Blake Shelton Told Kelly Clarkson's Fiancé: 'You Need to Marry This Girl!'

Kelly Clarkson has someone she owes an extra special thank-you to this holiday season.

The Grammy-nominated pop star, 30, wouldn't necessarily be closing out 2012 as an engaged woman if it weren't for Blake Shelton.

"I told Brandon [Blackstock], 'Man, you need to grow up and figure out that you need to marry this girl,'" Shelton, 36, who is managed by Clarkson's fiancé, told Hollyscoop. "You need to get your head out of your ass and ask that girl to marry you."



The Voice coach was so adamant about the proposal that he even offered up quite the personalized present.

"I am going on the record saying I will do the music at the wedding or whatever [they] want to do," Shelton said. "I'll be that guy. I will play for four hours if I have to."

Clarkson, who announced her engagement on Saturday via Twitter, calls herself "so lucky [to be] with the greatest man ever."

"I'm so glad he did [it],” adds Shelton. "He is one hardheaded dude – and she's the best thing to happen to him."

source: people.com

Mike Tan at Rochelle Pangilinan, nakisaya sa Cebuano fans

Hindi nagpahuli sina Rochelle Pangilinan at Mike Tan sa pagbibigay ng kasiyahan sa mga Kapuso sa Cebu sa isinagawang mall show sa Mandaue City.

Sa ulat ni Mark Salazar sa Balita Pilipinas Ngayon nitong Martes, hindi binigo ng dalawang Kapuso stars ang mga Cebuano na all out sa kanilang pagtatanghal.

Hinarana ni Mike Tan ang kanyang mga Cebuana fans, habang nagpamalas ng kanyang husay sa pagsayaw si Rochelle na dating member ng SexBomb all female dance group. - MMacapendeg/FRJ, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Vampire Diaries Couple Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev Go Christmas Tree Shopping

Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev are getting into the holiday spirit.

The TV lovebirds recently took a break from shooting The Vampire Diaries down south to go Christmas tree shopping in Atlanta.

The 33-year-old actor and his 23-year-old costar were spotted checking out trees hand-in-hand. Nina stayed warm in a festive red American Eagle coat while Somerhalder kept the chills away in a long sleeve thermal by the same brand.

Aren't they just the cutest corresponding Christmas couple ever?!

source: eonline.com

Pacquiao closes camp at Wild Card, arrives in Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada -- The hard-hitting and aggressive version of Manny Pacquiao that the boxing world has come to know and love will be making a comeback this Saturday (Sunday, PHL time) against Juan Manuel Marquez.

This was the consensus among the people who watched him train for the last time at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, before his fourth fight against Marquez at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

After just four rounds of sparring, Pacquiao completed his traditional training circuit before packing and heading for Las Vegas. Following his workout, the Sarangani congressman exchanged pleasantries with an American congresswoman from Hawaii before answering questions from the press.

"I pray for my safety and I also pray for Marquez," Pacquiao said. "I pray for everyone who will fight in the undercard because I believe that boxing is not about hurting each other."

Pacquiao and a handful of Team Pacquiao members then made their way to Nat's Thai Food to have lunch, before heading out to Las Vegas. The caravan of more than 20 vehicles, including a bus bearing Pacquiao's image, left the Wild Card Gym a little past four in the afternoon for the drive to Las Vegas, with Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee leading the way in his Lincoln Navigator.





 The group arrived a little past eight in the evening and went straight to Pacquiao's suite at the hotel, where the boxer, his family, and his entourage had dinner served.

The meal, good for about 100 people, was composed of some of the fighter's favorite food. Mike Koncz, Pacquiao's advisor, had the hotel prepare adobong manok, nilagang baka, bistek tagalog, chopsuey, sweet and sour fish, pancit, and steamed rice. The food was mostly gone 30 minutes after it was served, as throngs of family members and supporters arrived in waves to be with Pacquiao.

The eight-division world champion was in a light mood after he arrived. He started singing lines from the song "This is the Moment," perhaps signifying how the time he has been preparing for for all these months is finally near. Pacquiao also helped Koncz distribute the room keys for all his guests.


Asked why he was extra intense during his sparring for this fight, Pacquiao sheepishly said "I was only making examples," before letting out a quick laugh. The way he answered might lead some to think that he is taking things lightly, but hidden behind the boyish playfulness is a stern warning to his opponent. - AMD/OMG, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Pope joining twitterverse in December, says Vatican

Pope Benedict XVI is joining the twitterverse in December, and details of his account will be made public this coming week, the Vatican has said.

The Vatican Information Service said all related information will be presented at a press conference at the Holy See press office on December 3.

"The Pope has already used the 140 character 'tweet' format when, in June 2011, he launched the Vatican information portalwww.news.va., with the words: 'Dear friends, I just launched News.va. Praised be our Lord Jesus Christ! With my prayers and blessings, Benedictus XVI,'" it said.

Expected to attend the press conference are:

- Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications
- Msgr. Paul Tighe, secretary of the same dicastery
- Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J., director of the Holy See Press Office
- Professor Gian Maria Vian, editor of “L'Osservatore Romano”
- Greg Burke, Media Adviser to the Secretariat of State.

A separate report on Fox News Latino cited sources who said it is unlikely Benedict XVI himself will write the tweets, though he will approve them before they are posted. — LBG, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Sexy comedienne Chariz Solomon, ikakasal na

Nakatakda nang ikasal ang Kapuso comedienne na si Chariz Solomon sa kanyang non-showbiz boyfriend na anim na taon na niyang karelasyon.

Sa taped interview na ipinalabas sa Startalk TX nitong Sabado, sinabi ni Chariz na hindi niya inakala ang matinding pagmamahal na ipinadama sa kanya ng magiging mister na si Nestor Ng Jr.

Kwento ni aktres, nakilala niya si Nestor sa isang gimikan at mabilis siyang naging kumportable sa binata makaraang lamang ng ilang 'date'.

“Nung umaga gusto niya kong puntahan, nagkita kami gabi... dinner pagdating niya may order na 'kong dalawang kanin isang kare-kare," natatawang kwento ni Chariz.



"Sabi niya, 'o inorder mo na pala ko.' Sabi ko, hindi akin lang 'to, umorder kang sarili mo," patuloy ni Chariz na paglalarawan kung gaano siya kabilis naging komportable sa lalaki.

Matapos ng isa pang gimik, naging “sila na," ayon sa aktres.

Kahit sa Linggo na ang kasal nila, hindi pa rin daw makapaniwala si Chariz sa matinding pagmamahal na ipinadama sa kanya ni Nestor.

Kaya naman wala na raw pakialam si Chariz sa ibang lalaki na gandang-ganda at habol nang habol sa kanya.

“Kahit sobrang gandang ganda sila sa akin, hinahabol habol nila ko... hindi ko na kailangan ng iba pa," natatawang pahayag ni Chariz.

Mensahe pa niya kay Nestor: “Yung sinasabi nila na mag-enjoy ka muna bata ka pa, kaya ko yung gawin nandyan ka. Kasi mas masaya ang lahat ng bagay kapag ginagawa natin together kahit walang ibang tao, kahit tayong dalawang lang." - FRJimenez, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

John McAfee: I'm Innocent of Murder

Goateed, tattooed millionaire software pioneer John McAfee, who is on the run from police in Belize after the murder of his neighbor, claims that the authorities are trying to pin the killing on him.

"They will kill me if they find me," McAfee, whose whereabouts are still unknown, tells Wired magazine. "They've been trying to get me for months. They want to silence me."

In the interview, the 67-year-old McAfee detailed how he hid from a contingent of police who showed up at his one-acre beachfront estate shortly after the body of Gregory Faull, 52, was discovered by a housekeeper on Nov. 11 with a bullet in the back of his head.

McAfee, who insists he has nothing to do with the Faull's killing, claims to have eluded authorities by burying himself in the sand and placing a box over his head so that he could breathe.

"It was extraordinarily uncomfortable," he tells Wired. When asked about his neighbor's murder, he insists he knew "nothing – other than I heard he had been shot."

A spokesman for police in Belize says that the local authorities simply want to speak with McAfee about Faull's murder.

"It would be quite nice for him to come in and answer some of the questions that could lead to the closure of this case," spokesman Raphael Martinez tells Reuters. "He is not wanted for murder, but he is wanted for questioning as a person of interest."

