Michael Jackson’s doctor denies manslaughter charge

Michael Jackson’s former doctor has denied a charge of involuntary manslaughter over the singer’s death, at a court in Los Angeles.

Dr Conrad Murray was bailed for $75,000 (£48,000) after pleading not guilty to “unlawfully, and without malice, killing Michael Joseph Jackson”.

A judge must decide whether to proceed to trial. A conviction could bring a jail term of up to four years.

Jackson died at his home on 25 June last year at the age of 50.

His death was ruled as homicide, mainly caused by the anaesthetic Propofol.

‘Not enough’

A cocktail of drugs – including sedatives Midazolam and Diazepam, the painkiller Lidocaine and the stimulant Ephedrine – were also detected in his body, a coroner confirmed.
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Oscars could see David vs. Goliath battle

(CNN) — “Avatar,” watch your back. You too, Jeff Bridges and Meryl Streep.

Though Oscar watchers say there were few surprises among the nominations for the 82nd Academy Awards, some of the selections indicate a growing respect among Oscar voters for certain films and nominees, making them odds-on favorites (or at least galloping dark horses) when the winners are announced March 7.

Chief among them is “The Blind Side,” the film about a homeless African-American teen taken in by an upscale white family. Sandra Bullock’s nomination for best actress was expected — she’s already won a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance — but the film’s inclusion among the best picture nominees was not, said longtime Oscar pundit Tom O’Neil, writer for the Los Angeles Times’ TheEnvelope.com.

“The only real shockeroo in the nominations was the inclusion of ‘The Blind Side’ for best picture,” he said. “That literally blindsided the pundits, who thought that would go to ‘Invictus’ or ‘The Hangover’ or ‘Star Trek.’ ”
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Avatar overtakes Titanic as top-grossing film ever

Sci-fi spectacular Avatar has surpassed Titanic to become the highest grossing movie of all time, figures from distributor 20th Century Fox show.

Avatar’s worldwide takings in just six weeks stand at $1.859bn (£1.15bn), versus Titanic’s $1.843bn (£1.14bn).

The figures are not adjusted for inflation or the higher cost of Avatar’s 3D film tickets.

Director James Cameron holds the remarkable distinction of directing both the world’s top grossing movies.

Titanic, which starred Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, set a new box office record during its release in 1997-1998.

It also won Cameron an Oscar for best director.

Avatar – Cameron’s latest epic – won two Golden Globes last week, and is expected to garner an Oscar nomination next month.

Earlier this month, it became the fastest movie ever to achieve $1bn (£623m) in ticket sales around the world, and took over second place from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
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Brittany Murphy autopsy conducted

Los Angeles, California (CNN) — An autopsy on the body of actress Brittany Murphy was conducted Monday, the Los Angeles County coroner’s office said.

Authorities have said the 32-year-old appeared to have died Sunday of natural causes, and there was no sign of foul play or trauma.

“Naturally occurring diseases could be found in any person that could lead to death,” said Capt. John Kades of the coroner’s office.

The office is looking into Murphy’s medical history. A final report could take up to eight weeks. The cause of death will not be released until the toxicology report is concluded, said the coroner’s office. That process can take weeks.

Police also are conducting an investigation, which includes robbery and homicide detectives looking at what was in her home, said Los Angeles Police Department spokeswoman Norma Eisenman.

Murphy was pronounced dead at 10:04 a.m. PT (1:04 p.m. ET) Sunday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, hospital spokeswoman Sally Stewart said.
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Actress Brittany Murphy dead at 32

Los Angeles, California (CNN) — Brittany Murphy, the bubbly, free-spirited actress who appeared in such films as “Clueless” and “8 Mile,” died Sunday, apparently of natural causes, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office said. She was 32.

Murphy was pronounced dead at 10:04 a.m. PT Sunday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, hospital spokeswoman Sally Stewart told CNN Radio.

An autopsy had not been scheduled as of Sunday night, but Captain John Kades, a spokesman for the coroner’s office, told CNN that there was no sign of foul play or trauma. He added that it’s not unusual for a younger person to die of natural causes.

The coroner’s office is looking into Murphy’s medical history. A final report could take up to eight weeks.

