 73.
Just how much money is involved in Brown's estate is unclear. In October, Forbes reported Brown made an estimated $5 million in 2005 alone. But attorneys have said Brown's accounts do not have the money they expected.

Ashley Tisdale's New Nose Gets Mixed Reviews

Ashley Tisdale's New Nose Gets Mixed Reviews

Wearing a yellow hoodie, tobogganing hat, and some comfy fleece pants, Ashley Tisdale was looking sporty while out in Los Angeles yesterday (December 21). Accompanied by a gal pal, the High School Musical star is slowly but surely recovering from her recent, highly-publicized nose surgery. So far, the new schnoz has debuted to mixed reviews, although the general consensus feels that Miss Tisdale was better off before the reconstructive procedure. Speaking of the possible impact the surgery might have on Ashley's career, one journalist wrote, "Ashley Tisdale now is potentially poised to experience the Jennifer Grey Syndrome - tinkering with her distinct look and undergoing plastic surgery to correct a "deviated septum" - only to emerge with an unrecognizable feature."

Jolie-Pitt Family Bicycle Outing

Jolie-Pitt Family Bicycle Outing

After having so much fun bicycling on Brad's birthday earlier in the week, the Jolie-Pitt clan couldn't help but go out for round two this weekend. Angelina Jolie and her man took the kids for a bike ride in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. And this time, Shiloh got to join in on the fun, too - taking over the seat behind her mom, which was previously occupied by Zahara. According to sources on the scene, "The couple started off down their street when the chain on Angelina's bike broke and her assistant had to come to her rescue to repair the bike and then help her to get started again. Brad just chuckled about the incident." Besides getting in quality family time, the Mr and Mrs Smith co-stars fit in an appearance on Saturday at an event to "help The Children's Health Fund focus attention on the more than 46-thousand children still displaced two and a-half years after hurricanes Katrina and Rita destroyed their homes." At the event, Jolie told that in her travels she has "seen many children who feel defeated. The difference in New Orleans," she says, "is that the children are feisty, fun and full of pride.'' Angelina adds, "It's that kind of spirit that will help everyone get through this.''

Bollywood Celebrities under Bikini

Bollywood Celebrities under Bikini

Miss India Lara Dutta, 21, Models Swimwear during the Miss Universe 2000 pageant in Nicosia May 13, 2000.

Miss India, Priyanka Chopra, poses for photographers during the beachwear section of the Miss World contest at Full Moon Island in Maldives November 13, 2000.

Miss India Tanushree Dutta walks in swimming costume during the 53nd Annual Miss Universe Competition, 01 June 2004 in Quito, Ecuador.

Celina Jaitly, Miss India 2001, competes in her Bluepoint Swim swimsuit during the Miss Universe 2001 Presentation Show at the Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, 06 May 2001.

Mihika Varma, 19, greets to journalists during a press preview of the 2004 Miss International Beauty Pageant in Tokyo 28 September 2004

Britney Suspects K-Fed Gets High In Front of Kids

Britney Suspects K-Fed Gets High In Front of Kids

In an ultimate fashion faux-pas, Britney Spears was spotted leaving the L'Ermitag hotel last night wearing the same burgundy dress and plaid fedora that she was wearing when she checked in the previous night.

Perhaps the "Piece of Me" singer is a little too stressed out with her sister's pregnancy and the ongoing custody case to change her clothes. Nevertheless, Brit is making some serious allegations against her ex-hubby, Kevin Federline.

According to a brand new report, Spears has requested that her sons Jayden James and Sean Preston submit to a drug test, speculating that K-Fed does drugs in their presence.

An insider revealed,"Britney believes Kevin's been smoking pot in front of the kids. She says she can smell it in the boys' hair and on their clothes when she has her visitation with them. She's asked the court-appointed monitor and her lawyers if they can prove the kids have been exposed to environments in which drugs have been taken."

There are also rumors that the "Toxic" singer will request a drug test for K-Fed, himself.

Teri Polo Meets the Baby

Teri Polo Meets the Baby

Los Angeles (E! Online) - Thanks to her most well-known film role, Teri Polo knows what not to name a baby. The Meet the Fockers star and her live-in boyfriend Jamie Wollam welcomed their first child together, daughter Bayley, on Thursday in Los Angeles.

Polo's rep told E! News that Bayley was born at 3:02 p.m. and weighed 7 pounds.

Both the actress and her musician beau have sons—Griffin, 5, and Carter, 9, respectively—from previous marriages.

Polo and Wollam met in 2004 on the set of a music video for his band at the time, Avion, and they've been an item ever since, give or take the grace period before that first phone call.

The 38-year-old actress, who made for an unusually fresh-faced First Lady of the United States in the final season of The West Wing last year, told People in October that this pregnancy was "easier physically" than her last, mainly because she had the nutrition aspect down already.

"I vowed from the start [not to eat the first thing in sight] so I'm a lot smaller than I was with the first pregnancy," she said.

But regardless of how round she got, she was ecstatic to be expecting.

"I'm over the moon! It's my favorite role, being a mom," Polo said. "I know we're expecting a girl and I'm very, very excited."

After her stint in "what-if" Washington D.C., and before she starred in the short-lived David E. Kelley comedy The Wedding Bells, Polo appeared on Numb3rs and pulled leading lady duty in the Hallmark Channel movie Love Is a Four Letter Word.

