Britney Spears was charged Friday with misdemeanour counts of hit and run

Britney charged over hit & run





LOS ANGELES - Britney Spears was charged Friday with misdemeanour counts of hit and run and driving without a valid license after she allegedly smashed her car into another in a parking lot in August, prosecutors said.

If convicted, the singer could face up to six months in jail and a US$1,000 fine for each count, said Nick Velasquez, spokesman for the city attorney's office.

Messages left with Spears' lawyers were not immediately returned.

The accident occurred Aug. 6, Velasquez said.

Spears, 25, was filmed by paparazzi that day steering her car into another vehicle as she tried to turn into a spot in a Studio City parking lot. After assessing the damage to her own car only, she was shown on paparazzi video walking away.

Three days after the accident, the owner of the other vehicle filed a police report, and investigators later determined that Spears does not have a license, officials said.




Spears was scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 10, but she is not required to appear.

The case adds to the singer's woes, coming days after a court commissioner ordered her to undergo random drug and alcohol testing in her child custody dispute with ex-husband Kevin Federline.

Her management firm also recently dropped her, and her performance at this year's MTV Video Music Awards was widely panned.

BRIT DROPPED BY MANAGEMENT !!

Britney Spears' former management company, The Firm, has confirmed an exclusive report that they have dropped the singer.

In a statement issued Monday evening, The Firm announced:

"It saddens us to confirm media reports that we have terminated our professional relationship with Britney Spears. We have represented Britney for the past month. We believe Britney is enormously talented, and has made a terrific record. But current circumstances have prevented us from properly doing our job. We wish Britney the best."

A source close to Spears told CelebTV.com on Monday the singer was dropped by The Firm, her management team of one month.

Spears hired Jeff Kwatinetz of The Firm in August to help revive her flagging career. He apparently dropped the singer due to her recent erratic behavior.

The same source told CelebTV.com the change in management could possibly affect the scheduled November 13 release of her new album.

But a rep for Spears' record label, Jive, told CelebTV.com they were unaware of any change in management and did not anticipate a delay in the album's release. “As we gear up for our Nov 13th album release date, we are

Ex-bodyguard says Spears used drugs

LOS ANGELES - A former bodyguard for Britney Spears offered on Monday to testify at a custody hearing about nudity and drug use at her home and his fears for the safety of her two young sons.

Gloria Allred, the lawyer for bodyguard Tony Barretto, said outside the courthouse that she was shocked that her client was not questioned by the attorneys in the case and that, instead, Barretto's comments were filed with the court as what she described as evidence.

The pop star and her ex-husband Kevin Federline are battling over custody of their sons.

Barretto, 28, said in a court filing that he worked for Spears from the time she left a rehabilitation clinic in March until May 17, 2007, and that he watched her behaviour in and out of the house.

"Our client was prepared to testify on issues of nudity by Ms. Spears, drug use, and safety issues involving the children post-rehab," Allred said.

Federline's attorney, Mark V. Kaplan, said it was not unusual for lawyers to decline questioning a surprise witness. "Sometimes lawyers don't like cross-examining when they don't know what the extent of the answers will be," said Kaplan.

Kaplan did not discuss what went on inside the hearing, but told reporters his client was not seeking more money from Spears. Kaplan said a new custody hearing would likely come in mid-November. An exact date was not yet available.

Meanwhile, Spears' attorney Laura Wasser was replaced by Mel Goldman of Los Angeles law firm Freid and Goldman. Goldman gave no reason for the change, and Wasser did not talk to reporters after leaving court.

In yet another development, the Web site for celebrity TV show Entertainment Tonight posted a story citing unnamed sources as saying the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation was looking into death threats against Federline
A spokeswoman for the FBI said that the agency had received "non-specific and uncorroborated" information about such a threat and had passed the information to local police. She said the agency investigates such matters routinely.

Los Angeles police confirmed that in June they investigated a claim that someone tried to arrange a contract killing on Federline, but the report was never proven. The case was closed.

Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay Creates New Dish: Seared Bollock

I am sure all you guys will cringe after reading this story. It seems Gordon Ramsay “played with fire, ” and lost:

Celebrity chef had to take trip to hospital after getting too close to cooker

Gordon Ramsay burnt his testicle when he got too close to a hot oven.

