KARACHI, Pakistan Some women strode the catwalk in vicious spiked bracelets and body armor. Others had their heads covered, burqa-style, but with shoulders - and tattoos - exposed. Male models wore long, Islamic robes as well as shorts and sequined T-shirts.

PRAGUE Otomar Krejca, a renowned theater director in the Czech Republic, has died at the age of 87.

NEW YORK It's not uncommon for people to say that their holidays don't live up to a Norman Rockwell painting, but Augusten Burroughs says his holidays have been "hideous."

http://www.augusten.com

Augusten Burroughs shares his holiday stories

LOS ANGELES Michael Jackson's father is seeking an allowance from his son's estate to help cover expenses that exceed $15,000 a month, according to court documents filed Friday. The request seeking an unspecified amount for Joe Jackson was filed by lawyer Brian Oxman, who said there was no apparent reason for the administrators of the estate to not seek an allowance for the Jackson family patriarch.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and Washington schools superintendent Michelle Rhee are engaged.

http://www.sacbee.com

LOS ANGELES Nick Counter, a longtime negotiator for Hollywood producers who led the studios through two grueling writers' strikes last year and in 1988, has died. He was 69.

ATLANTA Grammy-winning singer Estelle remembered when she used to strut in the living room when she was younger, singing many of soul legend Otis Redding's classic songs like "Sittin' On The Dock of the Bay."

http://www.otisredding.com/

NEW YORK Rihanna on Friday described the horror she felt as her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown was biting and punching her during a violent argument in February, saying she saw "no soul in his eyes."

Rihanna: Chris Brown 'had no soul in his eyes'

Rihanna: Chris Brown 'had no soul in his eyes'

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. Whenever Latin pop sensation Alejandro Sanz writes music, he sets off on a "long mental journey" to find inspiration. But when Alicia Keys surprised the singer at a party in New York by joining him in an impromptu jam session, Sanz knew then that he'd found his muse.

http://www.alejandrosanz.com

Latin singer Alejandro Sanz searches for paradise

"Loot the Moon" (Minotaur), 276 pages, $24.99, by Mark Arsenault: Billy Povich, former investigative reporter, has been reassigned to write obituaries - his newspaper's way of encouraging him to quit.

ATLANTA R&B singer Usher's divorce from his wife is final, according to court documents.

LAS VEGAS A 19-year-old woman was the driving force behind a youthful burglary ring that preyed on Hollywood's rich and famous, often brazenly walking into unlocked homes to make off with cash, jewels and family heirlooms, authorities said.

WARWICK, R.I. Two-time Oscar-nominated actor James Woods has sued a Rhode Island hospital over the 2006 death of his younger brother.

NEW YORK Broadway has found its Spider-Man - rock singer Reeve Carney.

HONOLULU The Honolulu Symphony said Friday it's canceling concerts for the rest of the year and filing for bankruptcy, citing a big drop in donations.

LONDON Elton John has been released from a London hospital after being treated for flu and an E. coli bacterial infection.

BERLIN The Berlin Wall's longest remaining stretch has been restored to its state of nearly two decades ago after artists repainted the colorful murals they created in the aftermath of the notorious barrier's opening.

http://www.eastsidegallery-berlin.de/

Laser-powered elevator to space hits some snags

Berlin inaugurates repainted Wall section

LAS VEGAS Puerto Rican duo Calle 13 won all five awards it was nominated for Thursday at the Latin Grammys in Las Vegas, including two of the top awards of the night and honors in both urban and alternative categories.

Latin singer Alejandro Sanz searches for paradise

_

MIAMI Poetry and music have been cut and there will be no parade to kick off the Miami Book Fair International as in years past. But one of the nation's leading literary festivals isn't giving up on readers in a bad economy.

Miami Book Fair International