McAfee's current predicament is a sad twist for the man regarded as one of Silicon Valley's first Internet entrepreneurs to strike it big.

Two years after taking his anti-virus software company public in 1992, he sold the firm for a reported $100 million, then dabbled in everything from teaching yoga to creating one of the first online instant messaging services before moving to Belize in 2008.

source: people.com

Odor-eliminating underpants a hot seller

TOKYO —Underpants which are claimed to neutralize the smell of flatulence are proving a hit in Japan, whose hard-working businessmen seem to like the idea of breaking wind without getting rumbled.

 A Japanese textile company has developed a range of underwear which it says prevent unwelcome odors.

“It took us a few years to develop the first deodorant pants that are comfortable enough to wear in daily life but efficient in quickly eliminating strong smells,” said Nami Yoshida, a spokeswoman for the company, Seiren.

“At first we thought about selling them to those who require nursing care and to hospitals. But to our surprise, lots of ordinary people, like businessmen who are in positions that require them to see people on a daily basis, bought them,” she said.

The underwear is manufactured with niff-absorbing ceramic particles in the material fibers.

Seiren developed the technology after being contacted by a doctor who wanted something to disguise the regular parps emitted by people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome.

The company’s range has now expanded to 22 items, including socks that prevent feet from smelling and T-shirts that mask the whiff of sweaty armpits.

Available online here.

source: japantoday.com

Governor LRay Villafuerte defends Aga Muhlach amidst disqualification case

Mainit na pinag-uusapan ngayon ang masalimuot at magulong pagpasok sa pulitika ng aktor na si Aga Muhlach.

Nakapag-file na ang aktor ng kandidatura bilang kinatawan sa ika-apat na distrito ng Camarines Sur, na pinayagan at inaprubahan naman ito ng Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Pero nasilipan siya ng butas ng kanyang mga katunggali sa pulitika.

Ang pagkukuwestiyon sa kanyang residency sa naturang lugar ang nakitang mabisang paraan ng kanyang mga kalaban para mapigilan ang aktor sa kanyang hangaring maging congressman sa 2013 elections.

Nakapuntos naman ang mga kalaban ni Aga dahil mismong Municipal Circuit Trial Court ng San Jose sa Camarines Sur ay nagdesisyong hindi napatunayan ni Aga at ng kanyang asawang si Charlene Gonzalez-Muhlach na sila ay residente ng naturang lugar.

Bunga nito, na-disqualify din ang aktor sa kanyang kandidatura dahil hindi siya botante doon.

Ang nakikitang pag-asa na lamang ni Aga ay ang paghahain ng apela sa Regional Trial Court ng San Jose, Camarines Sur, para mabasura ang pagkaka-disqualify ng kanyang kandidatura.


GOVERNOR VILLAFUERTE. Ang kampo ng aktor ay naniniwalang malulusutan ni Aga ang isyung ito.

At isa sa may positibong pananaw ukol dito ay ang kaibigan ni Aga na si Camarines Sur Governor Luis “LRay” Villafuerte.

Nakausap ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) si Governor Villafuerte sa birthday party ni Atty. Ferdinand Topacio noong Biyernes ng gabi, November 9, sa isang restaurant sa Metrowalk.

Sabi ng gobernador, "Yung kalaban niya, 104 years na sa pulitika na walang nakakalaban.

“Ngayong may nakakalaban nang malakas sila e kinakasuhan na left and right si Aga.”

Ang katunggali ni Aga sa kanyang kandidatura ay si Felix William “Wimpy” Fuentebella, anak ng incumbent congressman ng fourth district ng Camarines Sur na si Arnulfo Fuentebella.

Patuloy ni Governor Villafuerte, "Simple lang naman po, e—karapatan ng bawat Pilipino na magrehistro.

“Yung sinasabi nila na hindi siya tagaroon e puwede nilang ikuwestiyon yun.

“Pero yung Comelec na mismo ang nagsabi na they have the right to register.

"Hangga’t hindi po sabihin ng Korte Suprema na di siya puwede, makakaboto pa rin siya at makakatakbo siya.”

Kahit nagdesisyon na ang Municipal Court ng San Jose, Camarines Sur, na hindi na puwedeng tumakbo si Aga, buo pa rin ang loob ni Aga at ni Charlene na malalampasan nila ito.

Sabi naman ni Governor Villafuerte, “Ang mga tao nga, tuwang-tuwa sa kanila, siyempre idol nila sila.

“At saka wala naman talagang makaka-question na ang pamilya ni Aga ay hindi taga-CamSur.

“Si Amalia Fuentes [Aga’s aunt] ay talagang taga-CamSur.

“May picture nga nung bata sina Aga sa CamSur na naglalaro sila.

“So, yun pong mga black propaganda, desperate move na talaga yun ng mga kalaban niya."


AGA'S HOUSE IN CAMSUR. Naungkat din ang bahay na tinitirhan ngayon ng pamilya ni Aga sa Camarines Sur.

Ang sabi, hindi naman daw pag-aari talaga yun ng aktor.

Ayon kay Governor Villafuerte, "Bahay ng kapatid ng mayor na dati naming kasama yun.

“Hindi naman talaga [kina Aga iyon], kasi yung family home nila talaga ay nabenta na yun.

"Pangalawa, kaya siya [Aga] may lupang binili, dahil nagpapagawa siya ng bahay.

“May ginagawa, so habang ginagawa, kailangan niyang maghanap ng bahay.”


SURVEY SAYS. Ayon pa sa gobernardor, batay sa lumalabas na survey ay napakalakas ni Aga.

Ito raw ang dahilan kaya hindi tinitigilan ang aktor upang mapigilan sa kanyang pagtakbo.

Saad ni Governor Villafuerte, "Sobrang lakas, sobrang gusto ng mga tao, at sure na mananalo talaga.

“Kasi, kumbaga sa basketball, alam mong matatalo ka kaya yung ginagawa ng kalaban ay kinukuha yung bola para di ka na makapaglaro.

“Pero kung patas ang laban, alam nilang talo sila.

“Sa survey, lumalabas na 70-30 percent. Seventy percent is in favor of Aga.

“Pero ngayon, sinasabi ng kalaban na hindi totoo yun.

“E, bakit kung di totoo yun, bakit nila kinakasuhan?

"Tsaka yung kalaban niya, dati ko nang kalaban yun, tinalo ko na yun…

“Tsaka sabi ng tao, 104 years na ang pamilya Fuentebella [sa puwesto].

“Kumbaga sa putahe, ano ba naman yung sumubok tayo ng bago [ng] three years?

“E, di kung hindi makapag-perform si Aga e di galawin natin.

"Tsaka alam n’yo naman si Aga, nasa industriya kayo, despite of his age, he's still on top. Walang mga isyu.

“Sabi nga niya minsan, nagdyo-joke siya na wala naman silang makitang isyu sa kanya…”

Magkaiba ng political party na kinaaaniban sina Governor Villafuerte at Aga: ang gobernador ay dati nang miyembro ng Nacionalista Party; si Aga ay bagong miyembro ng Liberal Party.

Kilalang matalik na magkaibigan sina Aga at Governor Villafuerte dahil madalas ay sa Camsur Watersports Complex pa, na pag-aari ng gobernador, idinadaos ang kaarawan. — Rodel Fernando, PEP.ph

source: gmanetwork.com

Beauty queen Kevin Balot happy to be accepted as a transgender by her father

Newly-crowned Miss International Queen 2012 Kevin Balot had one big wish: to be accepted as a transgender by her father.

In an interview with Luane Dy on GMA Network's “Unang Hirit” morning news program on Monday, Balot said her wish finally came true as her father now accepts her sexual orientation.

“Okay na. It’s fine,” said Balot, 21, who was crowned Miss International Queen 2012 in Thailand's seaside resort Pattaya on November 2.

Balot, who joined an international beauty pageant for the first time, bested 21 other candidates from 15 countries.

Balot was also awarded Miss Photogenic.

Balot received a grand prize of $10,000 and a crown from a well-known gem store in Thailand. She will represent the transvestite pageant in numerous occasions.

Four Filipinos including Balot joined the pageant but only two made it through the final 10.

A Filipino fan said winning a transvestite contest in Thailand, the land of "lady boys," was like winning a soccer tournament in Brazil.

