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The executors of MICHAEL JACKSON’s estate have won permission from a Los Angeles judge to begin negotiating with book publishers for the re-release of the King of Pop’s autobiography, MOONWALK.
Financial adviser John Branca and music executive John McClain were handed control of Jackson’s estate following his untimely death last month (Jun09), as per the terms of his 2002 will.
The co-executors filed a motion earlier this month (Jul09) requesting court approval to enter talks for various business proposals in order to maximise interest in the late pop icon.
The legal papers state: "The Special Administrators believe that it is in the best interest of the Estate for all book publishing agreements to be entered as soon as possible, as sales of the book and profits for the estate will be maximised the sooner the book is released due to the notoriety surrounding Michael Jackson’s unexpected death and the resulting heightened demand for such products." TMZ.com claims the judge overseeing Jackson’s probate case authorised the move on Thursday (23Jul09).
Branca and McClain are now set to strike deals for the reprinted 1988 memoir to be distributed worldwide.
According to the website, Shaye Arehart books are expected to land the North American rights and Heinemann will sign for distribution in the U.K. Other deals for publishing the tome in France and Germany are also said to be in place.

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MICHAEL JACKSON’s mother KATHERINE has appealed to a Los Angeles court judge to grant her access to her son’s finances so she can provide for her grandchildren.
The pop superstar’s kids Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and seven-year-old Prince Michael II, aka Blanket, have been placed in the temporary custody of 79-year-old Katherine Jackson.
But the elderly matriarch claims she is running out of cash to look after the trio because she has no salary of her own.
Lawyers for Katherine joined legal representatives for the singer’s estate and headed to a Los Angeles court on Thursday morning (23Jul09) to file a motion for temporary financial allowances.
Attorneys for Jackson’s estate say: "We are informed that Mrs. Jackson was also financially dependent upon Michael Jackson and that other than extremely modest social security benefits, Mrs. Jackson has no independent means of support.
"Michael Jackson died four weeks ago. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the Special Administrators to be authorised to pay family allowance for the benefits of Minor Children in order to ensure that the Minor Children’s needs for maintenance and support are met." But Katherine will have to rely on the rest of her family to help provide for her grandchildren’s needs until 3 August (09), when the case will be heard in court, reports TMZ.com.
The matter will be discussed during a probate hearing scheduled for the same date.

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Doctors have given MADONNA’s 12-year-old daughter LOURDES a back brace to help correct a spinal problem.
Lourdes prompted concern when she was photographed recently sporting a body brace around her waist.
Spinal expert Dr. Ron Marinaro reveals the brace is most commonly given to young people suffering from idiopathic scoliossis, a common curvature of the spine that affects millions of young people.
Dr. Marinaro tells America’s Star magazine, "She’ll probably only have to wear if for about a year or two."

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HARRY POTTER star DANIEL RADCLIFFE has called on the producers of his upcoming movie about Somalia to cast actors from the African country to keep the project authentic.
The 20 year old is preparing to film The Journey Is The Destination, in which he will play Dan Eldon, the British photojournalist whose work brought global attention to the Somali civil war in the 1990s.
And he’s hoping the movie’s casting directors will maintain respect for the country by hiring actors of the correct ethnicity.
He tells Empire magazine, "I don’t want to do that horrible Black Hawk Down thing of filming in one part of Africa and then casting actors from a completely different area and doing that awful, ‘Oh, they look the same, no one will notice the difference.’ "It’s this form of very subtle racism that seems to happen sometimes and it’s horrible. So I’d hope we can get extras who are Somalian (sic), rather than from South Africa or Zimbabwe, for example." Ridley Scott’s 2001 war movie Black Hawk Down came under fire for failing to feature Somali actors despite the fact it focused on a battle that occurred in the African country.