Michelle Rodriguez begins 6-month jail term

Michelle Rodriguez begins 6-month jail term

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actress Michelle Rodriguez began a 180-day jail term in Los Angeles on Sunday for probation violation, the second Hollywood celebrity after Kiefer Sutherland to face a Christmas incarceration.According to Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept. records, the former "Lost" star checked in to Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, south of downtown Los Angeles, under her given name, Mayte. Michelle is her middle name.

Rodriguez must serve the full stretch in the overcrowded jail, where sentences for minor crimes are often cut short. In November, actress Lindsay Lohan served 84 minutes of a 1-day sentence, while reality TV starlet Nicole Richie was released 80 minutes into her 4-day term in August.

A judge sentenced Rodriguez in October for violating her probation on previous drunken-driving and hit-and-run offenses, and specified that she not be granted work furlough, early release or home confinement.

Rodriguez admitted failing to complete community service obligations. She was also found to have consumed alcohol on at least three occasions while wearing a monitoring bracelet around her ankle, in violation of a probation requirement that she refrain from drinking for 90 days.

The probation violation stems from a 2004 plea of no contest -- the equivalent of guilty -- to three traffic offenses in Los Angeles, including hit-and-run and drunken driving violations. She was previously sentenced to 60 days in jail for a probation violation in May 2006, but was released after just four hours and 20 minutes due to overcrowding.

Rodriguez rose to fame in 2000, playing a feisty pugilist in the indie film "Girlfight." She went on to star in such movies as "The Fast and the Furious" and "Blue Crush." Her "Lost" character, police officer Ana-Lucia Cortez, was killed off after about two dozen episodes.

Prince Edward and wife Sophie name new baby James

Prince Edward and wife Sophie name new baby James
LONDON (AFP) - Prince Edward, Queen Elizabeth II's youngest son, has named his second child James, Buckingham Palace said Friday.The latest addition to the royal family was born to Edward's wife Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, on Monday.

The baby's full name is James Alexander Philip Theo, his full surname will be Mountbatten-Windsor and he will take the title Viscount Severn.

The queen's eighth grandchild is also eighth in line to the throne in the list of succession headed by Prince Charles.

Edward and Sophie, who married in 1999, already have a daughter, four-year-old Lady Louise Windsor.

DMX back in business with new label deal

DMX back in business with new label deal

NEW YORK (Billboard) - After being released from his Sony Music deal earlier this year, rapper DMX has signed a deal with the music division of Canadian online gaming company Bodog Entertainment.The rapper plans to release his next two albums, "Walk With Me Now" and "You'll Fly With Me Later" in 2008. His lone album for Sony after leaving Def Jam, "Year of the Dog ... Again" was released in 2006 and has sold 329,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Bodog Music recently snagged international distribution rights for the Wu-Tang Clan's comeback album, "8 Diagrams."

Rihanna's Tour Keeps Rolling Through Europe

Rihanna's Tour Keeps Rolling Through Europe

As her European tour rolls along, Rihanna continues to add to an already impressive international following - and the R&B superstar still can't believe it.

Most recently, the Umbrella singer donned her dominatrix costume and hit the stage in Glasgow on Friday night. From there, it was off to London, where she's taking the stage on Sunday (December 16).

Meanwhile, in a recent interview with Times Online, the Barbados native talked about past dates on her tour - and how she's amazed by the turnout.

Rihanna tells, "I did a show in Belgrade. We were expecting 6,000 people and 24,000 showed up. And I couldn't understand why. I..."

Nearly in tears, the 19-year-old continued, "I look at them and I still think, 'Why are you screaming for me?' I still think of myself as a normal girl."

Shakira Has "A Heart For Children"

Shakira Has "A Heart For Children"

Well known for her generosity, Shakira continued on with her charitable ways by attending last night's "A Heart For Children" telethon gala in Berlin.

Dressed in a gorgeous red dress, the Colombian sensation not only showed up for the festivities, but she even took to the stage for the worthy cause.

And even though she spends so much of her time with philanthropic endeavors, the 30-year-old Barranquilla native continues to produce award worthy music.

This was made evident by the recent Golden Globe nomination received by Shakira. She's up for Best Original Song for "Despedia" which was featured in the movie "Love In The Time Of Cholera".

Shakira co-wrote the track with Antonio Pinto - with the two hoping for a big win when the winners are announced on January 13th.

Heroes Stars Hit Jules Verne Film Festival

Heroes Stars Hit Jules Verne Film Festival

The cast of Heroes took to the red carpet at the Jules Verne Adventure Film Festival on Saturday night (December 15).

Led by Hayden Panettiere, who was front and center, the gathering of NBC stars met with their fans on a day that brought screenings of the director's cut of Predator and John Woo's latest film, Appleseed: Ex Machina.

Joining Hayden at the event were Milo Ventimiglia, Jack Coleman, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Masi Oka, Adrian Pasdar, among many others.

As could be expected, the TV stars are all anxiously awaiting a resolution in the screen writer's strike so that they can get back to the set and work on the much anticipated third season of their show.

Jennifer Love Hewitt Readies For Wedded Life

Jennifer Love Hewitt Readies For Wedded Life

Now that they've returned to the States engaged, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ross McCall are keeping busy readying for their life together.

Just yesterday, Jennifer was spotted returning to her Los Angeles pad where soon-to-be husband Ross was anxiously awaiting her arrival.

But before she could make it to her man, Love Hewitt, who was smiling and toting around a big box, was stopped for a kiss and chat with a friendly neighbor. Soon after, she made it past the gates - out of camera's view and into her fiance's arms.

