Britney Spears' sister is pregnant at 16

Reuters

LOS ANGELES - Britney Spears' 16-year-old sister, who stars as a schoolgirl in Nickelodeon's popular TV show "Zoey 101," is pregnant.

The cable channel confirmed a report in the forthcoming edition of celebrity gossip magazine OK! that Jamie Lynn Spears is expecting a child.

"We respect Jamie Lynn's decision to take responsibility in this sensitive and personal situation. We know this is a very difficult time for her and her family, and our primary concern right now is for Jamie Lynn's well being," Nickelodeon said in a statement e-mailed to Reuters.

A high school student who lives in Louisiana, Jamie Lynn Spears reportedly met the father, Casey Aldridge, the son of a Tennessee papermill worker, at church. Jamie Lynn Spears' personal publicist was not available for comment.

Her big sister, Britney Spears, may not be the best source of parenting advice. The 26-year-old pop star lost primary custody of her two sons, aged 2 and 1, to ex-husband Kevin Federline after their divorce last year and is engaged in a bitter custody battle that has shone a harsh spotlight on her maternal shortcomings.

"Zoey 101," which wrapped production on its fourth and final season in September, revolves around a headstrong student at a co-ed boarding school in California. Fresh episodes will air through 2008, a spokeswoman for the Viacom Inc-owned network said.
Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Best Western Ashling Hotel, Dublin

New development plans, construction commencing January 14, 2008, but with the same guest service and facilities inside. The temporary entrance is just around the corner from the old entrance & signs are well posted** Enjoy this spacious Dublin hotel with excellent access to the Dublin City Centre and beyond! The Best Western Ashling Hotel in Dublin is conveniently located near the exciting city centre, with easy access to the famous Temple Bar, Phoenix Park, National Museum of Ireland, Trinity College, Old Jameson Distillery and Guinness Storehouse. The nearby Intercity Rail Station provides connections throughout Ireland and a direct bus link to Dublin Airport. This modern, spacious hotel specializes in comfort and hospitality. Enjoy dining in the Cobblestone Bistro or relax and enjoy a drink in the Guinness Bar. The Best Western Ashling Hotel features conference and meeting facilities accommodating and catering up to 180 guests. Free car parking is available to all hotel guests. For business or pleasure travel, make a reservation today at the Best Western Ashling Hotel in Dublin!

From: Dublin Airport-Car. Exit Dublin airport to the M1 motorway (southbound). On the M1, take the exit for the M50 motorway. Continue on the M50 until the toll bridge. (toll EUR1.80). Take the next exit onto the N4 in the direction of the city Continue along the N4 for approximately 4 miles to Heuston Rail Station. The Station is on the left, the road will curve left around the station, bringing you across the River Liffey. Once you cross the bridge, turn right, ensuring that you are in the left-hand lane. You will see a left turn sign-posted 'The Best Western Ashling Hotel'. Take this left turn, and you will see traffic lights in front of you. The Best Western Ashling Hotel and car-park is on your right. Journey time: Approx 20 minutes ·From: Dublin Airport. by bus: The 'Airlink' bus provides a direct service from outside the Terminal building in Dublin Airport to Heuston Train Station. Disembark at Heuston Station. Cross the River Liffey at the Sean Heuston Bridge, which is adjacent to the Station. Cross the street directly in front of you. Turn right, and you will see the Best Western Ashling Hotel ahead of you on your left. Journey time: Approximately 30 minutes. Cost: EUR5.00 ·From: Dublin Airport. by taxi: A taxi rank is available outside the Terminal building at Dublin Airport. Journey time: Approximately 20 minutes. Cost: Approximately EUR25.00-30.00. ·From: The city centre. by car: From O'Connell Bridge, drive westward along Aston Quay which is parallel to and south of the River Liffey. Continue along the river as far as Victoria Quay. At the end of Victoria Quay, you will see Heuston Station in front of you. Turn right at this junction across the bridge. At the other side of the bridge, turn right again, making sure you are in the left-hand lane. Immediately you will see a left turn sign-posted 'The Ashling Hotel'. Take this left turn, and you will see traffic lights 20m in front of you. Turn left at these traffic lights. You will see the Best Western Ashling Hotel and the hotel car-park entrance on your right. Journey time: Approximately 5 minutes. ·From: Light rail- LUAS. - from the city centre: board the LUAS red line at Abbey Street, disembarking at Heuston Station (stop 'Heuston'). Cross the River Liffey at the Sean Heuston Bridge, which is adjacent to the Station. Cross the street directly in front of you. Turn right, and you will see the Best Western Ashling Hotel ahead of you on your left. Journey time: Approximately 5 minutes. Cost: EUR1.30 ·From: The city centre. walking from O'Connell Bridge, walk along Bachelor's Walk on the north-side of the River Liffey. Continue to walk parallel to the river for approximately 20 minutes until you reach Wolfe Tone Quay. On your right, you will come to a right turn towards Parkgate Street, which is sign
Please note, we sadly cannot provide mapping for all of our hotels although we are working hard to improve this. This map is informational only. No representation is made or warranty given as to its content or usability. User assumes all risk of use. All-hotels.com and their suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss resulting from such use.
Best Western Ashling Hotel Image

