Madonna threatens fans, to cancel show if they will not stop smoking (Video)

Even her biggest supporters will admit she is something of a diva. And Madonna lived up to her hard earned reputation by threatening fans in Chile that she would pull out of her show if they do not stop smoking.

This was despite the fact the Like A Virgin favourite was playing at an outdoor arena in the South American country on Wednesday.

Read Full Story: Madonna threatens fans, to cancel show if they will not stop smoking (Video)

Obama vs Spider-Man: President Obama caught in Spider-Man's web inside the White House (Photo)

US President Barack Obama was caught in Spider-Man's web, as shown in the photo below. Obama, who was earlier named as People of the Year 2012 by Time magazine, recently played with kids inside the White House and was spotted pretending to be captured by a kid dressed as Spider-Man.

“Photo of the day: President Obama gets caught in Spider-Man's web.” A statement reads at the official Twitter and Facebook accounts of Barack Obama on Wednesday, December 19, 2012. The photo of the president playing with a kid wearing a Spider-Man was taken by Pete Souza, official White House photographer.

Read Full Story: Obama vs Spider-Man: President Obama caught in Spider-Man's web inside the White House (Photo)

Miss Universe 2012 winner is Miss USA Olivia Culpo, Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon wins 1st runner-up (Video)

Miss USA Olivia Culpo wins the Miss Universe 2012 title this Wednesday, December 19, 2012 (Thursday, December 20, Manila time), held at Planet Hollywood (PH Live) in Las Vegas, as shown in the video below. Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon won as the 1st runner-up, while Miss Venezuela Irene Sofia Esser Quintero landed as second runner-up.

As aired at NBC and Telemundo on Wednesday night, which was also shown in various countries worldwide, Olivia Culpo from Rhode Island was declared the Miss Universe 2012 winner, beating 88 other beauty candidates from around the world. The crown was passed to her by Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes of Angola.

Read Full Story: Miss Universe 2012 winner is Miss USA Olivia Culpo, Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon wins 1st runner-up (Video)

Griffin Fined $10,000 For Wearing Adidas

Robert Griffin III was fined $10,000 by the NFL for wearing an Adidas sweatsuit and T-shirt during his post-game interview, international football news sites reported on Wednesday, December 19, 2012.

According to reports, the NFL fined Griffin $10,000 for wearing an “unauthorized apparel” on Sunday’s post game news conference.

Read Full Story: Griffin Fined $10,000 For Wearing Adidas On Post-Game Interview

Obama is Time Person of the Year 2012

US President Barack Obama is Time Person of the Year for 2012, and not North Korea leader Kim Jong Un, who was voted by the magazine’s readers based on an earlier poll. Mr. Obama was also named Time Person of the Year back in 2008, after he won the election and became the first African American elected president.

As aired at NBC’s Today Show today, Wednesday, December 19, 2012, Time magazine managing editor Rick Stengel announced that President Obama was named Time Person of the Year 2012, and cited his victory in his re-election bid last month, beating Republican candidate Mitt Romney, as a major reason.

Read Full Story: Obama is Time Person of the Year 2012

New Samsung Galaxy Grand unveiled, Samsung Galaxy smartphone with 5-inch WVGA display

Samsung unveiled this Tuesday, December 18, 2012 its latest smartphone called the Galaxy Grand, two days after a US federal judge denied Apple’s demand of banning the sale of Samsung phones. This new Samsung Galaxy Grand has a 5-inch WVGA display and runs Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean).

According to post at SamsungTomorrow.com that day, the new Samsung Galaxy smartphone can provide an expansive and clear viewing experience, presenting messaging, multimedia, and Web content with brilliant colors. Despite having a wide screen, Samsung noted that it is still comfortable to hold.

Read Full Story: New Samsung Galaxy Grand unveiled, Samsung Galaxy smartphone with 5-inch WVGA display

17 dead in prison break

At least 17 people were killed when inmates tried to escape from a prison in northern Mexico Tuesday, firing guns at guard towers and running through tunnels below the facility.

 The dead included 11 inmates and six guards, Durango state public safety officials said in a statement. Read Full Story: 17 Dead In Prison Break

Eagle Tries To Snatch Kid (Video)

A video of an eagle that tried to snatch a kid has gone viral after it was uploaded on Youtube on Tuesday, December 18, 2012.

The video, titled “Golden Eagle Snatches Kid,” was reportedly taken at a park in Montreal, Canada.

Read Full Story: Eagle Tries To Snatch Kid Video Goes Viral

The Voice Winner Is Cassadee Pope

Cassadee Pope has been crowned as the winner of The Voice Season 3 on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, international news sites reported that day.

Read Full Story: The Voice Winner: Cassadee Pope Wins The Voice Season 3

Loner leaves $7.4 million

A loner leaves $7.4 million worth of gold coins in his home garage in Carson City, Nevada.

The late Walter Samaszko Jr., a loner, left thousands of gold coins from Austria,Mexico and the United States.

The gold coins contained in several ammunition boxes were reportedly found by a crew that was asked to clean the house.

Read full story: Loner leaves $7.4 million worth of gold coins in home garage.

