Al Gore to Need New Mantel

NOBELMAN ? Gore • Next he'll get an AVN award: Al Gore has been nominated for a 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his work combating global warming. Winners will be announced in October.

• Plot twist: AP is reporting that Shawn Hornbeck, the St. Louis teen held captive for four years, may have aided alleged kidnapper Michael Devlin in holding 11-year-old Ben Ownby. "During Ben's four days of captivity, Shawn helped ensure Ben did not escape during the hours when Devlin was at work."

• She's still Miss World to us: Turns out those reports that Courtney Love had been approached by a producer for American Idol were the result of a hoax. "I did not call Courtney Love and am afraid someone may have misrepresented me," says American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe.

• They're always deeply sorry: San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom has apologized for having an affair with the wife of Alex Tourk, his former campaign manager. "I am deeply sorry," the youthful mayor told reporters.