Paris Hilton disinherited

The much quoted huge inheritance that Paris Hilton was expected to receive when her Grandfather died has been reduced significantly. Her Grandfather has pledged that 97% of his Hilton Hotels fortune will goto Charity.

Paris Hilton is expected to only receive around 5 million dollars compared to the 100 million dollars she was expected to receive.

Patriarch Barron Hilton announced this week he would be leave the majority of his will of around £1.15billion in the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.

The Foundation will oversee projects to improve housing and water in developing countries.

It is rumoured that Barron was not impressed with Paris’s behaviour which embrassed the family name.

Paris shot to fame after a sex tape appeared on the internet in 2003, she went to Jail this year for driving with a suspended license.

Paris spent Christmas in Hawaii, but Paris Hilton has been spotted partying with K Fed in Las Vegas recently as she will be appearing at the LAX Club in the Luxor Hotel.

- Original Article

Britney Spears' sister is pregnant at sixteen

Tue Dec 18, 2007 11:29pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Britney Spears' 16-year-old sister, who stars as a schoolgirl in Nickelodeon's popular TV show "Zoey 101," is pregnant.

The cable channel confirmed a report in the forthcoming edition of celebrity gossip magazine OK! that Jamie Lynn Spears is expecting a child.

"We respect Jamie Lynn's decision to take responsibility in this sensitive and personal situation. We know this is a very difficult time for her and her family, and our primary concern right now is for Jamie Lynn's well being," Nickelodeon said in a statement e-mailed to Reuters.

A high school student who lives in Louisiana, Jamie Lynn Spears reportedly met the father, Casey Aldridge, the son of a Tennessee papermill worker, at church. Jamie Lynn Spears' personal publicist was not available for comment.

Her big sister, Britney Spears, may not be the best source of parenting advice. The 26-year-old pop star lost primary custody of her two sons, aged 2 and 1, to ex-husband Kevin Federline after their divorce last year and is engaged in a bitter custody battle that has shone a harsh spotlight on her maternal shortcomings.

"Zoey 101," which wrapped production on its fourth and final season in September, revolves around a headstrong student at a co-ed boarding school in California. Fresh episodes will air through 2008, a spokeswoman for the Viacom Inc-owned network said.

(Editing by Frances Kerry)

Original Article

Jessica Simpson Comfortable With Tony Romo Romance

16 December, 2007

DATEline Hollywood - Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo are getting serious. Simpson attended Sunday's Dallas Cowboys v. Philadelphia Eagles contest, wearing a shirt with Tony Romo's number as she cheered him on.

Sources say that Jessica is happy with Tony because he helps her "upstage" her ex-husbands new relationship. Ex-husband Nick Lachay is dating, and apparently close to a second marriage with, Vanessa Minnillo.

Original Article

Sneak Peek at Britney Spears video clip for Piece of Me

A SNEAK peek of Britney Spear's clip for her single Piece of Me shows the pop star has used the video to hit back at the paparazzi who plague her every move.

Wearing low slung jeans, a sequinned bra and small jacket, the singer performs a dance routine remininisent of her relaxed MTV performance.

The clip shows a group of Britney look-alikes dancing around a bedroom and being hounded by celebrity snappers.

With the single and clip, Spears could well have outsmarted her critics by turning her bad press to advantage.



Original Article

Golden Globe nominations kick off Oscar season

It makes movie sense that when nominations for the Golden Globes awards are announced this morning, you'll find the eventual Academy Award winners on the list. After all, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association gives itself two chances to get things right, dividing dramas and musicals/comedies into separate categories.

So, suggest the prognosticators at the Los Angeles Times, here are 10 movies likely to be among the nominees:

- Dramas: "American Gangster," "Atonement," "The Great Debaters," "Michael Clayton" and "No Country For Old Men," the critics' favorite so far.

- Comedies/musicals: "Across the Universe," "Enchanted," "Hairspray," "Juno" and "Sweeney Todd," which doesn't open until next week.

If one of those movies does not win the Oscar, it will be judged an upset.

