Microsoft Corp.'s Zune portable music player is suffering from a glitch that may have frozen thousands of units, in the latest setback for the world's biggest software company. For many people who own the Zune digital media player, New Year's Eve is the day the music died.

It would appear that a Microsoft software bug has put the world's 30GB Zune population on the verge of extinction.

On Wednesday, Zune owners flooded blogs and Internet chat sites to complain that they couldn't listen to music on the 30 gigabyte version of the Zune, an early version of the device, because it wouldn't start up properly. The postings noted that the digital music players get stuck on the Zune logo screen when the machine's software is loading.

The company's Zune Web site said the company was aware of the problem and was working to correct it. It is unclear how many versions of the device are affected.

"We are aware that customers with Zune 30GB devices are experiencing issues with their Zune device," a Microsoft spokesman, in a separate statement, said.

"We are actively working now to isolate the issue and develop a plan to address it. We will keep customers informed on next steps via the support page on zune.net."

Recently, the software giant introduced new versions of the Zune that included additional storage and new features, including the ability to identify and buy songs heard on the radio and receive customized play lists.

18-year-old Bristol Palin gave birth to a son who will carry on the Palin tradition of strange names. Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston was born Sunday at 7 pounds, 4 ounces, People says. Colleen Jones, the sister of Bristol's grandmother, told the magazine that "the baby is fine and Bristol is doing well."

The baby's arrival is probably welcomed good news after three bad months for the Palin and Johnston families. When it was announced shortly after Gov. Palin was named John McCain's running mate that her teenage daughter was expecting, it triggered national debates on teen pregnancy and marriage, abstinence education, the VP vetting process, the privacy of political families and, well, just about everything.

Bristol Palin is 18, as is her boyfriend of three years, Levi Johnston, a former high school hockey player. Both have dropped out of high school -- she to complete her diploma through correspondence courses, People reports, and he to become an apprentice electrician, he told the AP this fall. They have said they plan to marry in 2009.

You won’t be able to get it delivered in time for Christmas, but here’s the perfect New Year’s gift for the Sarah Palin fan in your life.

A 2009 calendar of the former Republican vice-presidential candidate is currently the top item on the Web site’s list of “Office Products and Supplies.” (Palin beat out “Fiskars DuraSharp DeskWorks Preferred Scissors” and “Brother PT-80 P-touch Electronic Labeling System” for the distinction.)

Washington Wire reported in October that the calendar was the product of former Wasilla deputy mayor and friend-of-Sarah Judy Patrick, an Anchorage-based photographer who culled from her professional and personal photos of the governor and her family to create the calendar.

For only $15.95 (plus $5.50 shipping and handling) you can get a coveted Sarah Palin 2009 wall calendar!

The 13-month calendar has more than 50 photos of Palin and her family – including, we are told “never before seen photos” of the woman picked by John McCain to be his running mate. On the cover is a picture of Palin in a jaunty pose with a shotgun casually slung over her left shoulder.

It is, of course, produced and printed in the United States of America.

The photos were taken by Judy Patrick who is described as “a long time resident of Wasilla, Alaska” – the town where Palin first burst into politics as mayor before advancing to governor.

It’s just what every Sarah fan needs to keep her close until the 2012 presidential campaign.

The names of the female celebrities who will be entering the BIG BROTHER house in January have been revealed.

According to the Daily Star, former Liberty X singer MICHELLE HEATON, model LUCY PINDER, SHAMELESS star TINA MALONE and ex-SUGABABE MUTYA BUENA will all appear on the reality show.

The publication also asserts that SHERRIE HEWSON and PAULA HAMILTON will star.

CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER was cancelled in January 2008 due to the race row caused by the 2007 series, however it will return to the small screen on January 2nd 2009.

DAVINA MCCALL will once again helm the reality show, with GEORGE LAMB taking on BIG BROTHER'S LITTLE BROTHER.

The new series of BIG BROTHER is not going to be a 24 hour show, with bosses hoping to avoid any issues such as the JADE GOODY racism row.

However some critics have suggested this will leave fans "short changed", with a source telling the Sun that it is now an entertainment show rather than a reality one.

Former Sugababes singer Mutya Buena, glamour model Lucy Pinder and former 'Emmerdale' actress Sherrie Hewson are rumoured to be part of the latest 'Celebrity Big Brother' line-up.

Those believed to be joining them in the house include 'Shameless' actress Tina Malone, former Liberty X band member Michelle Heaton and 1980s supermodel Paula Hamilton.

'Austin Powers' "mini me" actor Verne Troyer, politician Tommy Sheridan, US rapper Coolio and former footballer Ian Wright are also being touted as the latest celebrity housemates.

Other names being thrown in to the mix, include Lib Dem MP Lembit Opik and singer Whitney Houston.

Confirmation of the house guests won't be made until the controversial Channel 4 show returns on Friday January 2.

It will be hosted by 'Big Brother' veteran Davina McCall. George Lamb will present 'Big Brother's Little Brother' on E4, while comedian Jack Whitehall is set to host the debate show 'Celebrity Big Brother's Big Mouth'.

Next year's 'Celebrity Big Brother' is to be sponsored by Dreams, the bed retailer, in a deal thought to be worth around £800,000. The previous sponsor, Carphone Warehouse, pulled out of its partnership following the Shilpa Shetty racism row in 'Celebrity Big Brother' 2007.

Channel 4 chose not to run the show this year after the row and instead broadcast a different version called 'Big Brother Celebrity Hijack' on E4 last January.

The original format is set to return in January next year, however Channel 4 is reportedly planning to censor footage and scrap 24-hour coverage.

An Iraqi journalist threw his shoes at the US President George W. Bush during Bush's joint press conference with Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Sunday.

The correspondent of the Cairo-based Al-Baghdadiya TV Muntadar al-Zaidi hurled one of his shoes at Bush saying, "This is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, dog", as quoted by the BBC.

Throwing his second shoe at the US President immediately after that al-Zaidi said: "This is for the widows and orphans and all those killed in Iraq".

Both throws were near misses as George W. Bush leaned to avoid them. In Arab culture, throwing shoes at someone is a sign of disdain.

The Iraqi TV correspondent was wrestled down immediately after the throws, and is presently being interrogated.

The US President joked after the incident that the shoes thrown at him were size 10 (43,25 European, 9 UK), as cited by the BBC.

During his surprise farewell visit to Iraq George W. Bush declared that the war in the country was not over, and that a lot of work remained to be done. After Iraq, George W. Bush flew to Afghanistan on his last visit there as the US Commander-in-Chief.

Miss India Parvathy Omanakuttan finished as the first runner up and Miss Trinidad and Tobago Gabrielle Walcott was the second runner-up.

Who is Parvathy?

Twenty-one-year-old Parvathy stands tall at 5 feet 9 inches and hails from Kerala. India had high hopes on her to win the crown that last came to the country in 2000.

Parvathy's crucial answer

Parvathy impressed the jury with her looks and quick wit and was one the five finalists out of the 109 contestants at the Sandton Convention Center.

