Who's in
Love-struck Leo causes wailing at the Wall
Leonardo DiCaprio arrived in Israel with supermodel Bar Refaeli over the weekend, creating a paparazzi storm that by Monday led to a scuffle outside the Western Wall.
The 32-year-old Oscar nominee and Refaeli, 21, have been romantically linked for about a year, and the Israeli papers regularly run breathless updates on their relationship.
The two apparently hoped to slip into the country unnoticed on a night flight from Frankfurt, Germany. But the plane was also carrying a group of Israeli entertainment reporters on their way back from a press junket in Ireland.
On Monday, the pair eluded their pursuers and travelled to Jerusalem, eventually visiting the Western Wall and its subterranean tunnels in the Old City, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.
But the visit turned violent upon their exit, when the couple's bodyguards scuffled with photographers waiting outside. Journalists said they were punched and their equipment damaged.
Rocky road for Stallone after steroid bust
Sylvester Stallone faces stiff fines after trying to bring vials of a muscle-building hormone into Australia, where it is restricted. Lawyers for Stallone, the 60-year-old star of the Rocky and Rambo movie franchises, represented him in a Sydney court on Tuesday where he faces one charge of importing a banned substance.
Stallone and his entourage were stopped at Sydney airport and kept for several hours on February 16 as he arrived for a promotional visit, while customs officials searched bags and confiscated items. His hotel room was searched and more items confiscated three days later.
Stallone and his group were allowed to leave Australia, and he was not compelled to appear in the Sydney Local Court for Tuesday's hearing.
The case was adjourned until April 24, when Stallone's lawyers will be asked to enter a plea on his behalf.
A passionate passage to India
Helping women to understand their rights is crucial in the fight against HIV/AIDS, said Ashley Judd in an interview published on Monday.
Grassroots prevention programs that target women work well, the 38-year-old Hollywood actress said.
Judd is representing Population Services International, a Washington-based non-profit organization, during her weeklong visit to India to promote awareness about HIV/AIDS.
"The empowerment of girls and women is an essential tool to preventing the HIV/AIDS emergency from exploding any further," Judd said.
With 5.7 million infections, India has the world's largest number of people living with HIV/AIDS.
Hot Halle's next big steal
Academy-award winning actress Halle Berry will play a master jewel thief who spent more than 60 years robbing precious stones. The X-Men star has reportedly signed for Who is Doris Payne.
The movie will narrate how adept Payne was in conning people and slipping away with their jewels.
"She was a jewel thief for six decades and worked all over the world. Doris is a magnificent woman and she's incredibly intelligent," Berfield said. Payne, 76, is still serving her jail term.
Former Malcolm In The Middle star Justin Berfield secured the rights to Payne's story after meeting the thief in prison. He then commissioned TV writer Eunetta T. Boone to create a screenplay.
Agencies
(China Daily 03/14/2007 page18)
