Newlywed Spears can't wait to start a family

Newlywed Spears can'twait to start a family
NEW YORK -- Britney Spears is taking some time away from her career to enjoy her recent marriage to dancer Kevin Federline, and she can't wait to start a family, according to her Web site.
Spears says she's been "going & amp; going & amp; going" since she was 15, but after she hurt her knee this summer (during a video shoot), she knew she'd have to take some time off. She adds: "Being married is GREAT and I can't wait to start my family!" Her greatest hits album, "My Prerogative," will be released Nov. 9. Spears, 22, and Federline, 26, were married Sept. 18 at private home in the Studio City, Calif., area with about 30 people attending. Documents formalizing the marriage were filed Oct. 7.
Federline was previously involved with actress Shar Jackson of TV's "Moesha." They have two children -- a 2-year-old and a newborn.
In January, Spears married childhood friend Jason Alexander in a surprise wedding in Las Vegas. That marriage was annulled 55 hours later.
Court throws out suit filedagainst Brigitte Bardot
PARIS -- A court has thrown out a defamation lawsuit against Brigitte Bardot, ruling that the former film star had been provoked into calling the host of Radio Courtesy "a little jerk." The court considered that Bardot, who turned 70 last month, had been provoked by Marc-Olivier Fogiel's insistence that she talk about her best-selling -- and controversial -- book, "Un cri dans le silence (A Cry in the Silence)," during a May 2003 show.
"The expression 'little jerk' seemed injurious" toward Fogiel, Presiding Judge Nicolas Bonnal said Monday, but added: "There is a direct relationship between provocation and injury, appearing proportional to it." Consequently, "the injury can be excused." Fogiel was ordered to pay Bardot's court costs.
Bardot was convicted in June for inciting racial hatred through her book, which was published last year. The court said her comments amounted to comparing Muslims to "invaders, cruel and barbaric." Bardot and her publishing house, Editions du Rocher, were fined $6,050 each.
Etheridge recuperatesfrom cancer surgery
NEW YORK -- Melissa Etheridge is at home in California recovering from two operations to treat breast cancer. Etheridge, 43, said on her Web site that a tumor and lymph nodes were removed, and that she'll have chemotherapy next. She canceled upcoming tour dates to undergo treatment.
"I still have both of my breasts and whether I will keep them is a bridge I have to cross later," she said. "What an unexpected journey this is." The singer is still planning to shoot a pilot for ABC in which she plays a gay music teacher.
Etheridge and actress Tammy Lynn Michaels held a commitment ceremony in September 2003. The musician, who lives in Los Angeles, shares custody of a daughter and son with former partner Julie Cypher, who had the children through artificial insemination using a sperm donation from rocker David Crosby.
Today's birthdays
Former ambassador to Russia Robert S. Strauss is 86. Columnist Jack Anderson is 82. Author John le Carre is 73. Artist Peter Max is 67. Actor Michael Gambon is 64. Actor John Lithgow is 59. Former National Organization for Women President Patricia Ireland is 59. Singer Jeannie C. Riley is 59. Talk show host Charlie Chase is 52. Rock singer-musician Karl Wallinger (World Party) is 47. Singer Jennifer Holliday is 44. Rock singer-musician Todd Park Mohr (Big Head Todd and the Monsters) is 39. Actor Jon Favreau is 38. Amy Carter is 37. "South Park" co-creator Trey Parker is 35. Comedian Chris Kattan is 34. Rock singer Pras Michel (The Fugees) is 32. Actor Omar Gooding is 28. Country singer Cyndi Thomson is 28. Actor Benjamin Salisbury is 24.