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Songwriter charged with multiple rapes

NEW YORK, June 24 (UPI) -- A 71-year-old songwriter and film producer has been charged with allegedly raping or sexually assaulting 11 women in his New York apartment from 2005 to 2008.

The New York Times said Joseph Brooks, who won an Oscar for his 1977 song "You Light Up My Life," was arrested and charged Tuesday with assaulting nearly a dozen women between the ages of 18 and 30.

Prosecutors said he met his alleged victims through Craigslist and an unnamed talent Web site, then lured them to his home with the promise of helping them with their acting careers.

Brooks's 42-year-old female assistant, Shawni Lucier, was charged with assisting the songwriter, who suffered a stroke last year, in his alleged crimes, The Times said.

Brooks pleaded not guilty in State Supreme Court in Manhattan and was released on the promise he will post the equivalent of a $250,000 cash bond by Thursday, the newspaper said.

Report: Meyers detained by airport police

PARIS, June 24 (UPI) -- Irish actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers was handcuffed and questioned after he allegedly, while drunk, challenged police to a fight in a French airport.

Meyers, 31, is best known for his work on TV's "The Tudors," as well as in the movies "Match Point" and "August Rush."

He has previously spent time in rehab to treat his addiction to alcohol and was arrested in 2007 for being drunk and disorderly in a Dublin airport. Those charges were subsequently dismissed.

The Sun newspaper said Wednesday police at Charles DeGaulle in Paris handcuffed the actor after he allegedly boasted about how rich he is, tossed euros on the floor and told the officers: "You wanna hit me? Hit me!"

He was later released pending further inquiries, the newspaper said.

Lachey and Minnillo break up

LOS ANGELES, June 24 (UPI) -- Representatives for Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo say the U.S. celebrity couple has broken up after about three years of dating.

Lachey is a recording artist, who was previously married to singer/actress Jessica Simpson. Lachey and Simpson starred in a popular reality television show called "Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica."

Minnillo is a former MTV presenter.

"They have amicably split but remain good friends who still greatly care for one another," Minnillo's publicist told People magazine.

Another source agreed the exes remain friends.

"It was the right thing for both of them to do," the insider told the publication.

Parker & Broderick's surrogate gives birth

NEW YORK, June 24 (UPI) -- The surrogate employed by Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick has given birth to the U.S. celebrity couple's twin daughters.

E! News said the babies were born Monday at East Ohio Regional Hospital in Martins Ferry, Ohio.

"Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick are delighted to announce the healthy arrival of their two daughters at 3:58 p.m. (EDT)," the couple's representatives said in a statement issued Tuesday. "Marion Loretta Elwell Broderick weighed 5 pounds, 11 ounces, and Tabitha Hodge Broderick weighed 6 pounds. Both Hodge and Elwell are family names on Parker's side. The babies are doing beautifully and the entire family is over the moon."

The New York-based couple, who are also the parents of 6-year-old James, reportedly are with the surrogate.