And the acting nominations will include most of the big names -Clooney, Crowe, Jolie, Blanchett - and enough new ones - Ellen Page ("Juno"), Jim Sturgess ("Across the Universe") to keep things interesting.

After all, the popularity of the Golden Globes is in direct proportion to the ratings of its awards ceremony Jan. 13 on NBC.

Original Article

Eva & Tony slam infidelity claims

Eva Longoria and hubby Tony Parker have slammed rumours that the NBA star has cheated on the ‘Desperate Housewives’ actress.

The claims were made by model Alexandra Paressant, who said that Parker had slept with her in September, just two months after he and Longoria tied the knot in July this year.

However, both Eva and Parker are standing by each other and have denied there’s any truth to the rumours.

"I love my wife! She's the best thing in my life, and I have never been happier,” People mag quoted Parker, as saying.

Eva said: "Tony has been nothing short of the perfect husband."

Paressant said earlier that she met Parker for the first time at his wedding and sparks flew between them and eventually the two started exchanging saucy messages in September while Parker was in Paris at the Park Hyatt Hotel.

They then slept together, and continued seeing each other night after night in Paris until he left to San Antonio a short time later.

She further revealed that some of Parker’s sexual fantasies were not fulfilled by his wife Eva that led to the fling.

"We had room service. He said that Eva, sexually speaking, does not want to do certain things. She does not want to make love in front of a mirror, does not like [a] certain position and thinks that sperm gives acne," US weekly quoted Paressant, as saying.

Longoria's rep Liza Anderson had earlier called the allegations "completely, 100 percent false and untrue."

Original Article

Saleisha Wins America’s Next Top Model

The girls are going into a big week this week, and, as the last three in the competition, they know it. Seems each is committed in her own way to grabbing the winning spot, and each is counting on taking home the title just as much as the others. “Going home’s not an option,” Jenah, who wasn’t sure she wanted to be there at all just last week, says. “This is a big journey for me. I’m so proud of myself,” Saleisha gushes.

The girls head off for their final challenge, which will be a print ad and commercial for Cover Girl cosmetics. Last season’s winner, Jaslene, shows up to give them tips and pointers (and, yes, Jas is just as sweet and adorable as always). The girls suit up in adorable strappy, brightly colored, satiny gowns and get to it.

Chantal struggles a bit at first but then nails the commercial. Jenah blanks out as soon as the camera is turned on and then has to go through many takes (and a threat of cue cards) before she can finally come up with something passable. Saleisha’s nerves get the best of her and she has to take a break after several takes so she can cry. Jay tries to give her a pep talk. “I don’t want to see somebody else take my dream out of my hand,” Saleisha cries. After she gets the emotions out, she does fine.

We get right to the Elimination Room, where Tyra and the others are waiting to view the girls’ commercials and photos, but also grill the girls on who has the most and the least Top Model potential. Up first is Saleisha, who says Jenah’s “rude,” “disrespectful” attitude makes her the least likely to be a Top Model. Nigel is “very impressed” with Saleisha’s commercial and, though Tyra nitpicks Saleisha’s enunciation a little, overall her marks are high.

Chantal’s up next and agrees with Saleisha, citing that Jenah’s attitude tends to be superior and makes her not good Top Model material. Nigel thinks Chantal’s technique is “bad” in the commercial, but Twiggy admires Chantal’s charm. Her photo is Chantal-beautiful, and Tyra notices that Chantal has learned how to smile.

Jenah thinks Chantal is the “most amateur” of the group, and votes her as having the least Top Model potential. Tyra thinks Jenah’s commercial comes off like she’s making fun of it, and once again Jenah comes under fire for her attitude. Jenah cries during the critique and then gets mad at herself for crying, saying she’s afraid it will make them see her as weak.

It gets a little “Tyra Banks Show” for a few minutes, with Tyra doing a little armchair therapy on Jenah. In the end, she feels like Jenah has “broken through” somehow, but it’s not enough. Jenah is eliminated, leaving Chantal and Saleisha to battle it out as the final two (it is, by the way, the biggest elimination cry-fest I’ve ever seen on Models). “I wanted to win this really bad,” Jenah says, but honestly she looks a little relieved to be going.

