The week's top celebrity news including divorce drama surrounding Paul
McCartney and Heather Mills, Britney's dinner with Mel, a strong accusation
against Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, and a slew of high-profile
entertainment industry obituaries.

LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (MARCH 17, 2008) (UK POOL)- 
A British judge has ordered former Beatle Paul McCartney to pay his
estranged wife Heather Mills 48.7 million dollars (USD) after an acrimonious
divorce battle.  The settlement was only a fifth of the sum she had sought but
MIlls still ended up with the equivalent of about $34,000 for each day of her
four-year marriage to the pop icon.  The judge then went on to criticize Mills
for giving "inconsistent and inaccurate" evidence, after she claimed
she was the former Beatle's business partner and was responsible for reviving
McCartney's career.   
     Britney Spears is footing the bill after a Los Angeles judge ruled
that the singer will have to keep paying her ex-husband Kevin Federline's
legal cost, which have rocketed past a million dollars as the two continue to
try and work out a child custody agreement.  Meanwhile, Britney, who's said to
be making progress in piecing her life back together was seen over the weekend
dining with Mel Gibson at a Hollywood restaurant. The two were thought to be
discussing a possible movie project?  In another comeback effort, the troubled
singer has landed a guest role on the U.S. sitcom, "How I Met Your
Mother." Spears was said to be a total pro, showing up early and knowing
all her lines.
     Sean "P. Diddy" Combs is denying a report by the L.A. Times
that connects him to the 1994 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur.  The Times
article linked two former associates of Combs to the attack, and claims the
famed rap mogul knew of the shooting in advance.  Combs called the story
"a lie."
     British film director Anthony Minghella, who won an Oscar for
"The English Patient," died in a London hospital on Tuesday (March
17, 2008) after a short illness. He was 54. Minghella died from complications
following surgery last week for cancer of the tonsils and neck.
     Pioneering science fiction writer and visionary Arthur C. Clarke, best
known for his work on the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey," has died in
his adopted home of Sri Lanka at the age of 90. He died of respiratory
complications and heart failure doctors linked to the post-polio syndrome that
had kept him wheelchair-bound for years. 
     Also, Paul Scofield, hailed as one of the great British actors of his
generation and awarded an Oscar for his haunting performance in "A Man
For All Seasons," has died aged 86 of leukemia, his agent said on
Thursday. Scofield, a fiercely private actor who shunned the limelight and
gave several unforgettable performances in his varied career, with some of his
most recent films being 1994's "Quiz Show" and 1996's "The
Crucible."
     Country singer Carrie Underwood, who kicked off her career as an
"American Idol" contest winner, will be inducted into the Grand Ole
Opry. Underwood, 25, has won three Grammys as well as Female Vocalist of the
Year honours at both the Country Music Association and Academy of Country
Music awards shows.  Her induction into the Opry, often referred to as the
Mecca of country music, will be on May 10.