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Sharon Stone has accepted an undisclosed sum in libel damages from a British newspaper that alleged she had left her 4-year-old son in a car while dining at a London restaurant.

Kirsty Howarth, a lawyer for the owners of the Daily Mail, told a judge at London’s High Court on Thursday the newspaper now accepted that the allegation was untrue and apologized to Stone for the distress and embarrassment it had caused.

Stone’s lawyer, Rupert Grey, said the 48-year-old actress had agreed to accept an undisclosed sum in damages from the newspaper and planned to donate the money to charity.

The “Basic Instinct 2″ star wasn’t present for the court hearing.

In an article last June, the Daily Mail alleged that Stone had left her 4-year-old son Roan asleep in a car with her driver for more than two hours outside The Ivy restaurant — a London celebrity hangout — while she dined with a “mystery male companion.”

“The article conveyed the clear allegation that Sharon Stone had neglected her son in a shameful and selfish way,” Grey said.

The Daily Mail repeated the allegations in an article the next month, and they were picked up by other media outlets.

Grey said Stone could produce witnesses to confirm that her son had dined with her at the restaurant.

Abdurahman Alamoudi presented the first imam in the United States Armed Forces with the military’s newest insignia, a silver crescent moon, at Army captain Abdul Muhammad’s commissioning service in 1993. The American Muslim Foundation-established by Alamoudi-had created the American Muslim Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Council in 1991 to “certify Muslim chaplains hired by the military,” and the Pentagon recently confirmed that until 1998, he served in a non-salaried position, nominating and screening candidates to be Muslim chaplains in the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Alamoudi could afford to donate his services to the military. Long suspected of having terrorist ties, Alamoudi, a native of Eritrea who became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1996, was arrested at Dulles airport on September 28 and charged with illegally accepting money from Libya-six weeks after British authorities caught him trying to smuggle $340,000 into Syria. While Alamoudi was on his most recent travels- using his Yemeni passport-to Great Britain, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, and Libya, Captain James “Yousef” Yee, one of the Muslim chaplains his council recommended to the Army, was detained on suspicion that he engaged in espionage at Guantanamo Bay.

While the military tracks down terrorists halfway around the world, little attention has been paid to the suspects in its own ranks who should have raised red flags. There are twelve Muslim chaplains on active duty, ministering to about 4,200 Muslims in the armed services. Despite the recent arrest, the Pentagon defends its hiring practices by officially stating that it is not conducting any review of its chaplaincy-appointment policy as a result of Captain Yee’s detention. A Pentagon spokesman confirms that there is a review in progress, undertaken a year ago, designed to assess the requirements for all 2,800 chaplains-priests, rabbis, etc.-on active duty in order to “simplify administrative procedures.” In the case of Islam, the Pentagon empowers two institutions to certify chaplains: the Islamic Society of North America and the council founded by Alamoudi. Both groups receive funding from Saudi Arabia, and federal officials believe both have terrorist ties, now apparently confirmed in the case of Alamoudi’s outfit.

As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Terrorism, Technology, and Homeland Security, Republican senator Jon Kyl of Arizona has held hearings on Saudi financing of the efforts of the radical Wahhabi sect to recruit terrorists in the United States. “It is remarkable that people who have known connections to terrorism are the only people to approve these chaplains,” he says, calling the Pentagon’s review of all its chaplains “the height of politically correct stupidity.” On October 14, he plans to hold hearings to try to learn what the Pentagon appears uninterested in knowing. “We need to find out if there are systematic efforts by Wahhabists allied with al- Qaeda to dominate the cleric-selection process of not only the U.S. military, but also the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, preaching jihad to disaffected Americans. [This issue] requires thorough examination.”

Captain Yee, who has not been charged, was allegedly found with a laptop containing diagrams of the facilities at the detention base, along with lists of prisoners’ names and the names of CIA, FBI, and military personnel conducting interrogations. Yee is a 1990 West Point graduate who rejoined the Army as a chaplain after converting to Islam and spending four years studying in Syria. In addition to Captain Yee, two others who were assisting with the interrogation of 660 enemy detainees at Guantanamo Bay have been arrested.

One is Senior Airman Ahmad I. al-Halabi, a native of Syria who came to the U.S. as a teenager and served as a translator at Guantanamo Bay for nine months; he has been charged with espionage for attempting to pass military secrets to Syria. The information he is alleged to have attempted to share includes flight information on military personnel, as well as the names and cellblock numbers of prisoners and operations orders for their transfer. Al-Halabi was reportedly under investigation by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations while a supply clerk in California, before being assigned to Guantanamo.

