General Knowledge

Hollywood actor Heath Ledger has been found dead at his home in Manhattan.

"He was found unconscious at the apartment and pronounced dead," the New York Police Department said, adding that pills were found near the body.

Police are reportedly investigating if the Australian actor - nominated for an Oscar for Brokeback Mountain - died of an overdose of prescription pills.

Father Kim Ledger said that the death of his 28-year-old "dearly loved son" had been "tragic" and "accidental".

Speaking in the actor's home town of Perth, in Western Australia, Mr Ledger said that his son had been a "down to earth, generous, kind hearted, life-loving, unselfish individual".

"Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life that few had the pleasure of truly knowing him."

The actor was found dead in the apartment he had been renting for several months at 1526 (2026 GMT) on Tuesday.

Split

New York police said they did not suspect foul play and that his body had been discovered with prescription pills nearby.

"We are investigating the possibility of an overdose," police spokesman Paul Browne told Reuters news agency. "There were pills within the vicinity of the bed."

He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss
Mel Gibson

Obituary: Heath Ledger

The BBC's Matthew Price in New York says the exact cause of death was still being investigated, but suicide has not been ruled out.

Police, journalists and crowds of fans gathered outside the Broome Street apartment in the fashionable SoHo area.

Investigators said Ledger had been due to have a massage at the flat.

Kim, Sally and Kate Ledger in Perth, WA 23 Jan 2008
His family said Heath was "generous" and "life-loving"

The housekeeper went to tell him the masseuse had arrived and found him dead on Tuesday afternoon.

The medical examiner's office said an autopsy would be carried out on Wednesday.

In September the Perth-born actor split from his girlfriend Michelle Williams, with whom he has a two-year-old daughter, Matilda.

Williams played his wife in the 2005 film Brokeback Mountain.

Hollywood mourning

Hollywood stars were quick to offer their tributes and mourn Ledger's death.

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Terrible to see his young daughter lose her father. I've been looking forward to seeing him in the new Batman movie

Mark, Houston
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"I had such great hope for him," said Oscar-winning actor-director Mel Gibson. "He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss."

In 2001, Mr Gibson had cast Ledger to play his son in the American war of independence epic, The Patriot.

"What a terrible tragedy. My heart goes out to his family," said fellow Australian actress Nicole Kidman.

American actor John Travolta, who was in Australia at the time of Ledger's death, said the young actor had been one of his favourite performers.

"His abilities are rare...it's a tremendous loss," said Mr Travolta.

Brokeback breakthrough

Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger
Ledger had split up with fellow Brokeback star Michelle Williams

Brokeback Mountain director Ang Lee said Ledger's performance had been a "miracle" of acting, echoing a young Marlon Brando.

He won an Oscar nomination for his role as a gay cowboy in the film but the award went to Philip Seymour Hoffman for his role as Truman Capote.

Ledger starred in I'm Not There, as one of several actors in a role representing singer Bob Dylan.

He also plays the Joker in yet-to-be-released Batman film, The Dark Knight.

Ledger also starred in A Knight's Tale and The Patriot, and played a suicidal son in Monster's Ball.

Spears meets with Dr. Phil, leaves hospital: report

rockdhel@yahoo.com (DeathDhelz) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:54:00 +0000

CTV.ca News Staff

Troubled pop singer Britney Spears was released from a Los Angeles hospital following a visit from talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw, gossip website TMZ.com reported Saturday.

Spears was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center by ambulance on Thursday after a nearly three-hour police standoff, in which authorities tried to mediate a custody row between the entertainer and her ex-husband Kevin Federline.

"Sources say the hospital released her without notifying any of the principles involved in the ongoing kiddie drama," TMZ.com reported Saturday.

The website says McGraw -- a well-known psychologist and author who first gained fame for appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Show -- visited Spears early Saturday morning.

The "Dr. Phil Show" is taping a special about Spears on Monday with the show set to air on Wednesday, TMZ reports, adding representatives from the show requested footage of the pop princess from the website.

McGraw issued a statement to Entertainment Tonight regarding his visit with Spears saying:

"My meeting with Britney and some of her family members this morning in her room at Cedars leaves me convinced more than ever that she is in dire need of both medical and psychological intervention. She was released moments before my arrival and was packing when I entered the room. We visited for about an hour before I walked with her to her car. I am very concerned for her."

