Co-founder and longtime CEO Steve Jobs has passed away.

According to a statement just issued by Apple’s Board of Directors, company co-founder and longtime CEO Steve Jobs has passed away.

Apple has also put up the following website in memory. They’re asking for “thoughts, memories, and condolences” to be shared by way of this email address: rememberingsteve@apple.com

It was only a little over a month ago that Jobs stepped down as CEO saying at the time, “I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.”

Jobs remained Chairman of the Board at the company, as well as director and an Apple employee. He recommended that company COO Tim Cook take his place as CEO. Yesterday, Cook gave his first keynote address as CEO, unveiling the new iPhone 4S.

While that device had been the focal point of Apple’s website for the past 24 hours, Apple.com is now simply dedicated to Jobs, using a famous picture of him (above) that will also grace the cover of his upcoming biography by Walter Isaacson due out next month.

Jobs had battled cancer, and in 2004 had an operation related to the disease. In recent years, illness had forced him to step back from his role as CEO of Apple on separate occasions. He also had a liver transplant in 2009 during one of those medical leaves.

But after each battle, he came back and continued his amazing work at Apple. In 2007, he unveiled the iPhone. In 2010, the iPad. His last appearance on stage was at Apple’s 2011 WWDC conference in San Francisco. There, he laid the groundwork for Apple’s latest innovations including iOS 5, OS X Lion, and iCloud.

Jobs was 56 years old. Rest in peace, Steve.

The release from the company below:

Statement by Apple’s Board of Directors

CUPERTINO, Calif. — We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today.

Steve’s brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve.

His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts.

And the message on Apple’s website:

Taiwanese heartthrob Vic Chou tells stories on his depression

Taiwanese heartthrob Vic Chou shot to fame in 2001, after his role in drama "Meteor Garden". Recently Vic said to the Chinese press, "But many people looked down on me, especially those in showbiz. Who is he? He's just a 'pretty vase'."; according to the Xin MSN website.
He added, "People might not believe me when I say this. When I first entered showbiz, all I wanted was to leave this industry. I kept thinking how I could get out of my contract and say goodbye to all these."
Even when countless drama offers came pouring in, Vic was still determined to keep a distance from showbiz because he had seen the things people do to reach the top. The actor was frequently taken advantage of because he is a person who "is unwilling to fight, and would rather do things quietly".
"I was struggling. With my kind of attitude, I would still be bullied, no matter where I worked; but not wanting to fight is my nature," Vic said.
Vic's emotional burden accumulated over the years, resulting in depression a few years ago.
"I was immune to pain and was unafraid of death, during the worst period when I had depression. Death became optional. In other words, I would die, if I wanted to die today," he let on.
The actor might have talked about his illness lightly now, but his condition was rather severe back then.
"Luckily, I have positive-thinking friends, who were willing to listen to me, towards the end of my therapy, and I would tell them about my condition. You're actually helping yourself, if you're willing to share. The negativity would decrease," Vic said.

Korean man who set fire to his own home to retaliate against his noisy neighborp

Seoul (The Korea Herald/ANN) - A Korean man who set fire to his own home to retaliate against his noisy neighbor was sentenced to two years by Changwon District Court. The 46-year-old arsonist, who lives in an apartment, said the neighbor upstairs was too noisy and he could not stand it. He said in the hearing that despite frequent remonstrations, the situation did not change.


On the day of the accident, his neighbor ignored his complaints again, he said. Angry and drunk, he set fire to his own home using an LPG container.
Although his apartment was gutted, there were no injuries. It is estimated that property loss tolled 39 million won ($36,000).


The court said that the case was serious as it could have led to a tragic accident in which human life could have been lost, and jailed him.

