Olivia Newton John Appeals For Information About Missing Beau

Olivia Newton John has broken her silence over the disappearance of long-term love Patrick McDermott two months ago, appealing for anyone with information to step forward. The Grease star, 56, is concerned about the whereabouts of her American partner of nine years, who was last seen on an overnight fishing expedition off California's San Pedro coastline between 30 June and 1 July.

On Sunday the California Coast Guard put out a statement about McDermott's disappearance, saying, "We haven't really determined what happened to Mr McDermott and so we can't really say that he disappeared from that vessel." In a statement released Monday, Newton-John says, "I'm hopeful that my treasured friend is safe and well, and I'm grateful to the officials who are working so hard to find Patrick, whom I love very much. "I ask anybody with information that could help to please, please come forward." The singer/actress' spokesman Gavin De Becker added the star was in "close and frequent contact" with McDermott's relatives and friends. (wenn)

Love Denies Pregnancy Claims

Troubled rocker Courtney love has slammed reports she is expecting English comedian Steve Coogan's baby, declaring their relationship is purely platonic.

On Sunday British newspaper News Of The World claimed Love had told the publication she is pregnant after a two-week affair with the funnyman in Los Angeles. The paper claimed Love had said, "Yes, I am pregnant with Steve's baby, but I'd rather not talk about our relationship."

However, the 41-year-old singer has released an official statement through her management company, Sanctuary Artist Management., denying she is pregnant. The statement says, "Courtney Love wishes to make it clear that she denies recent stories suggesting she is pregnant or has had a relationship with Steve Coogan."She confirms that she and Steve are good friends and have met a few times in Los Angeles." Yesterday Coogan's spokesperson said, "He is astonished by this. It is ridiculous." Love was admitted to rehabilitation for her ongoing drug problem last week after she admitted to a Los Angeles judge she had violated her probation for three separate cases. (wenn)

Revolver Stars Sue Axel Rose

Velvet Revolver stars Slash and Duff McKagan have reignited their legal feud with former Guns N Roses band mate Axel Rose in a spat over publishing royalties.

The duo claim Rose sold the rights to songs they wrote together without their consent - and continues to reap the profits. They've filed a federal lawsuit in Los Angeles, accusing the rocker of changing the publisher of the group's copyrighted songs without their consent and pocketing the royalties. In legal papers, Slash and McKagan claim they were unaware of the publishing problems until royalty payments they expected earlier this year failed to arrive.

McKagan's lawyer Glen Miskel tells MTV News, "When the ASCAP cheque didn't come, we called and they looked into it. We didn't know all the facts at first." Miskel says that earlier this month did they discover that Rose had notified ASCAP in late May that he was switching over the publishing from Guns N' Roses to Black Frog Music Publishing, which he owns. The lawsuit reads, "Rose's actions were malicious, fraudulent and oppressive, and undertaken in conscious disregard of property rights." Slash and McKagan are seeking damages for fraud, copyright infringement and breach of fiduciary duty. (wenn)

Mother Of Jackson's Accuser Charged With Welfare Fraud

The mother of Michael Jackson's child molestation accuser has been charged with welfare fraud in Los Angeles today. Janet Jackson, formerly known as Janet Arvizo until her 2004 marriage, allegedly collected US$18,782 in welfare payment while making false claims she was struggling to live and support her children.

In the singer's child abuse trial earlier this year, the superstar's lawyers presented evidence the Arvizo family had received a US$150,000 settlement during a legal battle with department store chain JC Penney in 2001. Michael's attorneys also displayed evidence Janet had been receiving funds from her now-husband US Army Major Jay Jackson to pay her rent. During the Santa Maria, California trial, Janet used the Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination and refused to testify about the welfare matter. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Bureau of Fraud and Corruption Prosecutions filed a five-count complaint today, alleging Janet concealed her settlement and rent assistance from welfare authorities. (wenn)

Timberlake To Launch Clothing Line

Justin Timberlake has become the latest pop star to launch a clothing line after creating exciting designs with best pal Trace Ayala. The pair have teamed up to create new clothes that merge country designs with chic streetwise attire. Timberlake says, "This clothing is representative of where we come from - it's sort of country, but it's also got a little edge and a little chic to it." The line, which will launch exclusively at US department store chain Bloomingdales in November, is called William Rast after Timberlake and Ayala's grandfathers. Timberlake explains, "We just kind of picked the two people who are most influential in our lives, and that's our grandfathers. William is my grandfather's first name and Rast is Trace's grandfather's last name." Trace Ayala, fiance of actress Elisha Cuthbert, adds, "My grandfather and Justin's grandfather knew each other growing up. They still live down the road from each other." (wenn)