So we’re down to the Top Model “final exam” – the Seventeen magazine cover shoot and the runway face-off. The models meet with Miss J and Jay, who tell them all about their “Forbidden City” show, which will include 500 extras, dressed in Ching Dynasty garb. Saleisha and Chantal are to represent “the modern.” And – surprise! – the show will be opened with Jaslene. The show is quick and interesting (nothing like the cool ethereal show between Caridee and Melrose a few seasons ago), and only one minor catastrophe occurs (the train on one of Chantal’s dresses gets caught under the stilt of one of the extras and knocks him on his butt). The girls come off the runway in tears, relieved and happy and proud.

Back in the Elimination Room, Tyra reminds us that the prize is a modeling contract with Elite Model Management, a cover and 6-page spread with Seventeen magazine, and a $100,000 contract with Cover Girl cosmetics. From the critique it’s obvious that Saleisha won the runway challenge. But will it be enough to take the prize away from beautiful and sexy Chantal…?

Yep.

Saleisha wins America’s Next Top Model. “I’m so happy with myself right now,” she cheers.

Original Article

Petrino resigns as Atlanta Falcons coach after 13 games

ATLANTA - Bobby Petrino thought he was getting one of the best coaching jobs in the NFL. Without Michael Vick, it wasn't worth keeping for even one full season.

Just 13 games into a miserable debut as Atlanta Falcons coach, Petrino stunningly announced his resignation Tuesday to return to the college ranks at Arkansas, according to a person familiar with Petrino's decision.

The person was speaking on condition of anonymity because the school had not made an official announcement.

Petrino left Louisville for Atlanta in January, agreeing to a US$24-million, five-year contract handed out by a team that felt he could help Vick reach his full potential.

"I was able to see the commitment that has been made here," Petrino said at his introductory news conference. "I believe this is truly the best football job in the NFL. It was an easy decision for me."

Of course, he had no idea what Vick was doing in his spare time.

A few months later, the star quarterback came under investigation for a grisly dogfighting operation that led him to plead guilty to federal charges. He was sentenced Monday to 23 months in prison without ever taking a snap for Petrino, who left with a 3-10 record.

Arkansas has been looking for a coach for two weeks to replace Houston Nutt, who resigned after a tumultuous season and took the head coaching job at Mississippi.

Arkansas had no immediate comment, but called a late-night news conference for a "major announcement."

The Falcons declined further response beyond a terse, two-paragraph statement released Tuesday night. Owner Arthur Blank and general manager Rich McKay were scheduled to hold a news conference Wednesday.

There was no immediate word on who would take over for the team's final three games, though defensive co-ordinator Mike Zimmer and offensive co-ordinator Hue Jackson would be the most logical candidates.

Petrino did not answer calls placed to his cell phone and his Atlanta-area home. His brother, Falcons receivers coach Paul Petrino, declined comment when reached on his cell phone.

"I don't think I can say anything about it right now," he said. "I'm sorry."

After losing Vick, Bobby Petrino tried three quarterbacks without success. The Falcons have lost four straight, all by double-digit margins, and are assured of the 32nd season of .500 or worse in their 42-year history.

"Anytime you're without one of the best athletes in the National Football League, it's going to be tough," cornerback DeAngelo Hall said earlier in the season. "Take Peyton Manning from the Colts, and they'll go through a little slump."

Petrino's stint was one of the shortest for a non-interim coach since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger. Pete McCulley was fired after starting out 1-8 with San Francisco in 1978, and Sid Gillman lasted only 10 games in his second stint as San Diego coach, going 4-6 in 1971 before quitting.

In an interesting twist, Lou Holtz coached the New York Jets for 13 games in 1976. He went 3-10, then left the team with one game remaining to become the coach at Arkansas.

In four years at Louisville, Petrino produced a 41-9 record and some of the highest-scoring teams in the country.

An Atlanta team without Vick was a different story, ranking 24th in total yards and 30th in scoring.

