Britney's rehab return could help custody case

Britney's rehab returncould help custody case
LOS ANGELES -- Britney Spears' decision to check into rehab could help her in court as she to tries to retain custody of her two young children with estranged husband Kevin Federline, according to family law attorneys.
That is, of course, if she actually completes a rehab program.
When Spears checked into Promises Malibu drug and alcohol rehabilitation center Thursday, it was said to be the third time in a week she has checked into a rehab center.
"It actually may reflect well on her that she's now gone back, if she stays and sees herself through the program," said Jason Adess, a family law attorney in Chicago. "That way she can present to the court that she has an issue, she has acknowledged the issue, she has gotten help and now she is able to resume primary custody of the children."
Spears' manager, Larry Rudolph, confirmed in an e-mail to The Associated Press on Thursday that Spears is in the Malibu center. He provided no further details.
The 25-year-old pop star reportedly first checked into Promises on Tuesday, then left Wednesday morning, returning that night after visiting with lawyers and her family. Late last week she reportedly checked into a rehab center in the Caribbean, only to leave the next day.
Author of 'Das Boot' dies
BERLIN -- Lothar-Guenther Buchheim, the German author and art collector best known for his autobiographical novel "Das Boot," has died at the age of 89, his museum and the office of the governor of Bavaria said. He died late Thursday from heart failure.
Buchheim was acclaimed for his works of fiction and nonfiction, including several about his World War II patrol aboard the German submarine U-96 in the Atlantic Ocean in 1941. He crafted that experience into the novel "Das Boot," or "The Boat," which was published in 1973 and carried an underlying anti-war message.
In 1981, the book was turned into an acclaimed German film starring Juergen Prochnow that detailed the hopelessness of war and its effect on sailors living in the cramped confines of their submarine.
Today's birthdays
Actor Abe Vigoda is 86. Actor-singer Dominic Chianese is 76. Actor James Farentino is 69. Actor Edward James Olmos is 60. Singer-writer-producer Rupert Holmes is 60. News anchor Paula Zahn is 51. Country singer Sammy Kershaw is 49. Singer Michelle Shocked is 45. Actor Billy Zane is 41. Rhythm-and-blues singer Brandon Brown (Mista) is 24.