NEWS LITE : SIMPSON WILL BRAVE BRITISH TABS.

O.J. Simpson is heading to England - and likely the front pages of British tabloids.

Simpson, acquitted in October in the murders of his former wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, plans a five-day visit for a talk show interview and a possible face-off with curious Oxford university students, the New York Post reported Saturday.

Simpson ``will be treated like any other star who comes into the country,'' British publicist Max Clifford said.

That could translate into intense scrutiny from Britain's competitive tabloid press.

Simpson is slated for the interview May 13 and then will most likely take the hot seat at the Oxford Union at the university, the Post said.

``Some of the questions might be quite searching,'' the club's president told the newspaper.

Simpson is facing a wrongful death lawsuit in Los Angeles in the June 12, 1994, slayings of his ex-wife and Goldman.

He has spent much time since the verdict hawking $29.95 copies of ``O.J. Simpson: The Video,'' in which he presents a point-by-point defense of the case against him.

Brennan holds court at party

to celebrate 90th

Retired Justice William J. Brennan marked his 90th birthday living up to his reputation as the Supreme Court's liberal lion, calling the death penalty ``a barbaric and inhuman punishment that violates our Constitution.''

He wrote the words, but the voice was that of his son, Bill, reading Brennan's speech as the frail former justice sat smiling in his wheelchair during the birthday party about 100 friends and colleagues threw at the nation's highest court Saturday.

Brennan turned 90 Thursday and was compared to a famous predecessor, Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., who also reached that milestone.

``Like Justice Holmes before him, Justice Brennan has become a national treasure in his own lifetime,'' said Washington attorney Daniel Rezneck, one of Brennan's first law clerks.

Justice David Souter, who replaced Brennan on the bench, dispensed with the history lecture. ``I am here because when I got to the court, Bill Brennan welcomed me with a bear hug,'' he said, gently hugging Brennan back.

Considered one of the 20th century's most influential jurists, Brennan wrote 1,350 opinions before retiring in 1990 because of poor health.

Here's a tip: If you've got it, don't flaunt it

A Toronto couple who were invited to dinner at the home of a former neighbor thought some of the decorations looked familiar.

They were right. A valuable prayer rug and Chinese plate were theirs - stolen in a burglary two years before.

Martin Swinton, 33, was sentenced Friday to 10 months in jail for art theft.

Goods found in his home included paintings worth more than $100,000 stolen from the University of Toronto, said prosecutor Michael Leshner.

He admitted breaking into his former neighbors' home while they were on vacation and his lawyer, Peter Wilkie, said his client feels remorseful.

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

Photo: (1) O.J. Simpson: Chat tour

(2) Retired Supreme C ourt Justice William J. Brennan, 90, holds up a birthday gift. Behind him are his son William J. Brennan III, left, and Justice David Souter.

Associated Press