Spector trial foreman says jury at impasse

Los Angeles – The foreman of the jury in Phil Spector’s murder trial said Tuesday that the panel is at an impasse, and the judge told lawyers he was considering allowing the panel to consider a lesser charge.

The juror told Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler the jury was split 7 to 5, but he did not indicate which way it was leaning.

When Fidler asked if there was anything he could do to help, the foreman said, “At this time I don’t believe that anything else will change the positions of the jurors.”

Polled individually, some jurors agreed with the foreman and others disagreed. One suggested further instruction about reasonable doubt.

The record producer is charged with second-degree murder in the Feb. 3, 2003, shooting of actress Lana Clarkson, and the judge previously ruled that the panel would decide only that charge and not consider lesser charges such as manslaughter.

The judge, however, told the attorneys that he was reconsidering and believed he might have cause to instruct the jury to consider involuntary manslaughter.

The judge, amid discussions with lawyers, told the jury he wanted them to take a break and sent them home with instructions to return today, possibly for more instructions or to have the lawyers reargue part of the case.

The defense immediately asked for a mistrial, but the judge denied it on grounds that three jurors indicated further instructions may help.

Britney Spears ordered to have random drug tests

New York – Calling her a junkie and habitual boozer, a judge demanded Britney Spears become a better mom Tuesday – or risk losing custody of her kids.

The partied-out pop star was put on a tight leash by Los Angeles Judge Scott Gordon, who ordered her to undergo drug testing and see a therapist at least once a week.

“Based on the evidence presented, the court finds that there is a habitual, frequent and continuous use of controlled substances and alcohol by (Spears),” he wrote in his nine-page ruling.

To stress that the “Oops! … I Did it Again” singer better not do it again, the judge ordered the 25-year-old to undergo random drug testing twice a week – and get a parenting coach.

The stunning rebuke came on the heels of a devastating week for Spears, who bombed in her comeback performance at the MTV Video Music Awards and saw her lawyer and manager walk out on her.

The only bright spot in Gordon’s ruling for Spears was that she and ex-husband Kevin Federline will temporarily be allowed to keep their 50-50 joint custody arrangement.

Mary-Louise Parker adopts baby from Africa

New York – Mary-Louise Parker has adopted a baby girl from Africa, her spokeswoman confirmed to People.com.

When asked for comment Tuesday, Parker’s spokeswoman, Tamar Salup, referred The Associated Press to the Web site.

Parker, 43, has a 3-year-old son, Will, with ex-boyfriend Billy Crudup.

The actress stars on Showtime’s offbeat comedy “Weeds” as a newly widowed mother of two who starts selling marijuana to maintain her family’s comfortable suburban lifestyle.

Parker co-stars with Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck in “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford,” which opens in theaters Friday.

Sex Pistols to reunite for album anniversary

London – The Sex Pistols are reuniting for a concert to mark the 30th anniversary of their only album, “Never Mind the Bollocks.”

All four original members – John Lydon, Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Glen Matlock – will play a one-time concert at London’s Brixton Academy on Nov. 8, the band announced Tuesday on the music Web site http://www.nme.com.

The punk pioneers, who once sang there was “No Future,” split in 1978 but reformed in 1996 and played together again in 2003. Last year they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Led by sneering frontman Lydon – then known as Johnny Rotten – the Pistols shocked many Britons with raucous singles including “God Save the Queen,” “Anarchy in the U.K.” and “Pretty Vacant.”

Released in 1977, “Never Mind the Bollocks” is now regarded as one of the most influential albums in rock history. It will be rereleased to mark the anniversary.

Bassist Sid Vicious, who replaced Matlock during the band’s period of greatest notoriety and became a punk icon, died of a drug overdose in 1979.

White Stripes cancel remaining tour dates

Detroit – The White Stripes have canceled all remaining tour dates through the end of the year, including fall dates in Britain.

“They thank you for your understanding and well wishes,” said a posting on the duo’s Web site.

Singer-guitarist Jack White and drummer Meg White had previously canceled their September shows, saying “Meg White is suffering from acute anxiety and is unable to travel at this time.”

Spokeswoman Chloe Walsh, in an e-mail Tuesday to The Associated Press, said she had no further comment on the tour cancellation and White’s illness.

Ticket holders can get refunds at the point of purchase, the Web site said, except for the Austin City Limits Festival, which is nonrefundable.