Melbourne, Dec 1 : English music manager Sharon Osbourne launched a vicious attack on Aussie singer Dannii Minogue, saying that her tears are fake and that she has her head up Simon Cowell’s backside.

Osbourne’s attack came after she saw Minogue shedding tears on the UK TV show The X Factor.

Osbourne also revealed that the singer was “99.9 per cent” the reason she left the X Factor judging panel.

“Her tears were only on live TV,” News.com.au quoted her as saying.

“There’s the perception (Dannii) is the sweetest little thing in the world but she’s not - she’s got balls of steel,” she added.

Not satisfied with what she had said, she went on to say that Minogue was a teacher’s pet to Cowell, and that her eyes “turned brown as she had her head so far up his backside”.

Washington, November 29 (ANI): Lynne Spears has praised the parenting skills of her daughter Britney, dubbing her a ‘wonderful mother’.

Lynne, who saw her daughter shave her head, divorce from ex-husband Kevin Federline, lose the custody of her kids along with her repeated trips to the hospitals, said the pop star ‘with a lot of love and care and help’ made a fantastic parent.

“Oh she’s a wonderful mother - she’s funny, she’s extremely affectionate. [At] home, where there’s nobody around, she’s very normal,” People quoted her as telling U.K.’s GMTV.

The author of ‘Through The Storm: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World’ further added that the singer was also ‘ready to bounce back at the musical pedestal.

She said: “I think Britney’s just ready to get started again. I think this is when she’s most in her element.”

Washington, November 28 : From Paris Hilton to Dustin Hoffman - some A-listers have given out details of how they are going to put a personal touch on the occasion of Thanksgiving Day. While the socialite has decided to spend the harvest festival with family and closed ones, Kevin Jonas would says he would be out in public while expressing gratitude, reports US Weekly. For the rest, read on: Heidi Klum: “I’m going to do a big turkey - an 18 pounder! I put the stuffing in it. I put the potatoes around it. I do sweet potatoes - with marshmallows, without marshmallows. I do everything!” Hayden Panettiere: “I’ll be spending it with my family in New York. I’ve never spent a Thanksgiving or Christmas away from them. There will be lots of food, football, sitting, chatting.” Dustin Hoffman: “All of the kids will come from all over, like New York and Minneapolis. We have six kids and the youngest is 21. Thanksgiving is a big thing for us. I actually do some of the cooking, too! I am right in there, boy! I peel the potatoes - that’s cooking!” Rainn Wilson: “I love Thanksgiving. It’s the perfect holiday. You get together, and you eat, and you are with family. Every day should be Thanksgiving!”

Washington, Nov 27 (ANI): Michael Jackson is being urged by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to rescue the giraffes that used to roam on his Neverland Ranch from a hellish new home in Arizona.

The animal rights group bosses claim that four giraffes, which once belonged to the singer, have been confined in cramped pens at an unlicensed facility in Arizona for over a year.

Now, they’re hoping a plea to the King of Pop will urge him to take action. PETA has written to Jackson and asked him to intervene on the animals’ behalf.

“When Jackson faced recent financial troubles, the giraffes were sold to a couple in Page, Arizona, who were reportedly planning to set up a zoo,” Contactmusic quoted a spokesman, as saying.

“More than a year later, the giraffes are still confined to pens that allegedly each measure approximately 15 feet by 15 feet, and the animals reportedly have not been receiving adequate veterinary or husbandry care.

“If Michael could see the giraffes’ plight for himself, I’m sure he’d agree that it’s bad - really, really bad. The giraffes may be out of Michael’s life, but he has a responsibility to see that they don’t suffer,” the spokesman added.

London, Nov 24 (DPA) US singer Michael Jackson has settled a legal dispute over claims that he breached a music contract brought by an Arab sheikh ahead of a scheduled court appearance in London Monday, his spokesman said. The singer, 50, will now not appear at the High Court in London Monday to give evidence in the case, involving 4.7 million pounds ($7 million). A spokesman for the singer confirmed that the two parties had made an agreement in principle over the claim by Sheikh Abdulla Bin Hamad Bin Isa al-Khalifa of Bahrain that Jackson reneged on a music contract. Jackson contested the claim, saying the funds were a ‘gift’ and denied that there was a valid agreement.

