Britney's family rallies round as Kylie offers words of wisdom

It seems relations between troubled pop star Britney Spears and her mum Lynne may be on the mend. After an argument this week with her manager left her sobbing on the kerb, the pop princess turned to her mother for a shoulder to cry on.

The pair haven't been on speaking terms since Britney accused her mum of siding with ex-husband Kevin Federline in the custody battle over their sons Sean Preston, two, and one-year-old Jayden James. Lynne, who is clearly keen to build bridges with her beleaguered daughter, says: "I just want to give her a hug. I'm very worried," as she jetted into LA to be with her on Monday.

Mrs Spears was joined at Britney's LA home by the singer's cousin and former assistant Alli Simms, and her dad Jamie. There they had what a source called a "family bonding session over a lot of things". It's thought the aim is to persuade the Gimme More star to seek help for her problems.

Britney's disagreement with her manager reportedly revolves around her involvement with British snapper beau Adnan Ghalib, with whom the manager apparently doesn't see eye-to-eye.

Meanwhile someone who fully understands the ups and downs of fame - showbiz pro Kylie Minogue - has offered some advice to the troubled 26-year-old. "I wish someone would write a manual about fame because it’s not easy…" revealed the Aussie star, who's been in the public eye for over 20 years.

"I can remember having a mini-meltdown myself," she continued. "And unless you’ve got good people around to support you, you’ve got a problem… Whatever help she needs, she should reach out and get it."

Harbhajan was lucky

Harbhajan was lucky, says judge

Hansen said he was not influenced by external pressureThe judge who cleared India's Harbhajan Singh of racial abusing Australia's Andrew Symonds says human error saved the player from a bigger punishment.
Harbhajan was fined for a lesser charge of verbal abuse but John Hansen said he could have imposed a different penalty had he been aware of his past record.
In 2001 Harbhajan was fined and banned for attempting to intimidate umpires.
"He can feel himself fortunate that he reaped the benefit of these database and human errors," he said.
Hansen revealed Harbhajan could have received a one-match ban had he known about the event, which occurred in a series against South Africa.
606: DEBATE
Surely now is the time to let the matter go and get back to the bat and ball
Alex Trickett - BBC Sport
He said he had considered reopening the sentencing process when he was belatedly made aware of the matter, but could not.
"If I had been aware of the serious transgression in November 2001 I would have required more extensive submissions as to the offense in mitigation which could have led to a different penalty," said Hansen.
"Overnight I have given earnest consideration to the Code of Conduct to see if it empowers me to reopen the sentencing process. Regrettably I have concluded that I cannot do so and the penalty imposed by me must stand.
"At the end of the day Mr. Singh can feel himself fortunate that he has reaped the benefit of these database and human errors."
Earlier this month, the India spinner had been found guilty of calling Symonds, Australia's only mixed-race player, a "monkey" during the second Test in Sydney this month.
The charge was downgraded and at the appeal hearing Harbhajan pleaded admitted to using abusive language and was fined half his match fee and is free to play.
Hansen insisted the prospect of India possibly abandoning the tour of Australia if the ruling went against their player did not influence him.
"I have not been persuaded to the necessary level required that the words were said," Hansen wrote in his judgement.
"I need to be sure and if I am left with reasonable uncertainty, then I must find in favour of Mr Singh.
"There was a direct conflict as to whether the word was used.
"There are cultural accent and language differences and it is accepted some of Mr Singh's remarks were in his own language.
"There remains a possibility of a misunderstanding in this heated situation."
Hansen also rejected the suggestion that the Board of Control for Cricket in India and Cricket Australia reached an agreement which he simply sealed with his ruling.
"It is incorrect to suggest that there was some sort of an agreement reached between Australian and Indian cricket authorities that I simply rubber-stamped," said Hansen.
"I also wish to add that while I was aware of the media furore surrounding this matter, no-one has attempted to apply direct pressure to obtain an outcome."