On a side note, you can catch Jennifer's character Melinda help out a ghost who believes he is Santa Claus on the hit show "Ghost Whisperer," airing tonight (December 14) at 8 p.m. on CBS.

Tayior Swift Turns 18. Gets A Pink Truck

Taylor Swift Turns 18, Gets A Pink Truck

Yesterday was a big day for country music phenom Taylor Swift. She had a party, got a new truck, and had another country superstar sing happy birthday to her.

But she started off the day doing something she hopes all of her 18-year-old fans will imitate… she registered to vote. She told press, "I did it in my pajamas!"

After completing her official government business, the "Our Song" singer (the latest #1 for Taylor) invited some friends over and started the long preparation process for last night's big party.

The dress? A hot-pink Betsey Johnson number. Taylor told press, "It was between this and a black dress, but I knew all my friends would be in black, so I went with the pink. I love pink."

At the party, the president of her record label, Scott Borchetta, hooked the country girl up with a "supersized bubblegum-pink Chevy truck." And Swift couldn't have been happier.

Karolina Kurkova's Caribbean Photoshoot

Karolina Kurkova's Caribbean Photoshoot

When you're a model, you're subject to whatever surroundings the photographer calls for. And Karolina Kurkova is counting her lucky stars that her latest Victoria's Secret fashion shoot was set on the island of St. Barts.

And rumor has it that the Czech supermodel opted to forgo the dressing room, and changed into her several outfits in a car parked near the shoot. Daring!

Her ensembles included a couple sun dresses and a white bikini, and this European beauty posed with a variety of handbags, as well as solo.

Besides Victoria's Secret, Kurkova is also using her beauty to benefit Dell Computers. Most recently, she was on hand as a spokeswoman for Dell One as they unveiled the DellXPS One all-in-one PC in SoHo Manhattan, NYC.

Jennifer Garner: On Top of Her Game

Jennifer Garner: On Top of Her Game

With the critical acclaim of her new flick Juno, and her overwhelming success in Broadway's "Cyrano de Bergerac," Jennifer Garner is riding high on the wave of success.

The "Alias" actress stopped by NBC's The Today Show at Rockefeller Centers yesterday to chat with Meredith Vieria.

She was quoted as saying, "I've seen Juno twice, but I cried my head off both times- in the best and most joyful way."

Garner said her favorite part of the movie was "definitely Ellen Page's performance," but doesn't want too much hype to surround the film, for fear that all the attention will play it out in people's minds.

Lost Britney Spears Ends Up at Hustler Store

Lost Britney Spears Ends Up at Hustler Store

It was back to the Hustler store and Starbucks for Britney Spears last night, as the pop tart wandered out of her spot at the Four Seasons Hotel to run a few errands.

Dressed in a frilly black barely-there dress and her trademark pink wig, the adventure started out with a stop at her favorite java spot.

After grabbing a beverage and hitting the exit, reports tell: "She then made an illegal U-Turn to hit the Hustler store where she recently shoplifted."

But for some reason, Spears decided to drops her Po*n plans, as sources at the scene inform: "But she didn't go inside. Instead, biting her fingernails, she stayed in the parking lot, telling photographers she was lost before driving back home."

Congo displaced recruited to fight: U.N. refugee head

Congo displaced recruited to fight: U.N. refugee head

GOMA, Congo (Reuters) - Armed groups in eastern Congo are recruiting fighters in camps for those displaced by violence, the U.N. refugee chief said on Sunday, as diplomats tried to revive a peace plan that has failed to halt fighting.

Violence has forced nearly one in six people in Congo's violent North Kivu province from their homes, and tens of thousands have been displaced in the past fortnight by fighting between the army and renegade Tutsi general Laurent Nkunda.

In the ramshackle camps where they shelter, civilians are still not safe from being pressed to join armed factions in a conflict where human rights groups have accused all sides of recruiting child soldiers -- a feature of Congo's 1998-2003 war.

"Members of armed groups as well as members of the national army go into the camps. It is necessary for the protection of the civilian population that the camps are kept arms-free," said U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres.

"There is recruitment of young people in the camps. This is not acceptable," Guterres told reporters in North Kivu's capital Goma after a two-day trip in which he visited camps and heard harrowing accounts from civilians caught up in the fighting.

As Guterres continued his journey to Congo's capital Kinshasa, diplomats met in Goma to try to breathe life into a peace plan to end the fighting, which also involves armed groups like Congo's Mai Mai traditional militia and Rwandan Interahamwe Hutu fighters accused of leading their country's 1994 genocide.

TASK FORCE

The Congolese and Rwandan foreign ministers agreed in Nairobi, Kenya, in early November that Congo's army would forcibly disarm the Interahamwe and other Hutu fighters who belonged to Rwanda's army before the genocide.

Rwanda's Tutsi-led government agreed in return to seal the border and armed groups, in particular Nkunda's mostly Tutsi fighters, did not receive help from across the border.

Leading diplomats, including U.S. State Department Special Envoy Tim Shortley, agreed on Sunday to create a Goma-based task force within a week to follow implementation of the Nairobi accord, said Haile Menkerios, U.N. assistant secretary general for political affairs, who was at the meeting.

"It was good as a first meeting. It was not a matter of agreeing, but on how to implement the Nairobi declaration. A master plan has been handed over to Rwanda. We are ready. We are going to do disarm them in March," Congolese Defence Minister Tshikez Djemu said, referring to Rwandan Hutu militia.

