THE WEEKLY 5

LOS ANGELES — R&B star Chris Brown has withdrawn his name from the ballot for the upcoming Kids' Choice Awards.

The 19-year-old singer released a statement Wednesday thanking his fans for nominating him for the March 28 awards show on Nickelodeon. However, Brown said the controversy surrounding his Feb. 8 arrest for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend Rihanna made this the right decision.

"Chris very much appreciates the support of his fans and the honor they have paid him in the way of nominations for Favorite Male Singer and Favorite Song," read the statement, according to People. "Unfortunately, the controversy surrounding the incident last month has shifted the focus from the music to whether he should be allowed to be among those nominated. While Chris would like to speak to his fans directly about this and other issues, pending legal proceedings preclude his doing so at this time. Once the matter before him has been resolved, he intends to do so."

An online petition has been circulating to take Brown's name off the ballot, but Nickelodeon said yesterday that the singer would not be removed.

Following Brown's withdrawal, Nickelodeon said it would "respect" his decision.

"We agree with and respect his decision, and are looking forward to presenting a great event for our audience," the network said.

LOS ANGELES — U2 will kick off its 360° Tour at the Nou Camp Stadium in Barcelona on June 30, the group announced Monday on their official Web site.

The tour, which is being sponsored by Blackberry and produced by Live Nation Global Touring, will visit 14 cities across Europe, including dates in Milan, Gothenburg, Amsterdam, Paris, Nice, Dublin, Chorzow, Berlin, Gelsenkirchen, London, Sheffield and Glasgow. The European leg is scheduled to end at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Aug. 22.

The band will then kick off their North America run at Chicago's Soldier Field on Sept. 12. Additional stops in the U.S. will include both Boston (Sept. 20) and New York (Sept. 24).

"U2 has always been at their best when surrounded by their audience, this staging takes a giant leap forward," said U2's manager, Paul McGuinness, in a statement. "We have worked very hard to ensure that U2 fans can purchase a great priced ticket with a guaranteed great view."

Tickets for the Milan and Gothenburg shows will go on sale Friday, with tickets for the Amsterdam performance going on sale the following day.

Among the supporting acts lined up for the tour are Glasvegas, Elbow, Kaiser Chiefs, Snow Patrol and Black Eyed Peas, with additional artists expected to be announced soon.

The concert trek, the band's first stadium run since 2006's Vertigo Tour, is in support of the band's new album release, "No Line on the Horizon."

Click here to buy concert tickets.

U2 360° Concert Tour Dates:

June 30: Barcelona (Nou Camp)
July 7: Milan (San Siro)
July 11: Paris (Stade de France)
July 15: Nice, France (Parc Charles Ehrmann)
July 18: Berlin (Olympic Stadium)
July 20: Amsterdam (Arena)
July 24 Dublin (Croke Park)
July 31: Gothenburg, Sweden (Ullevi)
Aug 6: Chorzom, PL (Slaski Stadium)
Aug 10: Zagreb, HR (Maksimir Stadium)
Aug 14: London (Wembley Stadium)
Aug 18: Glasgow, UK (Hampden Park)
Aug 20: Sheffield, UK (Don Valey Stadium)
Aug 22: Cardiff, UK (Millennium Stadium)
Sep 12: Chicago (Soldier Field)
Sep 16: Toronto (The Rogers Center)
Sep 20: Foxborough (Gillette Stadium)
Sep 24: New York (Giants Stadium)

LOS ANGELES — With Chris Brown facing felony charges stemming from last month's alleged assault of his girlfriend, fellow R&B star Rihanna, many legal experts are weighing in on the case moving forward. Most agree that the prosecutions case will depend on Rihanna's willingness to cooperate.

"So much of [the trial] hinges on the testimony of the victim or her willingness to testify and it'll be interesting to see whether she cooperates with the prosecution or not," Loyola law school professor Stan Goldman told Radar Online. "If she refuses to testify they're probably not going to be able to get in whatever statements she's already made to the police and then they have no case probably."

During a short session Thursday afternoon at Los Angeles Superior Court, the 19-year-old Brown did not enter a plea to the two felony charges against him — assault and making criminal threats. Instead his attorney, Mark Geragos, was granted a continuace until April 6.

If convicted, Brown faces anywhere from probation to a maximum four years and eight months in state prison, prosecutors say.

"The DAs are facing an uphill battle now if Rihanna isn't cooperating," Steve Sitkoff, a Los Angeles defense lawyer and former prosecutor told People. "At this point, her cooperation can make or break the case. But the DAs may not need her if Brown is willing to strike a plea deal."

While prosecutors would likely subpoena the 21-year-old Rihanna in the case, it remains to be seen whether she would agree to testify against Brown. The couple reportedly reconciled in the last week, having spent time together last weekend at the Star Island mansion of Sean "Diddy" Combs.

"The prosecution is very familiar with continuing to prosecute domestic violence cases when the complaining witness changes her mind and doesn't want to testify — they have often in past years sent people to jail or been willing to send people to jail if they refuse to testify," Goldman explained to Radar. "It's just the way the law is constructed. Now there's a real question as to whether they can do that to her."

Should Rihanna testify against Chris Brown? Click here to vote.

LOS ANGELES — Chris Brown was charged with two felonies Thursday stemming from last month's alleged assault of his girlfriend, fellow R&B star Rihanna, The Associated Press reports.

Brown, 19, is expected to be arraigned Thursday afternoon on charges of assault and making criminal threats, AP said.

If convicted, Brown faces anywhere from probation to a maximum four years and eight months in state prison, DA spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said.

Thursday was the first time authorities have released the name of the victim, identified as "Robyn F." The "Umbrella" singer's real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty.

The formal charges come nearly a month after the couple got into a fight while driving in the early morning hours of Feb. 8. According to a detective's affidavit obtained by AP, the argument began after Rihanna found a text message from another woman on Brown's cell phone.

As the fight ensued, Brown pulled the car over and attempted to push Rihanna out of the vehicle, but she was wearing a seatbelt at the time. He then pushed the singer's head against the car window and punched her before continuing to drive and hit her. Brown also alleged bit Rihanna on the ear, the affidavit said.

At one point, Rihanna made a fake phone call to her assistant, asking her to have the police waiting once she arrived. The phony message reportedly led to Brown making an alleged threat to kill Rihanna.

Brown turned himself into authorities later that evening. He was arrested and booked on suspicion of making criminal threats and later released on $50,000 bail.

The incident took place on the day of the Grammy Awards, in which both stars were scheduled to perform. Both singers cancelled their appearances.

Brown has only spoken out once publicly since the incident, releasing a statement that expressed his remorse.

"Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired," said the "Kiss Kiss" singer. "I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God's help, to emerging a better person."

The couple has reportedly reconciled in the last week, having spent time together last weekend at the Star Island mansion of Sean "Diddy" Combs.

What do you think of the couple reuniting? Click here to vote.