In an interview with reporters after the event, Balot said, "I'm very proud to be first here, and I hope my dad will accept me. Because in the family I'm the only boy, and my dad has big expectations of me. I made it. I won the International Queen Pageant, and I believe that my dad will accept me not only as his son but also as his daughter."

On "Unang Hirit," Balot said, “Ever since naman talaga okay na talaga pero noong before meron talagang complication kasi only boy.”

Balot said her father was longing for a son because she was the only boy in the family.

Now Balot and her father have already put their differences aside.




High expectations

Balot explained that she had long been planning to join the international contest.

"Oo, actually talagang matagal na pinagplanuhan ito ng mga friends and manager ko,” she said.

However, her friends told her not to expect anything to avoid becoming disappointed if things don't turn out as she wishes.

“If you expect a lot you invite more disappointment,” she said. “Kaya nag-enjoy lang ako. I had great camaraderie with my co-candidates coming from other countries.”

She said she became good friends with the candidate from Thailand.

Asked what she thought made her win the contest, Balot cited a Thai blog that said she stood out in the swimsuit and question and answer portions.

For the talent portion, she also said that she danced “Gangnam Style” by Korean rapper PSY who is now an international sensation.

Movie offers

Balot confirmed that she has several movie offers in Thailand after the conclusion of the pageant.

However, she said it is up to the pageant officials to decide which projects she will be working on.

In her message to her fans, Balot said: “To all the fans that have been supporting me ever since maraming, maraming salamat sa inyo.”

She also thanks her family and friends for the “undying support” that they have given her.

Balot also acknowledged the Thai people and their hospitality while she was in their country.

There are 14,954 Filipinos in Thailand based on the 2010 Stock Estimate of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas.- VVP, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

James Bond soars to box office record with 'Skyfall'

James Bond can don the tuxedo and break out the Dom Perignon after the super spy returned to theaters in record fashion at the weekend, blowing away box office rivals with $87.8 million in ticket sales for the U.S. and Canadian debut of new movie "Skyfall" for the biggest opening in the franchise's history.

The best North American opening for the 50-year-old Bond franchise adds to a strong tally of $428.6 million for "Skyfall" overseas. Globally, the movie starring Daniel Craig as 007 has now earned $518.6 million since first hitting international theaters on Oct. 26, distributor Sony Pictures said.

"Skyfall" handily beat Walt Disney Co animated movie "Wreck-It Ralph," the story of a video game character who destroys everything in his path. The family film that topped last week's charts grabbed $33.1 million from Friday through Sunday and slipped to second place.

Denzel Washington drama "Flight," about an airline captain who saves a plane from crashing, pulled in $15.1 million to finish third.

Bond's allure proved unbeatable in "Skyfall," the third movie starring Craig and the first in four years. The last Bond film, "Quantum of Solace" in 2008, opened with a then-record $68 million at North American (U.S. and Canadian) theaters.

"We've always been very bullish about the film, but I don't think anyone expected the kind of stunning numbers that we've seen," said Rory Bruer, president of worldwide distribution for Sony Corp's Sony Pictures studio.

"How many pictures in just over two weeks have earned more than half a billion already?" he told Reuters.

"We've seen huge openings in every country that it's opened in. It's going to be one for the history books," Bruer added.

In the new movie, Judi Dench returns as Bond's supervisor, "M." Bond travels between Istanbul, Shanghai and London as his loyalty to M is tested, while MI6 comes under attack from an unknown threat. Javier Bardem plays the villain Bond must stop.

Bond's return has been hailed by the critics as a triumph for the 23-film franchise after a tepid response to "Quantum of Solace." Ninety-two percent of "Skyfall" reviews on the Rotten Tomatoes website were positive, and audiences polled by CinemaScore awarded the film an "A" grade. The film has already exceeded the "Quantum" lifetime box office total.

The $200 million movie was produced by MGM, Sony and Eon Productions. Its release comes 50 years after the franchise premiered with "Dr. No" in 1962, and the producers highlighted the anniversary in the film's marketing. The 22 previous Bond films have grossed $5 billion at box offices over five decades.

"Skyfall" was the only major new nationwide release this weekend. Steven Spielberg's historical drama "Lincoln" opened in 11 theaters with sales of $900,000, or $81,818 per theater on average. The movie which stars Daniel Day-Lewis as the 16th president expands to 1,500 locations next Friday.

Rounding out the top five, Ben Affleck drama "Argo," about the rescue of U.S. diplomats from Iran in 1979, finished in fourth place with $6.7 million. In fifth place, Liam Neeson hostage thriller "Taken 2" grabbed $4.0 million.

Sony Corp's movie studio released "Skyfall." "Flight" was distributed by Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc. "Lincoln" was produced by Dreamworks and released by Disney. Time Warner Inc's Warner Bros. studio released "Argo." "Taken 2" was distributed by 20th Century Fox, a unit of News Corp. — Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com

Mariah Carey Drops Obama-Inspired “Bring It On Home”

It’s no secret that the celebrity realm really loves him, and President Barack Obama just had a song dedicated to him by none other than Mariah Carey.

The “Always Be My Baby” singer has released her new single “Bring It On Home” to celebrate Obama’s re-election to the Office of the President.

After Barack’s victory speech, Mariah tweeted, “INCREDIBLE SPEECH!!!!!! Watching in a room full of diverse people-all truly moved. Thank you America for President Obama-4more yrs.”

Carey also retweeted Jermaine Dupri’s post, noting that “Bring It On Home” was written “specifically for Obama.


source: gossipcenter.com

'Facebook me!' Chong Wei invites fans to wedding

Anyone who wants to attend the wedding of Malaysian badminton Olympian Lee Chong Wei could be one of 10 lucky fans winning invitations by posting on his Facebook page.

The Olympic silver medallist is getting hitched to sweetheart Wong Mew Choo on Nov. 9 and the chosen few will be able to rub shoulders with celebrities and government dignitaries, local media reported.

The competition, likely to trigger some feverish online traffic, begins on Sunday and closes on Nov. 5, Chong Wei's press office said.

Hopefuls, who must first click 'like' under Chong Wei's fan page, are invited to explain why they wish to attend the wedding reception at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

"The 10 best comments will be picked by Chong Wei and his would be wife Wong Mew Choo, based on creativity," Sachi Choo of Chong Wei's agency told the Bernama news agency.

Results will be announced on Nov. 6 and will be of some interest to officials from the Prime Minister's office, Health and Trade Ministries, who have confirmed their attendance. — Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com

Rap star 'Diddy' suffers multiple injuries in crash

LOS ANGELES - Hip-hop icon and fashion mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs suffered "multiple injuries" including to his neck and collarbone in a car crash in Beverly Hills, a spokeswoman for the star said Thursday.

The 42-year-old was reported to have been left in pain after the accident on Wednesday involving his chauffeur-driven Cadillac Escalade outside the Beverly Hills hotel.





Pictures published by celebrity news website TMZ showed him lying on a grass verge after the crash, while police said he was not taken to hospital. His publicists did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

But on Thursday a spokeswoman issued a statement saying: "Sean Combs sustained multiple injuries in yesterday's car accident including to his neck, ribs and collarbone.

"He is currently receiving treatment for these injuries from his physicians and would like to thank all of his fans for the outpouring of support that he has received since the accident," she added.

Combs himself tweeted "Whoa .. That was a close one!" on his Twitter account earlier Thursday.

Born in Harlem, New York in 1969, Combs rose to prominence during the 1990s as founder and chief executive of Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment and Sean Combs Enterprises.

As well as his own successful rap career, Combs has produced hits for Aretha Franklin, Sting, Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige and Janet Jackson. - AFP

source: gmanetwork.com

Princess Madeleine of Sweden Gets Engaged to Her 'Soulmate'

Get ready for another royal wedding, as a transatlantic romance is about to bring an American into the Swedish royal family.

Princess Madeleine is set to marry U.S. financier Chris O'Neill, the country's royal court announced Thursday. They have been dating for two years and got engaged earlier this month.

"He is my soulmate," Madeleine, 30, said in an interview on the royal court's website. "We are both extremely happy and delighted. It is a very special day for us."

Madeleine, fourth in line to the throne, is the youngest child and second daughter of King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia.

"I appreciate Chris for his warmth and his humor," she said. "He has a very big heart and he manages to make everyone in his presence feel good. Christopher is a very thoughtful and generous person."

