Gregory Isaacs died, aged 59

Gregory Isaacs, the reggae singer, has passed away today, aged 59, after fighting a battle with cancer.

The reggae singer, nicknamed “The Cool Ruler” passed away in London this morning.

He lost a long battle with lung cancer. Isaacs was mostly famous for his “Night Nurse” album. The album has been released in 1982.

Isaacs had been, according to reports, travelling in Jamaica this year, and then returned to his home, situated in London.

His last performance was at The Big Chill Festival, this summer, alongside other important names of the music scene, like Massive Attack and Lily Allen.

His last studio album, Brand New Me, was released in 2008, and it has received very good reviews from the music press.

Swimmer dies during 10K open-water race

The big buzz this morning at swim practice was U.S. swimmer Fran Crippen, a 26-year-old Olympic hopeful who died during a World Cup 10K open-water swim race near Dubai over the weekend.

Other competitors have said the temperature of the water in the race was too high.

While FINA, the international swimming federation, sets a maximum temperature for water in pool races, there is no limit in open-water races. The swimmer who won the race estimated the temperature at 86 degrees — 4 degrees above what is deemed acceptable in a pool.

Elections in 2,023 villages postponed in the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE 3) Village and youth-council elections were postponed in 2,023 barangay (villages) Monday, after most of them failed to receive ballot boxes and other election paraphernalia, authorities said.

In its latest incident report issued at 3 p.m., Philippine National Police task force HOPE (Honest, Orderly, and Peaceful Elections) chief Director Benjamin Belarmino said that the majority of the villages where elections were postponed are in the Bicol Region: Masbate (551 villages), Albay (431), Camarines Sur (298), Sorsogon (185) ) and Catanduanes (183).

In Samar, 209 villages postponed their elections. Other provinces that postponed elections were Pangasinan (19 villages), Isabela (87), Nueva Vizcaya (16), Cagayan (20) and Tarlac (2).

The number constituted 4.8 percent of the total 42,025 villages across the country.

Belarmino, however, said that data still do not include villages in the regions of ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) and SOCCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City) that postponed their elections.

Major 7.5 quake strikes Indonesia

JAKARTA—(UPDATE) A major 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the west coast of Indonesia Monday, seismologists said, but there were no reports of damage or casualties and an earlier tsunami warning was lifted.

The undersea quake hit Indonesia's Kepulauan Mentawai region at 9:42 p.m. (1442 GMT) at a shallow depth of 14.2 kilometers (nine miles), the US Geological Survey said.

The area is 245 kilometres west of Bengkulu on Sumatra island and 280 kilometres south of Padang – an area popular with tourists.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Board Exam Result October 2010

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 3,973 out of 8,216 (48%) passed the Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination given by the Board of Accountancy in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Legazpi this October 2010.

The results were released in one (1) day after the last day of examination.

The members of the Board of Accountancy are Eugene T. Mateo, Chairman; Ma. Elenita B. Cabrera, Vice Chairman; Luis A. Cañete, Rufo R. Mendoza and Jose S. Tayag, Jr. , Members.

'Sister Wives' finale: Will Season 2

TLC brought its new series"Sister Wives" to a close on Sunday (Oct. 17). The finale centered around the wedding of Kody and fourth wife Robyn and the merging of his family with her three kids. This season saw the introduction and courtship of Robyn, the birth of child no. 13 (Truely) and finally the big wedding. 

There was some palpable jealousy amongst the wives regarding the whole shindig -- Janelle and Christine didn't really have receptions, Janelle because her non-polygamous family basically wanted to have nothing to do with the wedding and Christine because she doesn't believe a new wife entering in a polygamous household should have a big reception. 

Update on Chile miners

SAN JOSE MINE—Pumping fists, or falling to their knees in prayer, over half the 33 miners trapped below ground in Chile for more than two months savored their first taste of freedom Wednesday, rising from the depths to a heroes' welcome.

"I have been with God and with the devil," said the second miner to be saved, Mario Sepulveda, 40, summing up his ordeal and miraculous salvation.

"I seized the hand of God, it was the best hand. I always knew God would get us out of there," he said.

"I have changed, I am a different man," said Mario Gomez, the ninth to be rescued and, at 63, the oldest of the group.

By early afternoon 17 miners had been winched up through an escape shaft drilled down in to the bowels of a mountain in the Atacama desert where they had been trapped by a cave-in on August 5.

