McCartney ranks third in Britain's richest list

McCartney ranks thirdin Britain's richest list
LONDON -- Paul McCartney is ranked third in an annual list of Britain's richest musical figures, with a fortune estimated at 1.4 billion.
The Sunday Times' annual Rich List, released Friday, said the former Beatle's fortune was down 200 million from last year, due to the estimated cost of his upcoming divorce from Heather Mills.
Clive Calder, the former Zomba records label boss whose acts included Britney Spears and *NSync, was at the top of the music list, with a fortune estimated at 2.6 billion.
Andrew Lloyd Webber was in second place at 1.5 billion. The composer has had a good year thanks to his role as producer of a West End revival of "The Sound of Music," whose star was chosen by a reality TV program.
Grant accepts damages
LONDON -- Hugh Grant accepted undisclosed damages Friday from a British newspaper publisher over claims about his relationships with former girlfriends Jemima Khan and Elizabeth Hurley.
The 46-year-old actor sued Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, over stories published in February.
One story alleged that his relationship with Khan was destroyed by a flirtation with a film executive. Another claimed Grant would attend Hurley's wedding to businessman Arun Nayar and had sponsored a chimpanzee at a British zoo as a gift. A third said he resented having to do publicity for his films.
Grant's lawyer, Simon Smith, said "all of the above allegations and factual assertions are false."
Cross files for divorce
LOS ANGELES -- Christopher Cross, whose hits include "Sailing," has filed for divorce after nearly 19 years of marriage.
Cross, 55, and his wife, Jan, separated Feb. 11.
He cited irreconcilable differences in a divorce petition filed Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
The singer is seeking custody of the couple's 17-year-old son, Christopher, and 15-year-old daughter, Madison.
The Grammy winner co-wrote and sang "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" for the 1981 romantic comedy starring Dudley Moore. It won the Oscar for best original song.
Today's birthdays
Rhythm-and-blues singer Carl Gardner (The Coasters) is 79. Poet Rod McKuen is 74. Conductor Zubin Mehta is 71. Country singer Duane Allen (The Oak Ridge Boys) is 64. Singer Tommy James is 60. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld is 53. Actress Kate Mulgrew is 52. Actor Daniel Day-Lewis is 50. Actress Michelle Pfeiffer is 49. Actress Eve Plumb is 49. Singer Carnie Wilson (Wilson Phillips) is 39. Actress Uma Thurman is 37. Tennis player Andre Agassi is 37. Rapper Master P is 37. Actor Zane Carney is 22.