O'Neill, who has dual British-American citizenship, asked the king for permission to marry his daughter, which was granted.

"I had been thinking about proposing for a while, but I wanted to wait until the right moment," he said in the court interview. "I have been sure all along that Madeleine was the one I wanted to marry."

The wedding is expected to take place in Sweden next summer.

Since he is not a blood relative, O'Neill could never be king, although any children he has with Madeleine would be in line to the throne.

source: people.com

5 Tips to Save on Baby Clothes

Research shows that it takes around $200,000 to bring up an 18 year old from birth. When resources are limited and the necessities such as education, health, etc, cost a lot, you have to cut down on avoidable expenses. Smartly clothing your baby can help you cut costs significantly. Try following some of the tips below. [Also See: What It Really Costs to Raise a Child]

Size Smartly

Shorter clothes might look cute and even chic on little toddlers but they don’t last long. Try buying sizes that you think will last longer. Also prefer clothes with elastics at the waist instead of belts. Add buttons or hooks in a horizontal row to belts if possible. As your baby puts on weight, the consecutive buttons or hooks can be hooked.

Color with Care

Needless to mention, select colors for tops and bottoms in a way that maximizes the number of combinations you could create. This is especially relevant for those who go frequently for outings with friends and family. Go for basic colors such as red, blue, yellow and green more often than other uncommon colors which might not fare well with other uncommon colors.

Be Cautious about Quality

There are times when you forget all the lessons learned from purchasing cheap clothing earlier. And then you re-learn those lessons when a disaster happens after you put those cheap clothes in the washing machine. Also, always look carefully for instructions at the back that explain how that clothing may be washed and ironed.

Material Matters

Choose materials that are more stretchable. They would be able to take care of your baby’s growth spurts. Also, choose materials that can be worn more even when seasons change. For example, instead of buying very warm sleeping suits buy a relatively less warm collection of suits. As the coldest of days approach, slip in warmer vests. This way the suits will be able to be in use for a longer while.

Style Slyly

Certain styles such as frocks, dresses and skirts for girls and overalls for boys last longer. Prefer such smart styles that your baby can wear for a longer period. Buy socks without heels so that they can be used for a longer time. And remember you can alter clothes creatively too. When sleeping suits start becoming a bit tight, cut off the portion covering the feet. That should make it last a couple of months more because your baby grows more vertically than horizontally.

source: financialhighway.com

How to Improve Credit Score

One of the most frustrating experiences is being turned down for a loan because of your credit score. Your ability to borrow money isn’t the only thing affected by your credit score, though. Insurers might use your credit score to determine your premiums.  A low score could mean that you pay more in premiums. Others, including Internet service providers and landlords, might be interested in your credit score as well. Knowing how to improve you credit score can help you save money in the long term.
Indeed, more and more, your credit score is being used to make judgments about your ability to handle your finances. If a low score seems to indicate that you are irresponsible, it will be difficult for you to take advantage of the best offers and loan terms in the world of finances. If you are wondering how to improve your credit score, here are some things you can do to boost your financial reputation:

Pay Down Some of Your Debt

One of the items that shows up on your credit report is how much debt you have. If you are using most of your available credit, it counts against your credit score. You can look as though you are in a better position by paying down some of your debt. Keep your credit card balances to less than 30% of your credit limits. This way, you’ll appear more able to handle the credit that you have.

Get Current on Your Bills

If you have fallen behind on some of your payments, catch up. Your credit report contains a record of each month’s payment history. When you are on time each month, it shows. When you miss a payment, your credit report reflects the number of days you are behind. If you have some accounts you are behind on, bring them up to date so that your on-time payments can begin overwhelming the negative items. The longer you go without missing a payment, the better off you’ll be — and the higher your credit score will be.
You should understand, though, that paying off a collection account won’t remove it from your credit report. It can remain on your account for years. It’s better, though, for the account to be shown as paid off, rather than still open.

Maintain Good Credit

Once you have managed to improve your credit score as much as you can, it’s up to you to maintain a good credit score. The truth is that excellent credit is achieved only after months — or years — of consistently credit-positive behaviors. One of the best ways to maintain good credit over time is to make on-time payments. Be sure to pay on time and in full each month. You can set up payment reminders, or have your bills automatically deducted from your account. That way, you don’t have to worry about paying late.
Also, be aware of the length of your credit history. Your credit score takes into account how long you have had credit, and how old your accounts are. Don’t close older accounts because that can reduce the length of your credit history — and drop your score. Be wary, too, of opening new accounts. Too many newer accounts can also damage your score. Be selective of the accounts that you open, and carefully consider which accounts to close.

Fix Errors on Your Credit Report

Your credit score is based on information reported in your credit file. In the U.S., you are entitled to one free credit report each year, from each of the major credit bureaus, by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com. You are also entitled to a free credit report whenever you are rejected for a loan based on information in the report. In Canada, you can write in to receive a free credit report by mail. And, of course, you can always pay a fee to access your credit file.

When you locate a mistake, go through the process of disputing the error so that it is fixed. When negative errors are repaired, your credit score often benefits.

With a little planning and responsible behavior, you can improve your credit score, and find a variety of opportunities opened up to you.

source: financialhighway.com

DeGeneres honored for lifetime as US entertainer

WASHINGTON - Ellen DeGeneres, an American entertainer and prominent gay rights advocate, received the highest U.S. award for achievement in comedy on Monday.

Receiving the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center, the national showcase for arts, DeGeneres was praised as a pioneering female comic whose edgy variety show has helped define the format for daytime television in recent years.

But several guests also highlighted the comedian's groundbreaking decision 15 years ago to go public with her sexual identity in a career-rattling move the comedian said was a necessary step for personal dignity.

"I did it for me and it happened to help a lot of other people and cause a big ruckus," DeGeneres, 54, told reporters before the tribute, summarizing her decision in 1997 to come out publicly as gay in tandem with her on-screen character in a move that sparked controversy and prompted some advertisers to flee.

The Twain prize, named after the 19th century satirist, is the nation's highest honor for achievements in comedy.

A native of New Orleans, DeGeneres spent her twenties as an itinerant comedian on the Los Angeles nightclub circuit until prominent spots on late night television led to her own prime time sitcom.

The original show, Ellen, featured DeGeneres in the lead role as a bookshop owner in an idiosyncratic neighborhood. While the show got a boost after the star came out of the closet, it was over a few years later.

She later returned to the standup stage, and hosted the 2001 Emmy awards, which was postponed twice after the Sept. 11 attacks - a somewhat subdued celebration that allowed her to try to lighten the national mood.

Several guests said that DeGeneres brought a compassion to her comedy that is rare in the field.

"The rest of us comics come from really messed-up, dark childhoods. She might have come from that, I don't know. But it's not what she puts forth," said John Leguizamo, who joined the tributes. "She just puts out this beautiful goodwill."

In the last 10 seasons on television, DeGeneres has left her mark with a daytime variety show which she often uses as a way to promote a commitment to gay equality.

"For a lot of people, Ellen is their only homosexual friend," said late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel.

DeGeneres is the forth woman to receive the award since its inception in 1998.

Comedian and actor Will Ferrell won last year. Past award winners have included Bob Newhart, Steve Martin, Richard Pryor and Bill Cosby.

Monday night's ceremony will be broadcast on PBS on Oct. 30. — Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com

Melissa Rycroft Returns to Dancing with the Stars After Injury

She's back!

Despite injuring her neck during rehearsals and being rushed to the hospital on Sunday, Dancing with the Stars contestant Melissa Rycroft returned to the ballroom to perform on Monday night.

And she danced a high-flying team freestyle routine despite having what she called a "herniated disc in my upper neck."

"I'm on a little medication right now," Rycroft said before the performance to Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe." "[But] I'm officially cleared to dance."

The judges gave "Team Call Me Maybe" stellar reviews but their cheerleader-themed freestyle performance came at the end of an hour that included a routine that had judge Carrie Ann Inaba falling out of her chair – literally!

Gilles Marini and Peta Murgatroyd earned 29.5 points for their rumba to Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You."

"Let the baby making begin!" Carrie Ann shouted before falling flat out of her chair at the judges' panel.

"It should be Oscar nominated," Len Goodman said. "It had everything."