Violence flared in North Kivu in the past fortnight when Congo's army launched an offensive against Nkunda, only to be beaten back in fighting that forced around 60,000 civilians to flee, adding to a human tide of displaced civilians.

"The biggest challenge of course is that we are all out of proportion with our resources, with our capacity in relation to the dimensions of the problem," Guterres said on Saturday during a visit to one of the camps, where displaced families huddle beneath shelters improvised from plastic sheeting.

Darfur rebels say they repulsed attacks, sabotaged oil facility

Darfur rebels say they repulsed attacks, sabotaged oil facility

KHARTOUM (AFP) - Darfur rebels of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in west Sudan said on Sunday they had beaten back two attacks by government soldiers and sabotaged an oil facility. One of the main rebel movement's commanders, Abdel Aziz Nur al-Ashr, told AFP by telephone that in a clash with Khartoum's troops in the Sirba region JEM forces seized 32 vehicles and took "mumerous prisoners."

Ashr said that two JEM members were killed and six wounded in several hours of fighting northeast of the West Darfur capital of Geneina between Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

He said government forces had attacked civilians and burned their villages before clashing with the rebels.

Ashr said an army colonel was killed in the fighting, but there has been no confirmation of the incident from the Sudanese military.

The rebel movement also claimed in a statement posted on the Internet that it had repulsed a government attack in the Sarf Omra area of west Darfur and inflicted "heavy losses" on the Sudanese military.

JEM said it had attacked the Defra oil facility in south Kordofan, halting prodiction estimated at 50,000 barrels a day.

If confirmed, this would be the third assault by the rebel group against petroleum installations in Kordofan after the JEM said it would target Chinese oil firms until China ends its operations in Sudan.

China is Sudan's top oil buyer and weapons provider in a relationship that has drawn much criticism in the West.

Beijing is Khartoum's biggest foreign trade partner and has invested more than 400 million dollars in Sudan's western and largely impoverished Darfur region alone, according to Chinese figures.

But China has often been accused of failing to exert pressure on President Omar al-Beshir to stop the bloodshed in Darfur, where conflict has left at least 200,000 people dead and displaced more than two million, according to UN figures.

The conflict erupted in February 2003 when ethnic minority rebels rose up against Khartoum to demand an end to the political and economic marginalisation of their huge region the size of France.

Hilary Duff Talks About Weight Issues

Hilary Duff Talks About Weight Issues

Spotted out at Barney's of New York in Beverly Hills on Saturday for a little retail therapy, Hilary Duff recently spoke to Access Hollywood's Maria Menounos about weight issues in Hollywood - offering up her take on the controversial issue.

"In Hollywood there's a lot of pressure, at least in the weight category. How do you deal with that?" Maria asked Hilary.

"They said things before, you know like, 'Oh my gosh! She's gained weight!' And then I lose weight and then it's, 'Oh my god, she has lost too much weight!' I think that when you just laugh about it and you don't let it effect you. It's easier said then done, definitely, because it hurts your feelings and it gets to you, and we're just human," Hilary tells.

And while the 20-year-old is quite comfortable with her current physique, that doesn't mean that she goes without working out.

"I work with a Pilates trainer," Hilary revealed, adding, "I am so bad at exercising outside of Pilates. It's just not fun, it's like I just can't make myself go."

Kim Kardashian Goes to Mexico

Kim Kardashian Goes to Mexico

The beaches of Cabo San Lucas became the stomping grounds of December Playboy covergirl Kim Kardashian over the past few days (December 6-8).

Accompanied by sisters Kourtney and Khloe, the 21-year old socialite turned reality star was visiting the tropical Mexican destination to celebrate the grand opening of the new Hotel Me, which is run by Melia Hotels.

Melia boasts of their latest property, "On the finest stretch of surf and sand in Cabo San Lucas, the 150 guest rooms of ME Cabo occupy a particularly enviable place in the sun."

Meanwhile, the timing of Kim's trip coincides perfectly with a recent New York Daily News list of the dumbest people in Hollywood, in which she ranks second behind Lindsay Lohan.

Speaking of her video romp with Ray-J, the newspaper awarded the dishonor to Kim because "it is sad when you leak your sex tape and nobody cares."

But, as pointed out by the people at Fashion, "Kim may be many things, but the tape in question has certainly helped vault her to the center of the celebrity gossip world. By getting n*ked on film and in Playboy, Kim Kardashian has made a name for herself."

Rihanna Can't Believe Her Own Success

Rihanna Can't Believe Her Own Success

The Good Girl Gone Bad tour keeps rocking its way through Europe, as Rihanna's most recent stop saw her performing for fans at the MEN Arena in Manchester.

Dressed in her usual dominatrix outfit, the 19-year-old R&B sensation did her best to show fans why she's nominated for 6 Grammy awards - which she can't believe herself.

"Oh my God, I can't believe it. Six Grammy nominations?" Rihanna said to mentor/composer Evan Rogers, who relayed news of the nominations from the United States. "I just can't believe this is happening to me. I almost have to pinch myself to believe this is happening to me," the Umbrella hitmaker continued.

Along with being up for the prestigious Record Of The Year bid, Rihanna's also up for Song Of The Year, Best Dance Recording, Best R&B Song, Best Rap/Song Collaboration and Best R&B Performance.