Plagued by injuries on the offensive line, Petrino was forced to start two players who weren't even drafted and just hours after Vick's sentencing in Richmond, Va., Atlanta lost to the New Orleans Saints 34-14. They have lost four in a row by an average of 18.5 points.

"Not a good day," Petrino said afterward.

The resignation had to be a major surprise to Blank, who fired Jim Mora just two seasons after he led the Falcons to the NFC championship game. Before Monday's game, Blank said he felt better than ever about his decision to hire Petrino.

"I feel real fortunate we have a terrific guy leading our team, our CEO, in Bobby Petrino," Blank said. "I think he's proven to me he's a better head coach than we thought he was going to be, dealing with a set of cards we didn't see unfold this year, which probably never in the history of the NFL has anything like this happened. Bobby has done a wonderful job dealing with all of these issues. He's kept the players focused."

There were signs of dissension, however, in particular because of the way Petrino dealt with his players.

To some he seemed aloof, feeling no reason to share personnel decisions with affected players. He could walk through the locker room without speaking to anyone and was openly criticized by two of the team's stars, Pro Bowlers Alge Crumpler and Hall.

A decision to cut nose tackle Grady Jackson, one of the team's most productive defensive linemen, during the bye week drew the ire of veteran players. Quarterback Joey Harrington was noticeably perturbed when, after leading the Falcons to two straight wins, he heard from the media Petrino still considered injury prone Byron Leftwich the starter.

Against the Saints, quarterback Chris Redman made his first start since 2002. While Redman threw for 298 yards and two touchdowns, the Falcons lost again.

After the game, Petrino sounded as though he was still committed to getting the Falcons turned around.

"We'll come back on Wednesday to take a look at it, and then we'll get back to work," he said. "We have to find something to rally around."

Clearly, Petrino already had decided to abandon the sinking ship.

Original Article

Security Guard Who Saved Countless Lives at New Life Church Speaks Out

Guard's hands "didn't even shake" as she shot gunman
By Demetria Gallegos The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 12/10/2007 05:35:56 PM MST

The guard who saved untold lives at New Life Church gives credit to God for giving her cover, and boosting her firepower as she shot a heavily-armed gunman.

"I give credit to God. I say that very humbly," said Jeanne Assam. "God was with me, the whole time I was behind cover. Based on the firepower he had, compared to mine."

Assam spoke at a press conference in Colorado Springs this afternoon. She is one of about 12 armed security officers at New Life Church, according to Pastor Brady Boyd.

She responded when Matthew Murray, 24, began targeting church members in Colorado Springs, after a rampage hours earlier in Arvada in which two missionary training center staff members were killed and two were injured. Two teenagers at New Life were fatally shot, and three others injured before Assam could shoot Murray.

She calmly described how the incident unfolded.

"I heard shots fired, there was chaos," she said. "There was a lot of people in the church. People were running away from shots fired.

"I saw him coming through the doors, and I took cover, and I waited for him to get closer...I identified myself, engaged him, and took him down."

She spoke unemotionally, but the first words she said were in tribute to the victims.

"I just want you to know it's an honor to be here and I want to extend my sympathy to the families of the victims and of the gunman. And I mean that very sincerely," she said.

"I just prayed for the Holy Spirit to guide me my hands weren't even shaking."

Original Article

Snoop Dogg's Father Hood' Premieres Tonight on E!

Sunday, December 09, 2007

The countdown for E!’s latest reality TV offering featuring the infamous rap star, Snoop Dog, is finally over. Also known as Cordozar Calvin Broadus, the 36-year-old recording artist will be taking viewers inside his home for glimpse of his private life in the new half-hour series called Snoop Dogg's Father Hood, which is set to premiere tonight at 10:30/9:30c.

Featuring Snoop Dogg, along with his daughter and two sons, his wife Shante and a number of relatives and family pets, Snoop Dogg's Father Hood follows the rap star as he takes pride in himself for being a great father and family man especially since he didn't have his father in his home as a child. Each week, he balances stardom and a music career while attempting to raise three kids and managing the youth football league he founded.