Instagram to sell photos of users without notifying and not paying them, based on their new Terms of Service

Instagram will have the right to sell photos of users without paying them or even not informing them. This new Instagram rule is only a part of their new Terms of Service, which will be implemented starting January 16, 2013, and is notably the biggest changes since Facebook bought Instagram last September.

According to a post by Intsagram on its official blog on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, the free photo-sharing site said that there will be no changes on users’ photo ownership and who can view them, and the aim of their new Terms of Service is help protect their users and to prevent spam and abuse.

Read Full Story: Instagram to sell photos of users without notifying and not paying them, based on their new Terms of Service

Soviet sub found (Video)

A Soviet submarine wreck found off the coast of Sweden in the Baltic Sea  sank 71-years ago. The Soviet sub wreckage was reported earlier by a civilian diver.

Swedish authorities confirmed that a submarine wreckage was found in the southeast area of theBaltic Island of Oland, a Swedish economic zone where the German forces mined during World War II.

Read full story: Submarine wreck found: Russian submarine wreckage found in Baltic Sea (Video)

Columbia's $200 million gift from Mortimer Zuckerman announced, pledge for the Mind Brain Behavior Institute

Columbia University was given a $200 million gift from Mortimer B. Zuckerman, a Canadian-born American businessman and is currently the Chairman of Boston Properties and the owner of the New York Daily News since 1993. The said fund will be used for a Mind Brain Behavior Institute for the university.

According to press release at News.Columbia.com this Monday, December 17, 2012, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Columbia’s $200 million gift from Zuckerman in a university forum, which was attended by Zuckerman, Columbia University President Lee C. Bollinger, among others.

Read Full Story:  Columbia's $200 million gift from Mortimer Zuckerman announced, pledge for the Mind Brain Behavior Institute

Asteroid caught on video

Asteroid 4179 Toutatis was caught on video during the huge asteroid's flyby of Earth.

The huge asteroid caught on video was captured by the NASA Deep Space Network antenna in Goldstone, California

Read full story: Asteroid 4179 Toutatis Caught on Video in Huge Asteroid’s Flyby of Earth (Video)

Southwest Airlines to impose ‘no-show’ fee to passengers in 2013, some fees to increase

Southwest Airlines is being set to impose new fees to its passengers, as part of its strategy to increase revenue. This new Southwest fee scheme, which will be implemented sometime next year, 2013, includes a ‘no-show’ fee to passengers, payment for a third bag, and those who will early check-in.

As featured in their live webcast noted at its official media website on Friday, December 14, 2012, Southwest Airlines had its 2012 Investor Day, where among the speakers include Southwest President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board Gary Kelly, and Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. Robert “Bob” Jordan.

Read Full Story: Southwest Airlines to impose ‘no-show’ fee to passengers in 2013, some fees to increase

Apocalypse Survival Pods (Video, Photos)

Mayan apocalypse survival pods were created by a farmer from China as the Mayan apocalypse forecast nears.

The Chinese was inspired by the “2012” Hollywood film.

Liu Qiyuan reportedly designed and manufactured several giant tsunami proof survival pods worth about $48,000 each in his workshop outside Beijing.

Read full story: Apocalypse survival pods as Mayan apocalypse nears (Video, Photos)

Names of victims in Connecticut shooting released

Connecticut officials released on Saturday the identities of the 20 children and six adults killed in the mass shooting at a suburban elementary school in Newtown.

The state's chief medical examiner also confirmed that the gunman's mother, a twenty-seventh victim, was shot dead by her son in a related incident. The gunman took his own life.

Read Full Story: Names of victims in Connecticut shooting released

Westboro Baptist Church Members Say They Will Protest In Sandy Hook

Members reported on Twitter that they would protest Sandy Hook Elementary School. Reddit members have already begun planning a counter protest.

Less than a day after the tragic shooting in Sandy Hook, Connecticut that claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults, members of the Westboro Baptist Church are already announcing plans to protest during and after President Obama'a visit on Sunday.

Read Full Story: Westboro Baptist Church Members Say They Will Protest In Sandy Hook

NASA probes moon crash: NASA GRAIL Probes to Finish the Moon’s Gravity-Mapping Mission

Two NASA moon probes will finish their gravity-mapping mission, crashing intentionally into a cliff near the lunar North Pole this Monday, December 17, 2012, according to Space.com reports.

Based on reports, the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) spacecraft, Ebb and Flow, will fly low over the moon’s surface and crash into the rim of a crater around 5:28 p.m. EST (22:58 GMT), Monday.

Read Full Story: NASA probes moon crash: NASA GRAIL Probes to Finish the Moon’s Gravity-Mapping Mission

'The Hobbit': Architect Peter Archer Designs 'Hobbit House'

Architect Peter Archer designed a ‘Hobbit House’ in Chester County, Philadelphia which contains world-class collection of J.R.R. Tolkien manuscripts and memorabilia, Associated Press reported, December 16, 2012.

According to reports, the Hobbit House belongs to a lifelong fan of author J.R.R. Tolkien for the repository of rare books and Tolkien-inspired memorabilia.

"We wanted a single structure, a relaxing place that was diminutive in scale, for the owner to come and hang out and just be in solitude with his collection," architect Peter Archer, speaking on the owner's behalf, mentioned in a statement.

Read Full Story: http://www.batangastoday.com/the-hobbit-architect-peter-archer-designs-hobbit-house/26897/