Exuding charm in her white gown, Parvathy cat-walked confidently on the stage to answer her question in the final round. She was asked what being in South Africa meant for her. To this she compared the "similarity in the cultures" of India and South Africa and thanked the locals for their hospitality. She also compared legends Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi and how inextricably linked the two countries' fates have been.

Earlier, a collective cheer went up in the audience when Paravathy’s name was announced at the end of a 15-name long list of semi finalists.

Other semi-finalists included Ms Trinidad and Tobago, Ms US, Ms Guatemala, Ms Venezuela, Ms Ukraine, Ms Croatia, Ms Brazil, Ms Angola, Ms Kazakhstan, Ms Puerto Rico, Ms Spain, Ms Russia and Ms South Africa.

December 13, 2008 has turned out to be a most lucky day for Miss Russia, despite the number 13, widely considered unlucky in many parts of the world. If indeed luck is where fortune meets preparation then turning the number 13 into "lucky 13" were the 15 semi-finalists:

- Second Runner Up, Miss Trinidad and Tobago Gabrielle Walcott (below with Julia Morley)

- Miss Russia Kseniya Sukhinova (left)

- Miss Mexico Ana Gabriela Espinoza Marroquin

- Miss Iceland Alexandra Helga Ivarsdottir

-Miss Barbados Natalie, Olivia Griffith

- Miss Venezuela Hannely Zulami Quintero Ledezma

- Miss Ukraine Iryna Zhuravska

-Miss Croatia Josipa Kusic

-Miss Brazil Tamara Almeida Silva

- Miss Angola Brigite Santos

- Miss Kazakhstan Alfina Nassyrova

- Miss Puerto Rico Ivonne Orsini Lopex

- Miss Spain Patricia Yurena Rodriguez Alonjo

- Miss South Africa Tansey Coetzee

- 1st Runner Up, Miss India Parvathy Omanakuttan

Russia's Ksenya Sukhinova was on Saturday crowned Miss World 2008 after beating scores of international beauties, including India's Parvathy Omanakuttan who finished first runners up, at a glittering African extravaganza held here.

"Miss World 2008 is Russia," announced Julia Morley, head of the Miss World committee that organises the event.

The 21-year-old Parvathy, who hails from Kottayam in Kerala, narrowly missed out on joining five Indian glamour queens Reita Faria (1966), Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan (1994), Diana Hayden (1997), Yukta Mookhey (1999) and Priyanka Chopra (2000) who had won the title.

The second runners up was Gabriel Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago.

More than 100 international beauties participated in this year's Miss World pageant, hosted by South Africa.

On Thursday morning, "Slumdog Millionaire" received a total of four nominations for the 66th annual Golden Globe Awards, including best film, best director for Danny Boyle, best screenplay for Simon Beaufoy and best score for A.R. Rahman.

It was also a good morning for Miley Cyrus and Brangelina. Cyrus, the 16-year-old recording phenom, earned a Golden Globe nomination for best original song for "I Thought I Lost You" from "Bolt," which also received a nomination for best animated feature. Cyrus penned the music and lyrics with Jeffrey Steele and is the voice for the character Penny in the hit Disney film.

Angelina Jolie was nominated for a Golden Globe on Thursday for best actress in a drama for her role as a devoted mother trying to find her missing son in "Changeling." Meanwhile, her significant other, Brad Pitt, was nominated in the category of best actor in a drama for his portrayal of a man who grows younger as he ages in the fable, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."

"Benjamin Button," which opens Christmas Day, also received nominations for best film drama, best director for David Fincher, best screenplay for Eric Roth, and best score for Alexandre Desplat.

Also getting giggles was Tom Cruise's nomination for best supporting actor as a foul-mouthed movie producer in "Tropic Thunder." He's competing in that category with fellow cast member Robert Downey Jr., who plays a movie star who takes method acting to an extreme.

On a more serious note, "Milk," Gus Van Sant's drama about slain gay activist Harvey Milk, was overlooked for best film, though Sean Penn, who plays the lead, was nominated in the category of best dramatic actor.

Christopher Nolan's critically acclaimed Batman adventure, "The Dark Knight," turned out to be one of the biggest box-office hits of the decade but only received a Globe nomination for the late Heath Ledger's seminal performance as the Joker.

Best director nominations also went to Stephen Daldry for "The Reader," Ron Howard for "Frost/Nixon" and Sam Mendes for "Revolutionary Road." Best motion picture, comedy or musical, nominations went to the Coen brothers' dark comedy, "Burn After Reading"; Mike Leigh's comedy about an optimistic young woman, "Happy-Go-Lucky"; "In Bruges," a grisly comedy about two hapless hitmen; the musical based on the music of Abba, "Mamma Mia!"; and Woody Allen's romantic farce, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."

The Allen comedy also scored nominations for best performance by an actress and an actor in a comedy or musical for Rebecca Hall and Javier Bardem and supporting actress for Penelope Cruz. "In Bruges" also earned nominations for Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson for best performance by an actor in a motion picture, comedy or musical.

Other best original score nominees, besides "Button," were "Changeling," "Defiance," "Slumdog Millionaire" and "Frost/Nixon." For screenplay, in addition to "Button," there were also nominations for "The Reader," "Frost/Nixon" and "Doubt."

"Bolt," "Kung-Fu Panda" and "Wall-E" are the best animated feature nominees.
Nominations for best actress in a drama series on TV went to Field for "Brothers & Sisters," Hargitay for "Law & Order: SVU," January Jones for "Mad Men," Anna Paquin for "True Blood" and Kyra Sedgwick for "The Closer." The nominees for best actor in a TV comedy series are: Baldwin for "30 Rock," Carell for "The Office," Kevin Connolly for "Entourage," David Duchovny for "Californication," and Shalhoub for "Monk."

Earning nominations for best television series, drama, were "Dexter," "House," "In Treatment," "Mad Men" and "True Blood." Nominations for best television series, comedy or musical, went to "30 Rock," "Californication," "Entourage," "The Office" and "Weeds."

Nominees for best actor in a TV series, drama, are Gabriel Byrne for "In Treatment," Michael C. Hall for "Dexter," Jon Hamm for "Mad Men," Hugh Laurie for "House," and Jonathan Rhys Meyers for "The Tudors."

Competing for best performance by an actress in a TV series, comedy or musical, are Christina Applegate for "Samantha Who?" America Ferrera for "Ugly Betty," Tina Fey for "30 Rock," Debra Messing for "The Starter Wife" and Mary-Louise Parker for "Weeds."

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said today that federal authorities arrested Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich today because the governor went on "a political corruption crime spree" that needed to be stopped.

Fitzgerald said secret tape recordings showed Blagojevich was attempting "to sell the U.S. Senate seat" that President-elect Barack Obama recently vacated. The governor has the sole power to pick Obama's replacement under the state constitution.

"The conduct would make Lincoln roll over in his grave," Fitzgerald said, quoting Blagojevich as saying the Senate seat is "a bleeping valuable thing. You just don't give it away....I've got this thing and it's bleeping golden."

