Court names father as Britney Spears's permanent conservator

Britney Spears stands backstage with her three awards for best pop video, video of the year and best female video for "Piece of Me" at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles Sept. 7, 2008

Oct. 29--A Los Angeles court has named Britney Spears's father Jamie as the permanent conservator of her affairs although the singer may be comebacking like a madwoman, according to media reports Wednesday.

"I've met several times with [Britney] and she requested that I not object to the permanent conservatorship," the singer's court-appointed lawyer Samuel Ingham said in open court.

If the terms of the deal remain the same, her dad will continue to oversee her estate, finances, legal affairs and medical care along with attorney Andrew Wallet.

Commissioner Reva Goetz stated that the permanent conservatorship is "necessary and appropriate."

But this may make it more difficult for Britney to gain custody of the children because if one court finds that she is not capable of taking care of herself and affairs than how is the other court going to find her able to take care of the affairs of two babies.

"The burden now shifts to Britney Spears or her conservator [Spears' father] to prove that she is perfectly capable, rather than the conservator having to prove that she is not capable," said law specialist Alexandra Leichter.

Experts said, however, that the permanent status doesn't necessarily mean forever.

"People shouldn't read too much into the word 'permanent'" explained Terry K. Wasserman, a mental health lawyer not involved with this case. "In many cases, it's just a formality to avoid having to renew a temporary status over and over again."

A source close to Spears concured, saying, "This is by no means something that's going to last forever. The conservatorship being made permanent in name is primarily to ensure increased time with her children, and provide support for her music and work goals."

(Agencies)

Latest therapy: Snake massage

A client in an Israeli health spa enjoys her latest "snake massage" by six non-venomous snakes. Here, large reptiles are good for deep tissue massage while their smaller counterparts ideal for delicate areas such as face. For 70 U.S. dollars, the spa will treat clients to snakes in what it says a relaxing massage curing aching muscles and joints.

Beauty and beast dance in water

A female trainer and a one-year old tiger dance in the water in a zoo of South Carolina.

Hilton continues online "presidential campaign

Oct. 10 -- Watch out world: Paris Hilton is continuing her bid for the White House.
The paparazzi darling and reality TV star touted her candidacy in a video on FunnyOrDie.com Wednesday — her second appearance in a political spoof on the site.

"Running for fake president is a little daunting," a heavily made-up Hilton tells Martin Sheen, whom she calls "one of our greatest fake presidents."

"Being a fake president is a lot harder today than it was when I was a fake president," says Sheen, who has often played American presidents, most notably on TV's "The West Wing."

Hilton talks with Sheen about "Fo Po" — "Foreign policy, silly" — and shares what could be her real views on the economy and the war in Iraq.

"Iraq has a Democratic government that is asking for us to leave," she says. "It seems that we've done our job and we should bring our troops home safely."

Economically, "this is the biggest depression since 'The Notebook,'" Hilton says, adding that the government should "lower inflated interest rates so it's not impossible for (people) to pay their mortgage."

As Sheen tells Hilton she's "going to make a great fake president," his son, Charlie Sheen, pops in with a promise to "fake vote" for her.

Hilton bids the elder Sheen farewell with a kitten-voiced, "Bye, sexy," then tells the camera: "See you at the fake inauguration."

The 27-year-old heiress said in a statement that she hopes the video inspires people to consider the issues and vote in the real presidential election.

"I hope that my political opponents take in consideration the points that I have addressed because I feel that they are important and, as well as, that my generation and the new young voters should become more involved with our current issues and speak their voice through voting," Hilton said.

"This is the most important presidential election in decades and voting is the only way that you have a voice for change," Hilton added.

(Agencies)

Angelina Jolie's acting U-turn

Actress Angelina Jolie arrives for the New York Film Festival premiere of "Changeling" in New York, Oct. 4, 2008.

Oct. 7 -- Angelina Jolie planned to give up acting. The actress, who recently gave birth to twins Knox and Vivienne, revealed partner Brad Pitt persuaded her to return to work rather than caring full-time for their six children.

She said: "We had a big discussion about whether I should go back to work at all, but Brad said it was a part of me as well and it would be alright, so we're trying to balance it out."

