British prosecutors decline to reopen newspaper privacy investigation

October 6th, 2009 Madonna accepts damages from British newspaper LONDON — Madonna has accepted damages from a British newspaper for publishing pictures of her wedding to Guy Ritchie that she said had been stolen from her home. The singer wasn't in court Tuesday, but her lawyer confirmed that she had accepted "substantial" damages from Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Mail on Sunday.

September 10th, 2009 LONDON - Actor Charlie Sheen apparently wants US President Barack Obama to reopen the investigation into 9/11. The star has written a letter to him requesting a meeting over his theories about the terrorist attack, it has emerged.

September 10th, 2009 Venezuelan prosecutors investigate anti-Chavez TVCARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan prosecutors have opened a criminal probe into a television channel opposed to President Hugo Chavez. Prosecutors said in a statement Wednesday they will determine whether Globovision was trying to incite rebellion by airing a viewer's text message calling for a coup.

August 12th, 2009 Evangelical leader, 9 others charged in BrazilSAO PAULO — The founder of one of Brazil's biggest evangelical churches siphoned off billions of dollars in donations from his mostly poor followers to buy jewelry, TV stations and other businesses for himself, authorities charged Tuesday. A Brazilian judge accepted charges from prosecutors alleging that Bishop Edir Macedo and nine other people linked to the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God committed fraud against the church itself and against its numerous followers.

July 31st, 2009 Washington Post had profit despite media declinesNEW YORK — The Washington Post Co. turned a profit in the second quarter as growth in its education and cable TV divisions helped offset declines in newspaper, magazine and broadcast revenue.

July 31st, 2009 Washington Post books profit despite ad declinesNEW YORK — The Washington Post Co. turned a profit in the second quarter, reversing a year-earlier loss as growth in its education and cable TV divisions helped offset declines in newspaper, magazine and broadcast revenue.

July 18th, 2009 Prosecutors charge head of anti-Chavez TV channelCARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan prosecutors filed charges against the head of an opposition-aligned TV news channel on Friday, accusing him of usury and conspiracy to commit a crime after authorities seized 24 new vehicles on his property. Guillermo Zuloaga, president and owner of Globovision, called the charges "harassment" as he left a prosecutors' office, insisting he has done nothing illegal.

July 11th, 2009 Lawyer says victims of phone hacking could sueLONDON — The publisher of a British tabloid owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch denied on Friday a report that it had accessed the voice mail of celebrities and politicians and tried to suppress evidence of the hacking. The Guardian newspaper has accused the News of the World of paying private investigators to obtain voice mail messages, bank statements and other information about public figures, including Gwyneth Paltrow, George Michael and senior British politicians.

July 11th, 2009 British tabloid denies it hacked celebritiesLONDON — The publisher of a British tabloid owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch denied on Friday a report that it had accessed the voice mail of celebrities and politicians and tried to suppress evidence of the hacking. The Guardian newspaper has accused the News of the World of paying private investigators to obtain voice mail messages, bank statements and other information about public figures, including Gwyneth Paltrow, George Michael and senior British politicians.

July 9th, 2009 UK tabloid accused of payouts after phones tappedLONDON — A British newspaper is reporting that a Sunday tabloid paid out more than 1 million pounds ($1.6 million) in out-of-court settlements after violating the privacy of celebrities and politicians. The Guardian reported Thursday that journalists at the tabloid News of the World used private investigators to hack into private voicemail messages.

July 8th, 2009 LONDON - Brit singer Pete Doherty may face police questioning in connection with the death of an actor who plunged to his death after a row with him. Sheila Blanco's son Mark, 30, had died after he fell from the first floor of a flat in Whitechapel, east London.

July 7th, 2009 Feds: Imprisoned media baron doesn't deserve bailCHICAGO — Federal prosecutors says former newspaper baron Conrad Black should not be freed from prison on bail pending his appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

June 5th, 2009 Venezuelan prosecutors charge anti-Chavez TV chiefCARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan prosecutors charged the head of an anti-government television station with usury on Thursday, ending a weeks-long investigation into his business activities that he called politically motivated. Dozens of National Guard troops accompanied prosecutors to the upscale residence of Globovision president Guillermo Zuloaga on Thursday evening to gather evidence, according to state television footage.

May 31st, 2009 Berlusconi slams paparazzi, laments media scandalROME — Premier Silvio Berlusconi slammed the paparazzi Sunday for taking photos of a New Year's party at his Sardinian home that was attended by an 18-year-old at the heart of a political and personal storm. At a campaign stop in Bari, the premier also lamented that the scandal was playing out on the front pages of newspapers, saying such personal matters belonged exclusively in the private, family sphere.

May 20th, 2009 LONDON - Hollywood actress Jessica Biel has revealed she always leaves the house looking perfect because she doesn't want to see an ugly picture of herself on the front of a newspaper. Contactmusic.com reports that Biel refuses to be seen out and about looking less than her best, as there is always an eager snapper waiting for her.