People – Abused Kids Welcome at Center, Says Harry

Prince Harry would like to spend more time helping children in Africa.

Britain’s royal soldier-humanitarian was in the impoverished African kingdom of Lesotho recently to work with Sentebale – the charity he and Lesotho’s Prince Seeiso founded in the memory of Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana .

The 23-year-old lieutenant spoke with reporters about balancing his army life with his charity work.

“I wish I could be out here more often,” he said while visiting a newly opened center for abused children.

“The vulnerable children of Lesotho will always be welcome here,” Harry said.

Harry first came to Lesotho in 2004, spending two months volunteering on local welfare projects. Lesotho, surrounded by South Africa, is one of the poorest countries in the region.

The red-haired royal, dressed in khaki fatigues and a warm sweater, entertained a group of children living at the center. He pushed one delighted toddler around on a tricycle and joked with another on the steps of the courtyard.

Producer receives career award

Sir George Martin , the classically trained producer who helmed the Beatles recordings from their mop-top phase through their late musical masterworks, was honored Saturday night in Los Angeles.

Martin, 82, received a career award from The Recording Academy’s Grammy Foundation, which provides education programs for future music professionals and works to preserve musical history.

Martin is the most successful record producer of all time, according to the academy, with more than 50 chart-topping hits and one-billion units sold. He also holds the record for the longest run of No. 1 pop-chart hits in history, spanning 36 years.

Event attendees included John Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono and George Harrison’s widow Olivia Harrison .

French paper gets exclusive on twins

The world’s entertainment press tripped over themselves, making embarrassing errors along the way, as they fought to be first to report the biggest celebrity story of the year: the birth of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s twins.

In the end, the scoop went to a provincial French newspaper.

“It was Brad Pitt who chose to give the scoop to Nice-Matin,” said assistant editor-in-chief Olivier Biscaye . “He said to the doctor that the local media should be the first informed about the birth.”

Nice-Matin broke the story when it published news of the births on its Web site at 2 a.m. Sunday, four hours before the print version hit the newsstands.

– From Our Press Services

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Today’s birthdays

R&B singer Millie Jackson , 64; singer Linda Ronstadt , 62; actor Terry O’Quinn (“Lost “), 56; actor-director Forest Whitaker , 47; drummer Jason Bonham , 42; actor-comedian Eddie Griffin , 40; actor Scott Foley , 36; actress Lana Parrilla (“Swingtown”), 31; singer Kia Thornton , 27.

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Originally published by From Our Press Services .

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