TOKYO (AP) – Japanese Emperor Akihito celebrated the September birth of his grandson – the imperial family’s first male heir in four decades – in a New Year’s poem issued to the public on Monday.Prince Hisahito’s Sept. 6, 2006, birth to Princess Kiko, the wife of the emperor’s second son Akishino, was hailed by royalists […]

LAS VEGAS (AP) – Britney Spears finally appears to be acting like a new mom.The pop princess, who recently made headlines for a rash of less-than-motherly hard partying, fell asleep in a Las Vegas nightclub early Monday shortly after leading the New Year’s Eve countdown, her manager said.“By about one o’clock, she was just done, […]

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) – The year 2006 was the deadliest for journalists and media workers worldwide, with at least 155 murders and unexplained deaths, the International Federation of Journalists announced Sunday.The group, representing over half a million journalists in more than 100 countries, said in its annual report that Iraq continued to stand out as […]

NEW YORK (AP) – Frustrated with just donating money to charities, Oprah Winfrey says she built a school for poor girls in South Africa because she wanted to feel closer to the people she was trying to help.“I really became frustrated with the fact that all I did was write check after check,” she told […]

From Jennifer Aniston to Jay-Z, quotes from the year in entertainment: “I feel duped.”– Oprah Winfrey, to author James Frey, who fabricated chunks of his best-selling memoir, “A Million Little Pieces.”“We thought it was a really nice, sweet name. A lyrical name.”– Tom Cruise, on why he and Katie Holmes named their daughter Suri.“I want […]

Wanted – Several first-class customers who desire pure milk. Address M. G. Stackpole, Auburn.Wanted – At once, men for the woods, sled tenders, swampers, and head choppers. Inquire C. B. Hartford, 36 Lisbon st.Wanted – Cotton mill help wanted to go to Canada; families preferred. Transportation paid. Apply at Atwood Hotel in person.Wanted – A […]

NEW DELHI (AP) – Bollywood beauty Aishwarya Rai is in trouble again.One of Rai’s bodyguards is accused of desecrating a temple in the Hindu holy town of Pushkar by entering drunk and roughing up worshippers who tried to approach the actress, media reports said Friday.“We are contemplating action against the star as she is responsible […]

In films such as “Nashville,” Robert Altman constructed a complex world, interweaving a large ensemble of players, famous and unknown, to portray human beings in all their wisdom and folly.When Altman died in November at age 81, he was celebrated for his vivid characters, his realistic use of overlapping dialogue, his pungent blend of humor […]

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) – George Lucas said Friday that filming of the long-awaited “Indiana Jones” movie will begin next year.Harrison Ford, who appeared in the three earlier flicks, the last one coming in 1989, is set to star again. Lucas said he and Steven Spielberg recently finalized the script for the film.“It’s going to […]

LOS ANGELES (AP) – ­ Looks like Tom Petty won’t back down after all. The rocker says he’s not retiring, despite a Rolling Stone article in July suggesting otherwise.Petty said 2006 was one of the most rewarding years in his career, and he expects the ride to continue in 2007.“You never know how things are […]