Wonder's ex-girlfriend files suit about herpes

LOS ANGELES -- A Superior Court judge has ordered mediation in the $30 million palimony lawsuit filed against Stevie Wonder by an ex-girlfriend who also accuses the singer of giving her a sexually transmitted disease.

Angela McAfee filed the lawsuit in October, claiming the singer-songwriter promised to support her for life. In court documents, she charges that Wonder gave her herpes, a claim Wonder's attorney has denied.

In a countersuit filed a month later, the 51-year-old Wonder accused McAfee of taking more than $160,000 worth of furniture, stereos, exercise equipment and musical instruments after the couple split last year.

Judge Emilie Elias, who ordered the two on Thursday to try to settle things out of court, scheduled a status conference for April 25.

Changes surprise ex-White House reporter

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Veteran White House correspondent Helen Thomas admitted there is no road map to deal with terrorism, but said she has been struck with how easily Americans have given up some civil liberties.

Thomas told the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce on Thursday she understands the need for more airport security after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. But she said racial profiling, wire tapping and government intrusions on private property are too much.

"We cannot be ruled by fear," she said. "That's not us."

Thomas' journalism career has spanned 60 years and nine presidents.

Passenger's widow reflects on birth of baby

TRENTON, N.J. -- The widow of Flight 93 hero Todd Beamer said the birth of their daughter earlier this month was a bittersweet moment, but the labor went so quickly that there was little time to be emotional.

Lisa Beamer is the widow of Todd Beamer, who cried, "Let's roll!" as passengers prepared to confront hijackers on the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania on Sept. 11.

She gave birth to Morgan Kay on Jan. 9. Her husband's older sister was with her during the birth, which Lisa Beamer said went well.

"She looks so much like Todd and ... obviously it was a very bittersweet moment," Lisa Beamer said on CNN's Larry King Live Thursday night. "But I'd say probably more sweet than bitter."

Comic creator upset over copyright violation

MADISON, Wis. -- Writer Neil Gaiman, creator of the "Sandman" comic book series, has sued another comic book creator, alleging fraud, copyright violations and nonpayment of royalties.

Gaiman, author of the novel "American Gods," claims Todd McFarlane used characters he created without his authorization.

McFarlane created the comic book and animated HBO show "Spawn."

The lawsuit filed Thursday in U.S. District Court also alleges that McFarlane made a wrongful claim to "MiracleMan," a comic book series Gaiman co-wrote with Alan Moore.

-- From wire reports