Val Chmerkovskiy and Kelly Monaco's samba was less exciting to the judges, who awarded the super-tight pair just 24.5 points. "There was too much gyration," Len said.

"I thought you were uncertain and I could see it in your body," Carrie Ann added.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Kirstie Alley, who performed to "Mrs. Robinson," came out slightly ahead with 25.5 points for their quickstep, which Carrie Ann and Len called their "best dance" so far this season.

And set to "Copa Cabana" by Barry Manilow, Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke danced a samba, which Len called an "unstoppable performance." They earned 29 points.

The couples who danced individual routines Monday will perform a team freestyle and "Team Call Me Maybe" will do their own thing on Tuesday night. There will be no elimination this week.

source: people.com

Singapore economy shrinks but avoids recession

SINGAPORE - Singapore's economy shrank by 1.5 percent in the third quarter but avoided a technical recession after growth in the previous three months was adjusted, government figures showed Friday.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry said the export-driven city-state was still on track to achieve annual growth of 1.5-2.5 percent in 2012.

"Economic growth in the second quarter was better than expected, resulting in an upward revision of quarter-on-quarter annualised growth from the preliminary estimates of -0.7 per cent to 0.2 per cent," it said.

"The revision was due to new data from the construction sector, which registered higher certified progress payments from private sector industrial and residential projects," it added.

Two successive quarters of negative growth are regarded as a technical recession. Singapore is seen as a bellwether for Asia's leading economies because of its sensitivity to world trade.

source: interaksyon.com

Things to Have Removed from your Credit Report

If you want to repair your credit quickly, there are a number of things that you can do to fix up your credit report. In general, there are some things on your credit report that really drag your credit score down. This is a look at the seven worst possible things that you can have on your credit score, as well as an explanation of why removing them will allow you to repair your credit quickly.

Most of us are already aware that some things on our credit reports are more dangerous than others. For example, going through a foreclosure or bankruptcy can cause your credit report to be scarred, and can force your credit score to plummet. Surprisingly, there are five other things that can have the same effect without you actually knowing it. Because lending institutions and banks that issue credit can use your credit score in order to evaluate who you are as a borrower, it is absolutely vital that you ensure that none of these entries ever appear in your credit report.

1 - Foreclosures.

While it may seem as if your world has literally crumbled all around you, there is still hope even when you are going default on your mortgage payment. When you do eventually default on your mortgage, most lenders are going to force you to give up possession of your home. Depending on your state laws, the lender may then auction your home off within a certain period of time in an attempt to recoup some of the lost costs. If there is any deficiency at all between what was owed to them and what your home is sold for, the lender can still come after you to reclaim those funds. With all of the foreclosure that is occurring right now, more and more banks are trying to come up with special arrangements in order to work with the homeowners. Even if you work out a deal with the lender and manage to keep your home, your credit score and credit report may still be scarred by the missed mortgage payments and the pre-foreclosure. Foreclosures remain on your credit report for seven years, so avoid them if you can.

2 - Debt Collections.

Attorney debt collections and ordinary debt collection companies can create a huge negative when they are listed on your credit report. The average credit score can drop by between 30 and 85 points for a single debt collection notice on a credit report. Sometimes you will take an even harder hit because the original credit will mark your account as a charge off, and then a second entry will appear for the collection agency, and this will only do more unnecessary and avoidable harm to your credit score.

source: richcreditdebtloan.com

Palin calls death threats 'annoying'

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin confirmed on her Facebook page her daughter Bristol, a contestant on "Dancing with the Stars," has been receiving death threats.

"I'm in California today to support Bristol," Sarah Palin wrote on her Facebook page.

"I'm sorry to see that she's again getting those annoying death threats and more 'mysterious white powder' sent to her while on DWTS this All-Star season," she said. "These threats sure waste a lot of time, production and public resources: but do the haters really think this will stop Bristol and Mark and the show's producers from keepin' on keepin' on? Silly critics--after all these years of goofy antics like this we find these efforts are actually quite motivating! Bristol's not letting this get her down."

TMZ reported last week a suspicious package sent to 21-year-old Bristol at the Los Angeles studio where "Dancing with the Stars" is taped turned out to be harmless.

Bristol is a single mother, author and reality TV personality. She is competing on the all-stars edition of the ballroom dance show. Her mother was the Republican vice presidential candidate in 2008.

Police, fire and health officials were dispatched to the studio this week to investigate a package with powder on it, but the substance proved innocuous.

A similar incident occurred in 2010 when Bristol previously appeared on the series. The package at the focus of that incident was also declared harmless.

Palin's publicist declined to comment on the most recent matter to E! News, citing the show's policy to not discuss security issues publicly.

source: upi.com

Jeric Gonzales believes 'star factor' is his edge over other Protégé contestants

Masuwerte si Jeric Gonzales dahil isa pa rin siya sa walong protégés na patuloy pang napapanood at lumalaban sa Protégé: The Battle for the Big Break.

Sa gala night ng talent search na ito ng GMA-7 noong Linggo, September 23, si Shelly Hipolito ang natanggal.

Limang lalaki at tatlong babae na lang ang natitira sa kumpetisyon.

Kasama ni Jeric sa hanay ng mga lalaki sina Mikoy Morales, Japs de Luna, Bryan Benedict, at Ruru Madrid. Ang mga natitirang babaeng contestants ay sina Elle Ramirez, Thea Tolentino, at Zandra Summer.

Si Jeric ay isa sa orihinal na protégés ni Gina Alajar mula sa Southern Luzon, pero ngayon ay si Jolina Magdangal ng Visayas na ang mentor niya.

Nangyari ito nang hindi pinili ni Gina si Jeric sa mga natitirang protégés niya, at si Jolina naman ang pumili sa kanya sa mga binitawang protégés.

Tinanong ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) si Jeric kung ano ang naramdaman niya nang hindi siya ang piniling protégé ni Direk Gina.

“Yung feeling ko po noong mawala ako kay Direk Gina, nalungkot po, kasi siyempre siya po ang kumuha sa amin from the start.

"Hanggang half ng competition, siya po yung nagsalba sa amin sa lahat ng mga gala. Siya ang nagbigay ng mga advice.

“Pero noong in-explain niya po sa amin ang dahilan kung bakit niya pinili si Thea, naintindihan naman po namin at tinanggap naman po namin."

WHY HER? Bakit daw si Thea ang pinili ni Direk Gina?

“Si Thea raw po... parang kay Thea niya raw po mararamdaman na siya ang nag-mold kay Thea.

“Kasi, bata pa raw po, maga-guide niya po. Siya po talaga ang may gawa at mararamdaman daw po niya.

“Although kami raw po, buong-buo na raw po. Hindi na raw niya po kami mamu-mold."
Paanong nasabi ni Direk Gina na "buong-buo" na siya?

“Sa age po siguro—I’m twenty na po compared po siguro kay Thea na fourteen."

Graduate ng Nursing si Jeric. Bago ang lahat sa kanya sa showbiz dahil wala pa siyang anumang experience dito bago pumasok ng Protégé.

JOLINA’S PROTÉGÉ. Kinumusta rin ng PEP kay Jeric ang bagong mentor niyang si Jolina.

“Sobra pong masaya kasi kaming dalawa po ni Arny Ross ang natira," pagtukoy ni Jeric sa pilian ng mga binitawang protégés.

“Parang nag-self-pity po ako noon kasi, feeling ko, parang walang gustong kumuha sa akin.

“Kaya noong kinuha po ako ni Ate Jolens, naging masaya ako.

“Everytime po na magkasama kami ni Mikoy at saka ni Ate Jolens, para po kaming magka-tropa, para naming ate.

“At the same time po, tinuturuan niya kami at marami siyang ibinibigay na advice para sa competition."

MOST POPULAR. Base sa mga feedback, sinasabing si Jeric ang may pinakamalakas na recall sa mga lalaking contestants.

Mapapansin daw ito sa mga mall shows ng Protégé kunsaan mas marami ang nakakakilala at tumitili kay Jeric.

Sabi naman ni Jeric tungkol dito, “Masaya po ako kasi, sa sarili ko naman po, ginagawa ko naman po ang lahat.

“Siguro po, blessed lang po na umabot sa ganitong part at para po sa kanila, sa pamilya ko rin po."

Sa palagay niya, ano ang meron sa kanya at siya ang “matunog" among the male protégés?