J. K. Rowling's mysterious Pottermore project revealed

For the past few weeks, the Web has been buzzing about J. K. Rowling's mysterious Pottermore project. And while details won't be officially unveiled until Thursday, all signs are pointing to it being an online game revolving around the Harry Potter universe.
A leaked memo has revealed Pottermore to be a persistent world that blends World of Warcraft with real world treasure hunts. Users will dig up clues, which will let them find prizes in the real world.
The memo says Thursday's announcement, which will come via YouTube, will discuss the project's partners and focus on what people can find - particularly quills and wands hidden around the U.S. and U.K.
As often happens with leaks of major projects, it's unclear if the game is the full extent of Pottermore - or simply a tie-in promotion for a larger project. Rowling has made it clear, though, that whatever Pottermore may be, it is NOT a new Harry Potter book.
Potter fansite The Leaky Cauldron is one of the few places that apparently has seen the project. Not surprisingly, they've taken an unbreakable vow of silence about the specifics, but have previously described it as "one of the most amazing, engaging and breathtaking additions to this fandom imaginable".
(Keep in mind, that's a fan site - so the Hogwarts Hype Express runs pretty fast there.)
As for the rest of us Muggles, we'll learn tomorrow how accurate these reports are - and exactly what Rowling has in store for us.
There's good reason for the excitement. The Harry Potter books have sold about 450 million copies worldwide, given birth to a massive film franchise, several video game tie-ins and a theme park. Forbes ranks Rowling as one of the richest women in Britain, with an estimated wealth of $1 billion.

Korean actress Goo Hye Sun has recently registered her own production company

Multi-talented Korean actress Goo Hye Sun ("Boys Over Flowers," "Pure in Heart") has reportedly started her own production company. The actress, currently managed by YG Entertainment, has recently registered her own production company named “Goo Hye Sun Films.”

After gaining worldwide fame from her unforgettable role as the high-kicking Geum Jan Di in "Boys Over Flowers," Goo Hye Sun continues to break the mold of a typical idol star. Goo Hye Sun has proven herself to be successful in other fields of entertainment. Aside from being an award-winning actress, she is also an artist, a singer, a pianist, a film director, and a model.

In 2010, Goo Hye Sun completed a full-length feature film entitled "Magic" and a short-film entitled "You." She also directed the trailer for the 13th Seoul International Women's Film Festival. In 2009, she released her album entitled "Breathe."

Goo Hye Sun is truly a superwoman. Fans of the actress will be happy to know that her upcoming drama project is set to be shown this year. Her new drama is a Taiwanese version of “Absolute Boyfriend,” which is based on the successful Japanese manga and drama series "Zettai Kareshi." She will star opposite Taiwanese boy-band member Wu Chun of Fahrenheit.

The winners of the best in KBS Awards for 2010

The winners of the best in KBS Awards for 2010 include:

Daesang: Jang Hyuk (Chuno)
Top Excellence, Actor: Kim Gab-soo (Cinderella’s Sister)
Top Excellence, Actress: Jeon In-hwa (Baker King Kim Tak-gu), Moon Geun-young
(Cinderella’s Sister)

Excellence Awards:
Miniseries, Actor: Yoon Shi-yoon (Baker King Kim Tak-gu)
Miniseries, Actress: Eugene (Baker King Kim Tak-gu)
Drama Series, Actor: Oh Ji-ho (Chuno)
Drama Series, Actress: Park Min-young (Sungkyunkwan Scandal)
Special Production Drama, Actor: Kim Su-ro (God of Study)
Special Production Drama, Actress: Han Eun-jung (Gumiho: Tale of the Fox’s Child)
Serial Drama, Actor: Lee Jong-hyuk (Marry Me)
Serial Drama, Actress: Kim Ji-young (Marry Me)

Supporting Actor: Sung Dong-il (Chuno)
Supporting Actress: Lee Bo-hee (Three Brothers)
Newcomer Award, Actor: Park Yoo-chun (Sungkyunkwan Scandal)
Newcomer Award, Actress: Oh Ji-eun (Three Brothers), Lee Shi-young
(Birth of the Rich)
Writer Award: Kang Eun-kyung (Baker King Kim Tak-gu)
Actor, Youth: Oh Jae-mu (Baker King Kim Tak-gu)
Actress, Youth: Kim Yoo-jung, Seo Shin-ae (Gumiho: Tale of the Fox’s Child)
One-Act Special, Actor: Sohn Hyun-joo (Texas Hit), Lee Seon-kyun
(Our Slightly Risque Relationship)
One-Act Special, Actress: Jung Yumi (The Great Gye Choon-bin)

