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U.S. Senator EDWARD KENNEDY has been hospitalised after suffering a seizure during an inauguration luncheon for new U.S. President BARACK OBAMA.
Paramedics were called to Washington D.C.’s Statuary Hall at 2.35 pm (EST) after 75-year-old Kennedy collapsed during the meal, which followed Obama’s inauguration as the 44th U.S. President.
Just minutes later the new President began a short speech to the 200 luncheon guests in attendance, and paid tribute to the Democrat Senator, whose brother was 35th President John F. Kennedy.
Obama said, "He was there when the voting rights act passed. I would be lying to you if I did not say that right now a part of me is with him.
"I think that’s true for all of us. This is a joyous time and it’s a sobering time. My prayers are with him and his family." In May (08) Kennedy was diagnosed with brain cancer. He underwent surgery and has since returned to his Senate seat.

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Actor SHIA LABEOUF has been banned from driving for a year, following the Hollywood car crash which left him with a crushed wrist last July (08).
The young actor was cleared of driving under the influence (DUI) by the Los Angeles County District Attorney in September (08), but has been handed the punishment because he refused to undergo "chemical tests" at the scene of the crash, reports U.S. news show Access Hollywood.
His license was suspended on 17 January (09).
LaBeouf was so badly hurt in the collision, shooting on Transformers 2 was interrupted and he still wears a brace on his left hand.
He has undergone multiple surgeries to correct his shattered wrist.

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Rapper MAX B’s lawyer is confident his client will be cleared of murder in relation to a botched September 2006 robbery - despite the star’s ex-girlfriend implicating him in the crime.
The MC’s former lover, Gina Conway, was originally charged with murder, along with two other males, after taking part in robbing David Taylor and Allan ‘Jay’ Plowden at a New Jersey hotel.
Conway, who had met the two men once before, is accused of telling her then-boyfriend Max B that they both drove sports cars and carried a lot of cash - leading him to reportedly hire another man to steal from them. The attempt ended with Taylor suffering a gunshot wound to the head, and later dying.
Last Tuesday (13Jan09), Conway confessed to her actions, claiming she was at the hotel with associate Kelvin Leerdam, who allegedly fired the shot that killed Taylor.
However, she has struck a plea deal with prosecutors that will see her face lesser charges of manslaughter and armed robbery, and has implicated Max B real name Charly Wingate - of masterminding the whole robbery.
But the rapper’s lawyer, Gerald Saluti, insists authorities cannot rely on Conway’s word alone, and maintains his client was not in the state at the time of the robbery. He is convinced Conway will crack and reveal the truth about her accusations when put under pressure in court.
Saluti tells SOHH.com, "Max is allegedly the mastermind behind the robbery and he faces the same time (as) someone who was there and pulled the trigger.
They don’t even allege that he was there. They are literally going on the speculation of this woman.
"It (Conway’s allegation) doesn’t hurt his case in the least bit. You’re talking about a person facing anywhere from 30 years to life basically attempting to snitch (implicate) against Max and Kelvin Leerdam.
"It is our position that Max B will be completely vindicated after the trial… I relish the opportunity to cross examine Gina Conway." Max B was previously held behind bars by New Jersey police following the murder and robbery, but he was released in January 2007. He is due to stand trial later this year in Hackensack’s Superior Court.

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PINK and MACY GRAY are to lead a new star-studded WE ARE THE WORLD-type charity single to honour America’s new President BARACK OBAMA.
Los Angeles-based producer Damon Elliott is lining up stars to perform on a new Stomp For Change single, which he claims will take a year to complete.
He tells Life & Style magazine, "It’s based on the positive attitude that Obama has set forth.
"It’s been a long time since there was a We Are The World type song. It’s one of those songs that will hopefully have such a positive message." The original We Are The World anthem was penned by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, and produced by Quincy Jones.
It was a huge hit in 1985 for USA For Africa, a supergroup made up of superstars like Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers and Tina Turner.

