Monday 19 March 2012

Herbie Hancock launches International Jazz Day

FILE- This Feb. 7, 2009 file photo shows Herbie Hancock arriving at the Clive Davis pre-Grammy party in Beverly Hills, Calif. Ambassador Herbie Hancock believes what the world needs now is a little jazz diplomacy. The renowned jazz pianist's first major initiative since being named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in July is to establish International Jazz Day to be held on April 30 of every year. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)Ambassador Herbie Hancock believes what the world needs is a little jazz diplomacy.


Hancock launches International Jazz Day

FILE- This Feb. 7, 2009 file photo shows Herbie Hancock arriving at the Clive Davis pre-Grammy party in Beverly Hills, Calif. Ambassador Herbie Hancock believes what the world needs now is a little jazz diplomacy. The renowned jazz pianist's first major initiative since being named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in July is to establish International Jazz Day to be held on April 30 of every year. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)Ambassador Herbie Hancock believes what the world needs is a little jazz diplomacy.


Ben & Jerry’s UK Launches Flavor in Support of Gay Marriage

A longtime advocate for equal rights, Ben & Jerry’s UK has re-named its apple pie flavor “Apple-y Ever After” in support of gay marriage.  This week, the UK government is set to decide whether to make gay marriage legal. Available in select stores in the...

Life After Olive Garden: Marilyn Hagerty Talks Television

After her restaurant review of an Olive Garden in her North Dakota hometown went viral, and after the whirlwind media tour of New York City that followed, you’d think Marilyn Hagerty would have television offers lined up around the block. “I haven’t had any phone...

Chris Rock, Bette Midler and more to be presenters

U.S Actor Chris Rock attends at the Premiere of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will likely be a little more irreverent this year: Chris Rock is set to be one of the A-list presenters for the April event.


Lawrence relates to hype about 'Hunger Games'

Jennifer Lawrence attends the premiere of The Hunger Games movie in Paris, Thursday, March 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)Jennifer Lawrence was already on Hollywood's radar after earning rave reviews and an Oscar nomination for her role in the 2010 film "Winter's Bone." But the actress has become a veritable household name by getting cast as Katniss Everdeen in the "The Hunger Games."


Review: 'Hunger Games' should satisfy fans

In this image released by Lionsgate, Jennifer Lawrence portrays Katniss Everdeen in a scene from Recently, I made the mistake of joking on Twitter about the possibility of a Team Peeta vs. Team Gale dynamic, referring to the two young men who hold special places in the heart of Katniss Everdeen, the 16-year-old heroine of "The Hunger Games."


Disney says 'John Carter' to lose $200 million

In this film image released by Disney, Taylor Kitsch is shown in a scene from "John Carter" is now officially a flop of galactic proportions.


'Jersey Shore' to start filming on 6th season

In this Feb. 1, 2012 photo, Nicole MTV says it's bringing "Jersey Shore" back for a sixth season, with expectant mom Snooki as part of the action. MTV said Monday that Production will begin this summer in Seaside Heights, N.J., and all of "America's favorite housemates" will return.


Branson says Kutcher is space line's 500th client

FILE - In this Jan. 11, 2012 file photo, actor Ashton Kutcher speaks during the panel discussion for the sitcom British billionaire Richard Branson said Monday his venture to launch paying tourists into space has netted its 500th customer, and it's none other than Ashton Kutcher.


Kutcher becomes 500th Virgin Galactic customer

FILE - In this Jan. 11, 2012 file photo, actor Ashton Kutcher speaks during the panel discussion for the sitcom British billionaire Richard Branson said Monday his venture to launch paying tourists into space has netted its 500th customer, and it's none other than Ashton Kutcher.


Sean Penn's Haiti work earns humanitarian prize

FILE - In this April 10, 2010 file photo, U.S. actor Sean Penn carries the belongings of a person displaced by the earthquake as people are relocated from the Petion ville Golf Club to a new camp, Corail-Cesselesse, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Penn is being honored by a group of Nobel laureates for his relief work in Haiti following the country's devastating January 2010 earthquake. Penn is to receive the 2012 Peace Summit Award at the 12th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates at an event in Chicago in April 2012 and is expected to draw such luminaries as Poland's Lech Walesa and the Dalai Lama. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa, File)Actor Sean Penn is being honored by a group of Nobel laureates for his relief work in Haiti following the country's devastating January 2010 earthquake.


Oprah Winfrey Network lays off one-fifth of staff

FILE - In this April 14, 2011 publicity image originally released by OWN, TV personality and media mogul Oprah Winfrey presents at the OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network portion of the Discovery Communications Upfront at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York. Oprah Winfrey's struggling network, OWN, is laying off 30 workers and restructuring its operations in New York and Los Angeles. (AP Photo/OWN, George Burns) MANDATORY CREDIT: GEORGE BURNS/OWNOprah Winfrey's struggling television network, OWN, said Monday it is laying off one-fifth of its workers and restructuring its operations in New York and Los Angeles.