Blagojevich wasn't against the corrupt deal for the Senate seat, he was against "being stiffed in the corrupt deal," Fitzgerald said.

The remarks came at a news conference to discuss charges against Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris. Blagojevich and Harris are scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nan Nolan.

Robert Grant, FBI special agent in charge of the Chicago office, characterized Illinois' place in the pantheon of political corruption.

"If it isn't the most corrupt state in the United States, it's certainly one hell of a competitor," Grant said. "Even the most cynical agents in our office were shocked."

Grant said he called Blagojevich about 6 a.m. and told the governor that two FBI agents were outside his door and that they had a warrant for his arrest.

After initially asking Grant "is this a joke," Grant said Blagojevich was "very cooperative."

Grant said the arrest of Blagojevich should serve as notice that "business as usual will no longer be tolerated. That selling your office for personal gain is a thing of the past."

Fitzgerald said the investigation into Blagojevich continues, but authorities acted today to avoid further harm taking place.

"I was not going to wait until March or April or May to get it all nice and tidy" and bring charges," he said. "I think that would be irresponsible."

Fitzgerald thanked the Chicago Tribune, which had been reporting on the investigation, for honoring a rare request about eight weeks ago not to report on certain aspects of the investigation that he said could have been jeopardized.

In the criminal complaint, authorities allege that Blagojevich and Harris sought to pressure the Tribune to fire editorial writers that were critical of his administration. Tribune Co. had been negotiating with the Illinois Finance Authority to purchase Wrigley Field as part of the company's efforts to sell the Cubs baseball team.

Tribune editor Gerould Kern said today he never experienced any pressure over the Tribune editorials.

"There was never an instance where I was contacted or called, where any influence at all was placed against me. There were no instances of that."

Kern said he became editor on July 18 and since then there's "never been any hint of that. I was as surprised as everyone else when I saw that."

Kern said nobody from the Blagojevich administration ever contacted him about the editorials.

"I never got a complaint. I never got any contact whatsoever from Blagojevich, no complaint--nothing from inside Tribune company."

Kern pointed out there were no staff reductions in the editorial board. "The facts are what they are."

Will President-elect Barack Obama keep the White House smoke-free?

That's true! Obama says he won't light-up in the White House, but that doesn't mean he hasn't given into the temptations of cigarettes. The future Prez was on Sunday's "Meet the Press," telling Tom Brokaw, "There are times where I've fallen off the wagon."

Obama said in an interview with Men's Health magazine that he bummed a cig or two during the campaign. "But I figure, seeing as I'm running for president, I need to cut myself a little slack."

“Well, fair enough,” he said. “What I would say is, is that I have done a terrific job under the circumstances of making myself much healthier, and I think that you will not see any violations of these rules in the White House.”

After 20 years at the helm of the firm founded by her father, Christie Hefner, the daughter of Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner, will step down as chairman and chief executive officer of the adult magazine company Playboy Enterprises Inc. next month, the adult entertainment company said Monday.

Before the start of trading, Playboy said that Hefner will stay on as CEO until Jan. 31 and remain on the board until a replacement is found. In the meantime, the company said it has appointed Jerome Kern, a long-time director, to be interim non-executive chairman.

In the announcement, Hefner said that "just as this country is embracing change in the form of new leadership, I have decided that now is the time to make changes in my own life as well" but gave no other specific reasons for her departure.
She leaves as the company remains mired in the loss column, stung by charges and dwindling revenue across almost all of its divisions.

Media companies have been hit hard in the current recession, and those like Playboy have not been exempted. Skittish advertisers often cut their ad budgets first, while consumers can find a plethora of free adult fare online and have become increasingly reluctant to pay for it.

The stock has also suffered, scraping to an all-time low of $1.03 just weeks ago after trading just shy of $10 at this time last year. On Monday, however, it jumped more than 11% to $1.95 in morning action.

Still, Kern said that during Hefner's time at the company, she oversaw its "transition from a domestic magazine publisher to a global lifestyle and multi-media company," directing its entry into TV, online and mobile offerings.
"Under her leadership, the licensing group grew from insignificance to become the company's most profitable business," Kern said.

For his part, Christie Hefner's father Hugh said he asked his daughter to "step up as president when the company faced serious financial difficulties more than two decades ago," and that as the result of her efforts, "the company today has more consumers and fans than at any time in our history."

Pelvic lifts : One of the most common and important exercises, it improves sexual performance by strengthening the pelvic area. It also helps in evoking powerful sexual feelings and enhancing your endurance. Vijaya Shetty, a clinical pathologist and a gym-ball trainer elucidates, "During any floor exercise, we train the core muscles and when a same thing is repeated again, it strengthens the body part being worked upon. As for sexual benefit, it's a fact that a strong body can sustain for long, so more the endurance of your pelvic muscles, the more you'll enjoy the prolonged act."

Technique : Lie on your back with your knees bent and slightly apart, feet flat on the floor and arms at your side. Inhale clenching in your stomach and hips and lift the pelvic from the floor until your back is straight. Hold this position for 10 seconds and exhale as you lower your body. Repeat this at least 4-5 times for desired results.

Another pelvic raise could be where you lie down on the bed and as you inhale, you raise your legs to a 90 degree angle. Then while exhaling, you pulse them towards the ceiling. For those, who can't take their legs up to this angle, they can just make an L-shape angle and push their legs upwards along with a proper breathing technique, thus making the abdomen and pelvic area very strong.

Kegel Exercise : Many might not know about the 'secret' muscles that are active during sex and by strengthening these, couples can enjoy intense sex. Kegels are very safe and simple and work on the entire pelvic floor area. Neesha Bukht Choksy, fitness trainer and a dietician confirms, "Kegel is basically a contraction of the internal muscles attached to the pelvic bones, so it tightens the vaginal muscles, helping women gain better control, prolong sex and reach orgasm more easily. It tightens the entrance of the uterus, which evidently enhances your gratification level during sex."

Technique : Contract your pelvic muscles and inhale as you squeeze (as though stopping urine), hold them for 5 seconds and release as you exhale. Start with just 10 or 20 squeezes. The best part is that you can do Kegel nearly anytime, anywhere. Try them while having your meals, sitting at your desk, talking to people or watching television, do at least 100-200 squeezes a day. It's very effective for women in their post delivery stage, as it tightens the loosened muscles."

Butterfly Stretch : Another important part that works actively during sex is the inner thigh area. During a butterfly stretch, the emphasis is on strengthening the inner thighs to make them flexible. Vijaya explains, "Apart from greater flexibility, as you stretch out your legs during this exercise, it's almost a similar position that you have during a sexual act."

Technique : Sit on the floor with your feet together, as the souls touch each other and the knees are kept apart. Try and take your feet as close as you can to your hips and use your elbow to push down your knees below, so that your inner thighs are under pressure.

Stop the presses!! We hear that reality star Kim Kardashian might be named a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador to South Africa. Ahlawd...Could it be true??

