People, places & things in the news

*Index*
world's fair	Naomi Campbell	Sylvester Stallone
Olivia de Havilland	Prince Andrew

At least 200,000 people were expected at the world's fair in Lisbon, Portugal, yesterday, the final day of a four-month event that drew far fewer people than had been originally expected.

A surge in attendance in the last two weeks swelled the final total number of visitors to 9.8 million, not the 15 million originally forecast to visit the 150-acre fairgrounds along Lisbon's eastern riverfront.

An average of just 33,000 people a day went to the fair in its opening weeks.

Officials expected the $2.4 billion fair, which was organized around the world's oceans and the need to preserve them, to focus international attention on Portugal and give a major boost to its tourism industry.

"Expo 98 marks our arrival on the world stage," Prime Minister Antonio Guterres said during closing ceremonies.

The government estimates a revenue shortfall of $400 million, which likely will have to be picked up by taxpayers, because of the lagging attendance.

The fair's image was also bruised by allegations of graft in the awarding of contracts. Police are investigating the claims.

Some of the fair's main pavilions will reopen next month as permanent tourist attractions while others will be dismantled. The surrounding area will be developed for housing, offices and shopping malls.

The next world's fair will be in Hanover, Germany, in 2000.

Naomi Campbell insists she likes Canada. Really.

In town filming a movie, the supermodel was responding to a headline in Sunday's New York Post: "Naomi gives Canada big chill."

"I chose to shoot here," she said from the set Tuesday. "I wanted to come here."

A column in the Post said Campbell's "imperious behavior – we're inured to it here – while she's been shooting her new film ... has put some Toronto noses out of joint." It also said: "There were even complaints the diva was smoking in non-smoking areas" of her hotel and throwing tantrums on the set.

Not true, said Campbell, as she puffed on a cigarette. "I don't pay any attention to stuff like that," she added.

Sly is selling out.

Unable to get rid of his five-bedroom mansion, Sylvester Stallone is courting an ultra-luxury hotel chain, to the chagrin of his Miami neighbors.

London's Orient-Express Hotels Inc. has made a $24.7 million offer to build 200 villa-style rooms on the 11.7-acre property. The company would have to obtain zoning approvals to build a commercial structure in a residential neighborhood.

"I moved here because it was quiet and lovely, and I would rather not have 200 more cars or even 100 more cars per night down the street," Sandra Druckman said.

The actor has had no buyers at his asking price of $27.5 million.

Olivia de Havilland used the traditional champagne bottle to christen the world's largest cruise ship.

"God bless her and all who sail in her," the "Gone With the Wind" actress said Tuesday in New York in sending the Grand Princess on its maiden voyage, winter service in the Caribbean.

Britain's Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co., which owns the ship, imported uniformed bands and bagpipers for the christening.

The $450 million, 951-foot ocean liner has room for 2,600 passengers. The QE2 is longer, at 963 feet, but is nearly 36,000 tons lighter, at 70,000 tons.

Prince Andrew answered duty's call when he was summoned for a random drug test by the military.

The son of Queen Elizabeth II, a naval lieutenant commander who works at the Ministry of Defense, was ordered Sept. 15 to provide a urine sample. The results were negative, Buckingham Palace said yesterday.

Andrew "was absolutely happy to take part and accepts that it is part of the nature of the job," said a Buckingham Palace spokesman, speaking with customary anonymity.

The Navy said the tests are carried out without regard to rank or status. Anyone who refuses could face dismissal or other discipline. More than 80,000 members of the military were tested last year.

The urine was tested for traces of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, Ecstasy and amphetamines.

-- Compiled from wire reports