Oscar-winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones has opened up about her battle with bipolar disorder to encourage other sufferers to get help. The 42-year-old recently spent five days at the Silver Hill psychiatric hospital in Connecticut for treatment for the condition, which is characterised by long periods of depression and bursts of mania.

Actor and director Tim Robbins, 52, is in double mourning. Robbins’ mother, musician Mary Robbins, 78, died heart arrhythmia on Sunday; her husband of 59 years, musician Gil Robbins, 80, died 12 days earlier of prostate cancer.

The woman who falsely accused three Duke lacrosse players of raping her was charged Monday with murder in the death of her boyfriend.

Crystal Mangum was indicted on a charge of first-degree murder and two counts of larceny. She has been in jail since April 3, when police charged her with assault in the stabbing 46-year-old Reginald Daye. He died after nearly two weeks at a hospital.

An attorney for Mangum and officials in the district attorney's office did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

Mangum falsely accused the lacrosse players of raping her at a 2006 party at which she was hired to perform as a stripper. The case heightened long-standing tensions in Durham about race, class and the privileged status of college athletes.

Prosecutors declined to press charges for the false accusations, but Mangum's bizarre legal troubles have continued.

The star, who used to date Marilyn Manson, told Esquire magazine that she prefers to take the lead when dating women.

Raul Castro was named first secretary of Cuba’s Communist Party today with his ageing brother Fidel not included in the leadership for the first time since the party’s creation 46 years ago.

Despite raising hopes during the gathering that a new generation of leaders was poised to take up important positions, Raul announced that Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, an 80-year-old long-time confidante, would be his deputy.

Ramiro Valdes, a 78-year-old vice president, was named to the No. 3 spot. Several younger people were added to the 15-member leadership group, but in lesser positions.

Fidel Castro, 84, made a surprise appearance at the gathering, receiving thunderous applause from the 1,000 delegates assembled in a vast convention centre in the capital, Havana.

Elizabeth Taylor Through the Years

Elizabeth Taylor

High School Musical star Vanessa Anne Hudgens has decided to confront the rumors regarding the scandalous photos on the internet. Vanessa, 18, realized that she was in no position to deny that the picture was in fact her, (and not a sneaky photoshop situation) so she came clean.