Dancing with the Stars results October 12

Dancing With the Stars results for week four took place on October 12. The Dancing With the Stars Results Show elimination for October 12 sent home the fourth celebrity contestant of the 11th season of the show. 
The couple that went home back on the first week of the 
show was David Hasselhoff and Kym Johnson in a vote that seemed to really surprise the judges and hosts of the show this year. 

Then it was Michael Bolton and Chelsie Hightower who were sent home in week two, and in week three it was Margaret Cho and Louis Van Amstel who were sent home with the least amount of votes. Will it again be the couple with the lowest score heading home? Or are we going to be in for a surprise elimination, where one of the judge's favorites doesn't find enough support from the home audience?

Oklahoma Earthquake

 A small tremblor shook Oklahoma shortly after 9 a.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The Associated Press reports two people in Norman injured by the quake.

Emergency Medical Services Authority spokeswoman Lara O'Leary said one man fell off a ladder during the Wednesday morning quake and is in good condition.

She said she did not have details on the second person's injuries but that the person is in good condition.

Pacquiao vs. Margarito match

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Reigning WBO Welterweight Champion Reigning IBO, RING Junior Welterweight Champion WBC Lightweight Champion, 2008-2009 WBC, RING Super Featherweight Champion, 2008  RING Featherweight Champion, 2003 - 2005 IBF Super Bantamweight Champion, 2001 - 2004 WBC Flyweight Champion, 1998 - 1999 56 Fights 51 Wins (38 by way of Knockout), 3 Loses, 2 Draws

6 Filipinos killed in cargo plane crash

A cargo plane operating on behalf of a US-based company crashed into mountains and burst into flames near the Afghan capital on Tuesday, killing all eight crew on board, officials said.

The plane had taken off from Bagram, one of the largest US-run military bases in Afghanistan, 60 kilometres (40 miles) north of Kabul.

Local aviation officials said the plane was carrying goods on behalf of the US-led NATO force in Afghanistan, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), but an ISAF spokesman said only that he was checking those reports.

Officials gave no immediate word on the cause of the crash, which happened after dark. Five months ago an Afghan passenger jet crashed into treacherous mountains near Kabul during bad weather.

John Lloyd and Shaina issues

Hunk actor John Lloyd Cruz vehemently denied rumors that his girlfriend, actress Shaina Magdayao, is now tracking him using her GPS-enabled mobile phone.

During a press conference for his television show "Imortal," Cruz said there's no truth to the rumors.

"That's not true. That's not true at all," Cruz said. "’Yong GPS (global positioning system) po ay hindi po totoo ‘yon. Wala po kaming ganoong technology sa mga hawak naming cellphones," he added.

He also disputed reports that his relationship with Magdayao is going through a rough time right now, saying it is stronger than ever.

Rumor has it that Magdayao became jealous after words got out that Cruz is still communicating with his former girlfriend, actress Ruffa Gutierrez.

"Wala, wala po kaming pinag-aawayan nating about that. Okay po kami," Cruz stressed.

He also denied calling Gutierrez. "Wala na, ano ba? Wala na po, [kahit bilang kaibigan], wala na," he said.

Last week, during a thanksgiving party for the success of her first lead role TV project, "Alyna,"Magdayao opted to keep her silence on the Cruz-Gutierrez controversy.

She, however, said she feels bad that Cruz is now being perceived as womanizer by some people.

I did not attempt to commit suicide Kim Chiu says

Young actress Kim Chiu has blasted speculations about her supposed attempt to commit suicide following her break-up with rumored boyfriend and on-screen partner Gerald Anderson. In an interview with weekly entertainment show “The Buzz,” Chiu stressed that she wouldnever harm herself. She also pointed out that it is a foolish thing to do. "Alam mo kalokohan and katangahan para sa akin kung gawin ko 'yon…. Papatayin ko sarili ko, bakit? Parang sinong mag-aalaga sa mga kapatid ko? Sinong bubuhay sa kanila? And may pinagagawa akong bahay, dream [house] ko, sinong magtatapos noon?" Chiu, the breadwinner of her family, said. Reports about Chiu's alleged attempt to commit suicide have spread like wildfire in the Internet almost 2 months ago. The reports came out amid Chiu and Anderson’s repeated assertions that they never became a couple. In her “The Buzz” interview, the actress failed to directly address the break-up issue, but she said the actor is a good person.