Popularity Award: Song Joong-ki (Sungkyunkwan Scandal), Moon Geun-young
(Cinderella’s Sister)
Netizens’ Award: Park Yoo-chun (Sungkyunkwan Scandal), Park Min-young
(Sungkyunkwan Scandal), Jang Geun-seok (Mary Stayed Out All Night)
Best Couple: Jang Hyuk & Lee Da-hae (Chuno), Jang Geun-seok & Moon
Geun-young (Mary Stayed Out All Night), Yoon Shi-yoon & Lee Young-ah
(Baker King Kim Tak-gu), Song Joong-ki & Yoo Ah-in (Sungkyunkwan
Scandal), Park Yoo-chun & Park Min-young (Sungkyunkwan Scandal)

China surgery probe after death of Aspiring Pop Singer

BEIJING (AFP) - – Chinese authorities have launched a probe into the death of an aspiring pop singer during plastic surgery, an incident that has sparked concerns about the dangers of going under the knife.

Wang Bei, 24, a former contestant on "Super Girl" -- China's smash-hit answer to "American Idol" -- died on November 15 during "facial bone-grinding surgery" in Wuhan, capital of the central province of Hubei.

"The Ministry of Health has tasked the Hubei health department to investigate and verify the situation... and to announce results of the probe to the public without delay," the ministry said in a statement late Saturday.

Wang, whose beauty had made her a popular contestant on "Super Girl", died in an "anaesthetic accident" as she was having surgery, the official Xinhua news agency reported earlier, citing the local health bureau.

Her jaw suddenly started bleeding during the procedure, blocking her windpipe and causing her to suffocate, reports said.

Wang's mother was having the same procedure at the clinic when her daughter died.

Her death has fuelled concerns about the dangers of plastic surgery in a country where three million people go under the knife each year, according to figures published by state media.

Surging demand for cosmetic surgery has led to untrained doctors carrying out operations, "which is risky and irresponsible," Zhang Huabin, a professor of plastic surgery at southern China's Guangdong Medical College, was quoted by Xinhua as saying.

The health ministry has ordered increased supervision in the industry, according to the statement.

A Love to Kill (Complete) Korean KBS Drama

Also known as 이 죽일놈의 사랑 / I Jukilnomui Sarang/Ijuksa / A Love to Kill / This love I want to kill/The Love of Death

In A Love to Kill, Bi/Rain/Jeong Ji-Hoon plays a tough guy as the role of a K-1 Fighter, Kang Bok-gu. Bok-gu is a character who is dynamic in nature and grew up in a foster home. He falls in love with a woman whom he should not love. It was because of the woman, his emotionally-wounded brother fell off from the rooftop and became a human vegetable. So, his love is forbidden and inevitably tragic. The woman is Cha Eun-seok (Shin Mina) who is a TV talent and movie actor. It was not that she jilted his brother on purpose, but upon a basis of misunderstanding, his hatred toward Cha Eun-soek grows more and more burning. By becoming Cha Eun-seok’s private bodyguard, Bok-gu keeps concretely practicing his revenge upon her. He only desires ‘to bring his brother’s woman to her knees.’ He is gradually taking Cha Eun-seok to destruction, while he feels his love toward her growing deeper and deeper in his heart. Bok-gu is a cold guy character without any special concern for woman. Martial art of hand-to-hand fighting was just kind of his escape he choose from the shock of a spinster’s death whom he loved from a distance.

CLICK TO WATCH Complete Drama Series---> A LOVE TO KILL

Bruce Lee biopic come 25 November 2010.

Independent distributors from Malaysia and Singapore have taken up several movies from Hong Kong's Asia Media Distribution at the recent American Film Market (AFM), including a seven-figure deal for the Raymond Yip-helmed "Bruce Lee, My Brother" according to Variety. RAM Entertainment (Malaysia) and Encore Films (Singapore) will release the Bruce Lee biopic come 25 November 2010.For movies slated next year, Andrew Lau's "Beautiful Life" as well Johnnie To's crime thrillers "Punished" and "Don't Go Breaking My Heart", have been pre-sold to Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) in Malaysia and Clover Films in Singapore. GSC has also bought distribution rights to another one of To's upcoming film of the same genre, "Life Without Principle".Meanwhile, Encore Films in Singapore together with RAM Entertainment in Malaysia nabbed "Wind Blast", an action thriller from China's Gao Qunshu.

