SAVE MONEY ON TRAVEL DEALS

Helmsley wrote in a "mission statement" that she wanted nearly her whole trust, worth $5 billion to $8 billion, to be spent on taking care of needy canines, The New York Times reported Wednesday.

The sharp tongued real estate magnate and dog lover, who died last year at the age of 87, was portrayed as the "The Queen of Mean" in a 1990 television film and has been the subject of several books.

The doggy donation has yet to be secured because because a provision of the request says Helmsley's trustees are allowed to use their judgment about how to dispense the money, the newspaper said.

Attorneys have said the mission statement could be disregarded because its instructions were not included in Helmsley's trust records or will.

 BREAKING STORIES

Scaffold collapse hurts 16 in San Diego

Israeli Construction in West Bank Has Nearly Doubled This Year, Report Finds

Group alleges West Bank construction boom

FEMA hurricane housing tab near $3 billion

Trump hypes Dubai project at LA party

Venmar CES ventilators recalled

Detroit prosecutor's home in foreclosure

Obama leaps on McCain houses gaffe

U.S. mortgage rates fall slightly in week

U.S. leading index down sharply in month

Fire guts mansion owned by Nicklaus' son

Atlantic erosion threatens Canadian town

Oil deal sends real estate soaring

Report: 50 Cent hampering house fire probe

'Moonstruck' mansion sells for $4M

Government picks up construction slack

U.S. housing starts off 11 percent in July

Refugee preferences released in Norway

France building nuclear reactor

Report: Lehman shops real estate assets