Sheen's ex-wife pleads guilty to drug charge

FILE - In this Sept. 10, 2011 file photo, Brooke Mueller is seen at the Charlie Sheen's ex-wife has pleaded guilty to a reduced cocaine drug charge under a deferred judgment that means her record will remain clean after she serves a year of probation.


'Jump Street' rounds up crowds with $36.3M debut

Actor Jonah Hill, left, and actor Channing Tatum arrive at the premiere of the feature film Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum's cop comedy "21 Jump Street" booked itself into first-place at the weekend box office with a $36.3 million debut.


Whitney Houston's daughter wearing mother's ring

FILE - In this Feb. 12, 2011 file photo, singer Whitney Houston, left, and her daughter Bobbi Kristina arrive at the Pre-Grammy Gala & Salute to Industry Icons with Clive Davis honoring David Geffen in Beverly Hills, Calif. Bobbi Kristina Brown has been spotted wearing a sparkly bauble on her ring finger, but she's not planning on getting married anytime soon. A rep for Brown's mother, the late Whitney Houston, says the 19-year-old is “simply wearing her mother's ring” and that she's not engaged. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, file)Bobbi Kristina Brown has been spotted wearing a sparkly bauble on her ring finger, but she's not planning on getting married anytime soon.


Yo-Yo Ma, Renee Fleming perform with Chicago choir

World-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma and famed soprano Renee Fleming, left, perform with a choir of dozens of high school students in the rotunda of the State of Illinois building, the James R. Thompson Center, Monday, March 19, 2012, in Chicago. The Monday afternoon performance was to promote the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Citizen Musician initiative. The Lyric Opera of Chicago also sponsored the event and Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn attended. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)World-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma and soprano Renee Fleming have performed with a choir of Chicago high school students to promote arts education.


Artist hits back at critics after Apple firestorm

In this undated image released by The Public Theater, Mike Daisey is shown in a scene from Mike Daisey, the performer forced to admit that he made up parts of his one-man show that purported to expose horrific working conditions in Chinese factories where iPads and iPhones are assembled, isn't exactly slinking away.


Gloriana singer Tom Gossin gets engaged

FILE - In this June 8, 2011 file photo, Tom Gossin of the band Gloriana arrives at the 2011 CMT Music Awards in Nashville, Tenn. Gossin is engaged to long-time girlfriend Jamie Moffett. He proposed on March 1. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes, file)Tom Gossin of the country band Gloriana is engaged to longtime girlfriend Jamie Moffett.


FAA Taking ‘Fresh Look’ at Gadget Policy? Not Exactly.

It’s the dreaded moment on many a traveler’s journey: The flight attendant announces that everyone on  board must turn off their electronic devices. “Power down anything with an on or off switch,” is one of the least-liked statements among frequent fliers. Mostly, it’s so annoying...

Mistrial declared in 'Housewives' firing case

FILE - In this March 15, 2012 file photo, Nicollette Sheridan arrives at court in Los Angeles. A judge declared a mistrial Monday in Nicollette Sheridan's wrongful termination trial after the jury deadlocked, leaving an unresolved finale to a two-week trial that focused on the behind-the-scenes intrigue and personalities of TV's A judge declared a mistrial Monday in Nicollette Sheridan's wrongful termination trial after the jury deadlocked, leaving an unresolved finale to a two-week trial that focused on the behind-the-scenes intrigue and personalities of TV's "Desperate Housewives."


Settlement reached in secret Jackson taping case

FILE - In this March 5, 2009 file photo, US singer Michael Jackson speaks at a press conference at the London O2 Arena. Celebrity attorney Mark Geragos and his partner have settled a lawsuit against the owner of a private jet company that secretly recorded Michael Jackson's flight to turn himself in on child molestation charges. Attorneys say the settlement calls for a $2.5 million judgment to be entered against Jeffrey Borer, the owner of now-defunct XtraJet. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan, File)Celebrity attorney Mark Geragos and his partner have settled a lawsuit against the owner of a charter jet company that secretly recorded the men and Michael Jackson as they flew from Las Vegas to Santa Barbara for the pop star to turn himself in on child molestation charges.


Celine Dion recovering from inflamed vocal chords

FILE - In this March 15, 2011 file photo, Celine Dion sings the opening number during her opening night performance at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. Dion says she is recovering from a virus that caused an inflammation of her vocal cords and says she's planning to return to the stage in Las Vegas soon. Dion said in a statement Monday that she received good news last week during a follow-up examination with her doctor in Los Angeles. Dion announced last month that she was cancelling her shows at Las Vegas' Caesars Palace until June 9 because of her illness. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, file)Singer Celine Dion says she is recovering from a virus that caused an inflammation of her vocal cords and is planning to return to the stage in Las Vegas soon.


SD court hears artist's appeal of Costner contract

FILE - In this 2003 file photo provided by Touchstone Pictures via RPNewsFoto, actor Kevin Costner stands with bronze sculptures of bison and American Indians at his Tatanka attraction near Deadwood, S.D. The South Dakota Supreme Court on Monday, March 19, 2012, will hear an appeal of ruling that found Costner did not breach a contract with an artist whom he commissioned to produce the sculptures. The sculptures were commissioned for a resort he planned in South Dakota's Black Hills. That resort was never built but he instead placed the sculpture at his Tatanka attraction near Deadwood. (AP Photo/PRNewsFoto/Touchstone Pictures, File)A lawyer for Kevin Costner told the South Dakota Supreme Court on Monday that the actor did not breach a contract with an artist when he placed commissioned sculptures of bison and American Indians at a different site than originally was agreed upon.