Aside from his various achievements in the music industry, Snoop Dogg has also forayed into acting, appearing on The L Word, Entourage and Monk, just to name a few. Although he is already accustomed to fame and stardom, Snoop Dogg tends to keep his positive endeavors under wraps. But in his new show, Father Hood, he'll be exposing a different side rarely seen by his fans and critics.

"Well I have my own football league, Snoop Youth Football League, which has three thousand kids in southern California. That's something that I'm proud of. It's been going down for three years. I also have a situation with my wife where we're doing some things to help out some young girls in the community as well. So my thing is I don't really like to have cameras around when I do my positive thing because it's not about a gimmick. So it's not a problem to me when they don't coverage it or bring it to light cause I know that the man upstairs sees all the good work that I do," Snoop Dogg said.

At present, Snoop Dogg is also working in a new album and a new clothing line, besides his new reality series on E!

Original Article

Dynamite Weigh-in for Mayweather-Hatton bout

The show starts early with dynamite weigh-in for Mayweather-Hatton bout
The Associated Press
Published: December 8, 2007

LAS VEGAS: If Floyd Mayweather's welterweight title bout with Ricky Hatton is half as good as the weigh-in, boxing fans are in for a remarkable finish to a strong year.

From the floor to the ceiling, one end of the MGM Grand Garden Arena was packed with 5,930 singing, whistling, clapping fans. About 5,929 seemed to be supporting Hatton, the wildly popular underdog — including the small brass band sponsored by a British newspaper.

"There's only onnnnnnne Ricky Hatton!" they sang relentlessly — and when Hatton finally took the stage, they roared approval.

Mayweather ascended to the scales with fellow "Dancing With the Stars" contestants Wayne Newton and Helio Castroneves holding his belts. Mayweather's two sons, 7-year-old Shamaree and 8-year-old Koraun, also held up belts won by their famous father — but not even the kids could deflect the boos.

"That was amazing," said Castroneves, the Brazilian two-time Indianapolis 500 champion who won the TV dance contest. "I was right behind Wayne, in case something goes wrong. ... At least they were more organized than Brazilian soccer fans. They'll be singing one thing over here, and one thing over there, and they don't get it together like that."

Hatton, a longtime junior welterweight, weighed in at 145 pounds (66 kilograms), while Mayweather hit the limit of 147 pounds (67 kilograms).

"Floyd only has one fan!" the crowd sang while Mayweather flexed.

Ring announcer Michael Buffer even got in a crack, drawing boos when he claimed President Bush had called Vegas in concern.

"The last time this many British invaded America, it was 1812 and you burned down the White House!" Buffer said.

Original Article

Pondering Meaning Of Pearl Harbor Day

Thoughtful Americans pause today — Pearl Harbor Day — not just to remember a landmark in world history but also to consider its meaning for us, now and in the future.

It was on Dec. 7, 1941, that Japanese naval aviators mounted a surprise attack on U.S. forces at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. It was among the most successful, stunning military victories of all time.

Since then, with the words “never again” in many minds, Americans have used each Dec. 7 as a day of remembrance and as a reminder of the need for us to be prepared for similar assaults on our liberty.

The attack on Pearl Harbor was not the only time in our history that we as a nation have suffered from an unexpected assault. Sept. 11, 2001 still is fresh in many minds.

What stands out about the attack on Pearl Harbor is that, but for the fact that the U.S. aircraft carrier fleet happened to be out of port that day, the Japanese might have gained a far more decisive victory than they did.

Our unpreparedness very nearly cost us even more than the horrible toll paid by this nation in World War II.

We simply must not delude ourselves into believing that, without extreme vigilance, such an attack — or worse — cannot happen again. “Never again” needs to be part of our thinking now and in the future, not just a phrase from the history books.
- By The Intelligencer

Original Article

Dramatic shakeup! Murdoch's youngest son given Europe, Asia operations

By Michael Vincent

Thirty-four-year-old James Murdoch has been given control of News Corp's European and Asian operations. (File photo)

In a move that is set to shake up News Corporation, Rupert Murdoch appears to have anointed his youngest son, James, as his successor.

As part of the changes after he bought The Wall Street Journal, Mr Murdoch is reported to have given the 34-year-old control of News Corp's European and Asian operations.