Custody battle

Federline was awarded sole custody of their two children, two-year-old Sean Preston and one-year-old Jayden James on Friday. Spears' visitation rights were also suspended.

Commissioner Scott Gordon has ordered another custody hearing for Jan. 14.

Federline, who married Spears in October 2004, was awarded temporary custody of their children last fall after Spears defied court orders.

"I'm not happy about any of these events," Federline's attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan said after leaving a closed-door emergency hearing Friday afternoon. "There's no winners here."

The latest drama unfolded after 7 p.m. on Friday when Spears allegedly refused to turn over her two children to Federline.

Police were called to the pop star's home at 8 p.m. on Thursday to mediate a custody dispute over Spears' two young boys.

By about 10:30 p.m., there were six police cars, two ambulances and a fire truck in the gated-community where Spears' house is located. Throngs of paparazzi descended on the scene as helicopters taped Spears, lying on a gurney, being loaded into an awaiting ambulance.

The 26-year-old turned over her two boys to ex-husband Kevin Federline at 10:50 p.m., confirmed officer Jason Lee, reports The Associated Press.

Lee said Spears was allegedly under the influence of an unknown substance at the time; however, officers later clarified that there was no evidence of substance abuse at the time of the incident.

Spears' life appears to have spiralled out of control since her divorce from Federline in July. Spears was photographed in a number of strange incidents last year including an umbrella attack on a car. After shaving her head, Spears spent a month in a rehab facility and was involved in a number of minor traffic accidents including an incident where she ran over a photographer's foot.

Philippine's 20 Richest

rockdhel@yahoo.com (DeathDhelz) — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 12:22:00 +0000

Reference; FORBES.COM ASIA

1. Henry Sy
$4 billion
82. Married. 6 children.

Philippines' leading retailer opened his biggest mall yet in May on Manila's waterfront. Now on verge of becoming nation's second-largest banker, once merger with his Banco de Oro and Equitable PCI is finalized

2. Lucio Tan
$2.3 billion
72. Married. 6 children.

The Filipino-Chinese magnate made his fortune from a variety of sources, including tobacco and beer. Also owns Philippine Airlines. With Hong Kong property portfolio, cashed in on booming Asian real estate market.

3. Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala
$2 billion
72. Married. 7 children.

Patriarch (otcbb: PRRH.OB - news - people ) of Ayala Corp., Philippines' oldest conglomerate, founded in 1834. Interests in real estate, water, telecom. Officially retired in April, though sons Jaime Jr. and Fernando have run daily operations for the past decade.

4. Eduardo Cojuangco
$840 million
71. Married. 4 children.

Known as "Danding." Shares of San Miguel Corp., the food and beverage group he chairs, briefly suspended in November, after alleged inflation of sales figures of its Coca-Cola (nyse: KO - news - people ) Bottlers. Company denies allegations.

5. George Ty
$830 million
74. Married. 5 children.

Founder and chairman of Metrobank, one of the Philippines' largest financial institutions with branches in Asia, U.S. and Europe. Known to wear suit and tie to office every day. May soon relax a bit: founder handed over chairmanship earlier this year.

6. John Gokongwei Jr.
$700 million
80. Married. 6 children.

Lived on street at age 13 after wealthy father died. Peddled thread, soap, candles during World War II. Later founded JG Summit, a conglomerate with telecom, property, food, airline and textiles interests, that is celebrating fiftieth anniversary this year. Chairman emeritus, leaves daily operations to son Lance, who is president.

7. Tony Tan Caktiong
$575 million
53. Married. 3 children.

Got start with 2 ice cream parlors; soon switched to hamburgers. Today his fast-food group Jollibee, which he still runs, has almost 1,500 locations operating under 6 brands. Also 167 restaurants abroad, including 100-plus in China. Plans to open locations on U.S.' East Coast and in Las Vegas, and to enter India next year.

8. Andrew Tan
$480 million
57. Married. 4 children.

Chairs Megaworld Corp., large real estate company known for its Manila complexes that integrate office, residential and commercial units. Now developing technology parks. Just broke ground on a new Marriott hotel in Newport City.