“Siguro po, naramdaman ko po yun noong matanggal si David Llamas.

“Noong mag-partner po kami ni David, sinabi niya po na, ‘Ang guwapo mo kasi, duds. Lamang pa rin ang star factor mo kumpara sa akin.’

“Hindi ko po alam yun kasi wala namang nagsasabi nun, si Ms. Annette lang po."

Si Annette Gozon-Abrogar ang isa sa mga judges ng Protégé, kasama sina Bert de Leon, Cherie Gil, at Joey de Leon.

Confident ba si Jeric na hindi siya matatanggal at makakaabot siya ng finals?

“Hindi naman po confident, positive lang po na dapat hindi matanggal.

“Pero kinakabahan din po. Wala naman pong makakapagsabi kung sino po talaga."

FULL SUPPORT. Si Louise delos Reyes ang naging kapareha ni Jeric nang mag-perform siya noong Linggo sa gala performance night.

Natutuwa si Jeric dahil supportive si Louise sa kanya, maging ang ina nito at pati na ng rumored boyfriend ng young actress na si Enzo Pineda.

Kuwento ni Jeric, “Noong nag-rehearse po kami, nag-usap na po kami.

"Sabi niya, ‘Huwag kang mahiya sa akin. Tingnan mo ako sa mata, landiin mo ako kung gusto mo.’

“Pati po ang nanay niya, sabi, ‘Habulin mo siya para may communication talaga ang performance.’

“Tapos pati po si Enzo, nandoon po siya. Sabi po ng nanay, ‘Okay lang naman Enzo, di ba?’

“Sabi naman po ni Enzo, ‘Oo, okay lang ‘yan, performance lang naman.’"

Hindi ba siya naiilang kay Enzo?

“Hindi naman po, naka-focus naman po ako sa performance namin!" natatawang sabi ni Jeric.

Sa huli, tinanong ng PEP si Jeric kung sino sa apat pang lalaking protégés na natitira ang posibleng maging mahigpit niyang kalaban sa Top 2?

“Si Mikoy po," mabilis niyang sagot.

“Kasi po, ang dami na po niyang nagagawa at consistent po siya na every gala, magaganda po ang ginagawa niya.

“At overall, nakakasayaw siya, nakaka-acting siya.

"Matalino rin po, at the same time, fluent sa English.

“At masasabi ko po, doon niya po siguro ko matatalo. Pero, matatalo ko rin naman po siya sa ibang bagay."

Sa ngayon, sa pagkanta raw nag-e-excel si Jeric. -- Rose Garcia, PEP

source: gmanetwork.com

France unveils its toughest budget in years

PARIS -- France's Socialist government announced the country's harshest budget in 30 years Friday, including $25.8 billion in new taxes.

The hardest hit will be major businesses and the rich, as President François Hollande stuck to his May election pledge to introduce a new "supertax" rate of 75% on those earning over $1.29 million a year.

However, France's public services escaped the major cuts that other Eurozone countries have enforced in the battle to rein in their sovereign debt.

The government needs to find around $47.7 billion to bring France's public deficit down to 3% of gross domestic product by next year, in line with European Union rules. The deficit is currently about 4.5%.

Two-thirds of the deficit cutting is to be made through new taxes and one-third in spending cuts. The government promised that after 2014 the split between taxes and spending cuts would be 50-50.

Of the $12.9 billion in new taxes on companies, most will be raised on large corporations through the removal of tax breaks and exemptions.  Another $12.9 billion of new taxes on households will affect only top earners, said French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, who insisted 90% of taxpayers would be spared.

The "supertax" rate of 75%, a controversial populist measure, will apply for at least two years but affects only 2,000 to 3,000 people. However, a new 45% tax rate will be imposed on those earning over $194,000.

Pierre Moscovici, the finance minister, said it was an "unprecedented" budget, but insisted it was necessary to comply with European Union rules of reducing the public deficit to 3%.

Just four months into his five-year term in office, Hollande is under fire from all sides.

As well as grumbling from business leaders, unemployment numbers that topped the symbolic level of 3 million in August and tumbling popularity in the opinion polls, the president is facing revolt from traditional allies in unions and left-wing groups that are threatening strikes if the budget is too austere.

A demonstration is planned for Sunday against the EU's fiscal treaty, which imposes strict deficit limits.

source: latimes.com

Amanda Bynes charged with driving on suspended license

LOS ANGELES-- Former child star Amanda Bynes was charged with two misdemeanor counts of driving on a suspended license on Friday, after the actress was stopped and cited by police last week in Burbank city, police officials said.

According to documents obtained by celebrity website TMZ.com, Bynes was cited twice by the same airport authority police official on September 16 - the second incident an hour and a half after the first - for driving on a suspended license near Burbank's Bob Hope Airport.

Bynes' black BMW was impounded and she is scheduled to appear at Burbank Superior Court by October 16 to address the charges, according to senior assistant city attorney Denny Wei at Burbank City Attorney's office.

Bynes, 26, who had her own TV comedy sketch show on Nickelodeon at the age of 13, is also set to appear in court next week to address two misdemeanor hit-and-run charges, stemming from two separate incidents in April and August.

She was also charged earlier this year with driving under the influence when she hit a police car in April and will attend a pretrial hearing on October 29.

The actress has been involved in a string of minor car accidents and violations in and around Los Angeles in the last six months, and incidents of bizarre behavior.

Paparazzi who have been trailing her every move for weeks reported that she locked herself in the dressing room of a Hollywood clothing store for two hours last week, according to TMZ.com.

Bynes, whose last film was "Easy A" in 2010, has strenuously denied drinking and driving. "I am doing amazing," Bynes told People magazine earlier this week, adding "I don't drink and drive. It is all false."

She also told People that she had retired from acting and was moving to New York to launch a fashion line.

Bynes' representatives did not return calls for comment on Friday.

The actress joins a list of young celebrities whose careers and personal lives have derailed after early promise.

"Freaky Friday" actress Lindsay Lohan, 26, is currently trying to make a career comeback after five years of trips to court, rehab and prison stemming from drug and alcohol issues.

Pop singer Britney Spears suffered a highly publicized meltdown in 2007 that resulted in her father being appointed to manage her affairs. Spears, now 30, made a successful comeback in 2009 and made her debut as a judge on TV singing contest "The X Factor" last week. - Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com

YouTube rolls out new version of iPhone app

SAN FRANCISCO —Google Inc is releasing a new version of its YouTube video app for iPhones that will for the first time feature advertising but won’t have the benefit of being pre-loaded on Apple Inc’s popular smartphones.

The new YouTube app will be available for download at Apple’s App Store beginning on Tuesday, Google said in a blog on the company website on Tuesday.

Web-connected smartphones are increasingly important to YouTube’s business. One billion of YouTube’s daily video views now occur on mobile devices, said Google. Earlier this year YouTube said it was streaming 4 billion videos every day.

The new YouTube app for the iPhone will feature thousands of additional videos, according to the blog post, as well as improved features for finding videos and sharing videos on social networks.

Unlike the previous version of the YouTube iPhone app, the new version will feature online advertising, a Google spokesman said.

Online ads generate the bulk of Google’s revenue, the world’s No. 1 web search engine, and YouTube already offers ads on its mobile website and on the version of the app for Android smartphones.

Apple said last month that its license to include the YouTube app in the iOS operating system used by the iPhone and iPad had ended.

The relationship between Google and Apple has frayed over the years, as the shift from PCs to mobile devices has increased the competition between the two companies. Earlier this year, Apple said it would dump Google’s mapping software from its mobile devices.

Apple is holding a press event in San Francisco on Wednesday where many expect the company to unveil a new version of its iPhone.

YouTube has been among a handful of apps that came pre-loaded onto the screens of Apple’s mobile devices since the original iPhone was introduced in 2007.

The pre-installed YouTube app—which was actually built by Apple using YouTube standards—was not as full-featured as YouTube’s own website, but it was popular.

According to data measurement firm Nielsen, YouTube was the third most popular iPhone app by users, including both pre-installed apps and downloaded apps, in the U.S. in June.

Google said it was working on a version of the YouTube app specially-designed for iPads, which should be available in the coming months.

source: japantoday.com

Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean Among Top CMA Nominees

It was a double-barreled morning for Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean on Wednesday, as the country stars appeared on Good Morning America to reveal the nominees in the top five categories for the 46th annual Country Music Association Awards.

