Halle Berry and Gabriel Aubry Reach Truce in Custody War

After a long court battle and an ugly fistfight outside her house, Halle Berry and her ex Gabriel Aubry appear to have settled their key differences over custody of 4 ½-year-old daughter Nahla – for now.

"The parties have reached an amicable agreement," read a written statement held up by attorney Blair Berk, who represents Berry, after a hearing Thursday in Los Angeles. "There will be no further statements regarding this matter."

Aubry, wearing a black sport coat with dark sunglasses to mask his bruised face, was present, but Berry and her fiancé Olivier Martinez did not attend.

Just exactly what they agreed to – earlier issues ranged from residency to restraining orders – wasn't known.

But the deal was worked out on the same day an emergency protective order issued against Aubry was to expire. That order barred him from seeing his daughter or going anywhere near Berry and Martinez.

It's also unclear whether Aubry's restraining order against Martinez, filed Monday, remains in effect or if it had been, or will be, withdrawn.

Meanwhile, LAPD Commander Andrew Smith tells PEOPLE the Thanksgiving Day altercation between Aubry and Martinez is still under investigation. "Our officers have initially concluded that Aubry was the primary instigator," he says, but adds it's too early to say whether the case will be referred to prosecutors.

source: people.com

Foreclosure cancellations surge in Golden State

The number of foreclosures canceled by banks surged 62% across California last month, the same month major mortgage servicers were required to comply with new rules outlined by this year’s National Mortgage Settlement.

Banks in the Golden State canceled 15,539 scheduled auctions last month, according to a report by website ForeclosureRadar.com. That was a 36.7% drop from the same month last year.

Sean O'Toole, founder of ForeclosureRadar, wrote in the October report that the increase was most likely due to the effective banning of dual tracking in the state. Dual tracking refers to the practice by banks of pushing a borrower through the foreclosure process while at the same time negotiating a loan modification.

“This is another example of where changes in foreclosure trends are driven by government intervention, and not necessarily economic recovery. While the impacts are still unclear, the elimination of dual tracking may avoid some unnecessary foreclosures, but will lengthen the foreclosure process and delay ultimate recovery. Expect further impacts to foreclosure trends in the months ahead.”

There has not been a comparable spike in California foreclosure cancellations since December 2011, when banks were under heavy scrutiny by state and federal regulators for improperly foreclosing on troubled borrowers. That scrutiny resulted in the big mortgage settlement earlier this year — of which California was the biggest beneficiary.

The settlement, and a series of California laws backed by State Atty. Gen. Kamala D. Harris, resulted in effectively banning dual tracking. O’Toole said banks are probably canceling foreclosure sales so that they will not be in violation of any laws.

Before the ban on dual tracking, a bank would often give a homeowner a trial loan modification and continue to postpone the foreclosure auction. By keeping the trustee sale in place, but postponing it, the bank could foreclose immediately if a trial modification did not work out.

But consumer activists railed against this practice, saying that it confused homeowners, strung them along and in some instances resulted in unnecessary foreclosures. Consumer activists had tried to pass legislation banning the practice in California, but the measures had failed until Harris put her weight behind them.

source: latimes.com

2 killed, 1 critically injured in Long Beach car crash

Two people died and a third was critically injured in a car crash Saturday night in Long Beach, authorities said.

The single-vehicle accident occurred about 6:20 p.m. on Redondo Avenue beneath the 405 Freeway, said Long Beach Police Department spokesman Aaron Eaton.

Two people were declared dead at the scene. The injured person was hospitalized Saturday night.

The crash was still under investigation, but the wet weather may have been a contributing factor, Eaton said.

Redondo Avenue remained closed Saturday night.

source: latimes.com

Pacquiao reportedly turning heads in Wild Card training; Arum to check in on progress

While Bob Arum was away, holding court in Houston last week and attending the memorial service for fellow Hall of Famer Emanuel Steward in Detroit, Manny Pacquiao was making heads turn at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California.

“I have been told that Manny’s really looking great in training,” the Top Rank chief told AKTV on Wednesday shortly after heading back to Los Angeles from Motown for the Steward funeral.

Arum is returning to the Wild Card on Thursday to see for himself the progress of the Filipino’s buildup less than a month before the much-awaited fourth duel with Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Actually, Arum was on hand when Pacquiao first sparred two weeks ago and the 80-year-old promoter was a bit disappointed to see somebody like Pacquiao struggle offensively and defensively.

But after two days, Arum returned and was glad to see Pacquiao back in his element.

Still, Arum wants to see for himself if his leg is just being pulled the past several days while he was not around.

“Manny has to win big,” said Arum.

Pacquiao looked superb according to those were allowed to see Pacquiao train and spar on Tuesday afternoon in Los Angeles.

Trainer Freddie Roach has advised Pacquiao to be busier in the fourth fight, knowing that an all-action fighter with lightning-quick reflexes would trouble Marquez.

Pacquiao will train at the Wild Card until Dec. 3, the day he heads to Sin City with his massive entourage.

source: interaksyon.com