Rupert Murdoch runs the largest media operations in the world, but embarrassingly, it was The Guardian newspaper in the UK which broke the story of Mr Murdoch's succession plans.

His newly acquired Wall Street Journal and his other newspapers were reduced to quoting the report, "That James Murdoch will stand down from his current position at BSkyB, but take a step up the corporate ladder".

Crikey founder and shareholder activist Stephen Mayne says Mr Murdoch tends to keep business matters within the family.

"Rupert Murdoch has run News Corp for 55 years," Mr Mayne said.

"He's a dynastic guy who wants one of his family members to succeed him. His daughter, Elizabeth, and his other son, Lachlan, have both had stints with the company and then quit as executive.

"This leaves his youngest adult child, James Murdoch, as the only one in the race, and it looks like he is going to be given the prize which will ultimately be as CEO of News Corporation, if he can fulfil the brief in this expanded role."

Not enough experience?

Mr Mayne says taking over the European and Asian operations of News Corporation is a significant new role for James Murdoch.

"It basically makes him number three in the company, behind Rupert, and then the chief operating officer, Peter Chernin," he said.

"But it gives him a very wide brief. Basically, Rupert and Peter Chernin will run America, and James Murdoch is being given the rest to run.

"Because the Asian operations, obviously Star TV, the big satellite business, and coming down to Australia, and the European operations is Sky in the UK, where James will replace his father as the non-executive chairman.

"The very big newspaper operations in the UK, where the current boss is moving across to run the Wall Street Journal in New York, and James will also have responsibility for the booming Sky Italia, pay TV business, which has been on of the star performers at News Corp.

"So it's a very, very big, wide-ranging brief for a young 34-year-old man."

At the age of 76, Rupert Murdoch is constantly asked if he is going to retire soon.

"I don't know. Whenever they carry me out," was his reply last month when he visited Adelaide, so it appears he will be carrying on for some time, and that means grooming his son.

Mr Mayne says James Murdoch has passed his first two tests: as chief executive of Star TV and then running BSkyB. But Mr Mayne has been rallying News Corporation shareholders to oppose Murdoch junior from taking on the top job anytime soon.

"We'll all back Rupert Murdoch, but we don't back his children, because there's only one Rupert Murdoch," he said.

"It's impossible to attempt to create a lifetime of experiences that he has had, since he took over control of the company on October 1952, after the death of his father, Sir Keith.

"It is impossible for anyone to gather that experience, and for poor old James Murdoch, at the age of 34, the notion that he would be given control of this incredible, sprawling empire, whilst in his mid-30s, I think is ridiculous, but Rupert Murdoch is a dynastic kind of guy.

"He's obsessed his family's power, prestige and influence."

Original Article

Barbara Walters tired of celebrity interviews

Thu Dec 6, 2007 5:40pm EST
By Christine Kearney

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Barbara Walters, famed for celebrity television interviews that often draw on-screen tears, says she's tired of Britney, Paris and the tabloid trend she helped create.

Walters, a pioneering journalist who became the first female U.S. network news anchor 30 years ago, has interviewed every U.S. president since Richard Nixon and other heads of state. More recently, she has been credited and criticized for soft interviews that elevated celebrity news above all else.

Now, before her annual show, "The 10 Most Fascinating People," airing on ABC on Thursday, the 78-year-old television journalist said she wants to focus on other topics.

"I am not going after the tabloid stuff, I don't do it," she said in an interview.

She said her latest special did not consider Britney Spears or Paris Hilton, abandoning the "week in, week out, competition for getting the next name, the next person out of rehab."

Instead, expect to see former President Bill Clinton, Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, two founders of the Internet network "My Space," and controversial radio host Don Imus.

After years of chasing exclusives on her old ABC newsmagazine show "20/20," Walters says she is tired of trying to compete with the tide of celebrity news.

"It seems to permeate most of the tabloids and the magazines and now you have six or seven entertainment programs," she said. "You didn't used to have that.

"It's a different climate now and 20/20 and the other magazines are focused on the big celebrities. I didn't want to keep doing that, I have been doing it for years."

