Winnipeg Free Press

Random House publishing firm freezes company pensions

NEW YORK -- The largest trade publisher in the United States, Random House Inc., has frozen the pensions of its current employees and eliminated them for future hires, the latest cutback in an industry hit by declining sales and anticipating, at best, a difficult 2009. Updated 2:50 AM

1. It's bleak and bombastic... and those are its good points

   WITH previous screenwriting credits including Being John Malkovich and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Charlie Kaufman is a guy whose themes have never strayed far from the writer's process. Updated 2:50 AM

2. With Madonna and hubby headed to Splitsville, Material Girl to keep money: reports

   LONDON -- A judge will likely grant Madonna and Guy Ritchie an initial divorce decree on Friday, according to the schedule for London's High Court. Updated 2:50 AM

3. Via Rail might choo-choose your design

   TORONTO -- One lucky Canadian designer could soon find themselves on the fast track to style stardom. Updated 2:50 AM

4. VANCOUVER -- Sarah McLachlan will be given a special award at next year's Junos honouring her humanitarian work. Updated 2:50 AM

5. Cold heart pumps evil at centre of Holocaust story

   Adapted from John Boyne's novel, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas bears some comparison to To Kill a Mockingbird in that it is the story of evil seen through the eyes of an innocent child. Just as Mockingbird exposed a young generation to the racism of the deep south, this story offers a glimpse into the horrors of the Holocaust for a contemporary generation of older kids. Updated 2:50 AM

6. Mehta's downer drama lacks point

   Given that Canadian director Deepa Mehta scored a foreign-language feature Oscar nomination for her 2005 film Water, it's difficult to comprehend how she could follow up that triumph with as dismal a movie as Heaven on Earth. Updated 2:50 AM

7. Today ONTV

   Ghost Whisperer Updated 2:50 AM

8. Play's powerful message diluted with cheap sentiment

   In these economically perilous times, many people are asking themselves what they're worth. Updated 2:50 AM

9. Live! In London court! King of Pop will testify!

   LONDON -- Michael Jackson's lawyer says the pop star has agreed to travel to London to respond to a Bahraini sheik's $8.6-million Cdn lawsuit. Updated 2:50 AM

10. Riopelle sale highlight of auction

    TORONTO -- A drip painting by late Montreal artist Jean-Paul Riopelle drew a winning bid to the tune of $1.4 million at the Heffel Fine Art sale on Wednesday, the third-highest price paid at auction for a work by the artist. Updated 2:50 AM

11. Paris splits up with Good Charlotte guitarist

    LOS ANGELES -- Paris Hilton and her boyfriend of nine months, Benji Madden, have broken up. Updated 2:50 AM

12. Colbert the comic, had a wacky Christmas show...

    NEW YORK -- The permanently suit-clad Stephen Colbert has traded in his pinstripes for a cardigan sweater, red turtleneck and furry boots. Updated 2:50 AM

13. Cruise-Holmes spawn Hollywood's 'Hottest Tot'

    NEW YORK -- Suri Cruise is the most popular kid on the playground. Updated 2:50 AM

14. Barking up the right tree

    Of the three main characters in this animated Disney comedy, one is a TV star who believes his own publicity and another is a rabid TV fan who can't tell the difference between drama and reality. Updated 2:50 AM

15. Toews' delighted with $25K surprise after Troutman trip

    MIRIAM Toews says that her $25,000 Writers' Trust Award was a great present to receive at the end of her latest road trip. Updated 2:50 AM

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