London, Nov 21 : Michael Jackson has converted to Islam - and has changed his name to Mikaeel, according to reports.

According to the Sun, the 50-year-old singer wore traditional Islamic dress as he pledged his allegiance to the Koran at a friend’s home in Los Angeles.

Mikaeel is the name of one of Allah’s angels.

Jackson, who was raised a Jehovah’s Witness, reportedly decided to convert after discussing religion with a music producer and songwriter on his new album - both of whom were converts to Islam, says reports.

“They began talking to him about their beliefs, and how they thought they had become better people after they converted. Michael soon began warming to the idea,” a source said.

“An Imam was summoned from the mosque and Michael went through the shahada, which is the Muslim declaration of belief. Jacko rejected an alternative name, Mustafa - meaning “the chosen one,” the source added.

Brit singer Yousef Islam, 60 - who was called Cat Stevens until he famously converted - turned up to help Jacko celebrate.

Meanwhile, Jackson is due to give evidence in court next week after being sued by Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, second son of the King of Bahrain.

Sheikh Abdulla, who is seeking 7 million dollars, claims he helped support the cash-strapped Jackson in the aftermath of his child molestation trial.

Abdulla claims Jackson promised to pay back the money, while Jackson says he thought it was a gift. Jackson is expected to give evidence to a London court via video link from LA.

Washington, Nov 14 (ANI): Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie, who has created waves around the world with her acting skills, has revealed that her acting days may be numbered as she intends to focus on family.

The ‘Mr. And Mrs. Smith’ did not hesitate to reveal that she is not bothered about keeping up with her celebrity tag as family comes first for her.

“I don’t plan to keep acting very long. I’m ready to do a few things now and fade away and get ready to be a grandma one day,” The Insider quoted Angelina, as telling BBC News.

“I’m not so worried that I want to keep this pace up and try to be something and be a celebrity,” she added.

The 33-year-old actress cleared the fact that even if she may cut her workload, she will never bid goodbye to acting.

“I don’t think I’ll ever say I’m never, ever gonna work,” the actress explains, “first and foremost I have a lot of children and I need to make sure they’re growing right and they’ve got us there for them.”

‘Wall-E’ and new US number one film ‘Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa’ are among the 14 films in consideration for the 2009 best animated feature Oscar.

Pixar’s global hit about the last robot on Earth is the favourite to claim the prize at the 81st Academy awards though it could be challenged by political drama Waltz with Bashir.

’Kung Fu Panda’ and Dr Seuss’ ‘Horton Hears a Who!’ are also in contention while recently-released animations ‘Fly Me To The Moon ’ and ‘Igor’ are in the running.

However, only three films will actually be nominated for the Oscar when the nominations are unveiled at the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in Los Angeles on January 22nd.

The 14 films submitted for consideration are:

Wall-E
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Kung-Fu Panda
Waltz With Bashir
The Tale Of Despereaux
Dr Seuss’ Horton Hears A Who!
Bolt
Delgo
Fly Me To The Moon
Igor
Dragon Hunters
9.99
The Sky Crawlers
Sword Of The Stranger

Washington, Nov 10 (ANI): DreamWorks’ ‘Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa’ has topped the weekend box office after raking in 63.5 million dollars.

According to studio estimates, ‘Role Models’ came second with 19.3 million dollars and ‘High School Musical 3: Senior Year; came third, with 9.3 million dollars.

Fourth on the list was Changeling, which earned 7.3 million dollars, reports E! Ionline.

Rounding off the top five was ‘Zack and Miri Make a Porno’, which raked in 6.5 million dollars.

The top-grossing weekend films are:

1. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, $63.5 million

2. Role Models, $19.3 million

3. High School Musical 3: Senior Year, $9.3 million

4. Changeling, $7.3 million

5. Zack and Miri Make a Porno, $6.5 million

6. Soul Men, $5.6 million

7. Saw V, $4.2 million

8. The Haunting of Molly Hartley, $3.5 million

9. The Secret Life of Bees, $3.1 million

10. Eagle Eye, $2.6 million (ANI)