Pamela Anderson Cozies Up with Criss Angel

Pamela Anderson Cozies Up with Criss Angel

Just two short months after marrying Rick Salomon between her twice nightly Las Vegas magic shows, Pamela Anderson gave onlookers at LAX nightclub reason to believe that the magic between herself and her latest hubby has already faded.

Speaking of magic, it was none other than the "Illusionist" himself, Criss Angel, who seemed to be sticking a wrench into Rick's long term plans of wedded bliss with his Baywatch babe.

Just last night, Pammie was spotted getting a bit cozier with Criss than most married men would wish for. The two canoodled as Angel, who has been tied to the likes of Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan in the recent past, whispered into Pam's ear as he showed her a few tricks.

Also making appearances at the Vegas hotspot were Pam's boss, Hans Klok, along with Jenna Jameson, who spent her time cuddling with UFC fighter, Tito Ortiz.

Paris Hilton Parties In South Beach

Paris Hilton Parties In South Beach

If you happened to be in Miami, Florida last night, you may have caught a glimpse of Paris Hilton. The heiress was in town to attend the International Wednesdays Party at Mansion Nightclub in South Beach.

The "Simple Life" starlet wore a sundress-style garment with a weird mixture of animal-print and turquoise accents. But her handbag really stole the show- it was a gold-paneled Fort Knox-esque accessory that matched her gold shoes.

And if you were hoping to see Miss Hilton on the Bachelorette, it looks like you'll be disappointed. She has officially stated that she won't be doing that gig.

Paris says she would never consider an offer from the show. "I don't usually like the guys that would want to be on that kind of show." After all, she already has a Swedish boytoy, so why would she need to put herself out there like that?

Anne Hathaway and Eva Mendes: NYC Dining

Anne Hathaway and Eva Mendes: NYC Dining

Who knew a simple trip to the local watering hole would garner such amazing celebrity sightings?! Well, the Waverly isn't exactly just another restaurant, and stars like Eva Mendes and Anne Hathaway were spotted on their way to dinner.

The New York City hot spot was the place to be last night for Eva Mendes fans. The "Hitch" actress has been spending her week in the Big Apple, and was spotted looking positively amazing last night.

She wore a strapless gold knee-length dress with matching peep-toe heels. And her huge smile revealed that she's been having a ball in the City.

And Anne Hathaway was out on a date with her real estate developer boyfriend Raffaello Follieri when the paps caught up with her at the Waverly. The "Princess Diaries" actress even stopped to pet a dog before dinner. What a sweetie.

Oath the Humanity: Britney Deposed

Oath the Humanity: Britney Deposed

Los Angeles (E! Online) - It's time for Britney Spears to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. So help us, God. The pop star is due to submit to questioning from Kevin Federline's attorneys Wednesday morning, giving, at long last, a deposition in the ex-couple's ongoing custody battle, sources close to the case confirm to E! News.

Spears' under-oath testimony is scheduled to kick off at the Los Angeles offices of Federline's main legal man, Mark Vincent Kaplan, at roughly 10 a.m. The Q&A session, which Federline's lawyers have been laboring for more than a year to secure, is expected to last most of the day.

The 26-year-old will likely be grilled on such issues as her past drug and alcohol use, her struggles to abide by Court Commissioner Scott M. Gordon's orders, her penchant for rolling over the feet of bystanders and her general fitness as a mother to sons Sean Preston, 2, and Jayden James, 1.

A November motion from the Department of Child and Family Services made public last week indicated the agency "has concerns of its own regarding the safety and welfare of the children if the children are left in the mother's care."

Fortunately for Spears, the details Wednesday's deposition won't be fit for public consumption.

On Oct. 26, Gordon ruled the session could not be videotaped, after Spears' legal crew voiced fears the recording would be leaked.

So, when Spears arrives for her deposition Wednesday morning, she will be accompanied by her lawyers, including lead attorney Sorrell Trope, and a court stenographer, but no cameraman.

Kaplan has already grilled several members of Spears' posse, including sidekick Alli Sims, former manager Larry Rudolph and former bodyguard and manny Daimon Shippen.

Spears second banana Sam Lufti was scheduled to be deposed Nov. 30, but he failed to show for his appointment. Federline's camp is planning to file a motion compelling the self-styled movie producer to testify in January.

The 29-year-old Federline was granted primary physical custody of his sons with Spears earlier this year, with supervised visitation given to his ex. Last month, attorneys for the duo managed to keep it civil long enough to hash out a holiday schedule without assistance from the court.

Hilton helping protect the environment

Hilton helping protect the environment

BERLIN - Paris Hilton is making a personal contribution to protecting the environment."I changed all the light bulbs to energy-safe light bulbs and I'm buying a hybrid car right now," the 26-year-old celebrity heiress said Wednesday.

Hilton said she turns off the lights, doesn't leave the TV on or the water running when she leaves her house.

"Little things that people can do every day to make a huge difference," she said.

She was in Berlin to take part in an advertising campaign for Rich Prosecco, a sparkling wine sold in cans.

Hilton told reporters she's looking for a boyfriend and knows exactly what qualities Mr. Right should possess.

"Right now I'm single but I am looking for a nice boy," she said. "He should be funny, smart and loyal."

Hayden Panettiere: Feel the Burn!

Hayden Panettiere: Feel the Burn!

How in the world does Hayden Panettiere always look so good? Well, for starters, she's constantly hitting the gym and breaking a sweat.

The "Heroes" star was on her way to Ultra Body Fitness Gym in West Hollywood yesterday when the paparazzi caught up with her. According to one shutterbug, "Hayden had some confusion as to where to park her car before heading inside for her workout."