Kardashian, 28, attended the Empowerment of Africa dinner in New York on Dec. 1. The event was headlined by music mogul Russell Simmons and his Diamond Empowerment Fund, which supports educational initiatives to empower economically disadvantaged people in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource.

According to Bossip.com, Kim was asked if she would be interested in becoming an ambassador because the "U.N. is looking for more influential pop culture celebs to inspire younger generations to become more involved in international affairs."

Kim, who recently indicated that she was done posing nude, has long expressed admiration for superstar Angelina Jolie, who herself has been a U.N. Goodwill Ambassador since 2001. Over the years, Jolie, 33, has donated millions of dollars to charity as well as raised awareness of important social causes.

Kardashian, who used to party with Paris Hilton in her youth, became an overnight celebrity after her sex tape was leaked on the Internet in 2007. Since then, she has become a fixture of celebrity tabloids, thanks to her hit reality tv show and frequent partying.

But now that Kardashian is edging closer to 30, maybe she's thinking more seriously about her future and wants her legacy to be more than just a tacky sex tape. If so, we salute you, Kim. You go, girl!

More than a third of Britons rank sexual activity at the top of their list of freetime activities, according to the YouGov survey conducted over the Internet.

That was more than the next three highest options combined - gossiping with friends (18 per cent), window shopping (9 per cent) and going to a museum (6 per cent). According to the poll, however, women preferred gossiping with friends, while men tended to rank sex as number one.

It also showed that passion levels may be tied to the cold weather, with 43 percent of Scots rating sex as their favourite freetime activity, compared to 35 percent of Londoners.

Lisa Power, head of policy at the Terrence Higgins Trust, the sexual health charity that commissioned the poll, urged couples to practise safe sex.

"Rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections are on the up so when you snuggle down with a partner, make sure you do it safely," she said

Rebecca Findlay, from the Family Planning Association advised: "If anyone's having more sex at the moment whatever the reason, do think about your contraception, your condoms and any testing you might need for sexually transmitted infections.

"And you can get all of these for free on the NHS."

The YouGov survey interviewed 2,144 people over the Internet between November 21 and 23.

Brooke Burke waltzed away with the mirror ball trophy on the "Dancing with the Stars" finale. Voters, judges put former footballer Warren Sapp in second place

The 37-year-old TV personality and mother of four dominated the seventh season of the popular ABC dancing competition and bested former NFL player Warren Sapp and former 'NSync member Lance Bass during the Tuesday night finale, in which she reprised an emotional Viennese waltz routine that earned her a perfect score from the show's panel of judges.

"Unbelievable," was all Burke could muster after winning amid a flurry a confetti.

From the outset, the slinky former host of E!'s "Wild On" and CBS' "Rock Star" commanded the ballroom this season, coming in first place eight out of 10 times and receiving a 10 — the judges' top score — 16 times. Burke was crowned the latest "Dancing with the Stars" champion after the judges' scores — 88 out of 90 — were combined with viewers' votes.

"I actually can't believe it," said Derek Hough, Burke's professional partner, who's never won the competition. "I really can't. I honestly can't. The journey's been so long. It's been tough. It's been wonderful. It's been everything I could ever hope for. Wow. I can't believe we actually did it, girl."

Burke maintained an eight point lead over Sapp, the charismatic 35-year-old fan favorite whose technique was consistently criticized by the judges. Sapp still managed to hustle his way into second place with professional partner Kym Johnson, despite receiving one point less from the judges than the third place finisher, 29-year-old singer Bass.

"From the moment you start, you make me smile," head judge Len Goodman told Sapp.

Bass and his professional partner, Lacey Schwimmer, were upbeat about their loss. The pair danced away after their dismissal. And he's not hanging up his dancing shoes just yet. The former boybander will join professional dancers and other former contestants for the 38-city "Dancing with the Stars" tour, which is set to kick off Dec. 17 in San Diego.

"You never took the safe road once," judge Carrie Ann Inaba told Bass during the finale.

Previously dismissed celebrities — actor Cody Linley; sprinter Maurice Greene; actresses Susan Lucci and Cloris Leachman; chef Rocco DiSpirito; reality TV star Kim Kardashian; actor Ted McGinley; and comedian Jeffrey Ross — also returned for a last dance. Injured volleyball player Misty May-Treanor and singer Toni Braxton remained off their feet.

The Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt and the Russian pole-vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva won the World Athlete of the Year awards given by the I.A.A.F., track and field’s world governing body. Usain Bolt and Yelena Isinbayeva have been named male and female athletes of the year by the International Association of Athletics Federations.

The Jamaican sprinter and Russian pole-vaulter took the awards as well as 67,000 US Dollars each at a ceremony held in Monaco for their superb display at the Beijing Olympics.

22-year-old Bolt became the first man in history to break world records in all three-sprint events at single Games.

Bolt set world records in the 100 and 200 meters at the Beijing Olympics, and his third gold medal came as part of Jamaica’s 4x100-meter relay team, which also set a world record. He became the first man to win those three Olympic events in a Games since Carl Lewis in 1984.

"I have a motto that anything is possible, but this really is such an honour," said Bolt, who became Jamaica's first Olympic 100m champion.

"Just to be included with every great name in the sport is wonderful. I'll try to do it year after year."

Isinbayeva successfully defended her Olympic title and remained undefeated in outdoor competitions. She cleared 16 feet 6 ¾ inches in Beijing, setting her 24th world record.

The annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show has become a night to remember. And this year’s show, at the fountainbleu Miami Beach Hotel, refurbished to its former Hollywood glory at a cost of a billion US dollars, was no exception.

The show featured Victoria’s Secret’s eight ‘Angels’ – Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima, Karolina Kurkova, Alessandra Ambrosio, Selita Ebanks, Doutzen Kroes, Marisa Miller and Miranda Kerr – together with a supporting cast of 23 models.

The British stylist, Charlotte Stockdale, transformed the brand’s lingerie into a fairytale fantasy wonderland of glamour, accessorising with jewellery, stiletto heels, Swarovski crystals and, of course, the wings – which have become a feature of these shows – made, as ever, by Martin Izquierdo, in everything from neon lights to feathers to lace to vinyl.

The key fashion themes were Glamour Goddess, Dangerous, The Moderns, Pink Planet, Ballet des Fleurs and Black tie Holiday.

Sean (P. Diddy) Combs, Paris Hilton, Debbie Harry, Lenny Kravitz, Molly Simms, Robert Duvall and Kyle MacLachlan were just some of the celebrities who crowded into the front rows, along with the president of the $5.5 billion brand, Ed Razek.

When they could tear their eyes away from the angels and the models, there was also a performance by Usher.

Boston Legal actress Julie Bowen and her husband are expecting their second child this spring, her rep confirms exclusively to PEOPLE.

"She's thrilled," says the rep.

This will be the second child for the actress and her husband, real estate investor Scott Phillips. The couple welcomed son Oliver in April 2007.

Bowen, 38, and Phillips were married in 2004. He proposed the previous Thanksgiving, when Bowen was starring as schoolteacher Carol Vessey on TV's Ed.