Despite admitting she wants to expand her family further, 33-year-old Angelina admitted having such a large family does cause problems - because she and Brad, 44, struggle to get time alone.

She explained: "Even if we lock our door the children come knocking. "We often try to have a bath alone together at the end of the night and sit and talk, but they hear the water and want to jump in.

Angelina Jolie takes three of her children, Shilo, 2, Zahara (L-2), 3, and Pax(L), 5, for a walk in the French Quarter and stopped at Verdi Mart for some snacks.

"But it's fun and lovely - the thing about having six is once you get past three or four, it's just so crazy anyway that it's just more chaos and that's OK."

The actress - who says her daily routine starts at 4.30 a.m. - also spoke of her delight at how well the couple's other children have welcomed the twins into the family.

She added to Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "It's so much fun but it's very hard work. The kids are forming beautiful friendships. They're teammates and they're very loving to the babies."

Meanwhile, Angelina revealed her latest tattoos at the premiere of her new movie, "The Changeling," in New York this weekend.

The actress already had the latitude and longitude of where each of her children - adopted trio Maddox, seven, Pax, four, and Zahara three, and biological daughter Shiloh, two - were born and has had the coordinates of her twins' French birthplace added.

Lindsay Lohan's adoption plan

Lindsay Lohan wants to adopt a child. The 'Mean Girls' actress - who recently confirmed she is in a relationship with DJ Samantha Ronson - is looking forward to becoming a mother, and would like to help a child in need.

Oct. 4 -- Lindsay Lohan wants to adopt a child. The 'Mean Girls' actress - who recently confirmed she is in a relationship with DJ Samantha Ronson - is looking forward to becoming a mother, and would like to help a child in need.

She said: "At some point, I want to adopt a kid as well. A child in need or a newborn from another country, I'm not sure."

Although the 22-year-old star - who has completed three stints in rehab for alcohol and drug problems - admits she is "happy" in her relationship with Ronson, she stops short of crediting the DJ with helping her get her life back on track.

Instead, Lindsay claims the positive changes in her are solely down to her desire to change.

She said: "People can think what they want. I'm really happy, and that's all that matters. She's a really great person. "But I think that anything that's change in my life is because of me. I've gone through it and I've had to deal with it and I've made the decision to move forward. So yeah, she's a great person."

The actress added she is proud at the way she has managed to turn her life around - in 2006 she was publicly criticised by producers for being "irresponsible and unprofessional" during the filming of 'Georgia Rule' - and is certain she will never return to rehab.

She told Britain's Marie Claire magazine: "I've learned. I'll never go back. And it's not a never-say-never type of thing - it's just I know. I know."

Leonardo DiCaprio's marriage U-turn

Oct. 3 -- Leonardo DiCaprio wants to get married.

The "Titanic" actor - who has dated supermodels Gisele Budchen and Bar Raefaeli - previously claimed he would never tie the knot, saying he "did not believe" in the institution.

However, the 33-year-old star - who also claimed he didn't feel emotions and had never been in love - now admits his comments might have been a little hasty.

Leonardo told Parade magazine: "No, I don't agree with any of that, it sounds like the ignorance of youth to me. When did I say that? Three or four years ago? Hey, we grow up real fast. "What I definitely feel a need for is to make my life about more than just my career. Just last night I was thinking to myself how lit tle of my life has been lived normally and not spent on some far-off movie location.

"I want to get married and have children. In saying that, I realise I am contradicting everything I've said before. I absolutely believe in marriage."

Leonardo always revealed his biggest worry is becoming cynical, as he believes it would hamper his lust for life.

He said: "I hope I never get cynical, I think you need youthful energy, excitement, and optimism in life. There is a lot I want to do, and the more cynical you become, the more you sit on your butt and do nothing."

(Agencies)

Britney Spears launches new perfume along with new album

Britney Spears holds her award for Best Pop Video for "Piece of Me" at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles September 7, 2008.

Oct. 4 -- Britney Spears is set to launch a new perfume to coincide with the release of her new album.

The singer - who has previously lent her name to scents entitled Curious, Fantasy, In Control, Midnight Fantasy, Curious Heart and Believe - will release fragrance Hidden Fantasy on December 2, the same day as her sixth studio LP "Circus" hits the shops.