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Best Western Ashling Hotel Features
* Bar
* Business Center
* Cable TV
* Disabled Access
* Elevators
* Free Parking
* Laundry/Valet
* Modem Jack
* Non-Smoking Room
* Restaurant
* Room Service
Best Western Ashling Hotel Transport Links
* Air: Dublin (DUB) - approx. 9.6km North
* Bus: Central Bus Station - approx. 2.8km East
* Rail: Heuston - approx. 160m South-East
Other Attractions Nearby Best Western Ashling Hotel
* Museum: Museum Of Modern Art - approx. 590m South-West
* Museum: Collins Barracks - approx. 500m East
* Historic Site: Irish Un Veterans Memorial Par - approx. 600m North-East
* Shopping Mall: Park Shopping Centre - approx. 990m North-East
* Historic Site: Wellington Monument - approx. 1.0km West

Radisson Sas Amsterdam Centre

Location. The Radisson SAS Hotel - Amsterdam is located in the centre of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, just three blocks from busy Dam Square. The Stopera Theatre and the flower market are within two blocks. It's one kilometre to Amsterdam Centraal train station.
Hotel Features. Occupying converted 18th- century merchant houses and shops, the Radisson SAS Hotel combines a historical setting with contemporary decor. The lobby is set under a glass atrium, with a winding staircase leading to a mezzanine garden. Gifts are on offer at the onsite shops, and concierge staff can help with sightseeing trips to local attractions like the Van Gogh Museum.

The Pastorie Bar is set in an 18th- century vicarage that retains its wooden floors and fireplace. The bar, which serves drinks and snacks, has leather barstools and views over Amsterdam. The Palmboom restaurant serves a buffet breakfast and brasserie-style cuisine in an informal dark wood dining room. Room service is available 24 hours a day.

Small groups can be accommodated in the hotel's meeting rooms. There's a business corner offering a PC, and wireless Internet access is available.

The Radisson SAS Hotel's fitness centre features a gym, sunbed (surcharge) and mixed sauna.

Guestrooms. Every one of the Radisson SAS Hotel's 242 climate-controlled guestrooms is unique. Decorated with original artworks and wooden furnishings, rooms offer wireless Internet access (surcharge), satellite television, minibars and in-room massages (surcharge). Grey marble bathrooms feature tub/shower combinations and telephones.

Expert Tip. The concierge can help book tickets for shows and musicals at the famous Carré Theatre, the oldest theatre in Amsterdam.

Fees:
Please note that a city tax, to be paid at check-out, may apply to this booking. This charge is not included in the rates.

Property Amenities
* Lounge
* Children Stay Free - 17 Years and Under
* Restaurant(s) - 2
* Bar/Lounge
* Elevator/lift
* Hotel Parking - On request surcharge
* Pet policy - Fees Apply
* Pets allowed - Small Pets Only

Quaid sues over twins accidental overdose

Reuters

LOS ANGELES - Actor Dennis Quaid and his wife filed a negligence lawsuit on Tuesday against the makers of a blood thinner given to his newborn twins in an accidental massive overdose last month.

