Prince Harry graduates from military academy

Prince Harry graduates from military academy
SANDHURST, England -- Prince Harry stood tall with saber drawn Wednesday during ceremonies marking his graduation from Britain's elite military academy, marching proudly in front of his beaming grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, as he completed 40 weeks of training.
The 21-year-old second son of Prince Charles entered Sandhurst military academy in May 2005 and trained to become an army officer in the Blues and Royals regiment of the Household Cavalry, one of the British army's oldest units.
He will be eligible for future military service in Iraq or Afghanistan. The prince has spoken of his determination to take a place on the front line alongside his colleagues if called.
Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke of Edinburgh looked on with pride as the cadets paraded around the academy's grounds. The queen delivered a short speech of congratulations -- and advice.
About 450 cadets took part in the ceremony, including around 220 officer cadets who -- like Harry -- are receiving their commissions. Following the ceremony, Harry becomes a 2nd lieutenant. He will serve in an armored reconnaissance unit and train to become a troop commander, in charge of 11 men and four light tanks.
The prince's girlfriend, Chelsy Davy, arrived at London's Heathrow Airport on Tuesday, but a Buckingham Palace spokesman declined to comment on reports she would attend Wednesday's graduation ball -- the grand centerpiece of the celebrations.
Clothing manufacturersues Jessica Simpson
NEW YORK -- A California-based clothing manufacturer is suing Jessica Simpson for $100 million, claiming she breached their contract by failing to support lines of apparel she developed with the company.
Tarrant Apparel Group (TAG) of Los Angeles says in court papers that an agreement it signed in December 2004 with Jessica Simpson Brand Management LLC lets it use Simpson's name to make, sell, market and distribute women's sportswear.
TAG's court papers say that same three-year agreement, which has a two-year renewal option, requires that "Ms. Simpson shall be actively involved in promoting (TAG's) products, whether requested or not" by the company.
The singer also must "publicly wear/display or use the products, particularly at events, shows and appearances," say papers filed last week in Manhattan's state Supreme Court. The clothing brands are Jessica Simpson, Princy and JS by Jessica. A fourth brand, scheduled for market in January 2007, is Sweet Kisses.
TAG says it has already paid Simpson $2.2 million with an additional $1.6 million guaranteed as a sales royalty for 2004 and 2005 and an additional $4.4 million guaranteed for the remainder of the contract.
The company accuses Simpson of breaching the multimillion-dollar deal by failing to wear or be photographed in the clothes and has even named another brand of jeans as her favorites.
Authorities drop in onSpears after injury to son
MALIBU, Calif. -- Child welfare officials and a deputy sheriff deputy visited Britney Spears' home because her infant son was accidentally dropped from a high chair. Six-month-old Sean Preston fell April 1 as his nanny was lifting him from the high chair and something in the chair snapped, Star magazine reported Tuesday. The infant slipped from her arms and fell, bruising his head on the floor, the magazine said.
People magazine and the Los Angeles Times also reported the incident Wednesday.
Though a doctor examined the baby at the house, Spears and husband Kevin Federline took the baby to the emergency room to have him examined six days later, the report said.
Spears' attorney, Martin Singer, said in a statement that the hospital made a report to the Department of Children and Family Services as required by state law.
"DCFS immediately responded and determined there was no problem and no reason to open a formal investigation. They determined that the parents weren't involved in the injury and nothing was improper within the home," he said.
The Los Angeles DCFS and the Lost Hills sheriff's station declined to give details of Saturday's visit, and would not say if there was an ongoing investigation.
Today's birthdays
Movie director Stanley Donen is 82. Former Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, R-Colo., is 73. Actor Lyle Waggoner is 71. Actor Edward Fox is 69. Playwright Lanford Wilson is 69. Actor Paul Sorvino is 67. Movie and TV composer Bill Conti is 64. Rock musician Jack Casady is 62. Actor Tony Dow is 61. Singer Al Green is 60. Actor Ron Perlman is 56. Actor William Sadler is 56. Singer Peabo Bryson is 55. Rock musician Max Weinberg is 55. Bluegrass singer-musician Sam Bush is 54. Rock musician Jimmy Destri (Blondie) is 52. Singer-musician Louis Johnson (The Brothers Johnson) is 51. Comedian Gary Kroeger is 49. Actress Saundra Santiago is 49. Rock musician Joey Mazzola (Sponge) is 45. Chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov is 43. Actress Page Hannah is 42. Actress-comedian Caroline Rhea is 42. Rock musician Lisa Umbarger is 41. Reggae singer Capleton is 39. Actor Rick Schroder is 36. Singer Lou Bega is 31. Actress Courtney Peldon is 25. Pop singer Nellie McKay is 24.
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