MTV News Round-up 13/05/2004

*** 50 Cent is set to face charges after a fan was shot in the leg outside the rapper's Boston gig. The victim was shot outside the venue after the concert ended early; three women were also injured. Although charges against 50 Cent are likely, it has not yet been determined what those will be, and police were keen to stress that there was no connection between the rapper and the shooting.

*** Jennifer Lopez has denied reports she is engaged to new boyfriend Marc Anthony, just months are splitting with Ben Affleck. The rumours began after J-Lo was spotted wearing a large diamond ring, and Jen was forced to contact a US TV show to deny the impending nuptials. Singer Marc recently filed for divorce from Miss Universe Dayanara Torres.

*** Sir Paul McCartney has been ordered to reduce the volume of his tour rehearsals at the Millennium Dome after nearby residents complained about the noise. McCartney has hired the space for three weeks in preparation for his European tour, which kicks off on May 25 in Spain. Environmental health officers have ordered the Beatles superstar to keep the noise down to 92 decibels.

*** Bono has paid a visit to Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin to applaud the country's increased funding for AIDS research. The U2 frontman was keen to state that he wasn't in Canada to support the politician's impending election campaign. "I'm not here to elect Paul Martin or the Liberal party," the singer said. "I'm here to elect our issue - the AIDS emergency that's really it."

*** Gomez have announced a UK tour to promote the release of new single 'Silence' and album 'Split The Difference'. The whistle-stop tour kicks off on May 23 at the Manchester Academy, taking in Glasgow, Nottingham, London, Birmingham, Cornwall and Southampton, before ending at the Bristol Academy on May 31.

*** Liz McClarnon from Atomic Kitten has revealed her love of French men, adding that she'd like to buy a home there. "There is something very, very sexy about a man with a French accent." On having a French home, Liz said: "When I was in France I just fell in love with the place and the people. One of my projects is to buy a home near London this year, but I wouldn't mind getting a place in the south of France, too."

CL