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KATIE HOLMES jumped at the opportunity to appear on the 100th anniversary episode of reality show SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE because she rarely gets the chance to show off her fancy footwork.
The actress pays homage to screen icon Judy Garland on the special show, due to air in the U.S. on Thursday (23Jul09), performing a routine inspired by Garland’s Get Happy song from the movie Summer Stock and donning replicas of the late star’s trademark jacket and hat for the sequence.
The Batman Begins star tells Entertainment Tonight, "I like to sing and dance, so it is really fun." Holmes has previously showed off her dance skills in U.S. drama Eli Stone when she appeared on the TV show last year (08).

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Oscar winner DENZEL WASHINGTON has rejoined the cast of action thriller UNSTOPPABLE, just weeks after withdrawing his name from the project.
The Training Day star was all set to reteam with director Tony Scott for their fifth film collaboration, following previous successes Crimson Tide, Man on Fire, Deja vu and the latest movie, The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3.
Washington stepped down from Unstoppable, about a runaway train filled with toxic chemicals, in June (09) amid rumours he was being forced to take a pay cut, leaving the future of the movie in doubt.
However, Variety.com reports the actor has now settled his differences with studio heads at 20th Century Fox and is back on board.
Details of his new contract and salary agreement have not been made public.
Production is scheduled to begin in the autumn (09).

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New mum KELIS has won a whopping $55,000 (£36,665)-a-week in spousal and child support from estranged husband NAS after a judge ruled in her favour in their ongoing divorce battle.
Rapper Nas only wanted to pay $5,000 (£3,330) a month in child support for their newborn son Knight, while his budget for spousal support was not released.
Kelis - who filed for divorce in April (09) - argued she needed $3,500 (£2,335) for a baby nurse and an additional $20,000 (£13,335) for strollers, cribs and other baby supplies.
But the Milkshake singer, who gave birth in New York on Tuesday (21Jul09), will now have cash to spare after a U.S. judge ordered Nas to hand over the more substantial sum during a hearing on Thursday (23Jul09).
He will also have to cover additional costs of prenatal expenses and medical insurance and pay $35,000 (£23,330) in legal fees to Kelis’ lawyer Laura Wasser, reports TMZ.com.
The former hip-hop supercouple was originally due in court on Tuesday, but they were excused from the hearing after Kelis went into labour.
The stars are both seeking joint custody of the baby boy.

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Legendary guitarist EDDIE VAN HALEN is recovering after undergoing surgery on his injured hand.
The Van Halen star sought out specialists after the pain he first experienced in two of his fingers at the end of the band’s last tour, worsened.
The experts initially suspected arthritis, but then diagnosed a bone spur, twisted tendon and a cyst in the joint of his left thumb.
He tells RollingStone.com, "During the last leg of our tour, I started developing pain in my thumb and my pinky. I didn’t think much of it at the time. It got progressively worse to the point that about three months ago, I wasn’t able to play at all. My pinky and my thumb were totally locked up and felt like there was something broken.
"They said the only way to fix it was surgery, which of course scared the s**t out of me, but I was told it was the only way to fix it." Speaking after the operation, Van Halen hailed it a "success", adding, "Now I just have to let it heal. I am totally jazzed that they found the problem, fixed it and in about four months my hand will feel like I am 18 again. Thank God."

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JANE’S ADDICTION drummer STEPHEN PERKINS has been admitted to a Los Angeles hospital’s Infectious Disease Ward - prompting the reunited rockers to scrap all of their upcoming Australian tour dates.
The band was due to kick off the latest leg of their first world tour in 17 years on Saturday (25Jul09), but the string of shows Down Under has been cancelled as Perkins remains isolated at Cedars-Sinai Hospital for an infected elbow.
A post on the group’s website reveals the mystery illness was spotted upon their return to L.A. following their tour of Europe.
A statement from the band reads: "Doctors expect to keep (Perkins) there for the next few days for further diagnosis and observation while anti-biotic treatment continues. Fans are being asked not to worry as a full recovery is expected over the next few weeks.
"The reformed original line-up of Jane’s Addiction had been on their first world tour in over 17 years and had just returned to Los Angeles from a successful European leg when the mysterious infection was discovered after Perkins noticed severe swelling and pain building in his elbow.
"Regretfully the group’s Australian tour, due to start on Saturday, is forced to be cancelled at this time." However, frontman Perry Farrell has promised to find time to reschedule the Australian concerts.
He says, "I know how excited we were to come play in Australia, and how long the fans there have waited for this. I want everyone Down Under to know that we will come back as soon as we can."

