Airport ordeal
Cameron Diaz walked through an X-ray machine at the Los Angeles airport Thursday -- and came out minus $7,000 and her passport. A security video showed a guard taking the items from her purse, airport officials said. The items were recovered and returned, and the suspect arrested.
Ventura, Bush make People list of 1999
People magazine's list of 1999's most intriguing celebrities includes movie stars, politicians and sports heroes. And then there's Jesse Ventura, who has been all three.
Ventura, who went from professional wrestling to the Minnesota governor's mansion, is among other politicians on the unranked list. It also includes George W. Bush and Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Among others on the list: Julia Roberts, Ashley Judd, Bruce Willis and Mike Myers. Sports stars included Tiger Woods, Serena Williams, Lance Armstrong, Brandi Chastain and Chris Spielman, who quit pro football to care for his wife during her battle against breast cancer.
Among others listed are John F. Kennedy Jr., Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Bill Gates, David E. Kelly, "Harry Potter" writer J.K. Rowling, JonBenet Ramsey, Regis Philbin and Pokemon.
Prince urges Britons to preserve tradition
Prince Charles welcomed 2000 with a special New Year's message urging Britons to preserve tradition as they enter the new millennium.
"There is all the difference in the world between renewing what is old and replacing old with new," the 51-year-old heir to the British throne said Saturday on BBC radio.
"In this sense, the dawn of a new millennium should not be the excuse for a bonfire of the past, but a chance to rediscover the profound wisdom of those who have made the difficult journey through this life before us."
The prince also emphasized the importance of religious faith.
"In an age of secularism, I hope with all my heart that in the new millennium we will begin to rediscover a sense of the sacred in all that surrounds us," he said.
Road to success was rocky for 'Law' star
Chris Meloni of "Law & Order: Special Victim's Unit" didn't think becoming a star was going to be so tough.
"I thought I'd get to Hollywood and all these producers would be at the side of the road yelling, 'Chris! Where ya been? I've got a script here for you,' " Meloni told People magazine.
After 15 years, Meloni was still waiting for his big break.
"I had to go through a lot of dreck," he said. "I was like Tarzan. As one vine broke, the next one was there."
His roles as a jilted groom in "Runaway Bride" and as a devious convict in HBO's "Oz" finally put him in the spotlight.