CELEBRITY NEWS
Court victory for Salinger
A federal judge temporarily blocked publication of a novel after finding substantial similarities between it and J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye.’’ US District Judge Deborah Batts made the decision after hearing lawyers argue whether Salinger has a right to stop publication in the United States of “60 Years Later’’ by Fredrik Colting, a Swedish author who writes under the name John David California. The judge is expected to rule next month on whether the new book makes fair use of Salinger’s work by providing commentary, criticism, or parody. Salinger, who lives a reclusive life in rural New Hampshire, has not published a book in decades. (AP)
Actress’s brother found dead
Mia Farrow’s brother, a sculptor and local fixture in Castleton, Vt., killed himself at his art gallery, state police and a spokeswoman for the actress said yesterday. Patrick Farrow, 66, died of a single gunshot wound to the head late Monday night in his studio, a converted church, authorities said. Farrow and his wife, Susan, regularly walked along the main thoroughfare in Castleton, a central Vermont town of about 4,300 not far from the New York border. (AP)
Brown hearing won’t be delayed
The California Supreme Court refused yesterday to intervene or delay Chris Brown’s preliminary hearing. His lawyer, Mark Geragos, had asked the court last week to intervene in the R&B singer’s felony assault case. Brown is due back in court Monday for the hearing, after which a judge will decide whether there is enough evidence for his case to go to trial. Brown was arrested in February on suspicion that he assaulted his then-girlfriend, Rihanna. (AP)
‘Daily Show’ to air reports from Iran
Comedy Central says “Daily Show’’ correspondent Jason Jones is reporting from Iran for a week of dispatches titled “Access of Evil.’’ His reports will air on the spoof news program anchored by Jon Stewart beginning Monday. (AP)
Joel splits with third wife
Billy Joel and his wife, Katie Lee, are splitting up. In a statement, the pair said that they remain “caring friends with admiration and respect for each other.’’ They married five years ago at Joel’s mansion on Long Island. It was Joel’s third marriage, her first. (AP) 