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COLDPLAY and DUFFY will lead the way at the Brit Awards next month (Feb09) after landing four nominations apiece for Britain’s answer to the Grammys.
Coldplay are up for prizes in the British Group, British Live Act, British Album and British Single categories; following the success of their latest album Viva La Vida and Death and all his Friends.
Duffy will compete for the British Breakthrough Act and British Female Solo Artist awards with Adele, who is celebrating three nominations.
There will also be a place at the London ceremony for a cluster of rock veterans; Ian Brown and Paul Weller will battle for the British Male Solo Artist award and The Verve and Iron Maiden are both nominated in the British Live Act category.
The 18 February (08) bash will include a tribute to 80s pop idols Pet Shop Boys, who will collect an Outstanding Contribution to Music honour.
The full list of nominees is as follows: British Male Solo Artist: Ian Brown James Morrison Paul Weller Streets Will Young British Female Solo Artist: Adele Beth Rowley Duffy Estelle MIA British Breakthrough Act: Adele Duffy Last Shadow Puppets Scouting for Girls The Ting Tings British Group: Coldplay Elbow Girls Aloud Radiohead Take That British Live Act: Coldplay Elbow Iron Maiden Scouting for Girls The Verve British Single: Adele - Chasing Pavements Alexandra Burke - Hallelujah Coldplay - Viva La Vida Dizzee Rascal / Harris / Chrome - Dance Wiv Me Duffy - Mercy British Album: Coldplay - Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends Duffy - Rockferry Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid Radiohead - In Rainbows The Ting Tings - We Started Nothing International Album: AC/DC - Black Ice Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes Killers - Day & Age Kings of Leon - Only By The Night MGMT - Oracular Spectacular International Male Solo Artist: Beck Neil Diamond Jay-Z Kanye West Seasick Steve International Female Solo Artist: Beyonce Gabriella Cilmi Katy Perry Pink Santogold International Group: AC/DC Fleet Foxes Killers Kings of Leon MGMT Critics’ Choice: Florence and The Machine Outstanding Contribution to Music: Pet Shop Boys
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WILLIAM BALFOUR has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Oscar winner JENNIFER HUDSON’s mother, brother and nephew.
Balfour, the estranged husband of Hudson’s sister Julia, entered his plea during a court hearing in Chicago on Tuesday (20Jan09).
According to reports Balfour, 27, nodded to his family as he entered the Cook County Criminal Court.
He is charged with first degree murder and home invasion, following the triple killings of Darnell Donerson, Jason Hudson and seven-year-old Julian King last October (08).
Balfour is being held without bail and is next scheduled to appear in court on 27 January (09). (IG/WNWA/CL) WENN - BREAKING NEWS - 20 January 2009 ————————————————————————–

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British pop star LILY ALLEN has no confidence in her ability as a singer-songwriter, and is "convinced" she’ll be found out as a fraud.
Allen’s debut album All right, Still sold 2.6 million copies, earned her a Grammy Award nomination and its producer, Mark Ronson, a Grammy win.
But the singer insists she suffers crippling self-doubt.
Allen says, "I convinced I’m not talented at all, and I’m sure people are just about to figure it out.
"I’m not very good, am I? I don’t think what I do is any good. I think I’m awful. I’m not a musician. I don’t play an instrument. I write nursery rhymes" (IG/WNWC/LR) WENN - FIFTH - HOLLYWOOD, SHOWBIZ & PEOPLE NEWS - 20 JANUARY 2009

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KATE BECKINSALE and MICHAEL SHEEN’s daughter LILY has inherited acting skills from her thespian parents - she dazzled an audience of her local drama group by taking on a starring role in musical MAMMA MIA!.
The former couple’s daughter, who turns 10 later this month (Jan09), attends an after school club for budding stars and impressed an assembled crowd when she performed the lead part of Sophie in the ABBA-inspired adaptation.
But the youngster also had to take on a male role during the show - which she ended up enjoying a little too much.
Sheen tells WENN, "Lily did a production of Mamma Mia! with her local drama group before Christmas where she surprised us all by being able to sing brilliantly.
"She played Sophie – the starring role! In one performance she was Sophie and in the other one she played the guy Sophie gets married to, but because it was all girls they just cut all the boy parts.
"She had to draw a moustache on herself for the second performance and get married to Sophie – that was her favourite bit!" But Sheen is convinced Lily won’t make the transition to Hollywood when she is older - because she prefers to be behind the camera.
He adds, "She’s a writer, she wants to write. It’s what she loves doing, so she will probably do a bit of that."

