Snoop Dogg launches youth football in Chicago (AP)

CHICAGO – Rapper Snoop Dogg launched a Chicago version of his popular youth football league Saturday, saying he hoped the program will give kids in high-crime neighborhoods a positive release for their energy.

Dancing and high-fiving his way through a large crowd at the Chicago Indoor Sports Facility, the playful entertainer seemed intent on meeting all the kids involved in the inaugural season of the city's Snoop Youth Football League. Chicago's is a division of the league he established in Los Angeles in 2004.

Snoop Dogg spent most of his time interacting with the more than 100 football kids and fans, many whom waited several hours for his arrival.

"When I walked into the building, I felt the spirit," the rapper said of the loud welcome that included non-stop photo flashes. Obviously moved, Snoop Dogg smiled and danced as his songs played in the background.

He credited football, a sport he played growing up, with giving many kids in his California league the incentive to focus on their education and other aspects of their lives. He's hoping Chicago youth use the program to figure out what they want to do with their lives, and he's anxious to see how they respond.

"I want to give them something to fight for," he said of his intentions with the new league. "At the end of the day, they're our future."

The league in California has eight chapters with more than 3,000 participants. Chicago's league will have six chapters with more than 1,500 participants.

Snoop Dogg said the league prides itself on a strong support system, anchored by coaches and parents. "We're teaching life skills now," he said, referring to the program's more-than-football approach.

The rappers also proud that his league isn't afraid to go into some of the most dangerous neighborhoods to reach the young people who live in them.

"We're going to the toughest areas," he said. "We're going to deal with them face to face."

Chicago's league starts in August and is open to youth ages 7 to 14.

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Barbara Rodriguez can be reached at www.twitter.com/brodriguez.

Yahoo! News

Actress Miller settles News Corp phone snoop case (Reuters)

LONDON (Reuters) – Sienna Miller will take a payoff to drop a case against a newspaper that snooped on her phone messages, a scandal that embarrassed Rupert Murdoch's News Corp while it seeks government blessing for a huge merger.

Miller, the on-and-off girlfriend of fellow Hollywood star Jude Law, was one of the main plaintiffs suing News Corp over allegations reporters at its News of the World tabloid illegally listened to voice messages to get scoops.

The scandal has already cost Prime Minister David Cameron's spokesman his job and led to calls for greater oversight of Britain's ruthlessly competitive news media.

The newspaper said it would pay Miller 100,000 pounds ($160,000) as part of a settlement that would see her drop her case. The newspaper would also give her documents in the case.

Miller was one of more than 20 celebrities, including TV personalities, sports figures and even former cabinet members, suing the News of the World for hiring a private investigator to hack into the voicemail accounts of their mobile phones.

Her case was expected to be one of a handful of lead cases against the newspaper that will set compensation levels for other plaintiffs. The lead cases are expected to be decided at a case-management hearing next week.

"We are pleased that we have managed to bring this case to a satisfactory conclusion. Several weeks ago we admitted liability in certain cases and offered a genuine and unreserved apology," News International said in a statement on Friday.

"We hope to resolve other cases swiftly."

Miller's lawyer had no immediate comment.

The scandal has damaged News Corp's reputation at a time when it has been seeking government approval for a proposed $14 billion takeover of British pay-TV firm BSkyB. Opponents want the merger blocked pending the outcome of a police probe.

One journalist at the newspaper was jailed in 2007 for illegally snooping on phone messages of a member of the royal household, but the paper maintained until this year that it was an isolated incident.

The police have since reopened the investigation, several journalists have been arrested and the newspaper has apologised. Cameron's media chief Andy Coulson, who had been the newspaper's editor at the time when the snooping took place, resigned.

Ex-member of parliament George Galloway, who also says his voicemail was hacked, has called cash settlements a legal trap that would allow News Corp to silence claimants by offering them compensation they cannot afford to refuse.

Claimants who refuse to settle and bring their cases to court could end up with huge legal bills.

(Editing by Peter Graff)

Yahoo! News

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Snoop Dogg Establishes Memorial Fund for Nate Dogg

Snoop Dogg has established a memorial trust fund for the family of late hip-hop star Nate Dogg.

According to Snoop's website, the trust "has been set up for expenses of services and the financial security of Nate's children. 100% of all donations will be given to Nate Dogg's family."

Nate Dogg (born Nathaniel Hale) passed away earlier this month at just 41 from complications resulting from multiple strokes. The late singer was plagued with health issues for several years, and it has been reported he suffered strokes in both 2007 and 2008.
Snoop Dogg, who first collaborated with Nate Dogg in the early '90s, took to Twitter to express his heartbreak over his friend's death. "I am so sad but so happy I got to grow up wit u and I will c u again n heaven cuz u know d slogan all doggs go to heaven yo homie n baby brotha bigg snoopdogg!!" he wrote.

Donations to the Nate Dogg Memorial Fund can be made online via PayPal, by postal mail or in person. More details can be found at Snoop Dogg's website.

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