Of course, when you drive a Porsche SUV, there is careful consideration taken whenever it comes time to find a parking spot.

This blonde beauty will be enjoying some time off from her hit show, as "Heroes" just concluded Volume II "Generations" last night. And if you missed it, shame on you!

Tim Kring, the creator and executive producer of "Heroes" revealed some of the method to his madness in the season-closing episode.

The fates of Nathan and Niki are, according to Kring, "up in the air and will be determined when we come back after the strike. Things are fairly dire for them both."

As for Adam, he was teleported by Hiro into a coffin buried in a Japanese cemetery… the same Japanese cemetary in which Adam killed Kaito (Hiro's father). Kring told press, "It's poetic justice to have Adam end up in the same graveyard as Kaito. We've given the audience no reason to believe that Adam can figure a way to get out of there. The fact that he can live forever makes this the most gruesome of internments. If this happened to any of us, at least we'd know we'd soon have the mercy of death. Not here."

Lindsay Lohan Gets Rescued By Superheroes

Lindsay Lohan Gets Rescued By Superheroes

After this one, we think we may have seen it all. Lindsay Lohan was spotted out in Hollywood yesterday for a photo shoot. And she had some very unusual props.

The "Mean Girls" actress posed with a bevy of superheroes for her photo session, including Batman and Robin, Spider-Man, and the Incredible Hulk.

LiLo wore a variety of fun outfits and a beehive hairdo (can you say Amy Winehouse?) as she worked the camera. And onlookers looked either annoyed or indifferent.

And who can blame them? The "Georgia Rule" actress hasn't done much for her public image as of late. However, that all may change as she continues her sobriety.

According to Lindsay's rep, "She is concentrating on her life and her career." And that means filming her latest movie "Dare to Love Me" and recording a new album. Hopefully her comeback goes better than Britney's has.

Amy Winehouse's mother begs singer to come home

Amy Winehouse's mother begs singer to come home

LONDON (Reuters) - The mother of troubled soul singer Amy Winehouse has written a public letter to a British Sunday newspaper pleading with her daughter to come home for help to deal with a series of personal traumasLast week a distraught Winehouse, who has struggled with drugs and alcohol, was pictured in newspapers wandering the streets of London at dawn in only a bra and jeans.

The 24-year-old singer recently cancelled all her remaining planned concerts this year, saying she could not perform while her husband was in custody.

Blake Fielder-Civil, 25, is being held on remand accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm on a pub landlord in an incident in June last year.

"We want to help you, but we know that unless you want to be helped -- unless you come to us -- anything we tried would be in vain," wrote Janis Winehouse in a letter published by the News of the World.

"I pile hope upon hope that your strong will can bend for just a moment to make that decision and come home to me.

"We were terrified after we saw those pictures of you earlier this week, wandering the freezing streets of London at dawn in your underwear.

"All I wanted to do was rush into those pictures and wrap you up in a big, warm blanket."

Considered one of the leading talents in Britain's pop scene, Winehouse has rarely been out of the pages of the country's tabloids which have closely followed her and her husband's increasingly chaotic lifestyles.

Winehouse's mother believes her daughter, who has been nominated for six Grammy awards, has struggled to deal with the attention her success has brought her.

"Early fame has overwhelmed you, it's dizzied you and muddled your mind. For a moment, forget you're a superstar. You're also young and vulnerable, no stronger than any of the rest of us.

Oprah tries to give Obama a lift with black voters

Oprah tries to give Obama a lift with black voters

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (Reuters) - Talk show host Oprah Winfrey has long been a role model for black women because of her rags-to-riches story, her status as a tastemaker and her message of self improvementNow she hopes that popularity will translate into votes for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama as he vies with New York Sen. Hillary Clinton for the support of a crucial constituency -- black voters.

"We don't have to just dream the dream anymore. We get to vote that dream into reality," Winfrey told a crowd of thousands in a huge football stadium in Columbia, South Carolina on Sunday in a reference to American civil rights leader Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech.

"I believe that now is the time for somebody like Barack Obama," said Winfrey, clad in a yellow jacket and appearing on stage with Obama and his wife, Michelle.

Blacks are expected to make up around half the voters in the Democratic primary in South Carolina, which will be held on January 26, three weeks after the opening round of voting begins in Iowa.

In the most-hyped campaign tour of the 2008 White House race, Winfrey and the Illinois senator held two rallies in Iowa on Saturday and were headed to New Hampshire after the South Carolina event.

Obama's supporters estimated the audience in South Carolina at 29,000, and the candidate said it was the biggest crowd of his campaign. After turning up hours in advance to clear security, fans of Winfrey and Obama swayed to hip hop and rock music as they waited.

When he took the stage, Obama called himself the "third-best speaker" after Winfrey and his wife.

He said he was "riled up" that some believe that as a black man, it would be hard for him to win the race.

"I remember some folks saying, 'Oh no, a black man can't win," Obama said. "I remember that. When folks tell me I can't do something, that's when I like to do it."

LIFE EXPERIENCE

Winfrey praised Obama for what she described as his wisdom and concern for ordinary people.

Her fan base among women could help Obama as he seeks to challenge Clinton's lead. In South Carolina, Winfrey's appeal as an African-American could be an added plus to a candidate running to become the country's first black president.

Winfrey has catapulted books to the top of best-seller lists through her book club, and her shows featuring serious topics such as child abuse have drawn awards and imitators.