An insider at perfume company Elizabeth Arden, who have worked with Britney on her beauty ventures, revealed Hidden Fantasy will smell of cherry and vanilla, adding: "The bottle of Hidden Fantasy is the same as the previous two Fantasy perfumes - the only difference is the colour red on it."

Earlier this year, it was revealed Britney had made 13 million in the UK with her scents. Experts claim the singer's public breakdown and turbulent private life increased the popularity of the fragrances.

Other stars with their own perfumes include Jennifer Lopez, Paris Hilton, Sarah Jessica Parker and Victoria and David Beckham.

(Agencies)

"Peaceful" Heather Mills

Heather Mills is "at peace" following her bitter divorce battle from Sir Paul McCartney.

Oct. 2 -- Heather Mills is "at peace" following her bitter divorce battle from Sir Paul McCartney.

The 40-year-old charity campaigner - who received a large amount of settlement from the Beatles legend - is attempting to put her troubled year behind her and is concentrating on her charity work.

She said: "I'm in a really good place at the moment. I'm really at peace. I've spent a lot of time healing. It's been a very, very difficult time, the hardest ever, but I now want the chance to focus on charity and continue my work with the causes I really care about.

"It's a new start for me. Everyone has chapters - and some people are lucky enough to have chapters that last for many, many years. You have to appreciate what you have had, learn from it and move on. We've all got our own books, we've all got our own stories."

Heather also revealed her and Paul's four-year-old daughter Beatrice has helped her get through the difficult period.

She added to Britain's Hello magazine: "Beatrice is the light of my life, an absolute joy. I think when you have a child later in life, you appreciate it even more. I think on top of having lost so many - I had six miscarriages and two ectopic pregnancies - you really, really appreciate it.

"I was considering adoption, all sorts of things, nine years ago before I met her father."

(Agencies)

Scarlett Johansson, Ryan Reynolds marry in Canada

Actor Ryan Reynolds is pictured in Hollywood, California in April 7, 2005 and actress Scarlett Johansson (R) is pictured in New York City in July 26, 2006 in this combination photo. Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds were married over the weekend, a spokesman for Johansson said.

Oct. 2 -- Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds did a little rushing into it after all. The couple married this weekend, according to publicist Meredith O'Sullivan. She did not provide details.

US Weekly reported on its Web site Sunday that the small wedding took place at a resort outside Vancouver, British Columbia. Guests included Scarlett's mother, Melanie Sloan, and her brother, Adrian Johansson, the magazine said. The couple announced their engagement in May.

"We're just enjoying our time," the actress said last month. "We're just recently — very recently — engaged. So, you know, we're just taking it easy. And no big plan yet. But it's a good time and we're just ... enjoying our time to be young and engaged.

"I mean, I'm 23. There's no reason to rush into it. Everything feels very natural and relaxed."

Johansson most recently starred in the Woody Allen film "Vicky Cristina Barcelona." Reynolds starred on the TV show "Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place" and the romantic comedy "Definitely, Maybe."

(Agencies)

UK student wins over $12 mln in lottery

Miss Fullagar was due to start a law degree next year.

Oct. 2 -- An 18-year-old British student won 7 million pounds (about 12.68 million U.S. dollars) in a lottery draw, but her dog bit her on the bottom when she screamed so loudly from excitement, according to British media reports Thursday.

The teenager, Ianthe Fullagar, living in Cumbria, northern England, said: "At first I thought I had matched three numbers, so I couldn't believe it when I realized I had the five main numbers plus one Lucky Star.

"My mum called the National Lottery Line and it was only then that I realized I had won a share of the jackpot. We were both screaming so loudly that my dog, Brock, didn't know what was happening and bit me on the bottom.

I didn't know what to do with my ticket, so after hiding it in my bra and jewellery box, I settled for my gym bag until it was confirmed I was a winner."

Fullagar said she will still study law at university next year, despite her huge win on the EuroMillions game.

"I'm going to live the life of a student. I'm going to live in student digs," she told the BBC. "I love baked beans."

After receiving an over-sized check at an official ceremony, she said she plans to spend her winnings on her family and friends and a new Ford Ka.

(Agencies)