Sopranos star faces May trial

Actor Robert Iler, who plays the troubled son of a mob boss on the hit TV show The Sopranos, is to stand trial on robbery charges on 6 May.

Mr Iler and two others have been charged with second-degree robbery after two tourists were robbed of $40 (£28) on Manhattan's Upper East Side in July.

Mr Iler was 16 at the time of crime, which carries a sentence of up to 15 years.

In a statement released after the incident, Mr Iler said he was "terribly embarrassed" by the arrest and regretted putting his family and friends through an "extremely difficult" time.

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Robinson asked to represent university

TV quiz host Anne Robinson has been invited by students at St Andrews University, which is attended by Prince William, to stand for the post of rector.

The Weakest Link presenter said she would be delighted to take on the role at St Andrews.

She told the Sunday Times: "We get a lot of students from St Andrews on The Weakest Link. I really like them and like to know whether they have met Prince William."

If she is elected by students, Robinson would follow an illustrious line of rectors at the Fife university including publisher Andrew Neil, author Rudyard Kipling, and actor John Cleese.

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Connelly 'joins' Fog cast

Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Connelly has reportedly agreed to join the cast of The House of Sand and Fog.

The actress, who won an Academy Award for A Beautiful Mind, joins Sir Ben Kingsley in the adaptation of the novel by Andre Dubus III, reports Variety magazine.

Kingsley is expected to play an Iranian immigrant who wins an auction for a foreclosed house, however the previous owner, Connelly, is determined to get the house back at any cost.

Connelly will be next seen in the new Incredible Hulk movie, being directed by Ang Lee.

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Fans flock to singer's grave

Thousands of fans of murdered singer Selena Quintanilla have flocked to her grave in Texas to remember her on the seventh anniversary of her death.

Selena, who won a Grammy in 1995 for her album Selena Live, was shot and killed by Yolanda Saldivar on 31 March 1995, at a Corpus Christi motel.

Ms Saldivar, the former president of Selena's fan club, was convicted of murder and is serving a life sentence.

The singer's father, Abraham Quintanilla, said: "The impact that Selena's death had on people of all ages is just phenomenal."

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Stars turn out for charity

An all-star cast of black, Hispanic and Asian performers have taken to the stage in New York in aid of women's charities.

Actors Salma Hayek, Rosie Perez and singer Eve were among the stars performing a version of The Vagina Monologues at Harlem's Apollo Theatre.

Proceeds from the evening's performance were to go to several women's anti-violence organisations.

Perez said: "We begin to heal the women of Harlem, and all of the women of the world."

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Lovett hailed a hero

Lyle Lovett's uncle said he owes his life to the country singer, who came to his rescue when an enraged bull knocked him to the ground and mauled him at his Texas ranch.

Lovett faces months of rehabilitation following surgery to repair a broken right leg he suffered when he slapped the bull away from his uncle, Calvin Klein.

Mr Klein, who suffered bruising, told the Houston Chronicle: "If it wouldn't have been for Lyle, I wouldn't be here talking to you."

Lovett, who is divorced from actor Julia Roberts, has won several Grammy Awards and has appeared in a variety of movies including The Player.