Latsis says he respects Paris Hilton's decision

Latsis says he respectsParis Hilton's decision
LOS ANGELES -- The engagement has been called off, but Paris Latsis has only kind words for his ex-fiancee, Paris Hilton.
The 22-year-old Greek shipping heir called Hilton "the most incredible woman I have ever met in my life," in a brief statement released Monday through Hilton publicist Elliott Mintz.
"I respect her decision and appreciate the very kind and generous manner in which she is handling her very difficult decision," Latsis said. "This was the best experience of my life and I will always be grateful for it."
Hilton, 24, announced over the weekend that she had ended their four-month engagement because she's "not ready for marriage" and didn't want it to end in divorce.
Anthony Hopkins to staras Ernest Hemingway
WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- Anthony Hopkins will star as Ernest Hemingway in "Papa," to be directed by Roger Donaldson.
Donaldson said the film will be based on Hemingway's encounter with Denne Bart Petitclerc, America's youngest war correspondent in the Korean War, who was inspired by how Hemingway reported on the Spanish Civil War.
In researching the movie, Donaldson said he visited Hemingway's Havana home and met Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
"Papa" will be an independent film, Donaldson said. He is still working to secure financing.
Michael Jackson files suit
LOS ANGELES -- Michael Jackson has filed a lawsuit against a concert promoter to prevent arbitration over a disputed 1999 concert contract.
Jackson and his company, MJ Company, sued concert promoter Marcel Avram and his German-based company Monday for breach of contract, according to court papers. The lawsuit also seeks a preliminary injunction to prevent Avram from proceeding with arbitration.
In November 2002, Jackson testified in a $21 million lawsuit brought by Avram, who accused the entertainer of backing out of two concerts on New Year's Eve 1999. A Santa Barbara County jury in March 2003 ruled that Jackson must pay Avram $5.3 million.
Both parties reached a settlement agreement in 2003 that resolved existing and future claims related to the concerts, court papers said. Disputes regarding the settlement were to be resolved in Superior Court as a part of the settlement agreement, but Avram has moved forward with arbitration, according to the lawsuit.
An arbitration hearing has been scheduled for Oct. 24.
Today's birthdays
"Family Circus" cartoonist Bil Keane is 83. Actress Glynis Johns is 82. Comedian Bill Dana is 81. Country singer Johnny Duncan is 67. Rhythm-and-blues singer Arlene Smith (The Chantels) is 64. Rock singer Brian Johnson (AC/DC) is 58. Actress Karen Allen is 54. Rock musician David Bryson (Counting Crows) is 51. Rock singer and famine-relief organizer Bob Geldof is 51. Comedian Bernie Mac is 48. Rock singer-musician Dave Dederer (Presidents of the United States of America) is 41. Actor Guy Pearce is 38. Singer-actress Heather Headley is 31. Rock musician Brian Mashburn (Save Ferris) is 30. Actress Parminder Nagra is 30. Actor Scott Weinger is 30. Actress Kate Winslet is 30. Rock musician James Valentine (Maroon 5) is 27. Rock musician Paul Thomas (Good Charlotte) is 25. TV personality Nicky Hilton is 22. Rhythm-and-blues singer Brooke Valentine is 20.