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Wrestler-turned-actor ‘ROWDY’ RODDY PIPER has pleaded not guilty to allegations of driving under the influence (DUI).
The grappler, real name Roderick Toombs, was arrested in Hollywood on 2 July (09) after failing a field sobriety test.
On Wednesday (22Jul09), he was charged with a misdemeanour count of DUI and one count of driving without a valid licence.
The 55 year old appeared in a Los Angeles court on Thursday (23Jul09) to enter his plea, reports TMZ.com.
He faces up to six years in prison and a $1,000 (£665) fine if he is convicted, and he is due in court next month (Aug09).

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Comedian KATT WILLIAMS has escaped prosecution following his arrest last year (08) on suspicion of gun possession - the New York District Attorney has rejected the charges.
The funnyman was taken into custody by the New York Police Department in November after cops pulled his car over for a traffic violation.
They allegedly spotted two firearms in the vehicle and Williams was hit with two weapons possessions charges.
But according to TMZ.com, the controversial star’s counts have been dropped after officials at the District Attorney’s office decided they would be unable to prove the claims beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

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American football star BEN ROETHLISBERGER has broken his silence to categorically deny accusations he sexually assaulted a New Jersey hotel employee last summer (08).
The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback is accused of forcing Andrea McNulty to have sex with him in his room at Harrahs in Lake Tahoe, Nevada back in July 2008.
The civil charges she is levelling at him include one count of assault, sexual assault and battery, false imprisonment, fraud and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Roethlisberger’s attorney David Cromwell immediately dismissed the allegations, suggesting McNulty only came forward with her complaint now because his client won the Super Bowl back in February (09).
Now the footballer has issued a new statement to the media to reassert his innocence, insisting justice "will prevail".
Speaking on Thursday (23Jul09), Roethlisberger says, "I did not sexually assault Andrea McNulty.
"Saturday was the first that I learned of her accusations. Her false and vicious allegations are an attack on my family and on me. I would never, ever force myself on a woman. I want to fight to protect my family and my reputation. I’m not going to discuss my private life or this civil case in the media. I’ll respond to her outrageous allegations in the appropriate forum…
"The allegations against me are reckless and false. As much as I would like to answer everyone’s questions, I am going to respect the legal process and I am confident that the truth will prevail."

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ANGELINA JOLIE has been left awestruck by the strength of the thousands of displaced citizens in war-torn Iraq after paying her third visit to the country on Thursday (23Jul09) on behalf of the United Nations.
The Hollywood actress, a U.N. Goodwill Ambassador, met with four families who had been forced to relocate from their home in the district of Abu Ghraib to the west of Baghdad.
The locals spoke to mother-of-six Jolie about the hardships they faced and their struggle to cover medical costs for various illnesses, according to the U.N. Refugee Agency.
After hearing about one man’s fight to raise his family in the tough conditions, the Tomb Raider star said, "It takes a lot of strength for you to survive this life. I don’t know if I would be strong enough to survive this." Jolie observed some changes in conditions since her last visit, but admitted a lot still needed to be done before the refugees could return to normality.
She noted, "There are some changes. There are returns of displaced people, not a big number, but there is progress. This is a moment where things seem to be improving on the ground, but Iraqis need a lot of support and help to rebuild their lives." Jolie has vowed to return to do all she can to help refugees rebuild their lives, telling the families, "I want to come back and find you in a better place and in a different situation. We hope that UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and the government will support you in getting a piece of land. You need help not because you are poor, but because you are the future of Iraq." The star’s trip to the Middle East began on Tuesday (21Jul09) when she flew in with her seven-year-old son Maddox to attend the Arab Children’s Congress in Amman, Jordan, where she was a guest of honour.