Walters, whose interviews with Michael Jackson and former White House intern Monica Lewinsky drew huge audiences, makes no apologies for the "personality journalism" she forged.

"We began to do more and more celebrities and we were criticized," she said. "And now ... every program does it."

It's the ratings, stupid.

"The world has changed and you watch every program now and there are even interviews with heads of state where there is more interest in their personality and their background," she said.

Rejecting this aspect of the American culture he otherwise admires, French President Nicolas Sarkozy stormed out of a CBS "60 Minutes" interview in October when asked about his marital problems.

Walters' political interviews have included Boris Yeltsin, Margaret Thatcher and Saddam Hussein.

Now semi-retired, the former "Today" host says she still has to fight for interviews, but her reputation helps.

"I have been doing it for so many years, and I keep my word," she said.

View The Original Article

Bernie Ward indicted on child porn charges

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Bernie Ward, a popular liberal San Francisco radio talk show host and former Catholic priest, has been indicted on federal child pornography charges, authorities said today.

Ward, 56, surrendered to federal authorities earlier today but the specifics of the allegations against him are under seal, officials said.

Ward hosts a nightly news talk program on KGO 810 AM as well as GodTalk on Sundays. He had been a priest with the Society of the Precious Blood order.

The radio station's Web site said that he was indicted on two counts of child pornography using the Internet.

Ward's attorney said today that the charges are based on incidents that occurred more than four years ago and were part of research for a book.

"As everybody knows, Bernie, for over 20 years, has been a progressive, opposed to insensitive authority - he has been a champion of charities, nonprofits for the homeless," said Doron Weinberg, who appeared in federal court today as Ward's lawyer.

"More than three years ago, Bernie was doing research for a book he was doing on hypocrisy in America," Weinberg said.

As part of the research, Ward downloaded "a few images" of child pornography, and, Weinberg said, "it came to the attention of the government in late 2004."

"They investigated and they never found any involvement in child pornography other than this period that he accessed these images," Weinberg said. "The government knows that Bernie was doing this for an investigation he was doing for a book. But the government believes he violated the letter of the law and they have gone ahead and prosecuted him."

Weinberg stressed that "the fact that these events happened three years ago and they are just being prosecuted shows the fact that nobody believes that he is a child predator."

"He is just being prosecuted for a mistake he made (more than) three years ago," the lawyer said.

Federal authorities seized Ward's computer in early 2005 and there was no evidence of child pornography or any other impropriety, Weinberg added.

"We have been trying to convince the government that his is not something they should proceed with. They said, 'He violated the law, sorry.' "

A statement from KGO's operations director said, "Ward has been a valued, long-time employee of KGO Radio. We were just recently made aware of these serious charges and are surprised and concerned by their nature.

"As the matter is currently pending in federal court, we will have no additional comment at this time."

- Jaxon Van Derbeken, Chronicle Staff Writer

Original Article

Ricki Lake: I turned to food for comfort after child sex abuse

Saturday December 1st, 2007 at 11:28 am by Lucy

Original Hairspray star turned chat show host Ricki Lake has said she blames her ongoing weight problems - at least in part - to childhood abuse.

Ricki’s then-chunky figure helped land her the role of Tracy Turnblad in the 1988 film but since then, Ricki has battled with her weight, recently losing 120lbs from a high of 260lbs.

She told Access Hollywood recently: “I was a victim of childhood sexual abuse and I think it contributed. Who knows for sure?”

“I’ve done many years in therapy and worked on all my issues. I didn’t talk about it for, like, 15 or 20 years; I didn’t admit that it had happened to me because I wanted to kind of bury things. It, in some way, made me who I am today…”

“I don’t want to be a poster child for this at all but it’s very weird thing for children when they’re violated in that way. Food became a comfort to me; it was my kind of security blanket.”

Original Article

New-and-improved Florida quarterback's Heisman campaign runs through South Carolina

By Gene Sapakoff
Wednesday, November 7, 2007

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Alligator, an impressively thorough University of Florida student newspaper, had headlines this week including "Jenna Bush to visit Gainesville" and "On-campus dining facilities should serve cage-free eggs" to go with "Tebow sets SEC season record for most rushing touchdowns by quarterback".