Korean actress Lee Da Hae apologizes to Filipinos

Nakarating na sa Korean actress at commercial model na si Lee Da Hae ang pagkadismaya ng ilang Pinoy sa kanyang guest appearance kamakailan sa isang talk show ng Korean Broadcasting System (KBS).

Sa nasabing episode, sinubukan ng dating My Girl actress na ipakita kung paano magsalita ng Ingles ang mga American, British, at Filipino teachers sa pamamagitan ng pagsasabi nito: "Excuse me. I'm a little bit thirsty. Can I have a glass of water please?"

Matapos gayahin ang American at British accent, ginawa diumanong katawa-tawa ni Lee ang pagsasalita ng Ingles habang ginagaya ang mga gurong Pilipino.

Maraming manonood ang umalma sa pang-iinsulto umano ng aktres sa kakayahan ng Pinoy na mag-Ingles.

Ngunit agad itong nilinaw ng 26-year-old Korean actress at sinabing hindi niya nabanggit ang anuman tungkol sa mga Pinoy o sa Filipino accent sa programa.

Wala rin daw siyang alam na iniligay pala ang Pilipinas sa subtitle ng video nang ito'y ineere na.

Si Lee ay parte rin ng Koreanovela na East of Eden, na kasalukuyang ipinalalabas sa GMA-7. Kasama rin siya sa Green Rose na gagawan ng local adaptation ng ABS-CBN. Pagbibidahan ito nina Anne Curtis at Jericho Rosales.

Ito ang kabuuang paliwanag ni Lee Da Hae tungkol sa isyu, na inilathala niya sa kanyang Twitter account kanina, Nobyembre 3:

"First, I'd like to give you my sincere apologies for what seems to be a misunderstanding.

"It has come to my attention that many of you from the Philippines have posted comments protesting that i was being derisive by mimicking Filipinos when they speak English.

"Therefore, in light of this matter I'd like to take this opportunity to clear the air.

"In spite of what many people believe, I myself did NOT mention anything about the Philippines or Filipino accent whilst on the TV show.

"On the other hand, I recall bringing up Southeast Asia and not the Philippines, and the subtitles were inserted when the show was being edited, of which I was not aware of until it was aired.

"The TV show where this footage was taken from was designed to amuse its audience and my sole purpose was to entertain the viewers by coming up with lighthearted stories.

"Since the producer knows that i speak English he asked me if I could share any episodes that touch upon the English language.

"As we all know every country has a typical accent when its people speak English (including myself) so after giving it some thought, I came up with a few lines where I simply tried to compare different English accents: the somewhat rigid British accent and beginners in Southeast Asia whose English tends to be a little hard-edged. No pun or ridicule was intended.

"As an individual who used to take English classes over the phone with a Filipino instructor, I give you my word that even the mere thought of mocking Filipinos would never cross my mind.

"I cannot tell you how much Filipino fans mean to me and as much as I love them, I would in no way hurt or upset them.

"I hope I have clarified any misunderstandings and once again I am truly sorry if I inadvertently hurt anyone's feelings.

"i really love you, my Filipino fans."

Jerry Yan would probably be a gigolo

If not for his mum, singer Jerry Yan would probably be a gigolo instead of the pop idol he is today.

"Because I'm good at peeling grape skins, I had the potential to be a gigolo," joked Jerry Yan at the recording of Chinese variety show, Fei Chang Jing Ju Li.

"I nearly went astray when I was young. If not for my mum who brought me back to the right path, there wouldn't be me today. "

Currently in China for promotions of his latest pictorial book, which reportedly took five years to produce, Jerry talked at lengths about his family.

As a child from a single-parent family, the pop star felt that he never knew how to love somebody, and also added that he shared a "sibling-like" relationship with his divorcee mum.

"In certain aspects, I'm more like an older brother (to my mum)," he quipped.

The star also revealed that he felt like he has failed in all his relationships.

"Even if I wanted to, I don't know how to express my love sometimes. I only know how to carry all burdens on my shoulder," he said.

To maintain Jerry's idol image, his surprising revelation will not be aired on television. However, raw clips of the recording have since gone viral.