NEWS LITE : SINGER BOBBY VEE LAUDED IN HOME STATE.

When singer Bobby Vee played in Bismarck years ago, Gov. Ed Schafer would sometimes lend the North Dakota native a few 1950s cars for ambience.

On Sunday, Schafer presented Vee with something more permanent - the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, the state's highest honor.

``I've had gold records, and I've had some wonderful honors from a business standpoint,'' Vee said. ``But for somebody from your home state to slap you on the back and say, good job, that's a whole different deal.''

Vee, 56, had six gold records in the 1960s, including ``Rubber Ball,'' ``The Night Has a Thousand Eyes,'' and ``Take Good Care of My Baby,'' a No. 1 record in 1961.

Judge rejects case against `Seinfeld'

A judge threw out a $100 million lawsuit filed by a man who claims Jerry Seinfeld and his TV producers stole his identity for the character of George Costanza.

New York State Supreme Court Justice Harold Tompkins said Michael Costanza's suit was frivolous.

Costanza, a real estate agent who lives on Long Island, said his rights were violated when the show used his ``name, likeness and persona'' to create the neurotic and nutty George for ``Seinfeld.''

Costanza said the show portrayed him in a negative, humiliating light, and that ``Seinfeld'' co-creator Larry David defamed him when he called Costanza a ``liar'' and ``flagrant opportunist'' trying to cash in.

Tompkins said he found the lawsuit baseless and assessed sanctions of $2,500 each against Costanza, 43, and his lawyer, Jonathan Fisher.

`Shrink to stars' gets taken to task by state

The license of Monica Lewinsky psychologist Irene Kassorla, once described as ``shrink to the stars,'' has been placed on probation.

The California Department of Consumer Affairs on Monday cited ``repeated negligent acts'' that included failing to keep notes on therapy sessions. Kassorla also admitted to referring a patient to her husband for a business consultation.

No further details of the charges were disclosed.

Kassorla agreed to a settlement that calls for an immediate three-year license probation. Kassorla must complete an ethics course and repay the state $6,000 in costs. A receptionist said she was on vacation in Turkey.

Kassorla, who counseled Lewinsky from 1992 through 1997, was told by Lewinsky about her sexual relationship with President Clinton. She testified that Lewinsky suffered from depression and low self-esteem.

Kassorla has written several books and makes numerous television and radio talk show appearances.

Sullen Will swapped for perky prince

When the wedding photographer said ``smile,'' Prince William didn't.

So Prince Edward ordered his nephew's unsmiling image digitally removed from the official photograph of family members attending his wedding Saturday to Sophie Rhys-Jones and swapped with an image of the young prince looking a bit more cheerful.

``Prince Edward said he didn't think Prince William looked absolutely his best, so digitally we were able to put in another picture of Prince William from one of the other shots where he is smiling and laughing,'' photographer Geoffrey Shakerley told ITN on Monday.

William turned 17 on Monday and received a car, the palace said. A palace spokesman refused to reveal what kind of car, except to say it was a ``sensible'' vehicle, not a sports car. British media reported it was a Volkswagen Golf.

Jackson in Korea to sing for children

Michael Jackson arrived in South Korea on Monday for a concert to benefit needy children.

Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men and Elizabeth Taylor will join the pop star for the four-hour show Friday in Seoul.

It will be Jackson's second concert in Seoul. His 1996 performance drew tens of thousands of fans.

Tickets this time are selling for up to $250 a seat, compared with up to $66 for local performers. Cheil Communications, the promoter, said about 60 percent of the 60,000 seats have been sold.

World challenge; Chess champ moves first in global game

World chess champion Garry Kasparov took on the whole world Monday, making the first move in an online match against anyone who has access to the Internet and understands the game.

``Where else but on the Internet can you play the world champion?'' the 36-year-old Russian grandmaster said in New York.

The interactive chess tournament is called Kasparov vs. the World. Before each move is actually played, Internet enthusiasts will vote via computer to decide what move the World Team will make.

Kasparov, who is based in Moscow, struck a deal with Microsoft Corp. to play the match at www.msn.com. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

In front of an audience of young chess fans in Bryant Park, Kasparov simulated his online opening move, king pawn to E4, on a giant board. The Web site immediately began fielding countermoves from around the world.

Visitors to the site have 24 hours to vote for their side's move. Kasparov will then reply within another 24 hours, and so on, until the conclusion of the match, expected to take most of the summer.

The tournament is being guided by five young chess experts who are suggesting their own possible moves and tactics against Kasparov.

News Lite is compiled by Karen Duffy from Daily News staff and wire reports

CAPTION(S):

4 photos

Photo: (1) Prince William, left, smiling this time, and brother Prince Harry leave St. George's Chapel after their uncle Edward's wedding.

(2) Grandmaster Garry Kasparov makes his opening move on a giant chessboard Monday in New York.

(3) Seinfeld

(4) Lewinsky