The suit accuses Baxter Healthcare Corp. of Illinois of failing to put clear distinguishing labels on its 10-unit and 10,000-unit vials of Heparin, and failing to recall the product after three other infants died because of a mix-up. The Quaids seek at least $50,000 in damages.
The company could not immediately be reached for comment.
Quaid's two-week-old twins, Thomas Boone and Zoe Grace, were mistakenly given 10,000 units of Heparin instead of the normal 10 units given to babies while they were patients at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles in November.
Cedars-Sinai apologized at the time for what it called preventable human error. Media reports said the Heparin, which is used to clean IV tubes and prevent blood clots, had been stored in the wrong place at the hospital.
Quaid, star of films that include "The Parent Trap" and "The Rookie," and his wife, Kimberley Buffington, had the twins via a surrogate carrier. Their lawyer Susan Loggans said the babies were now back home and "doing fantastic."
"The last thing the Quaids want to do is to file a lawsuit but the objective is to prevent this happening to someone else," Loggans said.
The lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court, Illinois, said both the small and large doses of Heparin had similar blue background labels. It also accused Baxter Healthcare of failing to recall or repackage the 10,000 unit vials "when it had actual knowledge that prior infant deaths had occurred as a result of medication errors."
Attached to the lawsuit is a memo from Baxter to healthcare providers dated February 2007 in which the company says three infants died when the higher doses were mistakenly given to them.
Loggans said Quaid had not yet decided whether to sue Cedars-Sinai, one of the leading hospitals in the United States, over the mix-up.
"Cedars-Sinai has already apologized and we are waiting to see what they do to respond," Loggans said.
source: abs-cbnnews.com

Depp plays 'punk rock Sweeney Todd' in new film

Reuters
LONDON - He once likened his singing voice to "the mating call of a rutting stag."
But Johnny Depp did not let it get in the way of arguably his most challenging film role yet -- an all-singing turn as the serial-killing barber Sweeney Todd in a remake of the Stephen Sondheim musical.
Directed by long-time collaborator Tim Burton, Depp is pale-faced and dark-eyed in the grim story of revenge, blending into the black-and-white world of grimy 19th Century London punctuated only by the vivid red of his victims' blood.
His sinister sidekick is Mrs. Lovett, played by Burton's partner Helena Bonham Carter, whose meat pies start to sell like hot cakes when she teams up with neighbor Todd in an ingenious venture to dispose of the countless bodies he produces.
"I never sang before in my life, so I had to kind of find my way to it," Depp told journalists in London at a recent press launch for the film, which premieres on Monday. "I didn't know if I would be able to hit a note, to be honest."
To find out, Depp called a member of the band he played for in the 1980s and recorded "My Friends," an early song in the musical. When producer Richard Zanuck heard the recording, he believed Depp could pull it off.
The 44-year-old star of the hit "Pirates of the Caribbean" films, as well as Burton pictures including "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "Edward Scissorhands," said he hoped to bring something new to the Sweeney Todd legend.
"I just thought it might be a great opportunity to try to find a new Sweeney, a different Sweeney, in a good way a slightly more contemporary, almost like a punk rock Sweeney."
Asked why he took more risks in his career than many actors, he replied: "I think it's probably something in between hard-headed and ignorant."
Sondheim blessing
It was script writer John Logan's job to condense the three-hour stage musical "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" to a two-hour movie. Sondheim had approval rights over the parts of Todd and Lovett and the choice of director.
Some songs were shortened, others cut altogether, and the focus of Burton's lens is as much on the acting as the singing.
Depp and Bonham Carter are joined by Alan Rickman as the malevolent Judge Turpin, who wrongly imprisons Benjamin Barker to steal his wife, and later his daughter.
Sacha Baron Cohen of "Borat" fame plays Pirelli, a buffoonish rival barber who threatens to reveal Barker's true identity after he takes on the guise of Todd.
It is generally accepted that Sweeney Todd never existed, although some have argued that the personality is based on fact.
One legend has it that he was born in London in 1748 and arrested aged 14 for theft. After becoming apprentice to a prison barber, he opened a shop on Fleet Street, where he carried out his grisly crimes with the help of Mrs. Lovett.
Burton recognized it was not obvious material for a Christmas release, which tend to be feel good and child friendly.
Pulling few punches in a film full of gore and blood, the movie has been given an R rating, meaning anyone under 17 must by accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.
"I've seen productions where they've tried to be a bit more politically correct, and 'Let's lessen the blood', and it really deflated the impact of what the story is," Burton said.
The film is scheduled for limited US release on December 2.
source: abs-cbnnews.com