The celeb chef, 40, had to be rushed to London’s private Cromwell Hospital - and he’s not too proud to tell the tale.

The other day I was standing too close to the hob when I was cooking,’ he told the Daily Mirror at the GQ Awards.

I was wearing cotton trousers and underneath I was going commando.

Then suddenly I felt this searing heat - my balls were burning.

I burnt my right bollock (ball/testicle) and I’m in absolute agony. You wouldn’t believe how much this hurts.

I wonder what kind of garnish he served with his new dish?

Audiotape of alleged O.J. Simpson robbery emerges

LOS ANGELES — An apparent audio-tape of the alleged armed robbery involving O.J. Simpson emerged on Monday as the disgraced American football star languished behind bars in a Las Vegas jail.

Simpson, an iconic athlete who was famously acquitted of the 1994 murders of his ex-wife and her friend, was arrested by police in the gambling haven on Sunday in connection with an incident last Thursday.

The 60-year-old was charged with two counts each of robbery with a deadly weapon and assault with a deadly weapon as well as burglary charges. If convicted he could face years in prison.

On a tape that surfaced in US media reports on Monday, a man identified as Simpson could be heard angrily confronting two dealers of sports memorabilia, who claim they were robbed at gunpoint by Simpson and a gang of associates.

"Think you can steal my shit and sell it?" the man purported to be Simpson is heard to say after telling his associates: "Don't let nobody out of here!"

Several unidentified voices are heard barking aggressive, expletive-laden demands at the victims of the heist, Alfred Beardsley and Bruce Fromong.

In interviews with US media, Simpson has insisted he is innocent, saying he was merely collecting personal possessions that had been stolen from him.

Fromong meanwhile told ABC's "Good Morning America" on Monday how Simpson and his associates had stormed into his hotel room.

"The door burst open and they came in commando style, O.J. Simpson and some of his people, I guess you would call it, with guns drawn," Fromong said.

"The thing in my mind as soon as I saw him, I'm thinking, 'O.J., how can you be this dumb?'"

Simpson spent the night in jail in Las Vegas on Sunday and was due to remain behind bars until a court hearing on Wednesday, Clark County Court judge Nancy Oesterle told reporters Monday.

Police are also searching for four other men believed to be with Simpson during the incident.

Simpson, one of the best known American football players of his generation during the 1970s before going on to appear in several movies and television shows, was the prime suspect in the horrific 1994 murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown-Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman.

Simpson, who has always vehemently denied the killings, was acquitted after a racially charged Los Angeles trial in 1995, a verdict that was greeted with widespread outrage across America.

Simpson was later found liable for the deaths in a 1997 civil suit and was ordered to pay damages to the victims' families totaling 33.5 million dollars.

The father of Ron Goldman, Fred Goldman, who has campaigned relentlessly to prevent Simpson from profiting from his alleged crimes, said he had been struck by the former sports star's "arrogant swagger" following his arrest.

"I guess the first reaction I had to seeing him in handcuffs and walking was he still had that arrogant swagger about him, 'I'm still in charge of the world,'" Goldman told CBS's "The Early Show."

"Which is what I think this whole thing is all about. He thinks he can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants, the world is his stage and he's the master puppeteer."

Last year the Goldman family led a storm of protest against Simpson's book "If I Did It," a hypothetical account of the murders.

Publication of the book was later cancelled following a nationwide outcry, and the rights to it were subsequently awarded to the victim's families.

It was finally published last week and is second on Amazon.com's best-seller list, with all proceeds going to the victim's families.

Go Habs Go!

The Montreal Canadians start their pre-season tomorrow with two nights of games opposite the Pittsburgh Penguins. Get your jerseys out and let's hope for a chance to make it to the playoffs this year, or at least lots of free chicken wings.

Metric in Montreal

Metric were in Montreal for the anti-violence vigil with Dawson, marking the first anniversary since the shooting that killed Anastasia DeSousa and injured 20 others.

Metric performed on Mackay Street next to Concordia University's Hall Building on 1455 de Maisonneuve West. The free event was organized by Concordia's Student Union.



Metric is a Canadian New Wave/indie rock band. Originally formed in 1998 in New York City, they are currently based in Toronto, Ontario.