Patrick de la Rosa still mum on rape complaint

Actor-turned-politician Patrick dela Rosa remains in detention at the Quezon City Police District Station 7 after an alleged rape complaint of a 20-year-old woman on Saturday morning.

Dela Rosa still refuses to give his piece about the allegation of a certain rape victim "Kat", not her real name.

In her complaint, she claimed that dela Rosa was the one who sexually took advantage of her. She even slapped and pushed dela Rosa away from her. After she shouted for help, her friends came to the rescue and asked the security guard on duty not to allow dela Rosa to leave the premises.

Policemen came at the scene and arrested dela Rosa.

Two friends of the victim have also given their statement in relation to Kat's allegation.

Justin Bieber Wants Teen Girls to Leave Him Alone

A 35-year-old Jacksonville, FL, resident namedJustin Bieber is being mistaken for the 16-year-old pop star of the same name, and he's not happy about it. He says he has been burdened with fan mail, calls and home visits from Bieber's biggest fans and was even kicked off Facebook for using a fake name.

"I guess their policy is ban first, ask questions never," he told Jacksonville's ABC 25. He has tried to contact Facebook to get reinstated but has yet to be re-listed on the social networking site. He's adding this to the laundry list of annoyances that have plagued him since the teen star rose to fame.

$4 Billion in MGM Studio Bankruptcy Deal

MGM Bankruptcy news is still coming in, but at the moment we know that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. said it has begun seeking its creditors' approval on a prepackaged bankruptcy plan in which they will exchange more than $4 billion in debt for equity in a new company that has rights to the James Bond franchise and the upcoming two-part movie series "The Hobbit."
Privately held production company Spyglass Entertainment, a co-financier of such recent films as "Star Trek" and "G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra," will contribute some assets and merge two subsidiaries into MGM for a 4.69 percent stake in the company, according to the plan.

Teen star's multimillion-dollar payday

 "Two and a Half Men's" Angus T. Jones, 16, who plays Charlie Sheen's nephew, has inked a $300,000-per-episode contract, according to TMZ, who examined court papers filed on his behalf in Los Angeles Superior Court as he's a minor.

This makes Jones — who will earn, at a minimum, $7.8 million over the next two seasons plus a $500,000 signing bonus — the highest-paid child TV star.

He may even bank more this year. CBS has guaranteed 48 episodes over the next two seasons, TMZ points out, meaning Angus could make $14.4 million, plus a $500,000 signing bonus. (By comparison, Sheen is expected to make about $98 million, including signing bonus, over the next two seasons.

Sharon as mentor in new talent show

SHARON Cuneta wants to make a difference—for “real.”

She admitted that “reality” as a TV show format could be a tad “cruel.” That’s precisely why she’s determined to assume a gentler, kinder hosting style on her two new shows, “Star Power,” which premieres Oct. 10, and “Biggest Loser,” which debuts next year.

(Another show, “Sharon@Home,” was launched on the Lifestyle Network recently.)

Although she’ll be a “nurturing mentor” to aspiring female talents on “Star Power,” she re fuses to be “patronizing.”

“I hope to be a good mix of [‘American Idol’ judges] Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul,” she explained. “I won’t hesitate to tell the truth, but I’ll put it in a constructive way. I will never break someone’s spirit just for ratings.”

Originality counts

She hopes to discover a “real” star. “A lot of newcomers want to sound like Regine Velasquez or Sarah Geronimo. We want them to find their own voice and develop their own style.”

No restraining order yet on Willie Revillame

ABS-CBN lawyers and Willie Revillame met today at Branch 84 of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court for the hearing for the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) and writ of preliminary injunction. Last October 4, ABS-CBN filed the petition for TRO to stop Willie from airing his new show on another network said to be scheduled on October 23. ABS-CBN argued that Willie is still under contract with them until September 2011, thus Willie cannot appear in any other station. This came after confirmation that Willie, a five-year host of the now defunct ABS-CBN program Wowowee, is launching a new show on another TV station.

However, after almost three hours in session, the court, under Judge Luisito Cortez, deferred its decision on the TRO filed by ABS-CBN against Willie and his new program. According to ABS-CBN chief legal counsel Atty. Maxim Uy, their motion was submitted to the judge for study, but the decision will be released only after October 15. This means if Willie decides to begin his new show on the other network before October 15, ABS-CBN cannot do anything.