The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the death, and robbery and homicide detectives will be at her home, LAPD spokeswoman Norma Eisenman said.
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Singer Susan Boyle’s new album makes UK chart history

Singer Susan Boyle’s album is number one after it became the best-selling debut in UK chart history.

Boyle, a runner-up in ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, has so far sold 410,000 copies of her album, I Dreamed a Dream.

Pop mogul Simon Cowell said he was proud of Boyle and added that the success could not have happened to a nicer person.

Boyle, 48, said the news was “fantastic”. Her album is also expected to be a hit in the US.

Cowell said: “She did it her way and made a dream come true.

“In Britain’s Got Talent she opened her mouth and the world fell in love with her, which is why her album has been the fastest selling of any woman making her debut.”

Martin Talbot, of the Official Charts Company, described Boyle’s achievement as “phenomenal”.

Boyle’s spokeswoman added that the singer was outselling Rihanna, Lady Gaga and 50 Cent in the US.
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From Asian pop star to ‘Ninja Assassin’

(CNN) — South Korean pop star Rain, who stars in “Ninja Assassin,” releasing nationwide on Wednesday, has all the trimmings of an international superstar in the making.

His talent, good looks and charming swagger have captured the devotion of the Asian continent, where tickets to his concerts evaporate in minutes. He was hailed as one of People magazine’s most beautiful two years ago, and, despite being relatively unknown to most Americans, beat Stephen Colbert in a Time magazine online poll of most influential people in 2007.

Yet Rain’s climb from unknown backup dancer to a member of Asia’s A-list wasn’t easy: His lack of Western features caused many music labels to look right past him and getting his footing in the United States has been particularly difficult.

Despite having six albums under his belt and selling out a two-day Madison Square Garden tour in 2006, Rain’s “Justin Timberlake meets Usher” brand of bubble-gum pop never saturated pop charts here as it did in the East.
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Obama urges ‘new Afghan chapter’

US President Barack Obama has urged Afghan leader Hamid Karzai to “write a new chapter” in governing Afghanistan, after its disputed presidential poll.

Mr Obama said that in a phone call, he had also asked Mr Karzai to intensify efforts to eradicate corruption.

He was speaking after the Afghan president had been declared winner of August’s fraud-marred election.

Earlier, poll officials scrapped a planned run-off following the withdrawal of Mr Karzai’s challenger.

‘Legitimate leader’

Mr Obama said he had congratulated Mr Karzai on his re-election.

He described the poll as “messy”, but stressed that the final outcome was “in accordance with Afghan law”.

Mr Obama said Mr Karzai “assured me that he understood the importance of this moment. But as I indicated to him, the proof is not going to be in words, it’s going to be in deeds”.
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Avril Lavigne Files for Divorce

So much for her happy ending.

Avril Lavigne has filed for divorce from husband Deryck Whibley, according to TMZ.

According to the documents obtained by TMZ, Lavigne, 25, cited irreconcilable differences for the end of their three-year marriage. The “Complicated” and “My Happy Ending” singer lists their official separation as Sept. 4. Lavigne did not ask for spousal support and indicated she does not want to have to pay Whibley any money.

Avril Lavigne and Deryck Whibley split

“I am grateful for our time together, and I am grateful and blessed for our remaining friendship … Deryck and I are separating and moving forward on a positive note,” Lavigne said in a message posted last month on her Web site.
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Pop world mourns Boyzone’s Gately

Friends, fans and stars have paid tribute to Boyzone singer Stephen Gately, who has died suddenly at the age of 33 while on holiday in Majorca.

Gately’s bandmates described him as “our friend and brother” and said that he “lit up our lives”.

Boyzone manager Louis Walsh pulled out of Sunday’s X Factor show, where judge Simon Cowell paid tribute to Gately.

A spokesman for Gately’s family attributed his death to natural causes and ruled out drugs and suicide.

Gately was on holiday with his long-term partner Andy Cowles, who was introduced to him by Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish, and married in a civil partnership in 2006.

Gately’s boy band enjoyed huge success in the 1990s, scoring six UK number one singles.

They reformed in 2007 before embarking on a string of comeback concerts and were planning to release a new album next year.
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