Katherine Jackson is now the sole carer of her late son Michael Jackson’s children, with a Los Angeles judge signing off on a deal to grant the 79-year-old full custody on Monday.

The Jackson matriarch and her son’s former wife, Debbie Rowe, reached an agreement regarding children Prince Michael I, Paris Michael – Rowe’s biological son and daughter – late last week, with Rowe agreeing to visitation rights and continued spousal support in exchange for relinquishing her claim on the children.

At the hearing on Monday, Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff stated that Katherine would be supplied with a “family allowance” paid out of the King of Pop’s estate to better care for his children.

“It’s not my intention to deprive the children of anything,” Beckloff said.

Jackson’s other child, Prince Michael II – aka Blanket – will also be raised by his grandmother, with the judge ruling that there was “no legal mother” to care for him.

Rowe’s attorney, Eric George, released a statement on his client’s behalf outside of court, praising the result that had been reached.

“Today the parties and the California court brought about a result that is selfless and wise through a process that was collaborative and fair,” George said. “Everyone sought the same objective: doing what is best for the children of Debbie Rowe and Michael Jackson. Today’s result – five-and-a-half-weeks after the tragic death of Michael Jackson, eliminates uncertainty and offers stability to the lives of these children.”

A status hearing will be held on January 11, 2010.

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Michael Jackson’s mother, Katherine, will be awarded custody of his three children, according to the terms of a new deal that has just been reached between the Jackson matriarch and her ex-daughter-in-law, Debbie Rowe.

The deal states that Katherine, 79, will get full custody and Rowe will have visitation rights; however, the former nurse won’t receive any money in exchange for relinquishing her custodial rights to Jackson’s mother.

Previous reports had suggested Rowe was set to give up her rights to care for the children for a large lump sum payment from the Jacksons, rumours which Rowe has vehemently denied.

“It’s an agreement,” said L. Londell McMillan, Katherine Jackson’s attorney in the case, “an agreement for the best interests of the children.”

McMillian was quick to point out that money had absolutely nothing to do with the deal that was struck between Rowe and the Jacksons, contrary to what the media has stipulated.

“This is not a money deal,” he said. “This is not about money.”

“There is no situation better for these children than for them to be raised and reared in the loving care of Mrs. Katherine Jackson,” McMillian added.

While the custody of Michael Jackson’s children may have been sorted, the battle for his estate is still on-going, with McMillian hinting that the King of Pop could have been worth more than $2 billion.

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The bitter war between Hulk Hogan and his wife of 23 years, Linda Hogan, has finally come to an end, with the pair announcing that they have reached a settlement in their mammoth divorce case.

Hogan and Linda announced their divorce agreement at a brief hearing in Clearwater, Fla., on Tuesday, nearly two years after Linda first filed for divorce.

“We’ve reached a marital settlement agreement,” Linda’s attorney, Ray Rafool, told the judge.

Hogan’s rep released a statement to the media on the case, and said: “Hulk is looking forward to moving on with his life and is very hopeful that he and Linda can maintain a friendship and work together as parents of their two children.”

Outside the courtroom, Linda told the waiting paparazzi, “The war is over.”

The couple, who married in 1983, have two children – Nick and Brooke – the latter of which took over her father’s reality television show, Hogan Knows Best, when her parents’ martial troubles came to light.

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Disney’s little sweetheart Miley Cyrus looks set to celebrate her 16th birthday with a divorce from her parents.

The Hannah Montana star is rumoured to be “in discussions” with her attorney in regards to the divorce, and will file a Petition of Emancipation form after having numerous disagreements with her parents – Billy Ray and Tish – over new beau Justin Gaston.

Billy Ray is said to be having “reservations” over his daughter’s romance with Gaston, who’s more than 4 years old than Miley.

“He also thinks Justin is a bit of a mooch and doesn’t want him taking advantage of Miley,” a friend said.

According to another friend, Miley was left “in tears” after Papa Cyrus ordered her to stop seeing the 20-year-old model. It was this fight, among others, that prompted Miley to go through with the legal emancipation.

“She’s totally crazy about [Justin] and isn’t letting him go anywhere,” the pal explained. “Miley told her dad to back off. She is sick of him trying to hold her down, and feels she is old enough to make her own decisions.”

Once the “divorce” from her parents is finalised, Miley will have total control over her career, finances, and personal decisions.

“[Miley] thinks it’s high time she started living like an adult,” the friend added. “Although she loves her parents, she no longer wants to be treated like a child.”

Does that mean we’ll see double the “leaked” soft porn pictures from Miley’s private MySpace collection once the divorce goes through??

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The 24-year-old former nanny of Hollywood actor Rob Lowe has slapped a lawsuit on the star and his wife, claiming that she was sexually assaulted by the Brothers & Sisters star during her 7-year employment.

Jessica Gibson is currently being sued by Lowe and his wife for allegedly violating a confidentiality agreement, but filed a counter-suit of her own on the grounds of sexual harassment in the workplace. According to the charges, 44-year-old Lowe is said to have “stuck his hand into [Gibson's] pants, grabbed her bottom, exposed himself [to her], masturbated in front of her and showed her pornography.”

And it wasn’t just Lowe that sexually harassed the young nanny. Gibson says that Sheryl (Lowe’s wife) would often walk around the house naked and speak to her in a vulgar manner, and at one point, the Hollywood make-up artist commented that “[Gibson] would never find a boyfriend because only married men would want to have sex with her.”

In the lawsuit, which was filed in Santa Barbara County Superior Court on Tuesday, Gibson asks for US$50,000 in general damages, as well as an unspecified amount of unpaid wages and other punitive damages.

In response to the sexual abuse claims, Lowe has released copies of text messages Gibson sent to him shortly after her abrupt departure in late January. Two such messages said that Gibson “did not leave out of spite or anger” and had “nothing bad 2 say” about the Lowes.

Gibson’s attorney, Gloria Allred, said that her client only sent those text messages to keep the peace with Rob and his wife, because she was “afraid” to upset them further.

“She was trying to flee the situation, get away from it. She was afraid of risking their anger at that point,” Allred said.

The former nanny appeared on NBC’s Today shortly after the counter-suit was filed, and explained why she stayed with the Lowes for seven years despite being abused by them. “I loved the children,” she said [the Lowes have two sons, aged 13 & 14]. “I needed the job. I always thought it would get better. And I was scared.”

Allred added: “The rich and famous are not above the law. They are not granted any special immunities. The rich and famous, just like any other employer, must not sexually abuse their employees.”

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