Update on Connecticut murder

A Connecticut man whose wife and two daughters were murdered in a 2007 home invasion will not testify at the sentencing of the convicted killer, he said Friday.

Dr. William Petit has "regretfully decided" against testifying because he said Connecticut's law on victim impact statements is unclear and could provide convicts with grounds to appeal their sentences.

Volunteer nurse first word since traumatic rape

MANILA, Philippines - For the first time since she was recovered unconscious after being raped, volunteer nurse "Florence" has uttered her first word on Friday as she continues to recover from the traumatic experience at a hospital in Davao City.

Dr. Leopoldo Vega, chief of the Southern Philippine Medical Center, said the volunteer nurse uttered her first word on Friday, ahead of the scheduled visit of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

"For the first time she uttered a word. What she said was, 'Mama,'" Vega told ABS-CBN News.

Former ‘Wowowee’ host won’t show court TV5 contract

Former “Wowowee” host Willie Revillame has refused to show his contract with TV5 to a Quezon City court, saying ABS-CBN cannot compel him to produce a “privileged” document whose contents cannot be revealed.

In his reply to ABS-CBN’s petition filed before Judge Luisito Cortez of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 85, Revillame accused his former employer of going on a “fishing expedition” to back up its counterclaim against him.

“The [document] that the motion seeks to be produced contains and provides for a nondisclosure clause, which thereby exempts it from the reach of ABS-CBN’s motion,” Revillame said.

‘Jersey Shore,’ Season 2, Episode 11: Replay

Last night, on “Jersey Snore”—er, that is, “Jersey Shore”—nothing much happened. Well, okay; Vinny frolicked in the ocean with a tiny rat dog, which was pretty fun to watch. Otherwise, though, it seems like this show is just marking time until the gang leaves Miami.

N.J. governor kills Hudson River tunnel project

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie killed plans for a new train tunnel to connect his state with New York's Manhattan island Thursday, saying billions of dollars in possible cost overruns made the project "completely unthinkable."

Artist's rendering of proposed underground train platform at Penn Station in New York for NJ Transit trains coming in from the proposed new Trans-Hudson tunnel, also known as the Access to the Region's Core Tunnel project.

The $8.7 billion tunnel beneath the Hudson River was the largest public works project in the United States, but Christie said it was likely to cost up to $5 billion more than estimated. In a statement announcing his plan to withdraw from the project, he said the tunnel "costs far more than New Jersey taxpayers can afford, and the only prudent move is to end this project."

Top Head-Turning Concept Cars at the Paris

This year’s Paris Auto Show has vehicles of all shapes and sizes, along with a sense of optimism that has been lacking in the industry since the economic meltdown of 2008. How else can you explain an ultra-lightweight Lamborghini, a Jaguarpowered by micro-turbine technology, or an Audithat looks ready to go rallying?

Choosing favorites is a highly personal (and often best avoided) undertaking—just ask any parent with more than one child. But there are certain cars that stand out amongst the crowds here at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center. Dramatic styling and high-tech engineering both play a role in our top picks for concept cars we’d most like to see come to market.

In no particular order, here are our favorite concept cars from the Paris Auto Show:

Toni Braxton: Bankrupt?

Toni Braxton has filed for bankruptcy sitting loss of income due to health problems that caused her to cancel a bunch of shows and thus caused her to fall behind and become unable to pay her debts.  Braxton lists her assets as ranging from 1 million to 10 million in value and her debts to be between 10-50 million. She has filed for chapter 7, which means that she feels she does not have the ability to pay her debts off and is asking that many of them be removed. The filing will most likely mean that she will have to sell off some of her possessions in order to pay some of the debt off. Included in her debts are owed income taxes as well as properties in Atlanta.

Randy Moss press conference

Quick snippets from Randy Moss' first press conference in Minnesota since his trade from New England:

"I'm back home. To all Vikings fans pull your 84 jerseys out. I think this is going to be a fun ride."

"I've paid attention to this team and the success they've had over the years ... We'll take it one day at a time and see what happens."

"Me and Brett [Favre] has a long history with one another."

"Me losing a step compared to everybody else still makes me one of the fastest guys in the league."

"Me being in New England ... that was something special. All I ever wanted to do was be part of a team. ... They gave me the opportunity to go out there and play at a high level."

Moss said he had nothing but love and respect for the Patriots and for Coach Bill Belichick, adding that his conversations with Belichick were confidential. He did add: "I look forward to facing those guys on the 31st of October."