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A teenage movie fan has been stabbed following a New York screening of gruesome horror movie MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3-D.
An unnamed 16-year-old boy reportedly refused to leave the Long Island, New York theatre after the film had finished on Sunday (18Jan09) night and began fighting with security guard Ricardo Singh, 24.
The youngster was stabbed during the tussle and admitted to Winthrop University Hospital, where he received treatment for his injuries and was subsequently released.
Singh was arrested, charged with second-degree assault and is set to be arraigned on Tuesday (20Jan09).

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FROST/NIXON star MICHAEL SHEEN is certain President BARACK OBAMA will lead the world to great things - because the Democrat is a "breath of fresh air".
Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States at a ceremony attended by millions in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday (20Jan09).
The Welsh actor was unable to attend and had to watch the momentous event on television at home in England – but it didn’t quell his excitement at the “historic” appointment.
He tells WENN, "I think between the people on offer, I would have voted for Obama. People talk about historic occasions and that kind of stuff and I go ‘Yeah, I get it’, but this really is – it’s the first time I’ve thought it really is historic.
"The world seems to be a very crucial point in its history and things have gotten extreme and gone over the edge a bit and the idea that there’s a man who might be able to pull things back with common sense." And Sheen is convinced Obama is more than up to the leadership job.
He adds, "Obviously everyone is hopeful about that so it’s a really, really historic moment not just because of the race issue but because of where the world is at and it seems wherever he goes he is the cleverest man in the room, so it’s a breath of fresh air. It’s really a great moment."

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SUSANNA FOSTER, the star of 1943’s PHANTOM OF THE OPERA movie has died.
The singer/actress died of heart failure at the Lillian Booth Actors Home in Englewood, New Jersey on Saturday (17Jan09). She was 84.
She co-starred with Claude Rains and Nelson Eddy in the remake of the 1925 silent screen version of Phantom, and then enjoyed a clutch of film successes throughout the 1940s.
Foster was a child star on radio before her Hollywood career began, and she landed an MGM contract at the age of 12.
She turned down the leading role in National Velvet, which eventually helped turn Elizabeth Taylor into a star. That decision eventually cost her the MGM contract.
By 1950, Foster had virtually disappeared from Hollywood and the public spotlight. She struggled in her private life and at one point was homeless.
She was to make only one more movie appearance - in 1992’s Detour.

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MACAULAY CULKIN’s sister DAKOTA had alcohol in her system the night she was struck by a car and killed.
Los Angeles coroner Fred Corral has revealed the 29 year old had been drinking and was "more than likely impaired due to alcohol," when the accident took place in the city on 9 December (08).
The medical expert has not revealed how much alcohol was in her system - but confirmed Dakota was undergoing alcohol counselling prior to her death, information provided by the Culkin family.
Dakota’s five siblings - who include Home Alone star Macaulay - were left "absolutely heartbroken" by the death.

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Womanising rocker STEVEN TYLER was so successful and prolific during his band’s 1970s heyday, he was never turned down for sex.
The Aerosmith frontman is one of rock’s most legendary lotharios, with a string of celebrity fans and willing groupies among his conquests.
Now 60 and settled with girlfriend Erin Brady, Tyler insists he has retired his Casanova-status - but boasts he was unstoppable in his prime.
When asked in an interview in Elle magazine if he was ever rejected by a woman, Tyler replies, "Never. I’m a persistent motherf**ker. I’m very sensual and very rhythm-oriented and into poetry. Women can feel that." But Tyler insists he never took his success with women for granted, unlike some of his rivals: "You still think to yourself, ‘My God, I can’t believe this is happening’. You don’t ever take it for granted, unless you’re Gene Simmons and so full of yourself."