Among the names they announced were their own – in the category of male vocalist. Aldean is also up for entertainer of the year, and Bryan is also in the running for album of the year, for his Tailgates & Tanlines.

Taylor Swift is the one woman who made it into the race for entertainer of the year. Besides Aldean, the other nominees are Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley and Blake Shelton

Female vocalist competitors are Swift, Kelly Clarkson, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride and Carrie Underwood.

In addition to Aldean and Bryan, male vocalist nominees are Eric Church, Blake Shelton and Keith Urban.

Album of the year nominees, besides Bryan's CD, are Eric Church's Chief, Miranda Lambert's For the Record, Dierks Bentley's Home and Lady Antebellum's Own the Night

For the full list of nominations, click here.

Country's biggest night, the 46th Annual CMA Awards, will air live Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 8/7c on ABC.

As they have for the past five years, Paisley and Underwood will serve as hosts.

source: people.com

Janna Dominguez willing to settle issue with Iwa Moto at the right time

Medyo malusog pa ang sexy comedienne na si Janna Dominguez nang dumalo siya sa presscon ng Pepito Manaloto, Ang Tunay na Kuwento, nitong Martes, September 4, sa Executive Lounge ng GMA Network Center.




Pagkatapos niyang manganak, apat na buwan na ang nakararaan, ngayon lang siya nagpakita sa press.

Nagsalita na rin si Janna tungkol sa kanyang pagbubuntis sa isang malusog na baby girl, na unang baby nila ng boyfriend niyang si Mickey Ablan.

Mas pinili raw ni Janna na manahimik nung buntis siya dahil gusto raw niya ng stress-free na pagbubuntis at maiwas sa mga intriga.

“Nahiya nga ako sa Startalk saka Showbiz Central, kasi kinukuha nila ang panig ko, kasi ayaw ko na lang talaga magsalita," sabi nito.

Kainitan pa noon ng isyu ni Mickey at ng dati nitong karelasyon na si Iwa Moto nang nabuntis si Janna, kaya mas mabuting manahimik na raw muna siya para na rin sa kanyang kalagayan.

NOT THE RIGHT TIME. Pero ngayon ay maayos na raw silang lahat, at kahit si Iwa nga ay nagsalita na rin noon na mas gusto niyang maging magkaibigan na silang tatlo nina Janna at Mickey.

Pero ayon kay Janna, “Hindi pa kami nagkikita nang personal. Siguro kasi hindi pa panahon.

“Siguro mas maganda yung ready na ang lahat. Mas mature na lahat ng tao, mas naintindihan na yung bawat nangyayari.

“Hindi na yung parang high school na ganun. Hindi na ganun, di ba?

“Iba na ngayon, e. May anak na ako.

"Siya, I hope masaya na rin siya.

“So, siguro in time," seryosong sabi ng dating Pinoy Fear Factor participantes sa posibilidad na pagkakaayos nila ni Iwa.

Ang boyfriend ngayon ni Iwa ay si Pampi Lacson, anak ni Senator Panfilo Lacson at estranged husband ng aktres na si Jodi Sta. Maria.

Nakarating na rin kay Janna na gusto raw ni Iwa na magkaayos na sila.

Pero tingin daw ng Kapuso actress, kailangan pa ng sapat na panahon para maging handa silang magkaharap at magkausap nang masinsinan.

Saad ni Janna, “Siguro mas maganda mag-mature muna both parties.

“Mapag-usapan bilang maayos na tao, hindi yung parang high school na nag-aawayan na pag may sinabi yung isa, magsasalita yung isa. Hindi na ganun.

“Mas maganda yung walang kamera, mag-usap kami.

“Mas gugustuhin ko yung andiyan ka, walang kamera, mag-usap tayo, yung galing sa puso."

MARRIED OR NOT? Pagdating naman sa isyu nina Iwa at Mickey, labas na raw si Janna roon.

Ang alam daw niya, nagkausap ang dalawa at okay na rin naman sila.

Parehong tahimik sina Iwa at Mickey sa isyung kasal sila.

Pero ang nakarating na balita sa PEP, pareho nilang inaayos ito para mapawalang-bisa na ang sinasabing kasal nila.

Ayaw naman ni Janna na magkomento sa isyung ito.

Aniya, “Wala po ako sa estado, wala po ako sa posisyon para magsalita diyan. So, I leave it to them.

“Kung ano man yung sabihin nila, yun na lang po.

“Kung ano man yung away nila bago ako pumasok sa picture, labas ako dun.

“So, ako, makikinig na lang ako.

"Kung ano ang nangyari sa kanila, okay, makikinig ako.

“Pero hindi ako damay sa problema nila. Wala ako dun.

“Kasi sila yun, e. Bago ako pumasok, sila yung may isyu, e.

“So far, maayos naman sila. Wala na yung mga Twitter war, wala."

MICKEY ABLAN. Nasa presscon din ng Pepito Manaloto kagabi si Mickey para samahan si Janna.

Nang tanungin ng PEP tungkol sa isyu nila ni Iwa, tipid lang ang mga sagot ni Mickey.

Maayos naman daw silang nagkausap.

Pagdating naman sa mga isyu nilang dalawa ng dating karelasyon, inaayos pa raw nila ito.

Matagal na raw silang hindi nagkausap ni Iwa.

Ang posibilidad na pag-aayos nilang tatlo ay puwede naman daw, pero mabuting huwag na raw madaliin.

WHEN IS THE WEDDING? Ayon naman kay Janna, sa ngayon ay wala pa raw sa plano nila ni Mickey ang kasal.

Engaged na raw silang dalawa, pero mabuting paghandaan daw muna nang husto ang kanilang pagpapakasal.

“Sabi ko, magpapayat muna ako para full back.

“Napag-usapan na namin… di ba, engaged na nga kami?

“Yung kasal na lang ang pag-uusapan.

“Mas gusto ko yung, 'Naglalakad na yung anak natin, may isip na siya, yung makikita na niya kung gaano tayo kasaya,' ganyan," saad ni Janna.

Iglesia Ni Cristo si Mickey at kailangan daw magpasakop o magpa-convert si Janna sa relihiyon ng kinakasama.

Pero baka hindi raw sila sa simbahan magpakasal.

Ang gusto raw ni Mickey ay beach wedding, pero ayaw naman ni Janna.

“Kasi ang daming naghiwalay sa beach wedding.

“Ayoko magbanggit ng pangalan, pero ayokong sabihin kung sino.

“Basta ako, ayoko sa beach wedding!" natatawang sabi ni Janna.

Ngayon ay focused daw si Janna sa pag-aalaga ng baby nila, at pati na rin ang anak ni Mickey sa unang girlfriend nito.

Mas priority raw niya ang pamilya kesa sa career.

Pero malaki rin ang pasasalamat ni Janna sa GMA-7 at kay Michael V dahil kinuha pa rin siya para sa Pepito Manaloto kahit mataba na raw siya. -- Gorgy Rula, PEP

source: gmanetwork.com 

10 easy ways to cut out calories

How to eat less and lose weight without feeling deprived

Losing weight can be hard work, especially when your stomach is rumbling and you’re craving your favorite treats. However, cutting out calories needn’t be quite as difficult as you think. Here are 10 almost effortless ways to cut back on calories without feeling as though you are missing out.










1. Buy a non-stick pan

Cooking meals from scratch is one of the most effective ways to save on calories. However, by paying attention to what you are cooking with, you can easily cut out even more. Cooking with oils can add literally hundreds of calories on to a meal (with most oils containing around 500 calories per tablespoon), often without contributing vastly to its taste. To cut down on unnecessary calories, invest in a non-stick pan which requires much less oil or, in some cases, none at all.

2. Recreate your favorite treats
 
Making homemade versions of your favorite treats can help you to save on calories without compromising on taste. By making your own treats, you are in charge of what goes into them and can make ingredient swaps to further cut the calories content. For instance, try swapping sugar for agave nectar (which is sweeter than sugar, so you will need less), replacing cream with evaporated milk or yoghurt, and using low-fat coconut milk in your favourite curry. Cooking also burns off more calories than opening a packet, making this a great calorie-saving way to treat yourself.

