Gabrielle Union, Chris Howard announce they’re separating

New York – Gabrielle Union and her husband have separated after four years of marriage.

Union and Chris Howard announced the split in a statement released Monday by Lisa Kussell, the actress’ publicist.

“The couple remains close and asks that you respect their privacy at this difficult time,” the statement said.

Union, 32, married Howard, a former NFL running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars, in 2001.

‘Golden girl’ now also People en Espanol’s Star of the Year

New York – Paulina Rubio, already known as “the golden girl,” has been named “Star of the Year” by People en Espanol.

The Mexican pop star graces the cover of the magazine’s latest issue, on newsstands Monday. Besting finalists Daddy Yankee, Shakira, Juanes and Barbara Mori, Rubio follows Myrka Dellanos, last year’s “star.”

“My music, my songs are 100 percent inspired by girl power,” Rubio tells the magazine.

After beginning in the children’s group Timbiriche, the singer made her solo debut in 1992 with “The Golden Girl.” After an attempt at an English-language album in 2002, she released “Pau-Latina” and a live disc, “Viva la Diva,” last year.

Rubio, the daughter of actress Susana Dosamantes, has starred in several Mexican TV series.

“‘The Golden Girl’ is someone who combines talent, charisma and success, and nobody can deny that,” the magazine said. “Everybody wants to know what Pau is doing and where she is.”

Baldwin, Basinger back at each other’s throats

Los Angeles – Alec Baldwin and ex-wife Kim Basinger traded personal jabs through their lawyers, with each claiming amid a custody dispute that the other has serious emotional problems.

In court papers, Baldwin claimed Basinger “has a pathological need” to turn their daughter against him, and he is asking for a psychological evaluation of the actress.

Baldwin lawyer Vicki Greene argued in a court hearing Monday that Basinger had tainted 10-year-old Ireland’s view of her father.

Basinger’s lawyer, Neal Hersh, dismissed the claim and said Baldwin was the problem.

“We believe that Mr. Baldwin has severe emotional problems,” Hersh said. “Mr. Baldwin’s lawyers attempted to cast terrible aspersions toward Kim rather than focusing on the main issue, which is his daughter.”

Baldwin wasn’t at the hearing, which discussed his telephone time with his daughter and whether Baldwin should get an extra weekend with her when a holiday is interrupted by a court-ordered custody hearing.

Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Maren Nelson said she found no reason to alter the custody agreement. She didn’t rule on the psychological evaluation request.

The acting duo married Aug. 19, 1993. They separated in 2000 and divorced in 2002.

Basinger refused to comment outside the courtroom. She and Baldwin are scheduled to return to court Dec. 13.

Rodman settles speeding, reckless driving charges

Breckenridge, Colo. – Dennis Rodman has settled a speeding ticket that briefly led to a judge issuing an arrest warrant, said a lawyer and his agent.

Rodman, who faced a speeding and reckless driving charge, agreed to plead guilty to speeding, pay $516.50 in fines and make a $200 donation to the Summit County 4-H Club, according to The Denver Post. Denver lawyer Gary Pirosko and Rodman’s agent, Darren Prince, confirmed the settlement.

“That’s it, they had settled it absolutely,” Prince said.

Rodman was charged with speeding and reckless driving after he was stopped July 26 in a $250,000 Lamborghini on a highway near the mountain town of Frisco, about 70 miles west of Denver. Officers allegedly clocked him going 98 mph.

Summit County Judge Russell Granger issued an arrest warrant after Rodman failed to appear at a Sept. 14 hearing.

Rodman had been in town to race in the Bullrun USA 2005 charity auto rally. During the rally, Rodman also was involved in a minor accident and was accused of leaving a Glenwood Springs truck stop without paying $40 for gasoline and a cap. A fan paid the former Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons star’s bill, and authorities did not pursue charges.

Part of Walters’ 10 most fascinating list revealed

New York – Tom Cruise, Teri Hatcher and Kanye West are among the names on Barbara Walters’ list of the 10 most fascinating people of 2005.

The list of the year’s most prominent names in entertainment, politics and sports also includes Lance Armstrong, Michael Jackson’s lawyer Tom Mesereau and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, ABC announced Monday.

“Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2005” will air Nov. 29. The No. 1 most fascinating person of the year will be revealed on the special, now in its 12th year.

Jagger: I’m not a party girl

Hong Kong – Jade Jagger, daughter of Mick Jagger and his former wife Bianca, says she’s not a party girl.

“(People) want to imagine that I’m wild or whatever because they want to feel that there’s somebody out there doing that while they’re going to bed at 9:30 p.m.,” the 34-year-old Jagger is quoted as telling Prestige Hong Kong magazine.

“They don’t want to think that I’m washing my socks, too, and putting my kids to bed.”

Jagger is creative director at British jewelry house Garrard. She has two children, ages 10 and 13.

Jagger says her parents’ efforts to shield her from the spotlight left her a bit traumatized.

“(They) sort of kept me out of the public eye quite a lot when I was little,” she says. “I sometimes found that a little traumatizing, having blankets thrown around me and so on.”