People in the news

The latest news on today's hottest celebrities ...

JOSS STONE: Two men were convicted in England of conspiring to kidnap, rob and kill soul singer Joss Stone, then dump her body in a river.

A jury deliberated for 4 hours Wednesday before finding Kevin Liverpool, 35, and Junior Bradshaw, 32, both of Manchester guilty of planning to grab the 25-year-old singer at her Devon County home and decapitate her, The Guardian reported.

Judge Francis Gilbert sentenced Liverpool to life in prison and he must serve at least 10 years and eight months before he becomes eligible for parole. Bradshaw is to be sentenced at a later date, the newspaper said.

"You intended to rob her and kill her and dump her body in the river, according to your words, and then leave the country with your accomplice Junior Bradshaw," the judge said.

Authorities said the pair were armed with a samurai sword, hammers, a metal spike and knife as they set out on their criminal mission on June 11. They also had balaclavas, gloves, body bags, gaffer tape, a roll of plastic bags and maps showing the area where the singer lived.

They botched up their scheme trying to get to her house. First, they smashed their car after driving off without paying for gas at a service station in Gloucestershire. While the police who showed up at the accident scene didn't uncover their true intent, the pair later got lost and asked a postman for directions.

Area residents called police after seeing them "agitated and behaving abnormally." This time, police found the incriminating evidence and arrested them.

Stone, best known for her song "Fell in Love With a Boy," said she was relieved by the outcome of the case, The Daily Telegraph reported.

"I'd like to thank everyone for all their support and kind wishes," she said in a statement.

"I am relieved the trial is now over and that these men are no longer in a position to cause harm to anyone."

RUTH PRAWER JHABVALA: Booker Prize-winning novelist and Oscar-winning screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala has died of pulmonary disorder at her home in New York, her family said.

The German-born writer's longtime collaborator, film director James Ivory, confirmed her Wednesday death at the age of 85 to The Washington Post.

Among the films Jhabvala and Ivory made with the late producer Ismail Merchant were "The Householder," "The Europeans," "The Bostonians," "Room With a View," "Howards End," "The Remains of the Day," "The Golden Bowl" and "Le Divorce."

She is also known for her classic 1975 novel "Heat and Dust," which earned England's prestigious Booker Prize. She won Oscars for her screenplays for "Room With a View" and "Howards Ends."

The writer is survived by her husband Cyrus Jhabvala and three daughters.

'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT:' NBC says "America's Got Talent" is moving from the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark to Radio City Music Hall in New York for its upcoming season.

"There are few entertainment shrines in the world that are as venerated as Radio City Music Hall," Paul Telegdy, president of alternative and late night programming for NBC Entertainment, said in a statement Wednesday. "Many of America's greatest performers have graced this legendary stage, and now 'AGT' will have the rare opportunity to discover greatness in this renowned venue. This move -- coupled with the addition of Mel B and Heidi Klum joining our judges' panel of Howie Mandel and Howard Stern -- takes the show to a new and even more exciting level."

"We are delighted that Season 8 of 'America's Got Talent' will come from New York's iconic Radio City Music Hall," said executive producer Trish Kinane. "This venue has welcomed some of the best acts in the world, and 'AGT' will continue in that tradition by bringing exciting new performers to this legendary stage."

NBC said the move is being made for creative reasons, but would not have been possible without the assistance provided by the recent extension and enhancement of the New York Production Tax Credit.

"We applaud Governor Cuomo and the New York legislature for developing and advocating programs that attract investment and create jobs for New Yorkers," said Rick Cotton, executive vice president and general counsel for NBCUniversal.

"Today's announcement is further proof that New York is becoming the place to go for the film and television industry, creating new jobs for New Yorkers and spurring economic activity across the state," Cuomo said. "We have the resources, the talented workforce, and the best venues, including the iconic Radio City Music Hall, which will be sure to inspire the contestants of 'America's Got Talent' -- and all the visitors who flock to see it."

Nick Cannon is to return as host of show, which taped in Los Angeles for its first six seasons.

HEATHER MORRIS: Heather Morris, a cast member of the Ohio high school-set TV series "Glee," is pregnant with her first child, UsMagazine.com reported.

Morris, 26, has been dating Taylor Hubbell since high school.

"She's a little more than three months along and starting to show," a source told the publication. "It was totally unexpected, but they are incredibly happy and excited."