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AMERICAN IDOL star CHRIS DAUGHTRY has ended MICHAEL JACKSON’s reign as the King of Pop on the U.S. album charts by debuting his second release at the top of the Billboard 200.
Daughtry’s self-named rock act enters the chart at number one with Leave This Town.
Jackson has been the best-selling album artist in America since his death last month (Jun09), but his back catalogue has been ineligible for the main charts.
Leave This Town is Daughtry’s second number one album.
Jack White’s rock group The Dead Weather debut their first album, Horehound, at six - it’s White’s sixth top 10 album.
Other top 10 new entries on the countdown are Joe’s Signature at seven and rapper Twista’s Category F5 at eight.
Last week’s (ends17Jul09) number one album, Maxwell’s BLACKsummers’night falls a spot to two.

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WHITNEY HOUSTON is loving her musical comeback, insisting picking up the microphone again was like learning to ride a horse.
The singer is preparing for the release of her first album in six years, after cancelling plans to retire from music altogether.
Houston admits it wasn’t easy learning the ropes again, but it soon came back naturally to her.
She says, "It’s great to be back, it’s like learning to ride a horse again. A bike you can stop, brake. Sometimes you’ve got to pull the horse reins back, you’ve got to hold the rein a little better." I Look to You is set for release this September (09).

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JAMES BLUNT has refused comedy singer ‘WEIRD’ AL YANKOVIC the right to sell a parody of his single YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL, vowing he will "never approve" its release.
Yankovic has written and recorded You’re Pitiful, his light-hearted take on Blunt’s 2005 hit, and had hoped to include it on his upcoming greatest hits album Essentials, scheduled to hit shelves later this year (09).
But the funnyman - best known for his satirical takes on Michael Jackson’s hits - has had to axe the song after Blunt failed to see the humour in the joke track.
Yankovic tells fans on his Twitter.com page, "In case you were hoping for You’re Pitiful to be included on my Essentials collection, sorry, this just in from Blunt’s manager: Thanks for your email, but both James and I will never approve this parody to be released on any label."

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HARRISON FORD will be the star at this year’s (09) American film festival in Deauville, France - as the organisers’ guest of honour.
The Indiana Jones star, 67, will be feted at the 35th annual seaside event attended by a long list of Hollywood heavyweights, including Robin Wright Penn - who will receive a special tribute from festival organisers.
Deauville will also pay a posthumous hommage to American director Robert Aldrich, who helmed acclaimed films The Dirty Dozen and What Ever Happened to Baby Jane before his death in 1983.
Amelie director Jean-Pierre Jeunet is chairman of the jury at the 10-day festival, which kicks off on 3 September (09).

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DANIEL RADCLIFFE is convinced Hollywood celebrities inform paparazzi of their whereabouts - because he rarely has problems with photographers trailing him.
The Harry Potter star slips into movie theatres and shops without fans recognising him - and can recall every time he has met a snapper on the street since becoming famous.
And the actor, who turns 20 on Thursday (23Jul09), can’t understand why his fellow A-listers complain about having their every move followed.
He tells Empire magazine, "I don’t understand how people get recognised and turn up in (magazines) as often as they do. They must call them (snappers) up and tell them, otherwise I don’t get it. I’ve had so few problems with paparazzi. I’ve probably had four incidents in all this time. If they don’t know where you are then they’re not there." But Radcliffe insists he has no problems with Potter fanatics or photographers approaching him: "Some of my friends get annoyed about people coming up to me, but it’s fine and perfectly normal. You just get used to the fame thing."

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