Spears’ mother planning to write parenting book

New York – Lynne Spears is planning to write a book about raising her family in the glare of the media spotlight.

The memoir could be a gossip lover’s delight, providing maternal insight into the life of her daughter Britney, who has gone from child star to tabloid train wreck.

“Pop Culture Mom: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World” is set for release May 11, which is Mother’s Day, said Curt Harding, a spokesman for Thomas Nelson Inc., a Christian book publisher.

Judge orders rapper T.I. released on $3M bond

Atlanta – Rapper T.I. was released on bond Friday, but he’ll be confined to his home to await trial on weapons charges.

T.I. (real name: Clifford Harris) walked out of the federal courthouse in downtown Atlanta after posting a $3 million bond – $2 million in cash and $1 million in equity on property he owns.

“I want to thank all the fans for their support,” Harris said as he left the courthouse. “Due to the severity of the situation, I can’t say much more.”

U.S. Magistrate Judge Alan Baverman agreed to the bond over government objections so long as Harris follows certain conditions, including remaining in a home except for medical appointments and court appearances.

Pete Doherty given suspended sentence

London – Pete Doherty was handed a suspended jail sentence Friday for a series of drug and driving offenses.

The 28-year-old rocker, whose drug use has frequently landed him in court, was fined $800 for driving without insurance and $154 for not having a valid inspection certificate for his car.

Appearing at West London Magistrates Court, Doherty was given a four-month sentence, suspended for two years. He was also placed under court supervision for 18 months and given a 12-month drug treatment order.

“You have made strides and I hope you will continue in doing so. I would hate to see you going backwards,” District Judge Davinder Lachhar told Doherty, who was cheered by a gaggle of fans as he left the courthouse.

Kid Rock: I was provoked into Waffle House fight

New York – Kid Rock isn’t one to back down from a fight, but says he doesn’t go looking for trouble.

“Last thing I want is to have a reputation. I believe in standing up for things I believe in,” the 36-year-old rock-rapper told Ellen DeGeneres on her syndicated talk show Thursday. “Being honest sometimes gets me in a little bit of trouble.”

Kid Rock – who quarreled with Tommy Lee at MTV’s Video Music Awards last month – was arrested early Sunday after a brawl at a Waffle House restaurant in Atlanta.

“It started with me celebrating a great show that night. We were hungry. It was late at night,” he told DeGeneres.

“I know the people work hard at Waffle House so I tipped people behind the counter and gave $300 to split up. Bought everyone breakfast in there,” he said. “We had a good time. This one kid just started talking. … And then one thing led to another, windows were breaking, cussing and fussing … the mud, the blood and the beer.”

Pic owned by Elton John not porn, officials say

London – A picture taken by American photographer Nan Goldin and owned by Elton John isn’t an indecent image, British prosecutors said Friday.

The BALTIC Center for Contemporary Art in Gateshead, northeastern England, alerted police Sept. 20 amid child pornography concerns. The photo shows two girls dancing; one of them is naked.

The gallery then closed “Thanksgiving,” an exhibition of 149 pictures by Goldin, at John’s request. The 60-year-old pop star purchased the collection in 1999.

D.A. not prosecuting Bloom in car accident

Los Angeles – The Bloom isn’t off the road.

Jane Robison, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office, said Friday it will not prosecute Orlando Bloom, who was involved in a minor car accident earlier this month. Robison said there is “insufficient evidence.”

The 30-year-old actor told police he was being chased by paparazzi as he left a nightclub in the early morning hours of Oct. 12. When one photographer made a sudden lane change, Bloom swerved into some parked cars, injuring two passengers in his vehicle.

Shatner saddened he’s left out of ‘Star Trek’

Los Angeles – The original Capt. Kirk is disheartened he won’t get to boldly go anywhere with his old pal Spock in the new “Star Trek” movie.

While Leonard Nimoy is reprising his role as the pointy-eared Vulcan in next year’s science-fiction flick, William Shatner is not on board as Kirk.

“I couldn’t believe it. I’m not in the movie at all. Leonard, God bless his heart, is in, but not me,” Shatner, 76, told The Associated Press on Thursday. “I thought, what a decision to make, since it obviously is a decision not to make use of the popularity I have to ensure the movie has good box office. It didn’t seem to be a wise business decision.”

Director J.J. Abrams announced last summer that Nimoy would reprise the role he originated opposite Shatner in the 1960s television show and played again in six big-screen adventures.

Abrams’ “Trek” film, whose plot is being kept under wraps by distributor Paramount, recounts an early adventure for the crew of the starship Enterprise, with Chris Pines as the young Kirk and Zachary Quinto as the young Spock.

The cast includes Karl Urban as Dr. McCoy, Simon Pegg as engineer Scott and John Cho as helmsman Sulu.