Bowen, who plays attorney Denise Bauer on Boston Legal, has also appeared on Weeds and Lost.

Actress Susan Lucci, a star of the US soap 'All My Children', has become the latest contestant to be voted off 'Dancing with the Stars', the US version of 'Strictly Come Dancing'.

Lucci and her professional dance partner Tony Dovolani had received the lowest score from the judges for their Paso Doble.

When combined with viewers' votes, Lucci and Dovolani were still at the bottom of the board.

Commenting, Lucci said: "It was definitely worth it. I just have to say, I have had the most incredible experience here. I leave with a life experience, something I will never forget. I feel so, so much gratitude for the opportunity to have had this particular experience in my lifetime."

Republican presidential candidate John McCain and his wife have cast their votes in Phoenix, Arizona.

After campaigning coast to coast on Monday, Sarah Palin caught a few winks on a red-eye flight to her home state, where fresh snow glistened in the early-morning moonlight as the temperature hovered around 14 degrees.

Palin voted early this morning inside the tiny City Hall building where just six years ago she presided as mayor of this once unknown frontier town outside Anchorage. Proudly donning her “I Voted Today” sticker, the Alaska governor delivered a short statement to reporters and took a few questions before she heads to Phoenix to find out whether she’ll become the first female vice president of the United States.

It’s been a whirlwind couple of months for Palin, who has fallen under perhaps more scrutiny than any vice presidential candidate in the nation’s history. But as usual, she portrayed an almost mystifying sense of calm, considering all that she has been through in such a relatively short time.

“So we have a very optimistic, very confident view of what’s going to happen today, and again, so glad to get to be home in Wasilla to cast this vote,” she said. “Because forever I'm gonna be Sarah from Alaska. And it’s an honor to get to be here with my friends and family.”

Palin refused to divulge whom she voted for in the Alaska U.S. Senate race between Republican incumbent Ted Stevens — who was recently convicted on seven felony corruption charges — and Democrat Mark Begich.

After the early morning vote, Palin stopped by “Mocha Moose,” one of her favorite drive-through espresso shops, which dot the strip malls around Wasilla.

A reporter asked Palin about what her future role in national politics will be, whether she wins or loses this election. The Alaska governor — who has delivered some of the most partisan barbs of this election cycle — gave an answer that was fitting to the setting, where many residents here know her as a non-ideological problem solver, rather than a socially conservative firebrand.

"You know, if there is a role in national politics it won’t be so much partisan,” Palin said. “My efforts have always been here in the state of Alaska to get everybody to unite and work together to progress this state … it certainly would be a uniter type of role.”

Democratic White House hopeful Barack Obama has cast his ballot in his home city of Chicago with his young daughter Malia by his side.

In a historic vote that could make him the first black US president, the Hawaii-born Illinois Senator, joined by his wife Michelle Obama and his young daughters Sasha and Malia, was greeted at a Chicago polling station in a school gymnasium by dozens of reporters and photographers.

Obama, who is leading Republican John McCain in national polls, showed his daughter his ballot and smiled as he cast his vote.

U.S. Presidential Election 2008

Long lines and waiting hours outside polling stations across the United States early Tuesday, the official Election Day, and the number of people who have already cast their votes further indicate that voter turnout this year is expected to be fairly high.

"We opened the doors at 6 a.m (EST), but many people were already lining up outside," said Piere Lee at a fire station-turned-polling station in Arlington, Virginia, "It seems that Americans are fairly enthusiastic about voting this year."

Statistics show that voter registration numbers are up 7.3 percent from the last presidential election.

Democrats, in particular, saw their registration numbers increase by 12.2 percent, while Republicans saw their ranks grow by only 1.7 percent, according to a recent analysis by The Associated Press.

Extra ballots and additional touch-screen machines have reportedly been dispatched by voting officials across the country. Still, observers worry that those efforts are not enough.

Many experts had earlier predicted that voter turnout this year will be the highest in decades.

Some political observers predict early and absentee voters will make up about 30 percent of the total voters on Election Day -- which could approach a record 130 million to 140 million.

"We have a system that is traditionally set up for low turnout," Tova Wang of the government watchdog group Common Cause was cited by local media as saying.

Record numbers have already cast ballots in early voting. As of Monday, more than 24 million had cast their votes. Election experts predicted more than a third of the electorate would have voted before the polls opened on Election Day.

Everyone wants exit polls results in the 2008 Presidential election, and the earlier the better. Well, Dixville Notch, NH, is traditionally the first (or one of) the first place to report results in every election and every primary. And the votes are in ...

Exit polls 2008 from Dixville Notch, NH: Obama wins 15 - 6. Yes, Dixville Notch is not exactly a megalopolis, but it continues the tradition, first started in 1960, til this day.

It should be noted that voting results from 2004 were decidedly different: Bush beat Kerry 19 - 7, and Dixville Notch has not voted for a Democrat since 1968!

At the same time, voting results are also in from neighboring Hart's Location, which reported 17 votes for Obama, 10 for McCain and two for write-in Ron Paul.

Yep, in 2008, who cares about exit polls when you have the actual results, right? Don't expect voting to go as smoothly, or without long lines, in the rest of the country.

Dixville Notch has a well organized voting process: all the eligible voters gather at midnight in the ballroom of The Balsams. Voters cast their ballots and the polls officially close one minute later.

Vote fast, or voting results won't include you, it seems.

Hart's Location halted its "competition" for the first vote in the 1964, but again started up early voting in 1996. It actually has an earlier tradition than Dixville Notch, beginning in 1948, but with the 1964 halt, Dixville Notch gets the majority of news nowadays, regarding early voting results.

So, exit polls of 2008 (or rather voting results 2008) from the two earliest "townships" show Obama in the lead. More to come, obviously, as the battleground states weigh in.

Cloris Leachman's antics are over on "Dancing with the Stars."

The actress and her professional partner, Corky Ballas, were eliminated Tuesday from ABC's popular dancing competition. The pair received the judges' lowest score — 15 out of 30 — for their cha-cha routine Monday. Viewer votes and the judges' scores were combined, sending the outspoken performer out of the ballroom.

Celebrities remaining in the competition include TV personality Brooke Burke, singer Lance Bass, former NFL star Warren Sapp, Olympic gold medalist Maurice Greene, actor Cody Linley and actress Susan Lucci. Singer Toni Braxton, chef Rocco DiSpirito, reality TV star Kim Kardashian, actor Ted McGinley and comedian Jeffrey Ross were dismissed earlier.

Viswanathan Anand kept the World title after a 24-move draw in the 11th and penultimate game of the 12-game World Chess Championship final in Bonn, on Wednesday.

The Indian, playing with white pieces against Russia's Kramnik, took an unbeatable 6.5-4.5 lead to retain his crown.

The game opened in a Sicilian Najdorf, as Anand was expected to go for a draw and Kramnik attempting to thwart all such attempts to try and force a victory to keep himself in the match and take it to the 12th game to force a tie-breaker.

The game ended in a draw as Kramnik failed to find a way for victory despite trying to complicate the game.

