DJ AM, who battled drug habit, found dead in NYC

NEW YORK – DJ AM, the celebrity disc jockey who publicly acknowledged his history of drug addiction and had filmed a reality show in which he offered to help other addicts, was found dead in his apartment. He was 36.

Police found a crack pipe and prescription pills in the Manhattan apartment, said a law enforcement official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing. Paramedics had to break down the door before they found him, shirtless and wearing sweatpants, in his bed around 5:20 p.m. on Friday, the official said.

A friend had called police to say he was unable to get into the home in the trendy SoHo neighborhood. There was no evidence of foul play, and a medical examiner will determine the cause of death.

Last year, he was badly hurt in a South Carolina plane crash that killed four people and seriously injured rock musician Travis Barker.

DJ AM, whose real name was Adam Goldstein, had openly discussed past addictions to crack cocaine, Ecstasy and other drugs, addictions so bad he once tried to commit suicide by shooting himself in the head — but the gun jammed. However, he claimed he had been drug-free for years, even swearing off cigarettes.

His spokeswoman, Jenni Weinman, said the circumstances surrounding his death were unclear. She pleaded for privacy for his family.

In October, MTV was to debut his reality show, "Gone Too Far," in which he and concerned families staged interventions for drug abusers. In a recent AP interview, he talked about holding a crack pipe for the first time in years for the show and said he felt as though he had an angel on his shoulder for surviving so much turmoil.

"There's no better way to remember what it was like when I was at my bottom than to see someone at their bottom," he told the AP.

MTV did not have an immediate comment on whether Goldstein's show would air, but said in a statement that it "was honored to support him as he helped young people battle their own addictions."

Goldstein was a deejay for hire who performed at Hollywood's most exclusive parties and was admired by music aficionados. He also was famous for relationships with reality TV star Nicole Richie, the daughter of singer Lionel Richie, and with actress-singer Mandy Moore.

Goldstein was critically injured last September when a Learjet crashed on takeoff in Columbia, S.C. The plane was transporting Goldstein and Barker, a drummer for the pop punk band Blink-182, after a performance; the pair had formed the duo TRVSDJ-AM.

Barker and Goldstein were burned, though Barker was injured more severely. Goldstein had to get skin graft surgery, but about a month later he was performing again, joining Jay-Z on stage.

At the time, he told People magazine he was grateful to survive.

"I can't believe I made it," he said. "I've prayed every night for the past 10 years. There's a lot more to thank God for now. ... I was saved for a reason. Maybe I'm going to help someone else. I don't question it. All I know is I'm thankful to be here."

Goldstein rose to fame several years ago as highly sought-after DJ whose beats kept the dance floor packed and clubgoers hypnotized. He was known for his deft mashups, a blend of at least two songs, and performed not only in clubs but on grand stages, appearing earlier this year at the Coachella music festival in Indio, Calif.

He was to be one of the playable characters in Activision's "DJ Hero," a rhythm video game from the makers of "Guitar Hero" that uses a turntable-shaped controller. The game is set for release Oct. 27.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of DJ AM," said Tim Riley, vice president of music affairs for Activision. "We hope that his work on the game will be a fitting tribute to his creative spirit and musical talent."

Representatives for Moore and Barker didn't immediately return telephone messages seeking comment on the DJ's death, but other celebrities and fans instantly shared their reactions on Twitter, where "RIP DJ AM" was the No. 1 topic Friday.

"I'm stunned. Rest in peace Adam," singer-songwriter Josh Groban posted.

"I'm sorry to loved ones," musician and video director Pete Wentz wrote. "So unexpected."

Singer John Mayer wrote: "We're supposed to lose our friends to time, at an age when we're ready to agree to the terms of having lived a long life. Not now."

Goldstein was on Twitter just three days ago. He said he had just wrapped filming of the MTV series in Connecticut and was on his way to Atlantic City, N.J., to DJ. He also posted a lyric from the hip-hop legends Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five: "New York, New York. Big city of dreams, but everything in New York ain't always what it seems."

Media and onlookers flocked to his apartment, creating a frenzied scene; flowers had been placed outside the entrance.

Fellow DJ Scott Schroer, known as Scotty Boy, said he went to the apartment after he heard the news to check for himself. He said he had known Goldstein for 10 years and had worked the turntables with him last week at the Palm in Las Vegas.

"He was the first to really be eclectic in the mashup scene," Schroer said. "He mixed rock and roll with hip-hop. He was a pioneer."

Schroer said Goldstein had been sober since he met him. When asked about the prescription pills, he said: "If you were just in a plane crash a year ago, I'm sure you would have prescription pills, too."