The band consists of vocalist Emily Haines (who also plays the Synthesizer), guitarist James Shaw, bassist Josh Winstead and drummer Joules Scott-Key. Their first full-length album, Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?, was released in 2003. Their newest album, Live It Out, was released on October 4, 2005 and was nominated for the 2006 Polaris Music Prize for the Canadian Album of The Year as well as earning the Juno Award nomination for Best Alternative Album.

Haines and Shaw also perform with Broken Social Scene, and Haines has been a guest on albums by Stars, KC Accidental, Delerium, The Stills, and Jason Collett. Scott-Key and Winstead have their own side project, Bang Lime, and Haines has released a solo album under the name Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton.

Their songs "Monster Hospital" and "Police and the Private" have been used on the television show Grey's Anatomy. "Monster Hospital" has also been used in CSI: Miami.

Pittsburgh Penguins Witness Hit and Run in Montreal

The NHL Pittsburgh Penguins were dining at DaVinci's on Bishop street late Sunday night when they witnessed a drunk driver crash into a parked car. The car was empty except for a lonely golden retriever. Left Wing Ryan Malone exited their tour bus to get the license plate of the driver who took off, and gave it to another witness. Their bus driver made the call to police. Their quick response helped put the driver away to jail. The driver was actually caught a few minutes later on another offense, driving the opposite direction on a one way. The driver had a lengthly criminal record.

MTV AWARDS RECAP; BRITNEY BOMBS

The MTV Video Music Awards took place in Las Vegas this year with Britney Spears giving the worst VMA opening in history. Spears debuted her first single, "Gimme More," in a much anticipated performance, decked out in a sequined black bikini and black boots and joined by several dancers also decked in black, who gyrated on stage and on silver poles to the funky-catchy beats of Spear's pop-dance "Gimme More", supporting the comeback pop-princess simply Vegas style. Spear's performance lacked energy, enthusiasm and excitement and the looks on the faces of the audience were evidence enough that MTV flubbed majorly by having her open the show. If Spear's comeback is a peek into what we should expect from her upcoming album release on November 13, sadly, there may not be very much to look forward to. Comic, Sarah Silverman immediately appeared on stage after Spears ended describing Spear's children as, "the most adorable mistakes."

Rihanna's single, "Umbrella," claimed the first award of the evening, 'Monster Single of the Year,' presented to her by rapper, Eve and former Pussy Cat Doll, Nicole Scherzinger and after Rihanna graciously stated, "MTV thank you so much, you guys have been so supportive of my career," in her thank-you speech, Kanye's "Stronger" performance followed live from his "Good Life," party palace in the Penthouse Suite of the Palms Hotel.

As renowned DJ and producer, Mark Ronson, dutifully saw to his job as the show's music set producer, the two other parties happening in sync with the VMA's continued in full effect. Justin Timberlake and Timbaland hosted the "Southern Hospitality Party," while Pete Wentz and Fall-Out Boys hosted the "Friends or Enemies Party." Both parties, like West's were held at the Palms Hotel. R&B singer Robin Thicke and Golden Globe winner Jennifer Hudson presented the first ever "Quadruple Threat Award, " to Justin Timberlake for his role as an actor, singer, dancer and clothing line founder. Timberlake, after comically accepting his award by jumping around with his fans, challenged MTV to play more videos in his award acceptance speech. Fall-Out Boy's mini performance of their mega-hit "Thanks for the Memories" followed from their own rocking "Friends and Enemies" party and ended with the band destroying their instruments on the tiny stage.

While Dave Grolh and the Foo Fighters rocked out in an unknown location, Fifty Cent and Kanye West walked on stage facing off as they did on the cover of Rolling Stone to present the award for the most "Earth-Shattering Collaboration." In a surprise win, Beyonce's and Shakira's, "Beautiful Liar" took the top prize. Maroon 5 frontman, Adam Levine, gave a short performance of "Wake-Up" as Mark Ronson strummed on his guitar in Levine's background. TI performed "Do It" at Justin's 'Southern Hospitality" party announcing to all who were present, that he "is the King" at the end of his short, lively gig.