Even as Anand was celebrating his triumph and meeting the media, he received a message from Rajendra S Pawar, chairman NIIT [Get Quote], which has had a long-standing relationship with the Grandmaster for the last 10 years.

Pawar, in a message from Delhi, said, "We congratulate NIIT MindChampion, Vishy Anand on becoming the undisputed World Chess champion.

"Anand has displayed a grand strategy in 2008 by choosing the games that he wanted to win, foregoing an important tournament like Bilbao to focus on and win the ultimate match with Kramnik."

Anand earlier won three games, the third, fifth and sixth and lost the 10th in a match that looked one-sided till Kramnik brought back some life with a win in 10th game.

In the 11th game, Anand needing only a draw, managed that in a game that had a 1. e4 start and led to a Sicilian-Najdorf, which Kramnik rarely plays.

Kramnik went all out for a win and tried to create wild and unstable positions to throw Anand off-guard, but the Indian Grandmaster was up to the task.

In fact, as Kramnik overstretched in a do-or-die battle, he actually allowed Anand greater play and may well have lost.

According to the pre-match rules, the two players share the purse of 1.5 million Euros equally.

The BBC said on Wednesday it has suspended Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross as the row grows over crude messages they left on the answerphone of actor Andrew Sachs during a radio show.

The Radio 2 presenters had joked on air that Brand had slept with the granddaughter of 78-year-old Sachs, who played Spanish waiter Manuel in the classic comedy series "Fawlty Towers", and said he might kill himself after hearing their messages.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has joined the voices condemning the presenters' actions while Georgina Baillie, Sachs' 23-year-old granddaughter, said they should be sacked. In the light of the furore, with more than 18,000 complaints received from the public, BBC Director-General Mark Thompson said he had decided to take action.

"This gross lapse of taste by the performers and the production team has angered licence payers. I am determined that we satisfy them that any lessons will be learnt and appropriate action taken," he said in a statement.

"I have decided that it is not appropriate for either Russell Brand or Jonathan Ross to continue broadcasting on the BBC until I have seen the full report of the actions of all concerned."

Thompson said he wanted to add his own "personal and unreserved apology" to Sachs, his family and to licence fee payers for the "completely unacceptable broadcast". "It is clear from the views expressed by the public that this broadcast has caused severe offence and I share that view," he said.

Baillie told the Sun she had been a past lover of Brand but said she felt the presenters were "beyond contempt". "What's funny about humiliating a lovely old man who has never harmed anyone in his life," she said. "They should at least pay for what they've done with their jobs."

Politicians have voiced their disapproval and media watchdog Ofcom is to investigate the broadcast. "This is clearly inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour, as is now widely recognised," Brown said. "Ofcom have said they will investigate the matter and it is for the BBC, the BBC Trust and Ofcom to take any appropriate action."

Sachs himself said the presenters had sent him apologies but they had not expressed their remorse to Baillie. "I am very glad that people are taking a stand and putting it far more eloquently than I can," he told the Daily Mail. "It seems that things go too far on TV and radio, so I would certainly say that something needs to be done before the world goes to the dogs."

Ross, who also presents a television chat show, and Brand are among the best known names on BBC radio. Ross' current BBC contract is widely reported to be worth 18 million pounds over three years.

Two white supremacists allegedly plotted to go on a national killing spree, shooting and decapitating black people and ultimately targeting Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, federal authorities said Monday.

In all, the two men whom officials describe as neo-Nazi skinheads planned to kill 88 people — 14 by beheading, according to documents unsealed in U.S. District Court in Jackson, Tenn. The numbers 88 and 14 are symbolic in the white supremacist community.

The spree, which initially targeted an unidentified predominantly African-American school, was to end with the two men driving toward Obama, "shooting at him from the windows," the court documents show.

"Both individuals stated they would dress in all white tuxedos and wear top hats during the assassination attempt," the court complaint states. "Both individuals further stated they knew they would and were willing to die during this attempt."

An Obama spokeswoman traveling with the senator in Pennsylvania had no immediate comment.

Sheriffs' deputies in Crockett County, Tenn., arrested the two suspects — Daniel Cowart, 20, of Bells, Tenn., and Paul Schlesselman 18, of Helena-West Helena, Ark. — Oct. 22 on unspecified charges. "Once we arrested the defendants and suspected they had violated federal law, we immediately contacted federal authorities," said Crockett County Sheriff Troy Klyce.

The two were charged by federal authorities Monday with possessing an unregistered firearm, conspiring to steal firearms from a federally licensed gun dealer, and threatening a candidate for president.

Cowart and Schlesselman are being held without bond. Agents seized a rifle, a sawed-off shotgun and three pistols from the men when they were arrested. Authorities alleged the two men were preparing to break into a gun shop to steal more.

You can watch the Video by clicking here

The ICL Executive Board on Monday decided to suspend Chandigarh Lions's skipper Chris Cairns and batsman Dinesh Mongia for the remaining season of the league.

While, no apparent reason was given for the move, former India wicketkeeper and league's executive board member Kiran More merely termed it as a breach of contract.

"They have been suspended as there has been a breach of contract on their part," said More without elaborating on the details.

However, there were reports that Chandigarh Lions captain Chris Cairns and middle order batsman Dinesh Mongia have been suspended by the Executive Board of the Indian Cricket League over match-fixing.

But the reports could not be confirmed and attempts by HT to reach the ICL offcials in this regard were unssuccessul.

Meanwhile, Andrew Hall has been named as the new skipper for Chandigarh Lion's team.

Incidentally, this is not an isolated event this season as earlier Dhaka Warriors' wicketkeeper batsman Dhiman Ghosh too was suspended for a match on disciplinary grounds.

After Shabana Azmi, Preity Zinta is the second Indian actress to ever win an award at the Chicago International Film Festival. After winning accolades at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this year, Preity's risk in taking on a role like Chand in Heaven on Earth has definitely payed off.

"I am so happy and excited. I'm going to have a blissfully debauched celebration this evening. It was my director Deepa Mehta who informed me on Saturday afternoon that I had won. Neither Deepa nor I could go to Chicago, I'm thrilled that I've done it without any lobbying," she excitedly told Subhash K. Jha.

Director Deepa Mehta is equally thrilled and describes Preity as 'luminous' in the film. Mehta is currently promoting her film in Canada as the film released this past Friday to great reviews.

Preity, on the other hand, is finally seeing her hard work pay off. After playing similar candyfloss roles in several films, Preity opted for a change with films like The Last Lear, Heaven on Earth and Heroes. For Heroes, Preity has been praised immensely as well.

"I'm walking on sunshine. Do you know everyone discouraged me from doing Heaven On Earth and Heroes? But I wanted a change," she adds.

Without a doubt, this is an honour well-deserved!

American vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin says the US$150,000 in clothes and accessories bought for her by the Republican Party don't belong to her.

She equated the high-priced wardrobe with the stage equipment at campaign rallies.

Dogged for days by the brouhaha over outfits from upscale stores such as Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, the Alaska Governor yesterday hit back, saying she and her family lived frugally.