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Associated Press writers Virginia Byrne in New York and Michael Cidoni in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

Sandra Bullock, Boot Gal, Rocks the "All About Steve" Premiere

Los Angeles – It's all about red boots in Sandra Bullock's crack-up new comedy "All About Steve"; knee-high, chunky heeled red patent leather boots, in fact. As crossword puzzle creator and general oddball Mary Horowitz, Bullock wears those boots throughout the flim, as she wildly pursues Bradley Cooper, a television cameraman she meets on a blind date.

So we kind of expected Bullock to wear some variation of the red boot to the premiere of the film on Wednesday night, Aug. 26, in Hollywood at the Grauman's Chinese Theater, but the actress chose a pair of black suede short boots to go with her minidress instead.

"The evolution of the boot, the red boot, was something," Bullock, who also produced the movie, recalled at an earlier press conference. "It was written as a red boot but there are so many different ways to go with the red boot, as we women know. But that was the right one and that was $14.95 off of shoe.com and genius."

"All About Steve" is genius too, and part of that comes in the casting, as a motley array of characters join in Mary's road trip to self-discovery. Most of those folks made the scene at the premiere, too, including Cooper, Thomas Haden Church, Katy Mixon, D. J. Qualls, Luenell, Kerri Kenney, and Beth Grant. They joined Bullock's husband Jesse James, plus fans George Lopez, Nikka Costa and Jillian Reynolds.

Cooper, whose star has headed to the stratosphere this summer with the megahit "The Hangover," answered his fans prayers by promising a sequel to that Vegas nightmare.

"We're really excited about the second one and we were talking about it as we were filming the first one, because we had so much fun and then Warner Brothers actually wanted to do it before it even came out," he said.

Bob Dylan to release Christmas album for charity

NEW YORK – Bob Dylan is releasing his first Christmas album, and in the spirit of the holiday season, the legendary performer is donating his royalties to charity.

A statement by Columbia Records says "Christmas in the Heart" will be released Oct. 13. Dylan's U.S. royalties will go to the organization Feeding America. It's estimated that will help feed 1.4 million families during the holidays.

The 68-year-old singer says it's a "tragedy" that people go to bed hungry, and he hopes he can bring "food security" to people in need.

Dylan also plans to donate all his future international royalties to charities overseas.

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On the Net:

http://www.bobdylan.com

http://feedingamerica.org

Kate Gosselin to sub as a co-host on `The View'

NEW YORK – ABC is adding Kate Gosselin (GAHS'-lihn) to the list of guest co-hosts for "The View."

Celebrity mom Gosselin will be subbing for regular "View" co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck on Sept. 14 and 15. Hasselbeck is on maternity leave after giving birth to her third child, Isaiah, earlier this month.

Gosselin, the mother of twins and sextuplets, co-stars with her estranged husband on TLC's reality series "Jon & Kate Plus 8."

ABC has previously announced Meghan McCain, E.D. Hill and LaToya Jackson as guest co-hosts for the daytime talk show.

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ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Co.

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On the Net:

http://www.abc.com

Miss Universe 2009

Miss Venezuela Stefania Fernandez, winner of the Miss Universe 2009

Coroner says Michael Jackson died from lethal dose of propofol

HOUSTON (Reuters) – Pop star Michael Jackson died from a lethal dose of the powerful anesthetic propofol, according to findings by the Los Angeles chief medical examiner unsealed in court documents in Houston on Monday.

Jackson suffered cardiac arrest and died on June 25 at age 50. Since then, an investigation by state and federal agencies have focused on Conrad Murray, Jackson's personal doctor who was at his side the day he died.

"The Los Angeles Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner, Dr. Sathyavagiswaran, indicated that he had reviewed the preliminary toxicology results and his preliminary assessment of Jackson's cause of death was due to lethal levels of propofol (diprivan)," according to a warrant to search Murray's offices issued by California.

The document was released by the Harris County District Clerk in Houston, where Murray has an office. U.S. agents raided the office on July 22.

In an affidvit seeking the warrant, Houston police officer E.G. Chance said U.S. agents had gathered "items constituting evidence of the offense of manslaughter that tend to show that Dr. Conrad Murray committed the said criminal offense."

Murray's attorney, Ed Chernoff, was not available to comment.

Murray, who was in Jackson's personal bedroom on June 25 administering drugs to ease the pop star to sleep, administered a wide range of drugs to Jackson before he died, including a 25-milligram dose of propofol via an intravenous drip at 10:40 a.m. PDT, the state search warrant said.

Jackson was "very familiar" with propofol and referred to it as his "milk" because of its milky appearance, the warrant said.

In the early hours of June 25, Murray also gave Jackson doses of Valium, ativan, and versed, the filing said.

Jackson went to sleep after Murray administered the propofol, and Murray stayed by his side for about 10 minutes and then left "to go to the restrooom and relieve himself," the search warrant said.

Murray was out of Jackson's room for about 2 minutes and when he returned, Jackson was no longer breathing, the warrant said.

