NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Tom Hanks makes surprise visit to N. Dakota diner

WEST FARGO, N.D.

The owner of a diner in North Dakota got a surprise Friday when actor Tom Hanks showed up for an early breakfast.

Tammy Hagensen says she got a call Thursday evening from a jet company that often sends their pilots to TNT’s Diner in West Fargo. A company official asked if she would open early Friday for a special guest whose name could not be revealed right away.

Hagensen told the Forum news-paper she agreed to open early because she was curious. She says she was stunned when Hanks, his wife, Rita Wilson, and their two sons walked through the door.

Hagensen says Hanks and his family ate breakfast and left, but not before a couple of photos were taken and he signed a couple of T-shirts.

Miss China, a music student, is crowned Miss World 2012

ORDOS, China

China’s Yu Wenxia has been crowned the 2012 Miss World.

This is the second time Miss China has been awarded the title. The last time was in 2007 when Zhang Zilin took the honor.

The first runner-up is Sophie Elizabeth Moulds of Wales and the second runner-up is Jessica Michelle Kahawaty of Australia.

The 23-year-old Yu is a music student who wants to become a music teacher.

This is the first time for the Inner Mongolian city of Ordos to host the international beauty pageant.

John Lennon’s killer is up for parole for seventh time

ALDEN, N.Y.

Officials say John Lennon’s killer, who is up for parole for the seventh time, could have a parole hearing as early as Tuesday.

New York Department of Corrections spokeswoman Linda Foglia says Mark David Chapman is scheduled to be interviewed by members of the parole board. She says they could make a decision by Thursday or Friday.

Chapman shot Lennon in December 1980 outside the Manhattan apartment building where the former Beatle lived. He was sentenced in 1981 to 20 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.

Chapman was transferred in May from the Attica Correctional Facility in western New York to the nearby Wende Correctional Facility. Both are maximum security. The prison system doesn’t disclose why inmates are transferred.

Chapman was denied parole for the sixth time in September 2010.

Reports: ‘Tonight Show’ cuts staff; Leno trims pay

LOS ANGELES

Published reports say “The Tonight Show” has laid off about two dozen workers, and host Jay Leno has taken a large pay cut to save the jobs of other staffers.

The moves are part of a restructuring to save money at NBC. NBC Universal imposed the cutbacks Friday, according to reports in The Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times. Both newspapers cited an unnamed person familiar with what happened.

The layoffs and Leno’s salary concessions were first reported by Deadline Hollywood, a website that tracks the entertainment industry.

NBC Universal did not comment.

Associated Press