"When Oprah talks, people listen," said Kimberly Willis Green, 34, who traveled from just outside Atlanta, Georgia for the Winfrey and Obama rally.

"I believe in Oprah and I believe that she's not going to lead us down the wrong path," said Lisa Kelley, 40, an elementary school assistant teacher from Columbia who said she arrived at the rally undecided.

"I'm definitely leaning towards Obama," Kelley said.

Clinton has led Obama and former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards in South Carolina, but her lead over Obama has narrowed in recent weeks and the black vote is considered up for grabs.

A poll of South Carolina's likely voters taken in late November showed Clinton drawing support from 19 percent of Democrats, trailed by Obama with 17 percent and Edwards with 12 percent.

But that Clemson University poll showed Clinton's lead had shrunk by 7 points compared to an August survey.

Some black South Carolina voters, while excited by Obama, view Clinton as more experienced and more electable in the November 2008 general election. Some polls suggest blacks may harbor more doubts than whites that the United States would elect a black president.

"Mrs. Clinton seems to be dividing the African-American voters with Obama," said Neal Thigpen, a political scientist at Francis Marion University in Florence, South Carolina.

Barbara Walters tired of celebrity interviews

Barbara Walters tired of celebrity interviews

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Barbara Walters, famed for celebrity television interviews that often draw on-screen tears, says she's tired of Britney, Paris and the tabloid trend she helped create
Walters, a pioneering journalist who became the first female U.S. network news anchor 30 years ago, has interviewed every U.S. president since Richard Nixon and other heads of state. More recently, she has been credited and criticized for soft interviews that elevated celebrity news above all else.

Now, before her annual show, "The 10 Most Fascinating People," airing on ABC on Thursday, the 78-year-old television journalist said she wants to focus on other topics.

"I am not going after the tabloid stuff, I don't do it," she said in an interview.

She said her latest special did not consider Britney Spears or Paris Hilton, abandoning the "week in, week out, competition for getting the next name, the next person out of rehab."

Instead, expect to see former President Bill Clinton, Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, two founders of the Internet network "My Space," and controversial radio host Don Imus.

After years of chasing exclusives on her old ABC newsmagazine show "20/20," Walters says she is tired of trying to compete with the tide of celebrity news.

"It seems to permeate most of the tabloids and the magazines and now you have six or seven entertainment programs," she said. "You didn't used to have that.

"It's a different climate now and 20/20 and the other magazines are focused on the big celebrities. I didn't want to keep doing that, I have been doing it for years."

Walters, whose interviews with Michael Jackson and former White House intern Monica Lewinsky drew huge audiences, makes no apologies for the "personality journalism" she forged.

"We began to do more and more celebrities and we were criticized," she said. "And now ... every program does it."

It's the ratings, stupid.

"The world has changed and you watch every program now and there are even interviews with heads of state where there is more interest in their personality and their background," she said.

Rejecting this aspect of the American culture he otherwise admires, French President Nicolas Sarkozy stormed out of a CBS "60 Minutes" interview in October when asked about his marital problems.

Walters' political interviews have included Boris Yeltsin, Margaret Thatcher and Saddam Hussein.

Now semi-retired, the former "Today" host says she still has to fight for interviews, but her reputation helps.

Liz Taylor among hall of fame inductees

Liz Taylor among hall of fame inductees

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Elizabeth Taylor, Rita Moreno, Tiger Woods and Willie Mays are among the new crop of achievers inducted into the California Hall of Fame, which honors the leaders, Taylor canceled because of a fall, but Moreno, Woods and Mays accepted their awards in person Wednesday at the California Museum near the state Capitol.

Woods said he was moved to be able to introduce Mays, who had been an idol of his father.

"Jackie Robinson changed the face of baseball, but Willie Mays changed the way the game was played," Woods said at the ceremony. "He was speed and power. Grace and strength. Guile and athleticism. Excitement and style and cool — all in one package."

Others, including Robinson, who broke baseball's color barrier, and John Wayne, were honored posthumously. Robinson's widow, Rachel, accepted the award on his behalf, and Wayne's son Patrick accepted his award.

Some of this year's honorees have only tangential ties to the state. Dr. Jonas Salk, for example, developed his polio vaccine in Pennsylvania, a decade before he founded the Salk Institute in San Diego.

But others played major roles in the state's history. Earl Warren was the only California governor to be elected three times. He later became chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

The San Francisco-born Ansel Adams took wilderness photographs of such arresting beauty that they helped move Congress to create national parks in California.

Another honoree, Steve Jobs, played an important role in the creation of Silicon Valley as the co-founder of Apple Inc.

Robert Mondavi, who also got a place in the hall of fame, pioneered winemaking techniques in California and the export of its fine wine.

John Steinbeck and Milton Berle were also honored.

inventors, sports figures and — of course — celebrities who have shaped California.

Can black cast members help Imus' image?

NEW YORK - Don Imus' critics assailed him for a racially charged on-air remark that got him fired. On his return to the airwaves, he brought with him some young black cast membersIt remained to be seen whether his newly diversified lineup and his pledge to foster a dialogue on race relations would quiet his critics and soften any future blows dealt in a show that Imus himself said is built in part on making fun of others.

"I can only wait and see if his deeds will follow up his words," said the Rev. Al Sharpton, one of the strongest voices calling for Imus' firing after the shock jock called the Rutgers University women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos."

