Peter Jennings remembered nationwide
NEW YORK, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- President Bush issued a statement Monday hailing the career of ABC News anchor Peter Jennings, who died of lung cancer during the weekend.
Jennings announced in April he had cancer and the anchor of ABC's "World News Tonight" died in New York Sunday at age 67.
"Laura and I were saddened to learn about the death of Peter Jennings," Bush's statement said. "Peter Jennings had a long and distinguished career as a news journalist. He covered many important events, events that helped define the world as we know it today. A lot of Americans relied upon Peter Jennings for their news."
"World News Tonight" senior broadcast producer Tom Nagorski praised Jennings' energy and tenacity.
Former CBS News Anchor Dan Rather told "The Early Show" Jennings was "a fierce competitor, but a principled one." NBC newsman Tom Brokaw told the "Today" show, his longtime friend and competitor was "born to be an anchor."
Jennings' ABC colleague Barbara Walters remembered Jennings as a stickler for details.
"If I knew the name of the person in the parade," she told CNN, "he knew the name of the horse."
Cuban singer Ibrahim Ferrer dead at 78
HAVANA, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Cuban singer Ibrahim Ferrer, who achieved international acclaim with the film and album "The Buena Vista Social Club," has died in Havana at age 78.
Ferrer, the last of the great Cuban "sonero" -- or romantic tenors -- died Saturday from multiple organ failure, his manager Carmen Romero told the New York Times.
The 1997 Grammy-winning album and a subsequent film both called "The Buena Vista Social Club" made Ferrer an international star.
The retired singer had been shining shoes in Havana and living on a small state pension for six years when American musician Ry Cooder contacted him about making the album, the Times said.
"The Buena Vista Social Club" signified a rebirth of his career and thrust him into international stardom.
Ferrer won a Latin Grammy for Best New Artist in 2000 and won a Grammy Award for best Traditional Tropical Latin Album in 2003, but he was denied a visa to attend the U.S. ceremony and collect his award.
Ferrer is survived by his wife, Caridad Díaz, 6 children, 14 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Rosie O'Donnell to join 'Fiddler'
NEW YORK, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- The casting of Rosie O'Donnell as Golde in "Fiddler on the Roof" is being called "one of the boldest bits of replacement casting in Broadway history."
O'Donnell will play the wife of Harvey Fierstein's Tevye starting in September, giving the "Fiddler" revival two openly gay actors playing spouses in a musical about breaking traditions, the New York Times said Monday.
O'Donnell is hardly a Broadway novice. Her stint as Rizzo in "Grease!" was a showstopper, she also appeared in "Seussical," has hosted the Tony Awards and put up the money for the flop, "Taboo."
Fierstein said he was thrilled by Sunday's casting announcement.
"As a 20-year friend of Rosie's, I couldn't be happier that we will finally share a stage together," he said. "With her understanding of Fiddler's important place in theatrical history, I am positive she will uphold that tradition excitingly."
"Fiddler" has been struggling to fill seats and was expected to close Feb. 8. However, the Times said, producers are banking on O'Donnell's box office draw to pull the show out of the doldrums and extend its run.
Marie Osmond loses office, garage in fire
OREM, Utah, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Fire officials in Orem, Utah, Monday were trying to determine what sparked a weekend fire at the home of singer Marie Osmond.
The garage and Osmond's office above it were completely destroyed by fire Friday night, her husband Brian Blosil told KUTV, Salt Lake City. Damage was estimated at $50,000.
Blosil said the couple were thankful no one was injured and the damage was not worse.
"We'll be praying long and hard for what took place," Blosil added.
Firefighters credited Blosil for getting the couple's children out of the home safely and stopping the spread of the flames by closing an interior door.
Osmond was in California at the time.
Officials say the fire started in the garage.
