Love Cynics

LOS ANGELES They smooch and hug as cameras snap. Friends enthusiastically report: "It's true! They're smitten!" Their publicists confirm it is the real deal. But when celebrity magazines asked the public to weigh in on the latest high-octane Hollywood pairing - Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, the former star of "Dawson's Creek" - the cynics crushed the dewy-eyed. "Publicity stunt," said 62 percent of respondents to a People magazine's poll.

Country Girl Rules

NEW YORK  — America's "Idol" is ... Carrie Underwood!

It came down to the country girl vs. the rock star — and the country girl won.

Wednesday night, in a special two-hour finale live from the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest announced who had won America's hearts: Underwood, the fresh-faced 22-year-old crooner from Checotah, Okla., who beat runner-up Bo Bice, the long-haired 29-year-old rocker from Helena, Ala.

Upon hearing she'd won the competition, Underwood burst into tears, but got herself together to sing what's become one of her signature songs: "Inside Your Heaven."

"Thank you America!" Carrie shouted at the end of the song.

Wednesday night also had other treats in store. Bo sang with Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Carrie with country trio Rascal Flatts. Many former "Idols" also made appearances.

Carrie is the American Idol

Carrie Underwood named 'American Idol'
"Country" Carrie Underwood, 21, from Checotah, Okla., took the top prize Wednesday on Fox's American Idol— a recording contract and a shot at music stardom.

Miss Universe

National costume : Miss Trinidad & Tobago Universe 2005, Madgalene Walcott performs during the National costume competition in Bangkok. The 54th annual Miss Universe contest will take place in Bangkok on 31 May 2005. (AFP/Pornchai Kittiwongsakul)

Run Against Cancer

Participants in the Race for the Cure, a run to raise money for breast cancer research, gather ahead of the race in Washington, DC. Women stricken with breast cancer can boost their chances of survival by 50 percent with some exercise, according to a study.(AFP/File/Neshan Naltchayan)

Weather Update

Intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) affecting Mindanao. Frontal system affecting Northern and Central Luzon.

 
Metro Cebu: Mostly cloudy with rainshowers and thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening, winds will be light to moderate blowing from the southeast, coastal waters will be slight to moderate, temperature range 24 to 34°C (75 to 93°F).
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