The former headmistress of Oprah Winfrey's South African all-girls academy has denied all prior knowledge of the alleged abuse claims in the school, insisting there was no "cover-up." Ex-employee L.N. Mzamane hit out at the press on Thursday after various reports claimed she knew a staff member had molested a number of the young pupils. Former dorm matron Virginia Mokgobo, 27, was arrested on October 29 on numerous charges, including assault, indecent assault and soliciting underage girls to perform indecent acts, after a local newspaper article brought attention to the matter in October. A total of 15 victims have come forward. Mokgobo has been bailed pending further investigation. But Mzamane, who admits she was "shocked and deeply saddened" by the abuse allegations, insists she would never allow such behavior to continue under her authority. In a statement issued by her Philadelphia attorney, Timothy McGowan, she adds, "Contrary to reports, I had no knowledge of abuse. I did not and would never participate in any such cover up. As the head of the academy, my track record had been of one who acted decisively and in the best interests of the child where there was event a hint of inappropriate speech or action on campus." Talk show queen Winfrey co-founded the Henley-On-Klip Leadership Academy in 2006. She announced last Monday that all dorm matrons had been fired amid the abuse allegations and Mzamane's one-year contract at the school was had not been renewed.

Broadway has been thrown into turmoil with more than 20 hit plays and musicals including The Lion King and Mamma Mia forced to close because of strikes by disgruntled stagehands. The protestors, who are responsible for moving scenery and equipment, set up picket-lines in front of theatres in New York on Saturday. The strike comes after three months of negotiations between producers and a union about pay and working conditions failed to produce an agreement. No new talks are scheduled and it is unclear how long the strike will last. All but eight Broadway shows have been shut down and producers say they plan to pay refunds to people who have bought tickets for cancelled shows. It comes at a time that is traditionally one of Broadway's busiest of the year. New York mayor Michael Bloomberg warned on the economic consequences of the action. He says, "While this is a private labor matter, the economic impact is very public and will be felt far beyond the theatres closed today." The Broadway strike comes in the wake of a separate screenwriters' strike which began in Hollywood last week, prompted by a disagreement over royalty payments.

Hollywood actress Winona Ryder has signed up to star in the new Star Trek movie - as the mother of Mr. Spock. The Heathers star will join Chris Pine as Captain Kirk, British funnyman Simon Pegg as Scotty and Heroes actor Zachary Quinto as Spock for the 11th big screen outing of the cult TV show. It remains to be seen if Ryder will be playing the Vulcan mother of Spock, as initially reported by Variety. According to Star Trek lore, Spock's mother was human, played by Jane Wyatt in the original series and in one of the feature films. Directed by JJ Abrams, the film will focus on the early journey of the original Enterprise crew and is due for release in December next year.

Angelina Jolie has hit out at the media for constantly comparing her to Jennifer Aniston, insisting the topic is of no importance to anyone. The 32-year-old actress - who has been dating Aniston's ex, Brad Pitt, since 2006 - has previously claimed she has no problems with the Derailed star, and would even welcome a meeting with her. But at a press junket in Beverly Hills for her new movie Beowulf on Saturday, Jolie reportedly snapped at a journalist who asked for her opinion of the nine limited edition W magazine covers - which features both the Tomb Raider beauty and Aniston on competing covers. She retorted, "Why would I comment on that? That matters because...?"

Nicole Kidman is still raging over reports she suffered a miscarriage during her marriage to Tom Cruise - because the allegations were inaccurate. Kidman was alleged to have endured the trauma at the end of their marriage in 2001 - but the actress wants to set the record straight because she had an ectopic pregnancy instead. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the egg settles in the woman's fallopian tubes and not the uterus. She tells magazine Marie Claire, "So it's huge news, and it didn't happen... It was incredibly traumatic for me." Despite her grief, the Moulin Rouge star - now married to country music singer Keith Urban - remains hopeful she may have another shot yet at pregnancy. She says, "What will be will be. It's in God's hands."

Supporters of comedienne Ellen DeGeneres have defended her decision to cross the striking Hollywood picket line last Tuesday. The TV star came under fire for not joining protestors like talk show hosts David Letterman or Jay Leno in order to film her series, Ellen: The Ellen Degeneres Show. Her representative defended her actions on the grounds that she is the host of a syndicated show, not a network-owned program. A friend says, "Unlike Letterman or Leno, those shows continue to deliver new episodes. But the difference is, they never employed Writers Guild members - DeGeneres did. " A representative for DeGeneres says, "Ellen has a contract (to provide the show) as a host and a producer. Ellen is competing with other first-run syndicated shows that are delivering original programming like Dr. Phil, Regis & Kelly and Oprah during the competitive November sweeps period." But the Writers Guild East slammed DeGeneres for her actions, releasing a statement that reads, "Ellen's peers who host comedy/variety shows have chosen to support the writers and help them get a fair contract, Ellen has not. Ellen said she loves and supports her writers, but her actions prove otherwise."

A priest accused of stalking talk show host Conan O'Brien has been found fit to stand trial, a judge ruled on Friday. Reverend David Ajemian, a priest in the Archdiocese of Boston, Massachusetts, has been accused of writing O'Brien threatening notes on parish letterheads, contacting his parents and showing up at the New York studio where he works. He was arrested earlier this month while trying to enter a taping session of NBC's Late Night With Conan O'Brien. On Friday, Ajemain's lawyer told a New York hearing that his client has been treated for psychological problems, but State Supreme Court Justice Abraham Clott ruled Ajemian fit to stand trial. Ajemian, who has been placed on leave by the Boston Archdiocese, could face up to a year in prison if convicted of aggravated harassment and stalking.

Rapper Kanye West is in mourning after his mother Dr. Donda West suddenly passed away in Los Angeles on Sunday. The 30-year-old was in London when he heard the tragic news and immediately ditched his commitments to catch a plane back to the U.S., according to reports. The cause of death was unknown as Wenn went to press. Kanye West has often spoken of the close relationship he shared with his mother, and he dedicated a song, "Hey Mama," to her on his 2005 sophomore album Late Registration. Donda West used to work as her son's manager. Earlier this year she released a book called Raising Kanye about the rap superstar's childhood and her experiences as his manager.

Actor-turned-California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger underwent a 20-minute surgical procedure on Saturday to remove a metal plate and cables from his leg. The Last Action Hero star broke his upper thigh bone while skiing in Sun Valley, Idaho last December and had the plate and cables fitted to help him heal from his injury. Now he has fully recovered, Schwarzenegger underwent the procedure at a Los Angeles hospital. He will use a crutch for several days. Dr. Kevin Ehrhart, who performed the operation, said, "(Schwarzenegger) is in excellent health and there were no complications in this morning's successful follow-up medical procedure."

TV talk show host Elisabeth Hasselbeck has given birth to a baby boy. The 30-year-old co-host of The View celebrated the birth of her son with American football star husband Tim on Friday morning at an Arizona hospital. NFL quarterback Tim says, "We're thrilled he arrived safely. Both mom and son are happy and healthy." The couple - who already have a two-year-old daughter, Grace - moved to Arizona in October, after Tim, 29, signed a contract with the Arizona Cardinals. Elisabeth plans to return to the ABC morning talk show later next year.