9. Emilio Yap
$350 million
81. Married.

Controls Manila Bulletin, one of the nation's oldest and largest dailies. Hands-on chairman reportedly approves story lineups. Has investment in historic Manila Hotel. Son Enrique helps run the business.

10. Oscar Lopez
$315 million
76.
Harvard grad heads family holding company Lopez Inc., which has controlling stake in ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., founded by late father, Eugenio. Now nation's largest media group, run by late brother's son, Eugenio III. Group also has interests in power generation, construction.

11. Enrique Razon Jr.
$285 million
46. Married. 2 children.

Chairs International Container Terminal Services, which family cofounded in 1987. Group operates 9 port terminals, including 4 in the Philippines and 1 each in Brazil, Poland, Japan, Indonesia, Madagascar. In July won concession to operate terminal in Syria.

12. Andrew Gotianun
$280 million
78. Married. 4 children.

Founded consumer finance group Filinvest 1955; eventually moved into property. Remains chairman emeritus of Filinvest Development; son Jonathan chairman; daughter Lourdes Josephine G. Yap president.

13. Enrique Aboitiz
$275 million
84. Married. 7 children.

Heads family conglomerate with interests in 60 companies in banking, food, logistics. Runs nation's largest private network of ferries and buses.

14. Alfonso Yuchengco
$225 million
83.

Father, Enrique, set up insurance group 1930s. Alfonso took over 1946, diversified into banking, construction, education. Empire now reportedly includes 40 mostly private companies. Yuchengco served as ambassador to China and Japan. In February announced that eldest daughter, Helen Yuchengco Dee, would succeed him.

15. Menardo Jimenez
$210 million
74.

With 2 partners, took control of GMA Network, founded by an American war correspondent, in 1970s. Overhauled media group, adding local programming to stable of overseas programs. Now country's second largest. Former GMA chief executive sits on board of Cojuangco's San Miguel.

15. Gilberto Duavit Jr.
$210 million

Executive vice president and chief operating officer of GMA Network. He and family own 35% of group, expected to finally go public next year.

17. Ramon del Rosario Jr.
$205 million
62. Married. 4 children.

Chief executive of Philippine Investment-Management (Phinma), cofounded by his father. Served for one year as nation's secretary of finance. Known as RRR (Ramon R. del Rosario), this Harvard M.B.A. was recently elected chairman of the prominent Makati Business Club. Has big interest in education, pushing Phinma into investing in colleges. Also chairs board of advisers of the Ramon V. del Rosario, Sr. Center for Corporate Responsibility.

18. Felipe Gozon
$180 million

Part of triumvirate that took over GMA Network in the 1970s. Remains chairman and chief executive of GMA, which has 46 VHF stations and 26 radio stations.

19. Beatrice Campos
$160 million
Widowed. 5 children.

Low-profile widow of Jose Campos, who died in May. He was one of the cofounders of United Laboratories (Unilab), nation's largest pharmaceuticals maker. Secretive group is one of nation's largest private firms.

20. Luis J.L. Virata
$150 million

Investment banker made headlines in 1999 when he briefly stepped in as chief executive of then nearly bankrupt Philippine Airlines, replacing Lucio Tan. His family is now a major shareholder in Nickel Asia, the Philippines' largest nickel producer. Company's plans to go public this fall were reportedly canceled because of poor pricing.

Paris Hilton EXPOSE!

rockdhel@yahoo.com (DeathDhelz) — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 12:55:00 +0000

Paris Hiton has made tabloid headings once again. A new website,http://www.parisexposed.com/ features some of Paris Hilton's most private and intimate personal items. The website has Paris up in arms with anger. In fact, Paris is so frustrated with the release that she may even take the owners to court.

So how exactly did the website get their hands on such personal items as diaries, cell phone conversations, address books, personal videos and more? The items were auctioned off from an LA storage facility when Paris failed to cough up the $208 bill in November of 2005.

Some of the private items that Paris may not want the world to see include a personal video of her in a "sexy bubble bath" and her drinking with friends while using other illegal substances.

Visitors to the new website are required to pay $39.97 to gain access which will allow them to view all videos, credit card bills, medical records, bank statements and love letters from Nick Carter.

Can things get any worse for the 25 year old heiress? Yes they can. When I said privates I meant personal items (like cell phones and diaries) but according to sources, in addition to all other goods on the website there are all-new, never before seen sex videos. You'd think she would have learned after the first incidence..