(additional reporting by Alex Dobuzunski in Los Angeles)

(Reporting by Chris Baltimore; Editing by Eddie Evans)

AP Source: Coroner rules Jackson's death homicide

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County coroner has ruled Michael Jackson's death a homicide and a combination of drugs was the cause, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press, a finding that makes it more likely criminal charges will be filed against the doctor who was with the pop star when he died.

LaToya Jackson named guest co-host of 'The View'

NEW YORK – ABC says LaToya Jackson will be a guest co-host on "The View" Sept. 16 and 18.

Having previously co-hosted the ABC daytime talk show in 2003, Jackson is the latest celebrity to be named as a substitute for Elisabeth Hasselbeck, who is on maternity leave until mid-October.

ABC is also announcing that Victoria Beckham will make her first guest appearance on "The View" Sept. 14.

Previously announced as guest co-hosts next month are Meghan McCain, daughter of former GOP presidential candidate John McCain, and former Fox News Channel anchor E.D. Hill.

Besides Hasselbeck, regular co-hosts of "The View" include Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar (BAY'-hahr) and Sherri Shepherd.

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On the Net:

http://www.abc.com

Hum Mustafavi Hain

This Month Pakistan's Most Popular Song "Hum Mustafavi Hain"

Australia Leads Miss Universe Betting Odds

Most of the money has been pouring in for the Australian contender in the lead-up to Sunday night's Miss Universe Pageant in the Bahamas.

Miss Australia Rachael Finch has been backed in to steady favoritism after starting at odds of around 16/1 at most bookmakers.

She is now 9/4 at Paddy Power, 6/4 at Bet365, and no longer than 7/1 at all other bookmakers. Finch's main competitors are Miss Czech Republic Iveta Lutovska and Miss Ireland Diana Donnelly, who are both hovering at around 10/1 at most bookmakers.

Finch is aiming to become the third Aussie to win the pageant, which would put her country in elite company with the United States (7), Venezuela (5), Puerto Rico (4), and Sweden (3) as the only countries to have claimed the title on at least three occasions.

The United States appears set to be on the outside come Sunday, with Miss USA Kristen Dalton slipping from early favoritism to a mark of 20/1 at both Paddy Power and Bet 365. Miss Great Britain is even further adrift, given odds of 80/1 at most bookmakers, while Miss China is hovering around the 200/1 mark.

The 57th annual Miss Universe pageant will take place Sunday night at the Atlantis Casino's Imperial Ballroom in the Bahamas.

Being hosted this year by Billy Bush and Claudia Jordan, the show includes two stages: the evening gown round, when the judges will cut the field down to their top 10, and the swimsuit round, when the judges will make their final decisions.

We leave you off with a photo of last year's Miss Australia. Good luck ladies!

Tarantino, Pitt's 'Basterds' earns glorious $37.6M

LOS ANGELES – Brad Pitt and Quentin Tarantino have landed their history lesson on World War II at the top of the box office.

Their war epic "Inglourious Basterds" took in $37.6 million over its first weekend to continue a late-summer revenue boost for Hollywood.

The haul for "Inglourious Basterds" was more than twice the receipts for the No. 1 movie over the same weekend last year, "Tropic Thunder."

Hollywood's busy season had been sliding for a month compared to last year, when the Batman blockbuster "The Dark Knight" dominated the second half of summer.

But this was the second-straight weekend that revenues rose, with "Inglourious Basterds" following a strong debut a week earlier from the sci-fi thriller "District 9."

Guitarist James Burton fails to set world record

SHREVEPORT, La. – Pioneering rockabilly guitarist James Burton led an ensemble of about 800 guitar players Saturday in a celebration of his 70th birthday, but failed in his attempt to make the Guinness Book of World Records.

At the Hirsch Memorial Coliseum in Shreveport, roughly 30 miles west of his hometown of Minden, Burton led a battalion of pickers through the Elvis Presley hits "That's All Right, Mama" and "Hound Dog."

Guinness lists the world's largest guitar ensemble as 1,802 participants led by Andreas Vockrodt in Germany in 2007.

Burton, who is known for working with the Elvis Presley and Ricky Nelson bands, celebrated his birthday Friday.

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On the Net:

James Burton, http://www.jamesburtonmusic.com

Worldwide `Avatar' previews thrill sci-fi fans

LOS ANGELES – Fans wearing 3D glasses clapped as soon as James Cameron's face appeared on screen. The filmmaker, shown in 3D, invited moviegoers to enjoy a 16-minute peek of his anticipated sci-fi epic "Avatar," which was screened for free around the world Friday.

The footage takes viewers to the planet Pandora, where an ex-Marine (Sam Worthington) is among a group of humans who have their brains linked to cloned versions of a native species in order to safely explore the spectacular environment. Sigourney Weaver plays a botanist overseeing the exploration. She, too, embodies an avatar based on the tall, lithe, tailed, blue humanoid species that populates the planet.

