Frances Samson

The strong growth posted by the Philippines for the first quarter of 2013 has made the country the fastest growing economy in Asia, taking the pole position from perennial number one China.

Jennifer Lawrence is being rumoured to take the lead role of Anastasia Steele in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey. According to reports of Hollywood Life, producers are keen to get the 22-year-old actress to star in the racy film set to start filming in London next year.

The testimonies of three Filipino girls in the CNN documentary "The Fighters" have led to the conviction of 54-year-old American Jeffrey Herschel on May 28. Herschell has been found guilty of child pornography and has been sentenced 12 years of federal imprisonment.

Kelly Brooke indirectly answers Katie Price's warning that Kelly's boyfiriend Danny Cipriani will never be faithful to her by posting sweet recent vacation pics with the rugby player.

A new drama series from ABC will premiere on June 3, Mistresses, an exciting and sensual story about the colourful lives of four sexy and daring girl friends, each on a journey to self-discovery, finding strength in each other as they pursue happiness individually. Mistresses starts June 3 in the US.

Pop singer Katy Perry was threatened by teen rapper Chief Keef on Twitter after the she expressed distaste over his song "I Hate Being Sobber" which talks about the drinking habits of Americans and how they're always intoxicated.

Amanda Bynes was in the news again recently because of her Twitter tirade against singer Rihanna. But this is not the fist time that the 27 year old actress has picked up a fight online. Find out her biggest Twitter feuds to date.

A newborn baby was rescued by firefighters after being stuck in a sewage pipe for hours. The baby was flushed down the toilet by still unidentified suspects. He sustained cuts in his face and limbs after rescuers used pliers and saw to tear the pipe piece by piece.

The biggest cliffhanger left by the season 2 finale of Revenge is Emily Thorne's confession to Jack Porter that she's the real Amanda Clarke. Now Nick Wechsler, who plays Jack in the series, talks of what can viewers expect after the revelation.

Australia Prime Minister Julia Gillard made a candid revelation to The Guardian that she's an avid viewer of the mythical, medieval-inspired HBO TV series, Game of Thrones. She said she relates to the character Targaryen, the first female leader of the tribe Dothrak.

Robert Pattinson was recently seen crashing a wedding rehearsal in Santa Barbara with Katy Perry. The pair puzzled onlookers as they sat in the rehearsal and watched two strangers practice their vows in a courtyard. Are they now officially dating?

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) has accused China of stealing the blueprints of the agency's new headquarters in Canberra. The blueprints, which contain highly confidential and sensitive information on the new ASIO base, were reportedly stolen from a contractor involved with the project.

Taiwanese non-government organizations treated the Filipinos overseas workers on May 26 to a "solidarity street party" in Taipei to express gratitude to Filipino OFWs. NGO spokesperson Steve Huang said that despite the two governments' present row, the Taiwanese people remain a friend and ally of the Filipinos.

Following the announcement of Ford last week that it is shutting down its manufacturing business in 2016, two of Australia's biggest private sector companies also announced its plan to cut jobs soon.

Vivid Sydney, the annual festival of light, music and ideas in one of Australia's biggest cities, opened on May 24 with a dazzling lighting feast in 3-D. The festival runs until June 10 with live performances and more than 120 creative industry events aside from the lights show.

Apple founder Steve Jobs had been the subject of criticisms in his lifetime for apparently for not giving enough contributions to charity. His philanthropic involvements only get exposed after his death through his equally private widow, Laurene Powell Jobs.

Ellen Henry, a member of Santee Historical Society, captured a photo of what is believed to be a UFO. The UFO was sighted hovering above Edgemoor Barn, a 100 year old structure turned museum that is also known for its paranormal activities including ghost sightings.

Amanda Bynes has accused an NYPD police officer of sexual harassment after she was arrested for suspected use of marijuana and for reckless imprudence by throwing a bong out of her apartment window on May 23. "He slapped my vagina. Sexual harassment. Big deal," the actress posted on Twitter on Saturday.

The Australian government has announced a $141 million dollar aid to the Philippines for fiscal year 2013-2014 to fund basic services, education reform, public-private partnerships and community-based programs on climate change and conflict.

Season 2 of the Sex and The City prequel The Carrie Diaries will see the young Carrie move from Connecticut to start her roller coaster life in the Big Apple. Two characters from Sex and The City will be introduced too tracing how Carrie developed her relationships with them.

Rolls Royce has announced the recall of 19 of its Ghost limousines due to fuel odor. Last year, the car company also recalled units in two batches due to concern on safety features.

Georgina Wilson clears the air on alleged discriminatory remark on ex-Philippine Pres. Joseph Estrada that she posted on the micro-blogging site Twitter. Wilson said while she's sorry about the statement she feels it's unfair that it was taken out of context.

Amanda Bynes' figured in a public scene when she tried to board a plane but was stopped because she couldn't present a proper ID. The actress reportedly told airport personnel to search her name in Google instead and then also screamed "I am Amanda Bynes!"

In the midst of Ford's decision to ship out of Australia, Holden and Toyota express their intent to stay put in Australia, at least for now. Toyota is even pointing to its $330 million new engine production facility that is meant to cater locally and the whole of Asia.

Amanda Bynes' troubled world is further revealed as she welcomed two guests to her apartment in Manhattan last month. The two guys reportedly saw the young star smoke weed and do cocaine, and saw the actress' poor living conditions, too.

Showtime has just announced new characters to join the cast of Homeland in its third season. As the new season opens in September, viewers will see the government digging more deeply into the terror attack, and hunting down the world's most wanted terrorist, Nick Brody.

Taipei released on Tuesday a voyage data record that indicates non-intrusion of the Taiwanese fishing boat into Philippine waters on May 9. The alleged intrusion has claimed the life of one Taiwanese fisherman after a Philippine patrol boat reportedly fired on the fishing vessel 50 times.

Eminem's song publisher Eight Mile Style LLC is suing Facebook and ad agency Wieden + Kennedy for the unauthorized use of the rapper's Under The Influence song in a Facebook ad released in April.

Despite continuing reports of slipping demand and dropping stock prices, Apple (AAPL) continues to reign as the world's most valuable brand according to Millward Brown's BrandZ study.