Small loans change lives of poor, Portman says

Small loans change lives of poor, Portman says
WASHINGTON -- Natalie Portman says that for many of the world's poorest women, a small loan can change their lives. The actress said in an interview for ABC's "This Week" that aired Sunday that she has met mothers younger than she is who had to work in poor conditions for low pay because that was the only job available to them.
"And then they're able to get a loan and start their own business out of their own house and be with their children," Portman said. "It changes the whole system." Portman, who starred in the last three "Star Wars" films, has been working with FINCA International, an organization that provides small loans to people in developing countries.
'05 'Idol' finalist arrested
TAMPA, Fla. -- Former "American Idol" finalist Jessica Sierra was arrested early Sunday on felony battery charges on charges of hitting a man on the head with a heavy glass at a cafe, police said.
Sierra, 21, was booked in the Hillsborough County Jail on a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. She was also charged with possession of cocaine and introduction of contraband into a correctional facility after officers found a small amount of the drug while searching her, police spokeswoman Andrea Davis said. Sierra was released Sunday afternoon on 11,500 bail. The victim suffered a cut over his eye, but the spokeswoman gave no further information. Sierra, of Tampa, was one of the hit show's top 10 contestants in 2005.
Battling cancer, Snowset to return to work
DAVIDSON, N.C. -- White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, who will soon begin chemotherapy to fight a cancer recurrence, told fellow alumni at Davidson College that he feels great and plans to return to work today. Snow, 51, has been on medical leave since announcing March 27 that a growth in his abdominal area was cancerous and had metastasized, or spread, to the liver.
Snow had his colon removed in 2005 and underwent six months of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with colon cancer. Snow graduated from Davidson in 1977.
Buttafuoco out of jail
SAN FERNANDO, Calif. -- Joey Buttafuoco, whose 17-year-old lover shot his wife in the face more than a decade ago, was released from jail after serving three months for illegally possessing ammunition, authorities said. Buttafuoco, 50, walked out of Los Angeles County Jail just before 9 a.m. Saturday, according to the Sheriff's Department Web site. The case stemmed from a search of his Chatsworth home in 2005 by the Los Angeles County Probation Department. At the time, Buttafuoco was on probation for a felony insurance fraud conviction. Prosecutors had said that Buttafuoco, who co-owned a San Fernando Valley auto body shop, told undercover investigators how to file false claims and cheat insurance companies.
Buttafuoco was running an auto body shop on New York's Long Island in 1992 when his 17-year-old lover, Amy Fisher, shot his wife in the face as she answered the door at the couple's home. Fisher, nicknamed the "Long Island Lolita," served seven years in prison. Buttafuoco pleaded guilty to statutory rape and served four months in jail. His wife, Mary Jo, recovered. The couple remained together after the Fisher affair but divorced after moving to California.
Today's birthdays
Actress Cloris Leachman is 81. Singer Willie Nelson is 74. Actor Gary Collins is 69. Actor Burt Young is 67. Singer Bobby Vee is 64. Actress Jill Clayburgh is 63. Movie director Jane Campion is 53. Actor Paul Gross is 48. Basketball executive Isiah Thomas is 46. Country musician Robert Reynolds (The Mavericks) is 45. Rock musician Clark Vogeler is 38. Rhythm-and-blues singer Chris "Choc" Dalyrimple (Soul For Real) is 36. Rock musician Chris Henderson (3 Doors Down) is 36. Country singer Carolyn Dawn Johnson is 36. Rock singer J.R. Richards (Dishwalla) is 35. Actress Lisa Dean Ryan is 35. Rhythm-and-blues singer Akon is 34. Rhythm-and-blues singer Jeff Timmons (98 Degrees) is 34. Actor Johnny Galecki is 32. Rapper Lloyd Banks is 25. Actress Kirsten Dunst is 25. Country singer Tyler Wilkinson (The Wilkinsons) is 23.
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