Charges filed in killing of Eminem friend

A man was charged yesterday with weapons violations in a shooting earlier this week that took the life of hip-hop artist Proof, a close friend of Eminem. Mario Etheridge, 28, of Detroit was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and discharge of a firearm in a building, according to the Wayne County prosecutor's office. Assistant prosecutor Maria Miller would not comment when asked if more charges are possible. Etheridge has been held by police since he surrendered Wednesday afternoon; his attorney has said the shooting was in self-defense. Detroit police said they were told by witnesses that Etheridge shot Proof early Tuesday after Proof shot Army veteran Keith Bender, 35, inside the CCC, a nightclub along Eight Mile Road. The thoroughfare, which divides Detroit and its northern suburbs, was made famous in the 2002 film named for the road and which starred Eminem. Bender remained in critical condition yesterday with a gunshot wound to the head. Yesterday, Eminem issued a statement about his friend's death, saying, ''He pushed me to become who I am. Without Proof's guidance and encouragement there would have been a Marshall Mathers, but probably not an Eminem and certainly never a Slim Shady." Proof, 32, was best man in Eminem's January wedding.

Four TV broadcast networks and their affiliates have filed court challenges to a March 15 Federal Communications Commission ruling that found several programs ''indecent" because of language. ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox filed notices of appeal in federal courts late Thursday and yesterday. The move represents a protest against the aggressive enforcement of federal indecency rules that broadcasters have complained are vague and inconsistently applied. The appeals challenge the FCC's finding that profane language was used on CBS's ''The Early Show," in 2004, incidents involving Cher and Nicole Richie on the ''Billboard Music Awards" shows broadcast by Fox in 2002 and 2003, and episodes of the ABC show ''NYPD Blue" that aired in 2003.

Colombian star Shakira says she has teamed with other Latin artists to organize a ''revolutionary" event to raise awareness and aid to help end poverty in Latin America. It is tentatively set for 2007.

'If you're not doing that, then you should be ashamed of yourself.' Bill Cosby, telling parents in Cincinnati they should be involved in all aspects of their children's lives.

FROM WIRE REPORTS