Together they meet an enormous hammerhead dinosaur with a plume of multicolored spikes on its face and the snarling tiger-like creature that scares it away.

Another scene shows Worthington's character befriending a native woman (Zoe Saldana). They discover a psychedelic forest of luminescent flowers and battle an army of flying dragons. Relying on 3D and performance-capture technology Cameron has helped pioneer, "Avatar" is an immersive blend of animation and live-action movie magic.

Fans at an IMAX screening in Los Angeles were overwhelmed by the 3D footage.

"It was almost a sensory overload," said Ryan Moore, 23, a student at Ohio State University. "You have to be in the moment wearing the (3D) glasses to really appreciate it."

Dwayne Smith of Venice was taken with the digital effects.

"It looked very real, especially the aliens. It looked amazingly real," said the 45-year-old. "It was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen, actually."

The free preview convinced one fan to buy a ticket on the spot.

"I think it's going to be one of the greatest movies this decade," said 21-year-old film student Derek Nunn.

The screenings, shown on some 440 screens in 58 countries, kept social networking sites abuzz with fan feedback.

One who was disappointed with the trailer said seeing the extended footage in 3D changed his mind about the movie.

"It is essential that you watch it in IMAX 3D, or 3D," Manoj Patel of Manchester, England, wrote on the film's Facebook page. "I just got back from watching the 15-minute footage, and I've got to say, my mouth was wide open all the way through."

Response to the film's 2D trailer, which debuted online Thursday, was mixed. Analyzing the two-minute teaser, several movie blogs — including Movieline.com and Spout blog — noted the film's similar appearance to the 2008 animated flop "Delgo" and other science fiction movies.

But fans who saw the footage in 3D gave it overwhelmingly positive reviews.

"The trailer does not represent the movie properly," Smith said. "The trailer short-sells it."

Cameron said Friday he heard the trailer was a hot topic on Facebook and Twitter, but that he lacks certain social networking skills to take part.

"I don't even know how to Twitter," he said in an interview. "I'm so unhip that it's tragic."

But the 55-year-old filmmaker, whose last flick was world box-office record-holder "Titanic" in 1997, knows how to make a splash on screen. He said his team came up with the "crazy stunt" of inviting people to the movie theater to watch 16 minutes of "Avatar" for free.

"And it's not even a continuous 16 minutes," Cameron said. "There are a number of scenes, about three or four minutes apiece. And the idea was to let people come in and really sample the quality of the goods."

"Avatar" is set for release Dec. 18.

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On the Net:

http://www.avatarmovie.com

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AP Television Senior Producer Michael Cidoni contributed to this report.

Jackson memorabilia tour approved; London's first

LOS ANGELES – A judge on Friday firmly approved a deal between Michael Jackson's estate and a concert promoter to exhibit his memorabilia, praising the arrangement that the singer's mother had fought in court over her concerns that it could harm his legacy and wasn't competitively bid.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff approved the deal that's expected to earn Jackson's estate up to $6 million, saying after four hours of mostly closed-door testimony that there was "no question in my mind this agreement is in the best interest of the estate."

Beckloff noted the lack of a reasonable alternative presented by Katherine Jackson's attorneys, alluding to a mention made in court of a company starting up in the Middle East that might be able to handle the exhibitions.

"The most foolhardy thing the administrators could do is connect with some startup company from the Middle East," he said.

The show will open in London's 02 Arena, where Jackson was set to kick off his "This is It" tour this summer.

"I think everybody is going to be thrilled with the results," said John Norman, president and CEO of the exhibit's promoter, AEG Live-owned Arts and Exhibitions International. "It will be great to celebrate this man's legacy."

AEG Live, the company that was preparing Jackson's 50-concert comeback tour when he died June 25, plans to open the exhibit around the Oct. 28 release of a film using footage of the singer's final rehearsals. Attorneys for Katherine Jackson had tried to block the deal, arguing it should have been competitively bid, and that the estate should have a larger cut of the proceeds than the 50-50 split negotiated with AEG.

John Schreiber, an attorney for Katherine Jackson, suggested there was no need to hurry or conduct "a fire sale" of the memorabilia. But the judge chided his "hyperbole about rushing to judgment and fire sale and giving away the store" as inappropriate, and said he was convinced the negotiations were above board.

Meg Lodise, an attorney appointed to represent the interests of Jackson's three children, agreed that the deal was in the best interests of the youngsters, who are entitled to 40 percent of their father's estate. Katherine Jackson is the beneficiary of another 40 percent, with 20 percent going to unnamed charities.

