People: First lady extends Hawaiian vacation
First lady Michelle Obama is getting a few extra days of Hawaiian sun.
President Barack Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha returned to the White House on Sunday after a two-week vacation.
The first lady stayed behind to spend time with friends ahead of her upcoming 50th birthday party. The White House says the extra time in the islands is part of her birthday gift from the president.
The first lady turns 50 on Jan. 17.
Romney says he, MSNBC are good
Mitt Romney says he has accepted an apology from an MSNBC host who joked about a Christmas picture that included the 2012 Republican presidential candidate’s adopted, African-American grandson.
Romney told “Fox News Sunday” that he sees Melissa Harris-Perry’s apology as sincere and is ready to move on. He says everyone – himself included – makes mistakes and the Romney family has forgiven MSNBC.
Lawyer fined for Rowling reveal
A lawyer who let slip J.K. Rowling’s secret thriller-writer identity has been fined $1,645 for breaching client confidentiality rules.
Chris Gossage of London law firm Russells Solicitors – which represents Rowling – told a friend of his wife that the “Harry Potter” creator was author of “The Cuckoo’s Calling,” published last year under the name Robert Galbraith. The friend tweeted the information, and it was followed up by the Sunday Times.
The law firm apologized and paid damages to Rowling for the leak.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority says it issued Gossage a written rebuke for disclosing confidential information about a client to a third party.
Seagal hints at gubernatorial bid
Action-movie star Steven Seagal said he is considering a run for Arizona governor.
The actor told KNXV-TV that he is considering a shot at the state’s highest office and has had a talk about the bid with the self-proclaimed toughest sheriff in America.
The 61-year-old made the comments while talking about his newly released reality series “Steven Seagal – Lawman: Maricopa County.”
Seagal teamed up with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio for the show that was shot in Arizona.
The martial arts expert is a member of Arpaio’s posse, made up of 3,000 unpaid civilians. He also has been deputized with sheriff’s offices in New Mexico, Texas and Louisiana and says he wants to increase border security.
The birthday bunch
Author E.L. Doctorow is 83. Rock musician Malcolm Young (AC-DC) is 61. Actor-comedian Rowan Atkinson is 59. TV chef Nigella Lawson is 54. Movie director John Singleton is 46. TV personality Julie Chen is 44. Actor Danny Pintauro (“Who’s the Boss?”) is 38. Actress-comedian Kate McKinnon (“Saturday Night Live”) is 30. Rock singer Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys) is 28.