To emphasise her point, she wore jeans at an event in Asheville, North Carolina.

"This whole thing with the wardrobe, I try to ignore it because it's so ridiculous," Governor Palin told a Florida crowd earlier in the day.

"Those clothes, they are not my property, just like the lighting and the staging and everything else the Republican National Committee purchased," she said.

"I'm not taking them with me. I'm back to wearing my old clothes from my favourite [secondhand] shop in Anchorage, Alaska."

Governor Palin talked about her accessories - given to her by her husband's Yup'ik Eskimo mother, and "a US$35 wedding ring from Hawaii that I bought myself".

The expensive clothes are a contrast to the image being promoted of Governor Palin as an average "hockey mom."

In North Carolina, the candidate was joined by country artist Gretchen Wilson, who performed her song Redneck Woman.

Republican presidential candidate John McCain yesterday rejected suggestions that Governor Palin is hurting his campaign.

"I don't defend her. I praise her," he said. "She is exactly what Washington needs."

Senator McCain also dismissed criticism of the shopping spree.

"She lives a frugal life. She and her family are not wealthy. She and her family were thrust into this ... "

Tracey Schmitt, Governor Palin's campaign spokeswoman, said a third of the high-priced clothing had been returned after the Republican national convention in September, and "many of the remaining clothes have never been worn".

1. Use clothes that you already have at home. If you must buy, then purchase something that you can wear again by mixing with other wearable items. For instance, if you want to go as Catwoman, look for a black miniskirt or pair of shorts and wear it with a tank top and high-heeled boots. Don’t have boots? Borrow from a fashion-savvy friend instead of buying. You can also unearth your prom gown and go as a Disney princess.

2. Play around with makeup and wigs. Nothing changes your look more than a drastic change of hair and makeup. Go all out by painting your face green ala Maleficent from “Sleeping Beauty,” or try on a blond wig and go as Marilyn Monroe. Host a makeup party at home before you go out with your friends—you can help each other transform into a fearsome villain or bashful princess.

3. Go as a recognizable character. It isn’t a costume if you go as say, Gossip Girl’s Blair Waldorf-five years from now, you’ll wish that you did something more outrageous instead of planting a satin bow on your head. Not only will you catch everyone’s attention, you’ll also have a blast acting out your character the entire night.

4. Bring props. It’s easier to identify your chosen character if you bring props when you go to parties. Try to make them as close to the original as possible—especially if the character has an iconic prop, like Snow White’s apple.

5. If you’re going in a group, try to follow a theme. It makes for more hilarious planning sessions with your friends, and you’ll have great photos to boot. If you’re into couple costumes (it takes guts and the ability to withstand copious amounts of teasing), try going as a devil and angel.

The reality TV star recently went under the knife for extensive liposuction and to reduce her mammoth GG boobs.

She's mightily pleased with the result.

Kerry told Zoo magazine: "I cried at first because I was so shocked. I love it.

"My waist has got smaller, my boobs have been healing.

"Now I can wear size 10 tops. I couldn't get my t*ts in them before!

"I feel sexier, my confidence has come back and everyone keeps telling me how amazing I look, which is really cool."

Kerry felt anything but sexy before her surgery, especially in regards to her boobs.

"When I split with Brian [McFadden] I lost so much weight that my boobs disappeared, so I had implants put in," added Kerry in OK! magazine.

"But, after Max and Heidi [her last two babies] they dropped and the implants stayed where they were, so it looked like I had two boobs on each side.

"I've had the implants taken out and they've been lifted. I can't stop feeling them and showing them off!"

Kerry also commented on her recent feud with a fellow glamour girl who has trouble fitting boobs into tops - JORDAN.

The pair have been trading blows ever since Jordan, real name Katie Price, criticised Kerry's fella MARK CROFT.

However Kerry has hinted she may be about to call a truce by refusing to add more bait to the battle.

"There was a story that I was going to write a book about her," explained Kerry.

"That’s hilarious – and bulls**t. I’ve only met her six times. What the hell could I write about her?"

Though Kerry couldn't resist adding a final home truth about her busty rival regarding her role as a bridesmaid at Jordan's wedding to PETER ANDRE.

Kerry added: "I think that was just because OK! offered her more money if she had celebrities there. I actually wish her all the best. But I just wish she’d stop playing up to the press."

Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie are to divorce, their PR representatives have confirmed. After nearly eight years of marriage, and countless denials of domestic trouble, the singer and director are calling it a day. Madonna's spokesman, Liz Rosenberg, confirmed the separation in a joint statment issued on behalf of the couple.

Relations between the couple are said to be still cordial, and it's likely they will agree a divorce settlement without airing their dirty laundry in a court room, Madonna's spokesperson Liz Rosenberg said.

The former couple announced their split with a short joint statement that read: "Madonna and Guy Ritchie have agreed to divorce after seven-and-a-half years of marriage.They have both requested that the media maintain respect for their family at this difficult time. The main concern for Madonna and Guy are their children - the security of their children in all senses of the word and the wellbeing of their children."

The Splitsville news comes after British tabloid The Sun reported yesterday that a divorce announcement was imminent. The tabloid quoted a "highly placed" source as saying the pair "can't bear to live with the pretence any longer," so decided to end the charade.

Predictably, tongues have already started wagging around the proverbial water cooler as to why the couple split. So far, fingers are pointing directly at both their careers as catalysts, and Madge's alleged fling with A-Rod.

Bowden and the school split Monday in the middle of his 10th season, which started with the Tigers ranked No. 9 and picked to win the Atlantic Coast Conference. But an opening 34-10 rout by Alabama and recent losses to Maryland and Wake Forest raised calls again for Bowden's ouster despite a recent contract extension.

The school appointed receivers coach Dabo Swinney the interim head coach. A news conference was scheduled for Monday afternoon.

"I appreciate the opportunity Clemson University gave me and the support of the administration while I was here," Bowden said in a statement released by the school. "I also want to thank all the players and coaches who worked so hard for this program the last 10 years. I wish Clemson University nothing but the best in the future."

He did not immediately return a message.

Clemson went 72-45 (43-32 ACC) and made eight bowl appearances under Bowden, who was honored as ACC coach of the year in 1999 and 2003. But the son of storied football coach Bobby Bowden seemed unable to meet expectations.

Bobby Bowden said Monday his son "felt like it was fixin' to happen; he felt like it was inevitable."

On Monday, Tommy Bowden had two meetings with athletic director Terry Don Phillips and "we agreed that this is the best solution for the direction of the program," Bowden said in the statement.

An athletic department official told The Associated Press that Phillips first told Bowden that he expected the Tigers to play in the ACC title game, or changes would be made at the top of the football program. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity before the announcement, said Bowden met again with Phillips and told the athletic director that he should make the change now.

It was not immediately clear whether the school will have to buy out Bowden's contract. Under the extension Bowden signed this year, which tied him to the school until 2014, Clemson would have to pay him $4 million if he was fired.

