FIRST LOOK: The News in Brief, November 27, 2005

Sun., Nov. 27, 2005 2:20 PM PST by Kerry Shaw

NEWLYWEDS NO MORE: Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey announcing that they are separating after three years of marriage. "This is the mutual decision of two people with an enormous amount of respect and admiration for each other," they say in a joint statement.

THEY WILL: Elton John and his partner David Furnish planning to wed on Dec. 21, the date that civil partnerships will be legally recognized in the U.K.

THEY WON?T: Kimberly Stewart and Laguna Beach star Talan Torriero calling off their engagement. "It was just too soon to enter into a lifelong commitment," their reps said in a joint statement.

FAREWELL: Pat Morita, who earned an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of sage instructor Mr. Miyagi in the Karate Kid movies, died Thursday of natural causes at his home in Las Vegas, his wife said. He was 73.

ON THE MOVE: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt traveling to earthquake-ravaged Pakistan and visiting a camp for quake survivors. Jolie urging aid donors to keep promises of help to the survivors.

STILL ON FIRE: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire grossing about $54.9 million in its second weekend, once again topping box-office charts.

THE QUEEN: Madonna matching Elvis Presley's record of 36 Top 10 hits as her new single, Hung Up, jumps to number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.

DEATH RIZZOW: Jamie Foxx joining Desmond Tutu and Snoop Dogg in urging California authorities to spare Stanley Tookie Williams, the Crips gang founder-turned-peace activist who is awaiting execution on Dec. 13 at San Quentin prison.

CANCELED: ABC announcing that Alias will end its five-season run in May, due to poor ratings.

TAKE THAT! Robbie Williams?s former band, Take That, reuniting for a tour in Britain and Ireland without him.

UNDER INVESTIGATION: Vietnam charging Gary Glitter with child molestation and holding him in custody for four more months while authorities investigate the case.

MOURNED: Keith Andes, who was Marilyn Monroe's leading man in Clash by Night, has died; he was 85.