Video of Girl’s First Ski Jump Goes Viral

Whether it’s learning to ride a bike, singing a solo or giving a class presentation, we’ve all mentally psyched ourselves up before trying something new for the first time. That might be why this video of a brave 10-year-old girl taking on her first K40 ski...

Devastating storm descends in new C.J. Box novel

In this book cover image released by Putnam, "Force of Nature: A Joe Pickett Novel" (Putnam), by C.J Box: A hurricane of weapons and death crashes into Joe Pickett's world in "Force of Nature," another amazing thriller from C.J. Box.


Going global: the magic 'Touch' for a new TV show

In this image released by Fox, David Mazouz portrays Jake Bohm, left, and Kiefer Sutherland portrays his father Martin Bohm in a scene from the Fox series, Growing up in New York City, Jake Bohm has never uttered a word and recoils from any human touch, even by his dad.


Ex-Cardinals manager Tony La Russa has book deal

FILE - In a Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012 file photo, former St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa pauses while signing autographs for fans during the baseball team's annual Winter Warmup, in St. Louis. William Morrow announced Monday, March 19, 2012 that a La Russa memoir, Retired St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is ready to look back on his amazing career.


Neil Young to speak at book convention

FILE - In a Monday, Sept., 12, 2011 file photo, musician Neil Young arrives for the film Neil Young has a special gig in New York City this June â€" at the annual publishing convention, BookExpo America.


Beyonce's 1st show since baby set for May in NJ

Beyoncé is set to return to the stage for the first time since giving birth to daughter Blue Ivy.

South Dakota top court to hear Costner art appeal

The South Dakota Supreme Court will hear an appeal of a ruling that actor Kevin Costner did not breach a contract with an artist whom he commissioned to produce a bronze sculpture of bison and American Indians.

Harlan Coben's new thriller won't disappoint fans

In this book cover image released by Dutton, "Stay Close" (Dutton), by Harlan Coben: A 17-year-old mystery that destroyed lives roars back in an attempt to annihilate the survivors in Harlan Coben's taut and exciting new thriller, "Stay Close."


More original shows shine on Weather Channel

In this undated image released by The Weather Channel, two lifeguards prepare to make a rescue in a scene from The Weather Channel is in the midst of a transformation, one that can be traced in part to an idle afternoon Al Roker spent surfing the Web a couple of years ago.


Mac Miller big winner at MTV's Woodie Awards

Alternative hip-hop artist Mac Miller was a double winner at MTV's Woodie Awards given to emerging musicians.

Review: Magnetic Fields add synth with latest CD

In this CD cover image released by Merge Records, the latest release by The Magnetic Fields, The Magnetic Fields, "Love at the Bottom of the Sea" (Merge Records)


'The Hunger Games' songs deliver soulful despair

In this CD cover image released by Universal Republic Records, the soundtrack for the film Various artists, "The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond" (Universal Republic Records)


Roc-A-Fella founder pleads guilty in NY drug case

A founder of the Roc-A-Fella record label has pleaded guilty in New York to marijuana distribution charges.

London Calling: NYC exports Apollo Amateur Night

The legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem is exporting its Amateur Night to London for a limited engagement.

Houston lawyer calls will "straightforward"

A lawyer for Whitney Houston says her will is a "straightforward" case and he expects no complications.

Chinese writers say Apple is online book pirate

A group of prominent Chinese writers have demanded millions of dollars in compensation from technology giant Apple Inc. for allegedly selling unlicensed versions of their books in its online store, a lawyer said Monday.

Police: Package at Limbaugh's home was not harmful

Authorities say a suspicious package sent to Rush Limbaugh's South Florida home was not dangerous or hazardous.

Autopsy: Singer Davy Jones died of heart attack

An autopsy confirms that Davy Jones, star of 1960s band The Monkees, died of a heart attack.

3 books by Hitchens to be reissued in April

Three of Christopher Hitchens' most contentious books are coming back into print, and debuting in digital form.

'Hunger Games' author praises upcoming film

"The Hunger Games" author Suzanne Collins is praising the upcoming film version of her million-selling dystopian novel.

Italian singer-songwriter Lucio Dalla dies

The popular Italian singer-songwriter Lucio Dalla has died in Switzerland during a European concert tour. He was 68.

'21 Jump Street' leaps to No. 1 with $35M debut

Audiences headed back to school for the TV update "21 Jump Street," which opened as the No. 1 weekend movie with $35 million.

Springsteen lends hand to search for Mass. student

Singer Bruce Springsteen has taken to Facebook and Twitter to help find a missing Boston College student.

Review: 'Act of Valor' an awed ode to Navy SEALs

Just barely a movie, "Act of Valor" is more like a high-quality recruitment video with interstitial acting.