Of the three, it's that last one South Carolina football fans and coaches must fret most.

The iconish and famously versatile Tebow also earned distinction as one of the Alligator's "Swamp Studs" for running for two touchdowns Saturday in No. 17 Florida's 49-22 Southeastern Conference rout of Vanderbilt to give him 14 rushing touchdowns for the season.

With the Gamecocks' defense having just allowed Darren McFadden-led Arkansas to run for 541 yards, Tebow might be able to skip into the Williams-Brice Stadium end zone Saturday night sporting the orange Crocs he wears around campus.
No longer just a fullback playing quarterback, Florida star Tim Tebow is second in the Southeastern Conference in passing, averaging 247.6 yards per game.

If the Arkansas debacle was a red flag for the Gamecocks defense, it has to be an invitation complete with wine and roses for any ball carrier able to pass a physical.

But Tebow would rather pass.

"There were a few plays where I might have taken off before, but I hung in there and made the throw," Florida's sophomore Heisman Trophy candidate said of his newfound pocket discipline on display against Vanderbilt.

Though Tebow watched Arkansas run wild, his lone personal encounter with the South Carolina

defense is the 17-16 nail-biter the Gators survived last November when defensive lineman Jarvis Moss blocked a Ryan Succop 48-yard field goal attempt as time expired.

No Moss, no ring

"Kind of a stall match back and forth," Tebow recalled.

Until Moss stretched high for his second blocked kick of the game, the turning point in Florida's run to the national championship.

"Our biggest play of the year," Tebow said. "That was just an unbelievable game. Our fans were just unbelievable. I remember we were sitting in here (the Florida football meeting room at The Swamp) after the game and Coach (Urban) Meyer showed us a video from YouTube that someone who was in the stands had filmed of that kick. You could just hear it. It was just good for all the players to hear how crazy and excited the fans were for us and just going nuts, people crying and everything."

Florida, No. 6 at the time, went on to defeat Western Carolina and Florida State, beat Arkansas in the SEC Championship Game and clobbered No. 1 Ohio State, 41-14, in the BCS Championship Game.

Chris Leak was the starting at quarterback but Tebow played a big role. His popularity is captured by Clay Travis in the SEC road trip book, "Dixieland Delight."

Among Travis' "signs that Florida has succumbed to Tim Tebow fever" are:

--"Every time Tim Tebow goes on a date, the other girls on campus carry the girl he dated to Lake Alice wrapped in uncooked chickens and feed her to the alligators."

--"Once, Tim Tebow took out his mouthpiece and threw it into the stands. It sold the next day on eBay for $14.2 billion."

But what if Moss, later picked in the first round of the NFL draft by the Denver Broncos, whiffed on his second block attempt?

No national title ring?

"Hopefully, it would have gone wide left," Tebow said. "But that was a pretty good field goal kicker so he might have made it and the season would have been a lot different. I'm just glad that Moss is 6-6 with a big vertical leap."

Stump speech

On paper, it shouldn't come down to heroics for Florida this week. Tebow alone has rushed for 598 yards and thrown for 2,228 yards with 21 touchdown passes and four interceptions.

Columbia sounds like an ideal Heisman Trophy campaign stop. Tebow even has the political stump speech down.

"I think they have a very good defense and played very well for a lot of games this year," he said of the Gamecocks. "But Arkansas was able to find a few weakness and a few holes based on how they played them. And then McFadden just made a few unbelievable, ridiculous plays.

"They'll have a tough week of practice. You know the coaches will be on them with, 'We've got to regroup' and they'll come back with a hunger. It's just a pride thing, like 'It's not going to happen to us again.' So they'll come out ready to go and fired up and play like they played against Kentucky or Georgia. They were able to manhandle those teams pretty much all game long, and those are good offenses."

No Jarvis Moss for South Carolina to deal with, either.

But the Gamecocks will have to defend against a continually evolving Tebow, who at any moment might run or pass or throw his coveted mouthpiece into the stands.

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