June 24, 1999
Web posted at: 4:50 p.m. EDT (2050 GMT)

• Latin Grammy show slated for 2000
• De La Hoya's sharp timing
• South Koreans demonstrate against Hollywood
• 'Puffy' says he's sorry

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- A new Grammy Awards telecast is in the works to honor the best in Latin music. The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (LARAS) is planning the awards ceremony for November 2000.

This comes as such singers as Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias and Jennifer Lopez achieve success far beyond the traditional Latin music markets. And such international multi-lingual artists as Italy's Eros Ramazzotti play to Latin-based listeners with Spanish-language releases of their songs and albums.

The Latin Grammy Awards are expected to be held either in Los Angeles or Miami. The ceremony probably will be aired by one of the Spanish-language broadcasters such as Univision, Televisa or Telemundo. CBS, which has a contract with the Grammy Awards, is also expected to play a role.

Announcement of the new broadcast follows NARAS' introduction two years ago of LARAS -- a Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences -- and the appointment of Sergio Rozenblat as its executive director.

De La Hoya

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- The process of selecting award categories and nominees for those new Latin Grammys still is being determined. But prize fighter and World Boxing Council welterweight champ Oscar De La Hoya is ready.

De La Hoya has signed a multimillion-dollar recording contract with EMI Latin. Daily Variety reports that his contract ends a bidding bout for the fighter, who's been pursued by record labels since he sang last year on the Spanish-language talk show "Cristina."

He's not the only belter in the arena.

Action-film actor Steven Seagal is lending his voice to the lineup for Michael Jackson's benefit concert on Friday in South Korea. Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men and Elizabeth Taylor are also on the list to appear in Seoul. Concert proceeds are to go to needy children.

Seagal -- who's sung with Leon Russell and Vince Gill -- is finishing studio work on his own debut album, his publicist says.

SEOUL, South Korea (CNN) -- Some entertainment heavies in South Korea may not be waiting at the airport to welcome Jackson and his benefit buddies.

About 500 Korean film stars, directors, students and industry officials burned an effigy Thursday of a man wearing an image of the United States' stars and stripes. The figure was identified by a sign as representing "American films."

The protestors say the United States is pressuring South Korea to open its movie market to more international imports. "Guard our cultural sovereignty! Protect our movie industry!" they chanted, throwing clenched fists into the air, the traditional gesture of defiance in Korean labor-union protests.

For years, South Korea has protected its domestic movie industry with a quota system in which all theaters must screen domestically produced films for at least 146 days per year.

Washington argues the system constitutes an unfair trade practice that discriminates against Hollywood films. It wants Seoul to eliminate or quickly phase out the quota system.

Combs

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Of course, entertainment has never had a reputation for being an easy business. This won't help: Rapper Sean "Puffy" Combs has apologized to a record executive -- whose arm and jaw the recording artist reportedly broke in a beating.

Combs says that at the time of the alleged incident, he was angry that Stoute let MTV show a video portraying "Puffy" nailed to a cross. Combs wanted the scene cut, fearing some might find it offensive. Combs was supposed to appear in court on Thursday in connection with the incident, but the hearing was postponed until August fifth.

Combs says he and Stoute sat down about three weeks ago to discuss the April 15th attack -- and have resolved their differences. Stoute's attorney, Thomas Puccio, issued a statement saying the matter has been resolved amicably.

Combs is facing charges of assault and criminal mischief. He could draw a rap of up to seven years in prison if convicted.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.