3. Spice up your meals

If you’re looking to reduce the amount of calories in your meals, using more spices, herbs and chillies in your food can help. Adding herbs and seasonings to your meals can add extra flavur to your food and give your meals a kick, without adding any extra calories. As an added bonus, chilli peppers and spices such as cinnamon, cayenne, black pepper and ginger can actually promote weight loss, helping you to burn off any superfluous calories consumed.

4. Skip the condiments

If you consider yourself a healthy eater yet you still can’t ditch those extra pounds, it may be time to look at what you are eating alongside your meals. Oily and sugary dressings, dips and sauces can add a surprisingly high amount of calories on to what is otherwise a healthy and low-cal meal. Avoid those sneaky kilojoules by opting for smaller amounts of low-calorie condiments such as balsamic vinegar, salsa or brown mustard, or try skipping these extras entirely.

5. Buy smaller plates

While you may only eat three daily meals, many of us have grown used to eating much larger portions than we actually need, meaning that you could be consuming the equivalent of six or more standard serving sizes each day. As many of us feel compelled to eat large portions simply because they are there, help yourself to resist temptation by only purchasing small portions of your favorite treats –- even if the bigger ones do seem like good value for money! Also, try swapping your plates, bowls and glasses for smaller ones, which will help you to control your serving sizes.

6. Chew more slowly

It generally takes a minimum of 20 minutes for your body to register feelings of fullness, meaning that the more quickly you consume your meals, the more you will feel compelled to eat before you start to feel full. Research results published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that those who chewed each mouthful 40 times ate nearly 12 per cent fewer kilojoules than those who chewed just 15 times, so try taking your time over each mouthful to help cut back on calories.

7. Cut back on liquid calories

While many of us pay attention to what we eat, we often ignore those calories consumed in liquid form. However, these could add up to a significant amount of your daily total. While alcohol is the main liquid calorie culprit, soft drinks, fruit juice, smoothies and many hot drinks can also contain a vast amount of calories, and often next to no nutritional value. To reduce your calorie intake without changing what you eat, try swapping calorie-rich drinks for herbal tea or water. Alternatively, replace milky lattes for skinny versions and fizzy drinks for fruit juice diluted with sparkling water.

8. Get more sleep

For a truly effortless way to cut back on your calorie intake, research suggests getting more sleep could do the trick. A study by Columbia University found that when people are sleep-deprived they eat almost 300 calories more a day than when they have had adequate rest. It is thought that this is because lack of sleep stimulates the production of our hunger hormone, ghrelin, while also lowering levels of leptin; the hormone that makes you feel full.

9. Choose filling foods

If you want to eat fewer calories but still feel full, you need to be smart with your food choices. Opt for more filling foods rich in protein and fibre; both of which can help you to feel fuller for longer. Also, opt for "bulky" foods which will fill up the stomach without you taking in a lot of calories. Experts at the University of Sydney developed a "Satiety Index" based on how long foods will stop you from feeling hungry, and identified the most filling foods as potatoes, fish, oats, apples and oranges, wholewheat pasta, beef, beans, grapes, wholemeal bread and popcorn.

10. Pay attention to your meals

Many of us consume an unnecessary amount of calories simply because we are not paying attention to what we are eating. According to research findings published in the British Journal of Nutrition, eating when distracted can cause you to ignore your body’s signals that you’ve had enough, leading you to eat more than you normally would. To cut your calorie intake, try to eat at the table, rather than in front of a TV or computer screen, and learn to really savour your food. Read more on www.realbuzz.com.

source:  abs-cbnnews.com

Prince Harry I Refuse to Hide Anymore

Prince Harry is adamant ... he WILL attend the 2012 Paralympic Games in London ... refusing to back out of his first scheduled appearance following the naked photo scandal.

Harry has been M.I.A. since returning to London from his X-rated Vegas weekend ... and there were rumors he would be cancelling all of his appearances and staying out of the spotlight until the whole thing blows over.








But TMZ spoke with a rep for the Royal Family who tells us ... "The Duke and Duchess [of Cambridge] and Prince Harry will attend select events during the Games, including goalball, cycling, swimming and Athletics.”

The Games are scheduled to begin tomorrow and will run through September 9. The rep was not clear about when Harry will show up.

Stay tuned ...

source: tmz.com

14-year-old Pinay student holds art exhibit in Australia

The artworks of 14-year-old Filipina Kelsy Marie Senturias were selected for display in the annual "Step into the Limelight-Voyage Art Exhibition" in Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

The DFA said Kelsy is the daughter of Priscilla Senturias, Records and Communication Officer of the Philippine Embassy in Australia.

A  Year 9 student at the Stromlo High School in Canberra, Kelsy chose her younger sister Kaithlyn Marian, as the subject of her acrylic painting,

Kelsy emphasized her sister’s sporting and musical interests, such as handball and the xylophone, as the focus of her paintings, the DFA said.

The exhibit was organized by the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Education and Training Directorate.

The DFA said the exhibit was officially opened at the Australian National University (ANU) School of Art Foyer Gallery on August 8 and ran until August 18.

The exhibit includes over 150 artworks representing students from 25 ACT public schools. - VVP, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Flooding brings chaos to Philippine capital

Manila, Philippines (CNN) -- Fueled by seasonal monsoon rains and a nearby tropical storm, widespread flooding in the Philippines worsened Tuesday, causing a landslide that killed nine members of a family, the national disaster agency reported.

The landslide in the Manila suburb of Quezon City buried two houses, leaving the nine people dead and four others injured, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center.

Three of the dead were children, the state-run Philippines News Agency reported.

The capital city of Manila got 504 millimeters (about 20 inches) of rain Tuesday, PNA reported, with more on the way.

The country's weather service -- the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration -- warned the region's 12 million residents of continued torrential rains and serious flooding through Wednesday.

The national railroad called off service, and many roads were under water. Some dams were beginning to overflow, putting more communities at risk, authorities said.

The flooding has already forced nearly 130,000 people across the country from their homes, the disaster agency said. About 78,000 were staying in emergency shelters Tuesday night, the agency said.

Rescue requests continued to come in early Wednesday, including some people who were using Twitter to contact authorities for help.

"Pregnant woman needs help! Staying on top of a roof," one Twitter user posted, followed by an address. "Please help BORRES FAMILY w/ 2y/o child!!," posted another.

The weather agency warned residents to expect more landslides and flash flooding, and authorities urged residents in low-lying areas to move to higher ground to keep the death toll from the flooding from rising beyond the current 53.

In an effort to save lives and make way for rescue and relief efforts, President Benigno Aquino ordered work suspended at government and private offices around the capital region Tuesday.

Government offices and schools were also to be closed Wednesday, the president's office said.

"It's like a water world," PNA quoted Benito Ramos, head of the disaster agency, as saying of the city.

Deep water in many parts of metropolitan Manila blocked roads, stranded cars and flooded homes. In several areas, the water was waist deep or higher, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said in its Twitter feed.

"Last night it was raining cats and dogs, or even like elephants banging on your roof top," said CNN iReporter Rummel Pinera. "You cannot sleep when it's raining for several hours like this, it was like a deluge."

Another iReporter, Jumar Rejuso, said the downpour was terrifying.

"We had to force ourselves to leave in order to be spared from the wrath of the raging waters," he said. "It was the first time I have witnessed in my entire life a flood as big as that."

Flooding has struck across the Philippines, with high water reported in 46 communities across the country, the disaster agency reported.

Authorities in Marikina City imposed a forced evacuation of areas near the Marikina River, which has risen above critical levels, PNA reported.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the Ambuklao, Binga and San Roque dams were releasing water, putting several cities at a higher risk of flooding. The agency warned residents living near the dams to be on the lookout for rising waters.

U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Harry K. Thomas said Tuesday that the United States would provide $100,000 for disaster relief.

The rain and flooding are the result of the normal summer monsoon enhanced by the effects of Tropical Storm Haikui, the Philippines weather service said. The storm was about 258 miles southeast of Shanghai, China, on Tuesday, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.

The country had already been lashed by heavy rain and wind in recent weeks resulting from Tropical Storm Saola, which plowed past it before hitting Taiwan and China at the end of last week.

The country is frequently subjected to flooding and landslides caused by heavy rain. In December, Tropical Storm Washi left more than 1,200 people dead after it set off flash floods that swept away entire villages in the southern Philippines.

source: CNN