Actress Rosario Dawson introduced singer/dancer Chris Brown whose performance of his hit song 'Wall-to-Wall" was one of the best of the night. The young and extremely talented R&B singer working off of a Charlie Chaplin impersonation-concept wowed the audience with tricky dance choreography, a Michael Jackson dance impersonation and a surprise performance with Rihanna who belted out her own mega hit "Umbrella," complete with on-point dance moves on a recently broken ankle.

Audrina, Whitney and Lauren, all cast-mates of the MTV reality show "The Hills" presented the "Male Artist of the Year Award" to Justin Timberlake who beat out, Akon, Robin Thicke, TI and Kanye West for the coveted prize. Once again, Timberlake implored MTV to play more videos instead of featuring reality shows and shows like "the Simpsons". Timberlake also gushed about Brown's presentation and stated that he thinks "music is in a great place right now." Ce-lo gave a moving rock performance with the Foo Fighters while 50 Cent and Timberlake performed their own "Ayo Technology." Hot young actor, Shia LeBoeuf finally announced the title to the next Indian Jones installment, "Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull," in which he plays a lead role while presenting to himself the award for the "Best Female Artist of the Year" as the award's winner, Black Eyed Peas singer, Fergie, who beat out singers Rihanna, Beyonce, Amy Winehouse and Nelly Furtado was absent. Pamela Anderson, aside from causing a major fight between ex-husbands Tommy Lee and Kid Rock, introduced West's second performance of the night, "Good Life" which featured crunk rapper, T-Pain.

Fall-Out Boy, Gym Class Heroes, Lil Wayne and Panic of the Disco's lead singer, Brendan Urie, all collaborated on a surprise impromptu performance from the "Friends or Enemies" Party room. Actress, Megan Fox, introduced, "Maestro" Timbaland and dynamic rock-group Linkin Park, who gave a moving exhibition of Linkin Park's hit single, "Bleed It Out," at Las Vegas' "Rain" nightclub. Kevin Connelly and Adrien Grenier of HBO's hit show, "Entourage" presented the "Best Group" award to Fall-Out Boys who won over, pop-rock group Gym Class Heroes and grunge-rock duo, White Stripes. Wentz, bassist of Fall-Out Boy and the most vocal member of the group "thanked all the people who are real fans of music," while repeating the phrase, "Big-Up."

Rihanna and Fall-Out Boys collaborated on a performance of Rihanna's hit single "Shut-Up and Drive," which featured the pop/R&B princess jumping on a bed while wearing a black mini-dress and leather gloves. Rapper Nelly introduced the "classiest women in Vegas," Alicia Keys, who delivered the second stand out piece of the night and debuted her new single, "No-One" to a stunned crowd. She followed with, "Freedom" accompanied by a band and back-up singers. Keys wore a fitted black outfit and silver boots and characteristically banged away at her piano during her very moving recital. Common and Kanye West belted out hip hop lyrics while Gym Class Heroes and Fall-Out Boys rocked out with Gym Class Heroes' major single, "Clothes Off." The "Best New Artist" award was awarded to Gym Class Heroes immediately after and was presented to the pop-rock group by actor/singer Jaime Fox and actress Jennifer Garner who both shamelessly promoted their new movie "Kingdom."

50 cent sang "In Da Club" for the hundredth time, Ms. Teen South Carolina (who needs no introduction) appeared on our screens making fun of her little mishap at the 2007 Miss Teen USA pageant and Mark Ronson featured Allido artist, Rhymefest and "Stop Me" singer Daniel Merriweather. Mary J Blige introduced legendary rap music producer and lyricist Dr. Dre making us all wonder whether Dr. Dre was receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award. Instead Dr. Dre only bestowed his presence on the VMA"s to present the biggest and finale award of the evening, the "Video of the Year Award" to Caribbean R&B sensation, Rihanna, who's had a titanic year following the release of her latest album "Good Girl Gone Bad." Timberlake and Timbland closed out the night with Timberlake's "Lovestoned" and featured Nelly Furtado who belted out her latest single to a still active crowd.

In the end the only thing that really stood out at the VMA's this year was the many times Mark Ronson pushed Amy Winehouse's "Valerie" and Lily Allen's, "LDH."

Lily Allen has been pictured smoking what appears to be a cannabis joint.

The 'Smile' singer was photographed at London's world famous Notting Hill Carnival on Monday (27.08.07) tooting on a large hand-rolled cigarette, similar in shape to a marijuana 'spliff'.