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ARETHA FRANKLIN performed for her biggest crowd on Tuesday (20Jan09) when she sang MY COUNTRY, ‘TIS OF THEE at President BARACK OBAMA’s inauguration ceremony.
The soul legend wore a long grey coat and a matching bow-fronted hat for the stirring ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Millions packed the National Mall for the event, which saw Obama sworn in as the 44th president of the United States.
Inaugural music was also provided by a classical supergroup, featuring violinist Itzhak Perlman and cellist Yo Yo Ma.
The quartet performed Air & Simple Gifts, a John Williams composition created for the occasion.

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LISA MARIE PRESLEY expected to experience post-partum depression following the birth of her new baby twins - and was delighted when the condition never materialised.
The 40-year-old star and her husband Michael Lockwood welcomed daughters Harper and Finley in October (08).
The girls are Presley’s third and fourth children, and her first two with Lockwood. Presley is also mother to Danielle Riley, 19, and Benjamin Storm, 15, from her first marriage to Danny Keough.
And Presley admits that prior to the birth, she was convinced she would suffer from some form of depression when the girls arrived - because looking after twins is such hard work.
She tells Hello magazine, "I was expecting to go into some severe post-partum land. I was waiting for it to hit me. I had a couple of episodes of crying but they weren’t unfounded. I’m glad it didn’t actually get me. Everything is so freaky. ‘Are they breathing? Are they OK?’ They’re so fragile. That freaks me out."

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Veteran filmmaker SIR ALAN PARKER hopes to clear punk legend SID VICIOUS’ name - more than 30 years after he was accused of murdering girlfriend NANCY SPUNGEN.
The Sex Pistols bass player was arrested after Spungen was found stabbed to death in their room at New York’s famed Chelsea Hotel in 1978.
Vicious was charged with her murder and released on bail, but died from a drugs overdose just months later in February 1979 before the case came to trial.
And Midnight Express director Parker is set to release a new documentary titled Who Killed Nancy? - to fulfil a promise he made to Vicious’ mother, Anne Beverley, before her death in 1996.
He says, "I just wanted to clear his name. Of course I wasn’t there, I can’t swear on the bible he didn’t do it, but people involved have always told me to keep digging, keep digging and when you do dig it just does not add up." The film examines allegations New York cops ignored sets of fingerprints found in the room where Spungen died, and pursues a theory that a previously-unknown drug addict living at the hotel might have killed Vicious’ lover.
It is due for release in February (09).

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SAMUEL L. JACKSON was called up at short notice to speak at a Washington, D.C.
concert celebrating BARACK OBAMA’s Presidential Inauguration - and had to travel to the capital without anywhere to stay.
Jackson took to the stage at a star-studded bash on Sunday night (18Jan09) and delivered a moving speech to the thousands who have flocked to Washington to welcome President-elect Obama to the White House.
And he reveals he was only told about the gig on Friday (16Jan09) and had to jet in from Los Angeles, without even a hotel room to stay in.
Jackson tells the New York Post, "This only came about on Friday. I suddenly got a phone call. Maybe they were waiting for various people to show up who didn’t.
"I’m still on a waiting list for a room."

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Australian actor HUGH JACKMAN has written a personal letter to X-MEN fans assuring them his upcoming WOLVERINE movie is going to plan - despite growing rumours of problems with the film.
Comic book prequel, X Men Origins: Wolverine, is due for release in May (08) but speculation about the film’s slow progress has been increasing since the cast was recently recalled to the set in Vancouver, Canada to reshoot several scenes.
Many fan forums and internet gossips have voiced concerns that movie bosses ordered the reshoots after the film failed to come up to standard.
But Jackman has now come forward to defend the project - insisting the extra filming does not have any bearing on the quality of the picture.
He writes in a letter to Aintitcool.com, "It’s Hugh Jackman, sending this note from freezing Vancouver. I have read a lot of your online comments regarding the footage that we are currently shooting and I share your passion for the Wolverine character and the movie - I owe it all to you guys! "I wanted to reach out and let you know that due to scheduling conflicts with certain cast members and location/weather considerations, we had to wait until now to shoot a couple of scenes. Please rest assured that Wolverine will be badass and hopefully meet all of your expectations."

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