Spears 'devastated' by court ruling

rockdhel@yahoo.com (DeathDhelz) — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 12:01:00 +0000

Britney Spears is reportedly devastated after losing the right to see her children following a breach of a court order.

Los Angeles County Commissioner Scott Gordon suspended her visitation rights after an emergency meeting with Kevin Federline's lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan on Wednesday.

Gordon - who ordered Spears to undergo random drugs testing at an earlier ruling - made the decision after the singer failed to provide the court with her contact information.

And according to friends, the Toxic hitmaker is both stunned and upset.

A source tells E! Online: "She's really upset. She keeps saying: 'I can't believe this is happening.' It's like she just can't accept what's happened."

Britney goes without innerwear

rockdhel@yahoo.com (DeathDhelz) — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 16:04:00 +0000

Britney doesn’t need to do it and she knows it’s stupid

Britney Spears’ penchant for pantyless outings actually started off as a joke, but the pop star is still persisting with it. Jewellery designer Tuesday Knight, a long-time pal of Spears, recently revealed that the Toxic singer still thinks that her naked ambition is a giggle.

I’ve heard Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and Britney talk about how they shock Hollywood just for the fun of it. They were discussing how they could play a little joke on all of us, she said. But while Hilton and Lohan have stopped their private-flashing acts, Spears has become quite keen on letting it all show.

I’ve watched her spiral downward. Britney doesn’t need to do it and she knows it’s stupid, but she says that she just doesn’t like to wear underwear, Knight said. She added that she relentlessly urges Spears to get her act right, but the singer still thinks that she can shock Hollywood just for the fun of it.

The underwear thing is ridiculous and I’ve told her, ‘You cannot walk into a store wearing just a shirt with your underwear off.’ I’ve told her that no one will take her seriously when she does this, she said.

Read more;http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment

Hollywood star Deborah Kerr dies at 86

rockdhel@yahoo.com (DeathDhelz) — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 15:54:00 +0000

Deborah Kerr, the British ballet dancer turned Hollywood star, has died at the age of 86.

Nominated six times for an Oscar, Kerr never won the best actress award despite starring in several memorable roles, opposite the likes of Robert Mitchum and Cary Grant.

In From Here to Eternity, she played Karen Holmes, the sexy adulterous wife living on an Army base in Hawaii. Her scene with Burt Lancaster on the beach with the waves washing over their bodies was considered on the verge of scandalous in its time.

Read more;

Cesar Montano Hosts Pinoy Mano Mano: The Celebrity Boxing Challenge

rockdhel@yahoo.com (DeathDhelz) — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:53:00 +0000

Prepare for a star-studded fistfight on "Pinoy Mano Mano: The Celebrity Boxing Challenge". Respected actor and director Cesar Montano takes center stage in the boxing arena this time, as he hosts ABS-CBN's newest sports-reality show, together with top-notch comedian Bayani Agbyani. Unknown to many, Cesar Montano is not a stranger to the boxing ring himself, as he has immersed himself in the said sport since the late 80's.

Pinoy Mano Mano: The Celebrity Boxing Challenge will pit various celebrities together. But not only will they have to fight each other in the ring, they will have to undergo training from the best boxing professionals in the country as well! At the end of the season, Cesar Montano will fight another celebrity boxer for a special match, so it's definitely a must-see.

So don't miss out on this one of a kind reality show, and find out who will make it to the top, as "Pinoy Mano Mano: The Celebrity Boxing Challenge" starts airing on October 27, only here on your Kapamilya network.

Read more@http://beta.abs-cbn.com/tabid/104/Article/7619/Default.aspx

Sam Milby seen with American girl in Bohol

rockdhel@yahoo.com (DeathDhelz) — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:41:00 +0000

By Dolly Anne Carvajal
Inquirer
Last updated 10:04pm (Mla time) 08/01/2007

I took the same flight to Bohol that Sam Milby did. Along with Isay Alvarez, Robert Seña, Candy Pangilinan and Leo Martinez, I was invited by Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim to grace the 60th birthday of Hans Schoof, a German who married a pretty Boholana, Lani.

Hans is well-loved by the people of Bohol. His birthday is almost like a national holiday in Chocolate Hills country.