Norman said the memorabilia exhibition calls for a three-city tour spread over two years that would stay four to six months in each city. He said he didn't know what would be included in the exhibit, but that there were warehouses of material to select from, including items from Jackson's Neverland Ranch and the "This is It" shows. The selection process would begin on Monday, he said.

AEG attorney Kathy Jorrie noted in closing arguments that AEG has gone from being a potential creditor to Jackson's estate with millions of dollars in claims to becoming a partner in its success. She said some of the costs of Jackson's public memorial at the Staples Center are factored into the agreement, but that the exact amounts are confidential.

Burt Levitch, one of Katherine Jackson's attorneys, said he hoped AEG would show sensitivity in how it portrays Jackson. The contract approved Friday requires the promoter to collaborate with the administrators of Jackson's estate, but Katherine Jackson may not have a formal say in how it is crafted.

"Mrs. Jackson still feels there are certain aspects of the AEG deal that could have been improved upon," Levitch said.

Katherine Jackson's attorneys have also filed a motion seeking Beckloff's permission to contest the ability of attorney John Branca and music executive John McClain — who were named as co-executors in Jackson's will — to administer her son's estate. A hearing on that motion is scheduled for September.

While the hearing was going on in downtown Los Angeles, Drug Enforcement Administration agents were raiding a pharmacy in Beverly Hills that had sued Jackson in January of 2007, claiming the singer owed more than $100,000 for prescription drugs (the matter was quickly resolved). Agents were seeking evidence of improper dispensing of controlled substances in conjunction with the investigation into the singer's death, and took at least one box of records from the Mickey Fine Pharmacy & Grill.

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Associated Press Writers Anthony McCartney and Thomas Watkins contributed to this report.

(This version CORRECTS the name of the exhibit's promoter.)

Quentin Tarantino's war movie tops box office

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Director Quentin Tarantino scored the best opening of his colorful career with his World War Two thriller "Inglourious Basterds," which topped the weekend box office in North America after selling $37.6 million worth of tickets, its distributor said on Sunday.

The film stars Brad Pitt as the leader of a group of Jewish-Americans who carry out violent wartime acts of retribution across Europe. Pundits had forecast an opening in the $25 million range.

The film, which reportedly cost $70 million to make, marks a much-needed salve for the struggling independent studio Weinstein Co., which co-financed it with international distributor Universal Pictures, a unit of General Electric Co.

Bob and Harvey Weinstein released Tarantino's 1992 smash "Pulp Fiction" when they headed up Miramax Films. Since launching their new firm in 2005, the Weinsteins have failed to make much of an impact at the box office or the Academy Awards.

Tarantino's previous best opening was the $25.1 million start for "Kill Bill Vol. 2" in 2004. The film finished with $66.2 million in the United States and Canada. "Pulp Fiction" remains his biggest film overall with a domestic haul of $107 million. Data are not adjusted for ticket price inflation.

(Reporting by Dean Goodman; Editing by Doina Chiacu)

Jennifer Tilly, Justin Kirk join "Beats"

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Jennifer Tilly, Justin Kirk, Jason Day and Thomas Sadoski are starring in "30 Beats," an indie feature inspired by Arthur Schnitzler's classic play "La Ronde."
"Beats" explores a series of amorous encounters among 10 people in Manhattan and will feature an international ensemble cast.
Alexis Lloyd, former head of film studio Pathe U.K., wrote the script and is directing the film. The cast includes Ingeborga Dapkunaite, Paz de la Huerta, Vahina Giocante, Ben Levin, Lee Pace and Condola Rashad.
Tilly will play a psychic who engages in weekly sexual encounters with a free-spirited Cuban messenger (Day). Sadoski is playing a political speechwriter whose personal life involves encounters with an actress (Giocante) and a dominatrix (Dapkunaite).
Tilly has been doing voice work for "Family Guy"; Kirk is one of the stars of TV's "Weeds." Day starred in the Spanish-language drama "Dioses," and Sadoski recently starred in the indie drama "The New Twenty."
(Editing by SheriLinden at Reuters)

Britney Spears shows her new figure on Letterman

NEW YORK – What would a President Spears administration be like? Apparently, very tasty.
Britney Spears appeared on David Letterman's "Late Show" on Tuesday to deliver a Top Ten list of ways the country would be different if she were president.
"Free pie for everybody," Spears declared.
For No. 10 on the list, Spears said she'd be "the first president since Nixon to wear eye shadow."
The pop star appeared eager to show off her buff new body. She delivered the list in a bikini.

