Court: Anna Nicole Smith gets none of oil fortune
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The elderly Texas billionaire who married Anna Nicole Smith in the last year of his life never intended to leave the former stripper any portion of his vast fortune, a federal appeals court ruled Friday. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with a Houston jury that said J. Howard Marshall was mentally fit and under no undue pressure when he wrote a will leaving nearly all of his $1.6 billion estate to his son E. Pierce Marshall and nothing to Smith.
Late Mass. monk's poems recall Khmer Rouge horrors
LOWELL, Mass. (AP) — During Buddhist monk Ly Van Aggadipo's final days, he wrote often in a notebook. Temple followers knew the nonagenarian spiritual mentor to many local Cambodian refugees was recording some sort of personal history, but they weren't sure what. "He told me, 'When I'm gone, make sure others read this so people don't forget what happened,'" follower Sokhar Sao said. "I didn't really understand until he was gone."
Earnhardt visits `Handy Manny' prime-time special
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The children's animated TV series "Handy Manny Big Race" is going prime time Saturday night with Dale Earnhardt Jr. NASCAR star Earnhardt voices the character of Chase Davis, who steps in to help Manny compete in the Wood Valley 500 auto race. The special, debuting at 7 p.m. EDT Saturday on the Disney Channel, stars Wilmer Valderrama as the voice of Manny.
Oprah, schoolgirls to testify at defamation trial
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Oprah Winfrey and several schoolgirls allegedly abused at her academy in South Africa are expected to testify in a trial over a defamation lawsuit brought by the school's former headmistress, whose performance Winfrey criticized. When news of the scandal broke in 2007, Winfrey said she had "lost confidence" in headmistress Nomvuyo Mzamane and was "cleaning house from top to bottom." Mzamane, who said she didn't know about any sexual abuse, had trouble finding another job afterward.
Ellen presents $30K to Miss. lesbian in prom flap
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A lesbian high school student embroiled in a legal flap over her school's prom policy has received a $30,000 scholarship on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." Constance McMillen was speechless Friday when the talk show host pulled out an oversized check from the Web site Tonic.Com, a digital media company.
Lady Gaga fires back in NY court at music producer
NEW YORK (AP) — Lady Gaga is firing back at a music producer who claims he launched her career and is suing her for $30.5 million. Her lawyer said in a court filing made public Friday the agreement at the heart of the suit was "unlawful."
Volunteer day promoted to honor Mister Rogers
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mister Rogers cared deeply about his neighbors and his neighborhood, both in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe and in real life. Now, friends and colleagues of late television icon Fred Rogers want to honor his legacy with a national day of volunteering on his birthday. Rogers, who died in 2003 after battling stomach cancer, would have been 82 on Saturday.
Demi Moore's Twitter account part of suicide help
CASSELBERRY, Fla. (AP) — Actresses Demi Moore and Nia Vardalos were linked to an online chain of Twitter posts that ultimately led to Florida authorities intervening Friday when an 18-year-old man threatened to commit suicide. Moore's Twitter account, mrskutcher, was among those responding to a message from a young man threatening to hang himself in his front yard in Casselberry, north of Orlando. Moore — with more than 2.5 million followers — and husband Ashton Kutcher are both active on the social network.
Ex-porn star reveals purported Tiger Woods texts
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A former porn actress says she may reveal more potentially embarrassing information about Tiger Woods after releasing sexually graphic text messages that she claims prove her affair with the golfer. Joslyn James told The Associated Press on Thursday that she disclosed the messages because she wants people to realize that she was honest when she came forth earlier this year and said Woods had avidly pursued her.
Rome to display ancient Greek silverware
ROME (AP) — A collection of ancient Greek silverware dating to the third century B.C. is going on display in Rome after being returned by the Metropolitan Museum in New York, officials said Friday. The 16 pieces of silverware with gold detail were returned as part of Italy's aggressive campaign against illegal trafficking in antiquities. They include two large bowls, a cup with two handles, plates and drinking utensils.