While waiting in the van to proceed to our hotel, Robert, Isay and I were trying to figure out if the “Amgirl” with Sam was his GF or just a special friend. They were in another van next to ours when we saw the girl fondling Sam’s hair while his head was resting on her shoulder.

Maybe they were just being affectionate, since Sam seems to be the malambing type. They were not seated together in the plane.

Perhaps it’s just the dreamy charm of Bohol that brought out the sweetness in them.

Piolo admits courting Rica

rockdhel@yahoo.com (DeathDhelz) — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:36:00 +0000

“It's not yet a close book, I'm just busy with my work and it's hard to do both things at the same time”

Is Piolo Pascual turning into a kind of serial thriller as he makes admissions left and right about past romantic relationships, and dropping hints about possible romantic interests in the future? He stunned ... via ABS-CBN News

Full story: ABS-CBN News Read the original story - Thursday Sep 20

I want to leave a mark on the world: Hilton

rockdhel@yahoo.com (DeathDhelz) — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:27:00 +0000

Socialite heiress Paris Hilton has supposedly grown up and is vowing to change her image by using her name and fame for good causes.

Her first stop is Rwanda where she will visit schools and health care clinics as part of a five-day charity mission. She will be accompanied by a children's charity called Playing for Good.

Dailysnack.com reports her as saying: "I'm scared, yeah. I've heard it's really dangerous. I've never been on a trip like this before. I love having everything documented. It shows people what everyday life is like for me, how hard I work. There are a lot of misconceptions about me."

Hilton was in jail for 23 days for breaking her violation in a drunk and reckless driving case.

Commenting upon her reckless lifestyle, she said: "There are a lot of bad people in LA. Before, my life was about having fun, going to parties - it was a fantasy. But when I had time to reflect, I felt empty inside. I want to leave a mark on the world."

Lohan to Rehab Again!

rockdhel@yahoo.com (DeathDhelz) — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:20:00 +0000

Lindsay Lohan was recently released from rehab, but will return to the Utah facility after she finishes filming her latest movie, 'Dare to Love Me.'

The actress says she will be heading back to rehab when she wraps up filming so she can "stay focused and avoid other distractions."

Lohan spent two months in the facility for treatment of her drug and alcohol addictions.

Lohan tells OK! magazine, "I'm staying in Utah until it's time to shoot 'Dare to Love Me' and then I plan on returning to Utah so I can stay focused and avoid other distractions."

Read more;http://www.rte.ie/arts/2007/1017/lohanl.html

Britney Spears Booked on Traffic Charges

rockdhel@yahoo.com (DeathDhelz) — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:07:00 +0000

Just weeks after finally getting her California driver's license, Britney Spears turned herself in to Los Angeles police Monday night in connection with a pair of minor traffic offenses. Reuters reported that a gum-chewing Spears, wearing a black minidress, leather jacket and large designer sunglasses, spent 45 minutes being fingerprinted and photographed at a police station in the Los Angeles suburb of Van Nuys around 9 p.m. PT.

The singer was booked for an August 6 incident in a Los Angeles parking lot where her car scraped up against another parked vehicle — an incident that was captured on film by some of the many paparazzi trailing her on the outing (see "Britney Spears Charged With Two Driving-Related Misdemeanors"). At the time, Spears got out of the car, looked over the damage to her car, and then walked into a nearby building, not leaving a note for the other vehicle's owner, who filed a police report three days later.

Spears was later charged with one misdemeanor count each of hit-and-run and driving without a California driver's license, (see "Britney Spears Now Has A Valid Driver's License"), and is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges October 25 in Van Nuys Superior Court. Each count carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail or a $1,000 fine.

Reuters described the uneventful booking as an "oddly low-key affair" for the drama-prone Spears, who is typically trailed by a horde of paparazzi. As just a handful of reporters looked on, she walked through the front door of the police station accompanied by a male companion, turning down an offer from police to use a back entrance to avoid making a scene.

LAPD officer Mike Lopez told the Associated Press that Spears was, "fine, cooperative" and that she "did her business and came out." Asked how she was treated while (briefly) in custody, Spears told reporters, "They were nice," explaining that she was wearing sunglasses at night because she is suffering from pinkeye