Michael Jackson's glittery glove up for auction

The glittery glove that Michael Jackson wore when he unveiled his moonwalk on TV in 1983 is hitting the auction block.
This one isn't like his other glittery gloves, which were made for the right hand and adorned with hand-sewn crystals. This left-handed glove, which accompanied Jackson's fedora and dance moves on Motown's 25th-anniversary TV special, is a modified, store-bought glove covered with a mesh of rhinestones.
The glove, which Darren Julien of Julien's Auctions called "the Holy Grail of Michael Jackson memorabilia," will be featured alongside other one-of-a-kind items — such as an early Madonna demo tape and unreleased Jimi Hendrix lyrics — at the Nov. 21 "Music Icons" auction at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City's Times Square.
Walter "Clyde" Orange, a founding member of the Commodores, has been holding onto the glove since Jackson gave it to him in 1983.
Orange said he got to know Jackson when the Commodores toured with the Jackson 5 in the 1970s. Orange would always ask the young entertainer for an autograph, but Jackson refused, saying Orange was the more famous of the two. The autograph request became a private joke.
They met again in March 1983 when the Motown special was taped. Jackson sang with his brothers, then took the stage alone to wow the world with his moonwalk during his solo performance of "Billie Jean."
Orange found his friend backstage and again requested an autograph. Jackson gave him the glove instead.
After Jackson's June 25 death at age 50, Orange decided the glove was too significant to keep.
"There's a hundred other gloves out there, but this is the one you want. He blew up after that (performance) with 'Billie Jean,'" Orange, 62, said in an interview. "The world should see this. This is the first. That's the song that made him shoot through the roof as a superstar."

British actor claims he fathered Jackson's daughter

LONDON (AFP) – Former child acting star Mark Lester said in a British newspaper Sunday that he donated sperm to Michael Jackson and believes he could be the biological father of the late singer's daughter Paris.
Lester, who played Oliver Twist in the 1968 film musical "Oliver!", told the News of the World: "I gave Michael my sperm so that he could have kids -- and I believe Paris is my daughter."
He said he was willing to take a paternity test to establish whether or not he is 11-year-old Paris' father.
The 51-year-old Briton became friends with Jackson and is godfather to Paris, and Jackson's two other children, Prince Michael, 12, and seven-year-old Prince Michael II, known as Blanket.
"It's a been a secret for so long," Lester told the weekly tabloid.
"In 1996 Michael asked me if I would give him my sperm and I said yes. It was a gift to him, no money was paid, it was something I was honoured to do. He wanted children so badly."
Lester added: "I do feel a definite bonding with Paris and I think there's a definite possibility that she's part of me.
"I want to have contact with her, Prince and Blanket regardless of whether any or all of them are mine. I think it's cruel that I've now been excluded from them."
He said that since Jackson's mother Katherine had been granted custody of the children following the singer's death, all his phone calls and emails had gone unanswered.
Lester, who has four children himself, said there was a strong resemblance between his 15-year-old daughter Harriet and Paris.
He told the News of the World that Jackson first confided in him in 1996 that he was desperate to be a father.
Both were then aged 37 and Lester already had three children.
"He realised having kids was a natural thing but that he just couldn't do it," Lester said.
"I mentioned the fact there are alternative ways of going about it.
"I think he'd already tried using his own sperm but it hadn't worked for him, so I made an off-the-cuff comment saying, 'Try mine'."
Jackson agreed and the donation was arranged through a clinic in Harley Street, London, in February 1996.
Eight months later Jackson announced he had married nurse Debbie Rowe and three months later the couple revealed the birth of their first child, Prince.
Paris was born just over a year later, in April 1998.
Lester said he felt compelled to speak out because he feared being excluded from the lives of Jackson's children.
"This isn't what Michael would have wanted," he said. I feel I have to come forward, as my only way of saying, 'Please don't shut me out!'."
The paternity of Jackson's children is a hot topic for debate among Jackson's fans.
Magician Uri Geller, another long-time friend of Jackson's, backed Lester's story.
"As a close friend of Mark, I respect his own situation to reveal this information at this time," the 62-year-old told Sky News television.
"I am not surprised, I knew it all along simply because Michael told me."
Geller declined to specify exactly what he knew, but said he spoke to Lester on Saturday.
"I am with him on this because of the information he told me," he added.
"I can imagine the stress everyone is under, especially Mark, but I understand him and really feel for him."

ABC wants Paula Abdul to dance on over post-'Idol'

PASADENA, Calif. – ABC is joining the chorus of those seeking to hire Paula Abdul, who said she's quitting "American Idol."
ABC programming chief Stephen McPherson told the Television Critics Association on Saturday that he was "stunned" to hear she'd decided to leave the top-rated Fox series and that he's contacted Abdul, whom he called an old friend.
McPherson told Abdul he'd love to see her at ABC, home of "Dancing with the Stars."
Abdul announced last Tuesday she was leaving as an "Idol" judge following stalemated contract talks with Fox and the show's producers. She said she quickly started receiving "wonderful" offers.

Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer are Engaged

True Blood co-stars Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer are engaged to be married. How long have they been dating? Anna, 27, and Stephen, 39, have only been together since February and they're already planning to get hitched. What ever happened to good old fashioned dating?