Shortly after the picture was taken, Lily - who had been drinking heavily for most of the day - passed out on the pavement outside The Cow pub and had to be helped to her unsteady feet by restaurant staff from Rosa's Dining Room.

After drinking several pints of water and strong coffee to sober up, the pop star was put by staff in a taxi which took her to her north London home.

A source said: "She was really getting into the spirit of the occasion hen she stumbled and didn't get back up.

"People were crowding around and taking pictures of her until the staff came to her rescue.

They took her inside the restaurant to stop everyone staring at her."

Earlier in the day, Lily suffered further embarrassment when she had a pint of Guinness poured over her head.

The diminutive star jumped on stage during a performance by reggae star Bobby Kray and pushed him off stage so she could sing herself.

Bobby retaliated by throwing the stout drink over her, much to the delight of the jeering crowd, leaving Lily to sulk at the side of the stage

Allen in row with neighbour over parking

A neighbour of Lily Allen's had a public row with the star after she apparently nicked his parking spot.

Lilly reportedly parked her Mini Cooper in a private bay that did not belong to her. When the bay owner saw her parking her vehicle again last week, he had an argument with her.


"The man marched over to Lily, started jabbing his finger at her and gave her a piece of his mind. He had no idea it was Lily Allen until she got out of the car and asked him what the hell he was going on about," the Mirror newspaper quoted an onlooker as saying.


Advertisement"The man, who was in his 20s, looked a bit surprised when confronted with a pop star but continued laying into her, saying she was selfish and generally having a go," the onlooker added.


Although Lily reportedly admitted that he had mistakenly parked her car at her neighbour's parking, she did demand that the man talked to her with some respect.


"She started screaming at him, telling him to shut up and to treat her with some respect," said the source.


"She said it was just a mistake, but looked really shaken by the experience - especially considering he was one of her neighbours," the source added.

This is Britney's future, 'More' or less

Grand opening: Britney arrives at the LAX nightclub at the Luxor resort in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Promotion: Spears is the poster girl for the LAX opening.



The next two weeks could be a make-it-or-break-it chapter for Britney Spears. With Friday's release of her single Gimme More from her album due Nov. 13 and her weekend appearance to open the LAX club in Las Vegas, the beleaguered pop star is juggling some vital dates in both career and family affairs. USA TODAY, with Amanda Sanders of New York Image Consultants, dissects the challenges ahead:
•Tuesday: A Los Angeles family court hearing is scheduled regarding custody of Spears' two sons with ex-husband Kevin Federline. Spears' lawyer has asked for a continuance in a custody hearing set for Sept. 17.

Expert says: "If the hearing can get postponed, it would be smart so that her personal troubles can get under the radar."

•Sunday: Spears is expected to perform two songs —Gimme More and Cry— at MTV's Video Music Awards in Las Vegas. Dancer Ruben Dario told heybritney.com that her performance will include a mirror in which she will appear and disappear (which is why she was working with illusionist Criss Angel last month).

Expert says: "She can have a public image that says mom-and-pop icon and do it tastefully. In the past, she has used these performances to inject shock value, but she needs to avoid it this time. She's a little bit older, and she should look a little wiser."

•Sept. 12, 14: Son Jayden James turns 1. Son Sean Preston turns 2.

Expert says: "The public needs to see a wholesome family gathering that is age-appropriate. I'm not saying she should go to Chuck E. Cheese, but it needs to be something mainstream that the rest of America can relate to."

•Sept. 14: A Los Angeles hearing is set to hear arguments from lawyers for media outlets that want court records in the Spears/Federline divorce and custody case made public. The couple's divorce was final July 30, when lawyers won a conditional order to have the records sealed.

Expert says: "If she shows up in appropriate attire, the public might find believable that she's interested in what's going on. Public empathy can go a long way if they believe she's not just using her money to win this battle."

•Sept. 17: Custody hearing scheduled for Los Angeles. Federline wants to modify the current agreement, which gives eachparent equal custody. Federline is seeking primary custody.

Expert says: "Right now, middle America cannot relate to Spears as a young mother in the middle of a custody battle. She needs to keep her personal affairs under the radar. At this point, she really has to fight for her kids."