For the third arrest, the Customs Service gets the credit. Ahmed Fathy Mehalba, a civilian under contract as an Arabic translator at Guantanamo, was free of any suspicion when he was routinely searched at Logan airport after arriving on a flight from Cairo late last month. He was arrested when officials found a compact disc containing classified documents about the detention camp in his bags. Mehalba joined the Army in 2000 but washed out of a training course for military interrogators. While he was in the Army at Fort Huachuca, his girlfriend there was discharged after a search of her quarters-following her arrest for stealing a car-turned up a stolen laptop computer and classified information about her training. Mehalba was a Boston cab driver when, two days after the 9/11 attacks, he unsuccessfully tried to land a job as a gate guard at Logan airport.

Since his successful kidney transplant two years ago, the courageous athlete has returned to the court while dedicating himself to creating positive, lasting changes in communities, and using his voice to raise awareness about chronic kidney disease.

“At one point basketball was not the focus, it was living and being healthy. Now that I’m able to play again, I truly look at it as a blessing,” the 35-year-old Mourning told JET.

“It was a second opportunity God had given me and I took advantage of it because I knew he wouldn’t have put that opportunity in my life if he didn’t want me to do something with it. I knew that this opportunity came along for a reason and not only was I going to help myself but I was going to try to help others in the process.”

Mourning’s triumph is a rare one: He is only the second NBA player to play with a transplanted kidney, joining former Spurs forward Scan Elliott. After being diagnosed with focal glomerulosclerosis, a rare kidney disease, in 2000, the 6-foot-10 Mourning was often sidelined. His condition worsened to the point where he needed transplant surgery, forcing him to make a heartbreaking retirement from the NBA.

The four-time All-Star took time to focus on his health and underwent a successful kidney transplant in December 2003. He made an inspiring return in the 2004 season with the New Jersey Nets and later moved to the Miami Heat where he ended the season averaging 10.4 points and 7.1 rebounds.

Though a championship title would have cued the tears for a storybook ending, the Heat fell one game short of going to the NBA Finals.

“My comeback was based on two things: winning a championship and motivating and helping with organ transplantation and those who are on dialysis. I think that by me overcoming the physical obstacles, it will help those who’ve had to go through the same thing I had to go through.

“I got letters and e-mails and spoke to people that were inspired by just me being out there on the court; that meant a lot to me. So in return I just want to donate my efforts out there on the court to them. Unfortunately we came up a little short this year, from a basketball standpoint. But I think the true importance of me being out there is to have a positive effect on other people’s lives and we were able to do that. That’s even more valuable than winning a championship.”

Mourning, who has not decided if he will retire this season, has long maintained that success is far more than stellar statistics on the basketball court. It’s also about bringing this same level of energy and enthusiasm to helping those around him. As a result of his efforts, countless lives have been improved.

A champion at heart, Mourning is the driving force behind Zo’s Fund for Life, a foundation that supports research, education and financial relief to patients with kidney disorders.

He also hosts the star-studded annual fundraiser in Miami, Zo’s Summer Groove, which is a lavish banquet, concert and celebrity basketball game that benefits local charities such as the Children’s Home Society of Florida, 100 Black Men of South Florida and the Overtown Youth Center among many others.

“The more funds we raise, the more lives I’m able to change,” Mourning assured. “Over the past 9 years we’ve raised over $5 million. I’m excited to have had the opportunity to support some organizations that changed the lives of young people. That alone makes the time that I spend worthwhile. That motivates me to continue to do this on a regular basis. Giving changes lives and it’s not always about giving material things and money, it’s about putting forth time and effort to change other people’s lives.”

His wife Tracy and two kids Trey and Myka are the glimmers in his eyes that help him stay optimistic about his health.

“I knew if I stayed positive and didn’t give in to the disease, my body would eventually follow my mind. At first I was kind of down on myself, but one thing I didn’t do was give up on myself. If I would have given up, this disease would have taken me over … I would probably be hooked up to a dialysis machine somewhere,” Mourning said.

“God is using me. I think for me going through this whole ordeal, it’s just having a positive effect on other people’s lives. I’m not going to waste this opportunity. Doing what I do on the court, I’m going to try and open my mouth at the certain times I can and provide direction, because I’ve gone through this situation for a reason. If I can share this with somebody and help just one or two people change their approach in the way they live, if they’re going through diabetes, hypertension, or going through transplantation, if I can do that, then I served my purpose on this earth.”

Mourning has been helping patients throughout the country as part of Rebound from Anemia, a national program designed to raise awareness of anemia, an important and often overlooked symptom of chronic kidney disease. “It was very important to me to send this message because I was a victim of this particular disorder. I’m a living example that there is life after transplantation. A lot of people just give up and lose hope and think it’s the end of the world if they have to have a transplant. There is life; it’s just a matter of how you approach it mentally.”

