Monday, May 29, 2006
hDoctor says Jolie, babyare well; security remains
WINDHOEK, Namibia -- It looks like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt got what every parent wants -- a healthy baby.
While Namibian officials declined Sunday to give any details on the birth Saturday of Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, a doctor at the hospital said there were no complications and the mother and daughter were doing well.
"She is a healthy baby," the doctor said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release information.
Police ringed the hospital with tight security Sunday, refusing to admit journalists and photographers into the building.
Pitt's publicist Cindy Guagenti announced the birth Saturday night, but said no other information or photographs would be released.
Samuel Nuuyoma, the governor of the Namibian region of Erongo, confirmed the birth at the Welwitschia Clinic in Walvis Bay and seemed to hint that key details would be released shortly.
"Any information relating to the birth of the baby will be made available to the public soon," said Nuuyoma, who has become friends with the celebrity couple.
The government has gone to extraordinary lengths to protect the privacy of Jolie and Pitt, who came to Namibia to avoid photographers and in the weeks leading up to the birth of their first child.
Namibia put tight security around their hotel and the hospital, set up large green barriers to protect their privacy from photographers and refused to grant visas to any foreign journalists unless they had written permission from Jolie and Pitt to cover the birth. Police have also arrested photographers and confiscated film.
Strait gets a degree
SAN MARCOS, Texas -- Country music superstar George Strait has roped an honorary degree.
Strait was given an honorary doctorate of humane letters by his alma mater, Texas State University, in a private ceremony Friday. He graduated in 1979 with a bachelor's in agriculture.
"Dr. Strait? I like the sound of that," Strait said. "I am so proud to be a graduate of Texas State University and appreciate so much that you did this for me."
Strait has recorded 52 No. 1 singles, starting with "Fool Hearted Memory" in 1982 to "She Let Herself Go" this year. He also sponsors the annual George Strait Team Roping Classic.
Jackson visits orphanage
TOKYO -- Michael Jackson visited a Tokyo orphanage Sunday during his first round of public appearances since being acquitted of child molestation charges last year.
Jackson was in the capital to accept MTV Japan's "Legend Award" during an earlier ceremony at Yoyogi Olympic Stadium. There, he choked up as he thanked fans for their loyalty.
His visit to Japan is the first leg of an Asian swing that will include stops in Singapore; Shanghai, China; and Hong Kong.
Today's birthdays
Actor Clifton James is 85. Former Baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent is 68. Race car driver Al Unser Sr. is 67. CBS News Correspondent Bob Simon is 65. Actor Kevin Conway is 64. Actor Helmut Berger is 62. Rock singer Gary Brooker (Procol Harum) is 61. Actor Anthony Geary is 59. Singer Rebbie Jackson is 56. Movie composer Danny Elfman is 53. Rock musician Michael Porcaro (Toto) is 51. Singer LaToya Jackson is 50. Actor Ted Levine is 49. Actress Annette Bening is 48. Actor Rupert Everett is 47. Actor Adrian Paul is 47. Singer Melissa Etheridge is 45. Actress Lisa Whelchel is 43. Actress Tracey Bregman is 43. Rock musician Noel Gallagher (Oasis) is 39. Singer Jayski McGowan (Quad City DJ's) is 39. Rock musician Chan Kinchla (Blues Traveler) is 37. Rock musician Mark Lee (Third Day) is 33. Cartoonist Aaron McGruder ("The Boondocks") is 32. Singer Melanie Brown (Spice Girls) is 31. Rapper Playa Poncho is 31.