The departure ends a season of harsh criticism for Bowden, who on Friday announced he was switching quarterbacks from Cullen Harper to Willy Korn. The displeasure of the Tiger faithful was familiar.

In 2000, the Tigers started 8-0 and rose to fifth in the country, only to lose three of their final four games. Four years later, Clemson followed its nine-win 2003 with a 1-4 start.

Two years ago, the Tigers looked like the class of ACC. They opened 7-1, only to go on a 1-4 closing slide that included an unexpected, 13-12 home loss to Maryland.

Clemson won nine games last season and, with experienced skill players on offense, figured to be the league's powerhouse this fall. Harper was picked this summer as favorite to win the ACC player of the year and the Tigers to win their first league crown since 1991.

"He's thankful for the experience he got there at Clemson," Bobby Bowden said. "He has no hard feelings towards them. This is just the nature of this game right now. He's disappointed but he's got his priorities in order in his life so he'll move on and won't lose a minute of sleep over it. At least I don't have to worry about him beating me again."

Socialite Kim Kardashian is laughing off reports she has secretly wed football player Reggie Bush, revealing she referred to him as her "hubby" online as a joke.

Rumours about their marriage started spreading after Kardashian hinted in a recent post on her own website that she and New Orleans Saints star Bush had exchanged vows.

She says, "I said hubby as a joke. ... He said, 'Don't use boyfriend, it's so typical.' He said, 'Write hubby or baby.' Everyone thought I was married."

But Kardashian insists she and Bush will wed some day: "We definitely make it work. ... This is the first relationship I've been in with no trust issues."

A painting by famed graffiti artist Jean-Michel Basquiat will be auctioned next month as it comes to the market from an unlikely source -- Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich.

Ulrich may be a heavy metal drummer by trade, but he's also a noted collector of fine art.

He bought the 1982 Basquiat painting "Untitled (Boxer)" in 1999, and is hoping it could generate bids of as much as $12 million when it goes under the hammer.

The painting goes on view at Christie's in London on Friday for a week, before it is sold at the auction house's Post-War and Contemporary Art Sale in New York on November 12.

"As a collector I view myself as a caretaker of works of art, rather than simply an owner," said Ulrich.

"I've been fortunate enough to have shared 10 great years with this truly iconic painting by Basquiat and it's time to put it back into circulation and let someone else enjoy it as much as I have over the last decade."

Ulrich's father was Danish tennis champion Torben Ulrich, who was part of Copenhagen's art and music scene in the 1950s and 1960s and at first the drummer was drawn to works by European avant garde artists such as Asger Jorn and Karen Appel.

Metallica's founding member, songwriter and drummer then started to collect graffiti artists such as Jean Dubuffet, Sam Francis and Basquiat.

"I have the best collection of Asger Jorn on this planet," Ulrich told Playboy magazine in 2001. "I have what is universally considered as one of the two greatest Basquiat paintings; I spent a year-and-a-half chasing it down.

Getting pregnant was never a goal for mom of six Angelina Jolie, but she had a change of heart - with a little help from partner Brad Pitt.

"I think one of the life changing things that he did, one of many, is that I was absolutely never going to get pregnant. I never felt that it was the right thing to do," Jolie, 33, says in the November issue of W magazine. "Now I wouldn't trade that experience for the world."

After becoming the adoptive dad of Maddox, Zahara and Pax, "[Brad] stopped talking about having other kids in the other way," Jolie continues. "So I suppose in my heart, I realized that he was happy with them as his children, completely. I knew he would never see them as different, and that gave me a certain peace. Then I suppose I just looked at him and loved him and just felt open to [getting pregnant]."

In the stunningly intimate photo spread that accompanies the interview, Jolie gets up and close and personal with private snaps taken by partner Brad Pitt, including one of her breastfeeding on the cover of the mag.

"Angelina posed for Brad in one of the photos while breastfeeding. It's really beautiful and tastefully done," sources who have seen the photos told Life & Style magazine.

Another person who's seen the images says, "The photos are amazing."

Jolie reveals in Sunday's issue of Parade magazine that she and Pitt have a long road ahead.

"I don't want to spend my life pretending to be somebody else, and I don't want the person next to me to have to pretend ever, because we have a long life ahead of us," Jolie explains. "So you just want to be able to be who you are in every moment, and that's the only way you'll ever be truly happy."

Brad apparently shot the photos in mid-August at Chateau Miraval, the family's home in the South of France.

Jodhpur Park

Badamtala Ashar Sangha

A jury convicted O.J. Simpson of armed robbery and kidnapping late Friday night, 13 years to the day after he was acquitted of killing his ex-wife and her friend in Los Angeles.

Simpson and his codefendant, Clarence Stewart, were both convicted on all 12 counts. As the court clerk read "guilty" 24 times shortly before 11 p.m., Simpson grimaced and then nodded slightly, quickly regaining his composure. From the gallery, his sister, Carmelita Durio, wept on a friend's shoulder.

Both defendants were handcuffed and taken into custody. Durio's weeping became wailing as marshals escorted Simpson from the courtroom.

The verdicts mean that Simpson, 61, faces a possible life sentence for a six-minute confrontation with two sports memorabilia dealers last year at a down-market casino hotel. Sentencing will be Dec. 5.

The Las Vegas courtroom scene stood in marked contrast to the conclusion of Simpson's 1995 trial, when he smiled broadly and mouthed his thanks to the Los Angeles jury as the stunned families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman wept.

Rosh Hashanah 2008

Rosh Hashanah 2008 is underway. Rosh Hashanah, which is considered along with Yom Kippur to be one of the most important Jewish holidays has begun. Rosh Hashanah is the beginning of the High Holy Days and marks the Jewish New Year 5769. For many Israelis, it is a time of repentance and prayer, leading up to the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement.

According to the Torah: "On the seventh month, on the first day of the month, there shall be a sacred assembly, a cessation from work, a day of commemoration proclaimed by the sound of the Shofar."

The seventh month referenced is based on the Jewish calendar. Here in the U.S., we use the Gregorian calendar, so you can understand how our New Year's day is quite different from Rosh Hashanah. Using the Jewish calendar, Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first day of Tishrei, or the seventh month of the year.

US actress Heather Locklear has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of prescription medication in California, police say.

The former Dynasty star was pulled over in Santa Barbara following reports she was seen "driving erratically" when leaving a car park. Ms Locklear was taken to the police station where she was tested for alcohol and drugs. The 47-year-old actress was later released from custody. The California Highway Patrol officer noticed Ms Locklear's car was blocking a lane while parked on a highway in Montecito, a patrol spokesman said.

"In talking with her, [the officer] determines that she seems to be under the influence of something," he said. Earlier this year, Ms Locklear checked herself into a medical clinic to seek treatment for anxiety and depression.

Last year, she divorced Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora after 11 years of marriage. They have a 10-year-old daughter together, Ava Elizabeth. The actress first rose to fame as Sammy Jo Dean Carrington in the 1980s soap Dynasty.

She subsequently appeared on Melrose Place and the sitcom Spin City, for which she was twice nominated for a Golden Globe.