"The fact that he now has a black sidekick and that he's on delay clearly may speak of some of the measures that his new employers have put in to make sure that there's not a repeat offense," Sharpton said.

Phil Boyce, WABC program director and a Citadel Broadcasting Corp. vice president, said he could not say whether race played a role in hiring black comedians Karith Foster and Tony Powell because Imus himself chose the new additions. Citadel owns WABC and four of the 21 other stations broadcasting the show, which premiered Monday, eight months after Imus, 67, was fired from CBS Radio and the MSNBC cable network.

Also returning was Bernard McGuirk, the producer who instigated the Rutgers comment and was fired as well.

Calling herself Imus' "new sidekick," Foster said after the broadcast that she hoped those who were most angered by his comments could feel represented by her on the air.

"They want change, and what better way to incite change than from the inside?" she said.

Foster said her work on the show would be influenced by her experiences growing up in Plano, Texas, which she describes on her Web site as an "affluent suburb north of Dallas with the ethnic diversity of a Klan rally."

"I think I can speak from the viewpoint of an African-American, and especially one who can see and understand both sides," she said. "I grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood but obviously my family is black. I have black friends, and I live in Harlem. I see and can understand where everybody's coming from, which I think makes for a great mediator."

Powell, whose stand-up credits include "Showtime at the Apollo," said his hiring was not a token gesture.

Imus "actually wanted to improve the quality of his show, and so he went out and he got talented individuals to help him improve the quality of the show," Powell said. "The proof is in the pudding and the proof is in the product."

But Kim Gandy, president of the National Organization for Women, remained skeptical.

"Why comedians?" she asked of the new hires. "That's the only thing women and blacks can do is be funny? I don't find that encouraging."

But, she added, "We have to wait and see what their contributions in fact are."

Boyce countered that Foster was more than a stand-up comic. Before appearing on NBC's "Last Comic Standing" and other shows, she was a production team member on ABC's "The View," he noted.

Besides, he said: "We're doing a radio show. Our job here is to be interesting and entertaining."

Michael Harrison, publisher of industry trade journal Talkers magazine, said the presence of a black man and a woman on the show could help soften the impact of any future comments Imus makes. For example, he said, sidekick Robin Quivers had helped shock jock Howard Stern with perceptions among women.

Foster, who said she was appalled by Imus' Rutgers comment, said she wouldn't give the host any undeserved soft landings.

"I'm not going to be a sycophant," she said. "If and when I need to, I will speak up. That's who I am. That's how I was raised."

In an apologetic 15-minute monologue before a live audience, Imus promised to use his second chance to discuss race relations. People paid $100 a ticket to see Monday's show, with the proceeds going to Imus' charity.

"I will never say anything in my lifetime that will make any of these young women at Rutgers regret or feel foolish that they accepted my apology and forgave me," he said.

Even after all the uproar, it appeared Imus could still draw high-profile guests. Monday's lineup included noted presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin and presidential hopefuls Chris Dodd and John McCain.

In the end, Harrison predicted, the spotlight on Imus will simply fade away, while the host continues "to be the equal opportunity offender which people know he is."

Bollywood's best smooches!

Bollywood's best smooches!

The beautiful ice queen thawed just enough to share a searing kiss with Sanjay Dutt in Leena Yadav's 2005 flick Shabdh.

Sanjay plays a frustrated writer who finds his muse in wife (Aishwarya). Zayed Khan is the third wheel that provides intrigue and drama to the equation

Emboldened by Shabd, Aishwarya locked lips again, this time with hottie Hrithik Roshan in the 2006 hit, Dhoom 2. But unlike Shabd, this kiss created a media splash when a lawyer filed a case against the two actors for 'Dhoom 2 lowered the dignity of Indian women and gave an obscene message to India's youth.'



The hunk first kissed and romanced his current girlfriend, Bipasha in the 2003 flick, Jism. John plays the other man in an extramarital affair. Wriiten by Mahesh Bhatt, the film had a lot of steamy scenes.

A year later, John, (the lucky man) shared some rather hot moments with co-star Udita Goswami in Pooja Bhatt's directorial debut, Paap

Kennedy Center honors for 5

Kennedy Center honors for 5

WASHINGTON - From "Good Vibrations" to "Goodfellas," Brian Wilson and Martin Scorsese scored. Steve Martin strutted as one of the "wild and crazy guys." Diana Ross sang to Motown stardom. Pianist Leon Fleisher surmounted a debilitating injuryWASHINGTON - From "Good Vibrations" to "Goodfellas," Brian Wilson and Martin Scorsese scored. Steve Martin strutted as one of the "wild and crazy guys." Diana Ross sang to Motown stardom. Pianist Leon Fleisher surmounted a debilitating injury

Miss World 2007 Crowning night

Miss World 2007 Crowning night

Beauty with brains, flawless body with a striking personality, oodles of grace and a dash of talent too. there's a lot that goes into making a beauty queen.

With 2 billion people across the globe watching a serenading grand finale, it was none other than, Miss China, Zi Lin Zhang who swept the title of Miss World 2007.

The contestant from the host country won the hearts of the audiences and judges alike and made it to the top slot to be crowned the most beautiful woman in the world.

The event was taking place in the tropical city of Sanya, China and Zi Lin Zhang has surely brought million dollar smiles on the faces of her proud countrymen.

Seen here, Zi Lin Zhang in a euphoric mood as she is crowned Miss World by Miss World 2006 - Tatana Kucharova from Czech Republic.