Final Potter book puts Harry in ‘Deathly Hallows’

New York – We now have a title for Book VII: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”

But if you want to find out for yourself, visit J.K. Rowling’s Web site, jkrowling.com, and play a little game of hangman.

Rowling’s U.S. publisher, Scholastic Inc., released a brief statement Thursday announcing the name of the world’s most anticipated children’s book, the finale to her phenomenally popular fantasy series.

No publication date or other details were offered. Rowling still is working on the book, she explained on her Web site in an entry posted early Thursday.

“I’m now writing scenes that have been planned, in some cases, for a dozen years or even more,” she wrote. “I don’t think anyone who has not been in a similar situation can possibly know how this feels: I am alternately elated and overwrought. I both want, and don’t want, to finish this book (don’t worry, I will.)”

‘9 to 5’ Parton tribute doesn’t work for Simpson

New York – Unhappy with her second try at paying tribute to Dolly Parton for the “Kennedy Center Honors,” Jessica Simpson has pulled out of the show.

Simpson drew unwanted attention earlier this month when she flubbed the words to Parton’s “9 to 5” during a taping of the annual show, grew flustered and fled the stage. Producers gave her a second chance at the song.

But after Simpson saw a tape, she requested the second attempt be pulled from the show, which airs Tuesday on CBS.

“She really wasn’t happy with her performance and she did want it to be perfect for Dolly, who she idolizes,” said Cindi Berger, a spokeswoman for Simpson.

Besides Parton, the tribute honors Andrew Lloyd Webber, Zubin Mehta, Smokey Robinson and Steven Spielberg. Caroline Kennedy is the host.

It’s twins for Diddy, girlfriend

New York – Call him P. Daddy.

Sean “Diddy” Combs and girlfriend Kim Porter became the parents of twin girls Thursday morning, with the hip-hop impresario flying in from a movie set in Canada for the birth at a Manhattan hospital, said Combs spokesman Robert Zimmerman.

The first arrived at 7:56 a.m., weighing in at 5 pounds, while the second girl was delivered two minutes later and weighed 5 pounds, 4 ounces. The older twin was named D’Lila Star after Porter’s grandmother, while the younger was named Jessie James after Combs’ grandmother.