Off the top of my head, I can think of a whole slew of celebrities who rushed into marriage and ended up splitting. Remember Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Esposito? They barely knew each other when they decided it was a good idea to get married. Four months later, the ink was already dry on the divorce papers.

Photo Credit: John Shearer/Getty Images.

1 dead, 40 injured in Canada stage collapse

CAMROSE, Alberta – Fans screamed and ran for cover as a fierce thunderstorm caused an outdoor stage to collapse at a country music festival in central Alberta. Police said one person was killed and up to 40 others injured.
Thousands of fans were camped out at the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose, 60 miles (100 kilometers) southeast of Edmonton, when strong winds and heavy rain struck about 6 p.m. on Saturday. The concert is billed as Canada's largest country music festival.
Camrose Police Chief Darrell Kambeitz confirmed the one death and said 15 of the injured were taken to hospitals. Canadian media said four of those injured were in critical condition. Kambeitz later said up to 40 people could have been injured, with some treated at the site.
Fearing a tornado, panicked fans scrambled to find loved ones and shelter.
"We were all racing for the exit," said Lori Trelenberg of Sherwood Park, Alta. "It was devastation. It was strong and powerful. The stage just sort of crumbled."
The Nashville-based Billy Currington band was playing when the power went out and the stage collapsed. One band member was pulled from the wreckage with a badly injured arm. Kevin Costner and his band Modern West were next to perform when the storm hit.
CFCW radio personality Danny Hooper was on the stage when the storm hit.
"I can't describe the sky — it was brown and purple and green," Hooper said on CFCW. "The massive wind blew me backwards."
Maria Brandon and her sister, who were watching the show from bleachers near the stage, were injured as they tumbled into the wreckage.
"It was the most terrifying experience of our lives," she said.
Kambeitz, the police chief, told The Canadian Press that reports of dozens of people being trapped at the site were not true.
"The concert at Big Valley Jamboree was delayed and the concert bowl was being cleared when a small portion of the main stage collapsed," he said.
Vancouver-based country music singer Jessie Ferrel said it was a terrifying experience.
"It felt like bombs were going off around us in this concrete and steel building. Huge hits of power hitting the building, and then the lights were off," she told CTV News. "People were missing and trying to find each other and there was a woman who was trying to tell everyone to stop panicking and she was panicking."
The four-day festival in central Canada started Thursday and was scheduled to wrap up Sunday. It was not clear if authorities would continue the jamboree on Sunday, Kambeitz said.

Former Philippine leader Aquino dies

MANILA (AFP) – Former Philippines president Corazon Aquino, whose "People Power" revolution toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos and restored democracy to the nation, died Saturday after a battle with colon cancer.
"Cory" Aquino was propelled into the political spotlight in 1986, leading millions of Filipinos in protests against the corrupt regime of Marcos, who jailed thousands of dissidents during his brutal 20-year regime.
As people across the Catholic nation woke to the news, President Gloria Arroyo declared a 10-day period of mourning for Aquino, whom she praised as a "national treasure."
Aquino's family announced her death early Saturday.
"Our mother peacefully passed away at 3:18 am, August 1, 2009 of cardio-respiratory arrest," Senator Benigno Aquino Jr, said in a statement outside the Makati Medical Centre in Manila, where his mother had been hospitalised.
"She would have wanted us to thank each and every one of you for all the prayers and the continuous love and support," he said.
"It was her wish for all of us to pray for one another and for the country," Aquino said.
Arroyo, in the United States on an official visit, said: "Aquino led a revolution that restored democracy and the rule of law to our nation at a time of great peril."
Former aide and press secretary Teodoro Locsin, who is also a close family friend, openly wept on television.
"The purity, the nobility, never failed. She never asked for anything," in return, Locsin said.
He said more than anything else, Aquino removed the "centre of corruption in government, because she would not be corrupt."
US President Barack Obama "was deeply saddened" by Aquino's death, read a statement from White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.
"Her courage, determination, and moral leadership are an inspiration to us all and exemplify the best in the Filipino nation," the statement said.
Tributes also came from the governments of fellow Southeast Asian countries Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand, as well as from Japan and the European Union representative in Manila.
Aquino's five children have opted to bury their mother in a private ceremony next week, and said they have not talked with any representatives from Arroyo's office.
In a solemn ceremony, her casket draped in the national colours was received by a military honour guard at a Catholic school where the public will be allowed to pay their last respects later in the day.
Weeping family members and close friends showered her coffin with yellow confetti.
She will be laid to rest beside her husband, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino at a private cemetery on Wednesday next week, the family said.
In Manila's Makati financial district, huge posters of Aquino were displayed while neighbours left flowers at the family home. Requiem masses were held in Catholic churches nationwide.
Former first lady Imelda Marcos said her family joined the nation in mourning and praying for Aquino. She had earlier said she didn't bear Aquino any grudges, and would have visited her in hospital if she had been allowed.
A former housewife who reluctantly became president, the soft-spoken Aquino rewrote the country's constitution, freed all political dissidents jailed by Marcos, and initiated peace talks with insurgent groups.
Problems in her coalition later emerged, and Aquino survived a series of bloody coup attempts by the same forces that went against Marcos.
"I realised that I could have made things easier for myself if I had done the popular things rather than the painful but better ones in the long run," Aquino once said while reflecting on her presidency.
Until March last year, when she withdrew from public life after being diagnosed with colon cancer, she had been active in street protests denouncing government corruption.
She had also repeatedly demanded that Arroyo, a former protege whose nine-year presidency has been marred by scandals, step down.
A humble moral crusader, Aquino once famously rejected an offer of a presidential limousine to travel to the inauguration of her successor, Fidel Ramos.
Aquino later joined the Church in rallying the public in a military-backed peaceful revolt that ousted president Joseph Estrada, a self-proclaimed womaniser and former action movie star whose regime was also rife with corruption.