In cooperation with the local Red Cross, NHRA and Indianapolis Raceway Park helped raise money during the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals for Americans affected by Hurricane Katrina. The Red Cross set up donation buckets around the track for fans to contribute, and public-address announcements throughout helped fans find the donation locations. NHRA also will make a donation on behalf of its 140 member tracks and NHRA members. In addition, NHRA and MainGate, the on-site merchandise vendor, sold wristbands with a portion of the proceeds going to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. NHRA.com also supplied free ad banner space to the Red Cross that was directly linked to online donations to the relief fund.

Pro drivers pitch in for Katrina relief: NHRA Pro drivers at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals pitched in to help the Hurricane Katrina relief effort, collecting $150,000 from team owners. Oakley’s Jim Jennard led the pack with a stout $25,000 donation, and Connie Kalitta, Don Schumacher, Kenny Bernstein, and others chipped in large amounts. Pro Stock champ Greg Anderson donated his Indy winnings, Top Fuel driver Doug Herbert donated all of the proceeds from his merchandise sales at the event, and air-cargo mogul Connie Kalitta provided some planes to ship supplies to rescue centers.

Division 4 Director Hutehinson is hands On in Texas: Division 4 Director Craig Hutehinson and his wife Sue, of Conroe, Texas, helped victims of Hurricane Katrina who were evacuated to Texas. “We don’t have a lot of money to donate, but we had vacation time,” he said. “We originally thought about going to Louisiana to help there, but with all of the violence, we didn’t feel it was safe. We went to the Astrodome in Houston and signed up and were assigned to work at Reliance Center, where they were processing incoming evacuees.” Calling upon his years of organizational experience conducting drag races, Hutchinson made some suggestions to those in charge, who were immediately impressed by his skills and put him in charge of the in-processing. “It was really heartbreaking work,” said Hutchinson, who with his wife worked 14-hour days over the Labor Day weekend. “Kids who couldn’t find their parents, the elderly - it was tough to see. It brought me to my knees a few times. The best part was when we were able to reunite families; that made it all worthwhile.”

Vegas track, racers donate: While The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway collected money over Labor Day weekend to donate to the Red Cross’ Hurricane Katrina relief effort, local racers raised money for two teams hit hard by the disaster. After donating tools and diecast cars to be used as drawing prizes, other businesses and race teams stepped up, and the prize cache grew rapidly. In addition, local and visiting Jr. Dragster drivers sold cookies and lemonade at the track, raising nearly $2,100 that will be donated equally to a Louisiana bracket racer and a Gulf Coast-area Jr. Dragster competitor, both of whom were affected by the hurricane.

NHRA museum’s Twilight Cruise opens hearts, wallets: An impromptu charity drive at the Aug. 31 Twilight Cruise Night at The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum raised $1,000 for the Salvation Army to give to the relief effort. Museum visitors can continue to donate during an ongoing program.

Cruz Pedregon online auction: Former NHRA POWERade Funny Car world champion Cruz Pedregon held an auction of his Carlos Santana-autographed PRS guitar on eBay. All proceeds of the online auction benefited Deborah and Carlos Santana’s Milagro Foundation for underrepresented and disadvantaged children, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and the Hurricane Katrina relief effort on behalf of Advance Auto Parts. The winning bidder also received Santana/Pedregon Racing guitar picks, an autographed 1/24th-scale Santana-themed Advance Auto Parts Funny Car diecast, and a personalized hero card.

Oswald seeks aid for Louisiana Victims: Former NHRA Funny Car world champ Mark Oswald, a member of the New Hope World Outreach church in Houma, La., is seeking donations to help in a local effort to assist hurricane victims.

Do you need to let go of your unwanted car, truck or van? Have you considered donating it?

Across the nation, an increasing number of charities have turned to car-donation programs as an effective way to raise money.

However, it’s important to be cautious when deciding where to donate your car. Be wary of an organization’s telemarketers that refuse to disclose information or are vague about where your donation is going.

Follow these tips from the Kidney & Urology Foundation of America Inc. to help ensure that your donation is used as you intended:

* Never speak with a telemarketer or second party.

* Ask what percentage of your donation will go to your intended cause. Ask the organization if it is officially associated with the charity or if it is a private fund-raiser acting on the charity’s behalf. If it’s a private fund-raiser, inquire what it intends to do with the vehicle.

* Examine what percentage of revenue the charity spends on its charitable programs to the percentage it spends on administrative costs. This information can be found through the state attorney general’s office or the secretary of state’s office.

According to the Kidney & Urology Foundation of America, your donation to the LifeCars Program will go directly toward fighting kidney, urologic and hypertensive diseases that affect 70 million Americans, nearly one in four people. Money raised will support medical research to find new therapies and treatments, professional training and education, and direct patient support for those suffering or at risk.

The foundation promises that at least 85 percent of the net proceeds raised from the donation of your vehicle will go directly into medical research and patient support.