Osama ordered not to contact Britney Spears (Lead, Changing Dateline)

LOS ANGELES - A court here has ordered a former confidante of Britney Spears to stay 100 yards away from the pop diva and her children.

Israel marks Independence Day; leaders note absence of peace, persistent threats

JERUSALEM — In a jarring contrast, Israel switched moods Tuesday evening from a somber Memorial Day for fallen soldiers to a joyous Independence Day celebrating 61 years since the Jewish state was created, but the absence of Mideast peace weighed on the festivities.

Verlander’s nine Ks and Ordonez’s two-run HR lift Tigers to 4-2 win over slumping Yankees

DETROIT — Justin Verlander and Magglio Ordonez kept the Detroit Tigers rolling, and the New York Yankees slumping.

Mets 1B Carlos Delgado out of starting lineup after hurting hip

NEW YORK — Carlos Delgado was out of the New York Mets’ starting lineup on Monday night, a day after aggravating a right hip injury while sliding on a triple.

Madge named ‘Hardest Working Mother in Showbusiness’

WASHINGTON - Madonna has topped a new poll of ‘Hardest Working Mothers in Showbusiness’.

The Queen of Pop, who is mum to adopted tot David Banda, three, Rocco, eight and 12 year old Lourdes, bagged 110 million dollars in 2008, putting her on top of America’s Forbes magazine’s list.

Human drama or pop-culture fascination, Americans are riveted by the pirate story

NEW YORK — We’re going through a crippling recession. The CIA is under fire over its interrogation techniques. And U.S. policy toward Cuba may be about to change. But the most-followed news story of late? A tale of pirates on the high seas.

‘Circus’ tour taking toll on Britney Spears

LONDON - Pop star Britney Spears, who is on a world tour called ‘Circus’, is struggling with her energetic dance routines as the high-voltage performance makes her dizzy and nauseous. It also costs her clumps of her hair.

I want my fans to learn from my mistakes: Miley Cyrus

NEW DELHI - Teen icon Miley Cyrus, who features in the big-screen adaptation of the hit teen sitcom ‘Hannah Montana’, describes it as a superhero movie for girls and says she doesn’t mind being seen as a ‘role model’. At the same time, she wants fans to learn from her mistakes.

Steven Curtis Chapman wins artist of the year at gospel awards; Heath, Grant also winners

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Veteran Christian artist Steven Curtis Chapman capped an emotional year in which he lost his 5-year-old daughter in a tragic accident by winning artist of the year during the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards on Thursday.

Steven Curtis Chapman wins gospel’s artist of the year at Dove Awards in Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Veteran Christian artist Steven Curtis Chapman capped an emotional year by winning artist of the year during the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards.

Beyonce’s ‘Today’ show ‘board mix’ was doctored, says dad

NEW YORK - American music executive Matthew Knowles has insisted that a leaked “board mix” from a “Today” show featuring his daughter Beyonce’s less-than-stellar vocals had been doctored.

Susan Boyle’s video tops Most Popular YouTube Video list

LONDON - The video of Britain’s Got Talent star Susan Boyle has become the most popular video and set a world record of a staggering 93.5 million hits in just 11 days on YouTube.

Madge was ‘barely conscious’ to talk to cops after horse accident

WASHINGTON - Madonna has slammed claims that she fell short of informing the police about the paparazzi’s involvement in her riding accident, saying she was “barely conscious” after the fall.

Elton John brings audience to its feet as he ends Las Vegas run after 5 years, 241 shows

LAS VEGAS — The Rocket Man bid farewell to the Las Vegas Strip Wednesday after five years and 241 shows at Caesars Palace — but said it won’t necessarily be a long, long time before he returns.

Blindfolded Britney’s ‘barely-there outfit’ at Californian gig

LONDON - Britney Spears left little to imagination as she sported a racy outfit during her Circus concert in California.

Friends baffled by murder-suicide that left 4 members of NY family dead in Md. hotel

TOWSON, Md. — They seemed like an ideal Long Island family: William Parente was a lawyer, his wife Betty a stay-at-home mom active in the community. Their daughters were well-liked by teachers and classmates.

Police report on Madonna’s Hamptons horse fall: No word on paparazzi presence

BRIDGEHAMPTON, N.Y. — A police report on Madonna’s fall from a horse in the Hamptons is silent on whether paparazzi scared the animal, as her spokeswoman has said.

Winehouse’s ’scalding pasta disaster’ in St Lucia

LONDON - Amy Winehouse reportedly suffered burns to her leg while cooking up pasta for St Lucia locals.

Madonna gets appeal date for Mercy’s adoption

LONDON - Madonna has won an appeal against a judge’s ruling which would allow her to adopt a second Malawian child.

Madonna to resume adoption battle

LONDON - Pop diva Madonna will resume her battle to adopt a Malawian girl in the next fortnight.

12-year-old Shaheen Jafargholi considered as “next Paul Potts”

MELBOURNE - Brit schoolboy Shaheen Jafargholi is being considered as the “next Paul Potts” after his soulful rendition of Jackson Five’s ‘Who’s Loving You’ on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’.

Whitney Houston ‘finds new love’

NEW DELHI - Singer Whitney Houston reportedly has a new man in her life.

The 45-year-old pop star was spotted with a mystery man outside the Beverly Hills Hotel after allegedly spending the night there, reports the China Daily.

Rapper M.I.A. uncomfortable headlining Coachella music fest’s main stage, wants back in tent

INDIO, Calif. — M.I.A. gave the main stage at Coachella her best shot. It just didn’t work out.

Kate Moss gets infection from pedicure

LONDON - British supermodel Kate Moss dumped her five-star salon to get a pedicure in Chinatown but ended up getting a fungal infection.

Beyonce lends voice to kid’s show

LONDON - Pop superstar Beyonce has lent her voice to a pre-school children’s show ‘WOW! WOW! WUBBZY!’.

Jacko’s plans jungle-themed O2 tour with real elephants, monkeys, parrots

LONDON - Fans who attend pop king Michael Jackson’s upcoming stage shows at London’s O2 arena will surely get to enjoy the feeling of being in a jungle, for the superstar singer has plans to inject some animal magic into his gigs with real elephants, monkeys and parrots.

Back-up dancer Chase Benz’s mum livid over link-up with Britney

LONDON - Pop star Britney Spears, who has been in the news for her growing fondness for her back-up dancer Chase Benz, has left the latter’s mother fuming.

Gibson’s Russian lover ‘caught’ topless on net

WASHINGTON - Hollywood actor Mel Gibson’s new Russian lover doesn’t shy away from stripping off onscreen.

Global meltdown hits Britney’s Circus tour

LONDON - Pop star Britney Spears’ plans to extend her circus tour to Australia and Europe seems to be in trouble, thanks to global economic crisis.

Spencer Pratt sees a potential politician in himself

WASHINGTON - America TV personality Spencer Pratt has revealed that he sees a potential politician in himself, and that he will definitely contest election later in his life.