Jackson's personal doctor was in financial trouble

LOS ANGELES – Dr. Conrad Murray was in dire financial shape when he signed on as Michael Jackson's personal physician earlier this year at $150,000 a month.
The Las Vegas cardiologist owed a total of at least $780,000 in judgments against him and his medical practice, outstanding mortgage payments on his house, delinquent student loans, child support and credit cards.
Court records chronicling Murray's woes in Las Vegas, where authorities searched his home this week as part of a manslaughter investigation into Jackson's death, might help explain why — beyond the chance to get close to a celebrity — Murray seized the chance to keep the pop star healthy through a series of concerts in London.
But more than that, the financial pressures on Murray could help prosecutors establish a motive if he ends up facing charges.
"Here he is, dealing with one of the most famous people in the world. There may have been a great deal of pressure to do what Michael Jackson wanted, give him the drugs he wanted, treat him the way Michael Jackson wanted to be treated, even if it wasn't in keeping with medical protocol," said Steve Cron, a criminal defense attorney and adjunct professor at Pepperdine University's law school.
Authorities investigating Jackson's death at his rented Los Angeles mansion believe Murray gave the star a fatal dose of the powerful anesthetic propofol to help him sleep, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is still going on.
Propofol is commonly used for surgery and is not meant as a sleep agent or to be given in private homes. Because of its potency, only trained anesthesia professionals are supposed to administer it, and patients are supposed to be constantly monitored.
If prosecutors bring charges, Murray's financial trouble "does potentially provide evidence of good motive for financial-based crimes, including prescribing when there is not a medical necessity," said Rebecca Lonergan, a University of Southern California law professor and former federal prosecutor of health care fraud cases.
Murray, 56, has not spoken publicly since Jackson's June 25 death. His lawyer, Edward Chernoff, has said the doctor did not prescribe anything that "should have" killed Jackson.
Murray was hired through Jackson's promoter in May, as his bleak financial picture threatened to worsen. He was under court orders to pay more than $363,000 for equipment for his heart clinic, and was ordered in April to repay $71,000 in student loans dating to the 1980s. Two lawsuits claiming he owes $240,000 more for unpaid equipment are pending in Nevada courts.
Also, Murray's 5,268-square-foot home near the 18th hole of a golf course is in "pre-foreclosure" after he failed to make payments on his $1.66 million loan, records show. He stopped paying the $15,000-per-month mortgage in December and could lose the home by November, said Mary Hunt, the foreclosure officer handling the case.
Neither Jackson nor AEG Live, the promoter for the London concerts that was prepared to pay him $150,000 a month, paid Murray for the two months the doctor worked for the pop star, according to Chernoff.
"Dr. Murray has lost the ability to make a living as a result of this investigation," Chernoff said. "His hope is he can forestall foreclosure until he can once again begin working as a doctor."
Murray's cresting financial woes fit into a history of money problems. He filed for bankruptcy in California in 1992 and had a string of tax liens in California and Arizona between 1993 and 2003. Also, a former business partner in an energy-drink distribution venture claimed Murray owed him $68,000.
John Thomas, distributor of a drink called Pit Bull, said that in 2005 and 2006 Murray had the rights to distribute the product in Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean island nation where Murray lived and worked before coming to the United States in the 1980s to study medicine.
The drink never gained popularity there. Murray paid his bill for a first shipment, then didn't pay for three subsequent shipments, Thomas said.
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Ritter reported from Las Vegas. Contributing to this report were Associated Press reporters Juan Lozano in Houston, Thomas Watkins in Los Angeles and Tony Fraser in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, and AP Researchers Judith Ausuebel and Barbara Sambriski in New York.