Munoz/Reuters

From Tuesday 12th January, the destructive earthquake that hit Haiti-a nation already crippled by debt and corruption-put the rest of the world at a stand still. Televised news reports of homes turned to rumble and photographs of parents carrying their dead children and wondering orphans in Port-au-Prince, have forced viewers at home to come to terms with the uncensored aftermath of the earthquake and the truly devastating price innocent people have to pay.

For the last 15 days, news headlines have made sure we remember Haiti’s devastation:

“Haiti: a long decent to hell”

Haiti earthquake victims: ‘You still see dead bodies trapped under rubble’

Haiti Earthquake Death Toll ‘Nears 170,000′

But, amidst all this is a belief that spirit and strength will conquer all. Today, 15 days after the quake, news broke out that a teenage girl was rescued alive from under a house. She was dehydrated and had a broken leg but was conscious. It’s a miracle.

Last week, on BBC news, a reporter reporting from Port-au-prince met a heavily pregnant woman and her family whose home like thousands of others was destroyed by the quake. The woman, who was 9 months pregnant was in labour and fainted. The BBC crew drove her to the nearest hospital where doctors experienced complications because she was too weak to give birth. But, after an hour or so, she finally gave birth to healthy new baby boy. It a was a great story with the illuminating message of hope in the form of a new born amid Haiti’s despair. 

With the global response to the Haiti earthquake being so incredibly generous, nothing but strength and hope should come now to the suffering nation.

Actress Brittany Murphy has died at the age of 32.

The ‘Clueless’ star died in the early hours of Sunday 20 December after going in to cardiac arrest; Showbiz website TMZ reports that Murphy’s mother found the actress unconscious in the shower. Paramedics arrived at her L.A home and immediatelyadministered CPR.  

Murphy was taken to Cedar’s- Sinai Medical Centre, were she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Unconfirmed reports suggested she had become addicted to pain killers following a cosmetic surgery procedure; this followed on from a TMZ report which claimed large amounts of prescription drugs were found in the house during a police search.

The Actress was best known for her roles in films such as ‘Don’t Say a Word’, ‘Just Married’, ‘Uptown Girls’ and’8 Mile’ to name a few. According to TMZ Murphy was allegedly fired from her last film, ‘The Caller’ after reports she was problematic on set.

The Family has released a statement saying: “The sudden loss of our beloved Brittany is a terrible tragedy. She was our daughter, our wife, our love and a shining star. We ask you to respect our privacy at this time.”

Honestly we don’t know what the nation is more looking forward too – Chritmas eve or the new X Factor single! A reported 19.1 million people tunned in this weekend to watch 18-year-old Joe McElderry win the X Factor Crown. This is highest ratings the television show has ever seen (ITV will be having a very Merry Chritmas indeed).

The Bookies favourite won the competiton after going head to head with Stacey Soloman and Olly Murs.

X Factor Finalists

The young geordie has signed a £1 million recording deal, and under the guidance of Simon Cowell will be transformed in to the ‘new Zac Efron’.

Indie group Rage against the Machine are also be making a bid for Chritmas number one, fans of the group have petitoned on facebook to stop the X factor single reaching number one, and have collected over 724,706 members.

But according to iTunes and Amazon, Joe’s version of ‘The Climb’ has already topped their download chart. And with TV appearances and Radio interviews Joe’s new single its most certain the single will steal the top spot of the charts in a matter of days.

Joe’s winning single ‘the climb’ is available to download and purchase from all leading music stores.(originally performed by Myley Cyrus for her Disney Movie Hannah Montana)

Watch his first perfomance as winner of X factor here:

Joe McElderry performing The Climb on X Factor

For the first time in BBC history British National Party leader, Nick Griffin has been given a chance to present his platform on Question Time.

Nick Griffin will take part in today’s edition of the show with the likes of Justice Secretary Jack Straw, Tory peer Baroness Warsi and black American writer Bonnie Greer.

Gordon Brown reportedly agrees with the BBC’s decision, (despite huge opposition from the likes of  labour MP Peter Hain), saying it was time the party showed the country what it stood for.

Many people have questioned whether or not this is ethcially a wise choice due to the party’s policy on race- but arguably tonight will reveal all- with such a diverse panel it is sure to make televsion history.

and im sure it won’t harm tv ratings either…

Technology: a tool which has served to better mankind in more ways than one, so with everything and anything possible made the only thing left to do would be…..to make a ATM operator that speaks to you in Cockney slang?

Oh yes as random as it may sound ATM’s all across east London have introduced Cockney rhyming slang to their machines, so now people can choose to hear their options read out in rhyming slang.

So instead of entering your pin number you will be asked to enter your “Huckleberry Finn” and you also have the option to select how much “sausage and mash” you want.

And instead of taking out a £10 note you will be asking for a “speckled hen” but make sure you ask for the right amount before they start contacting their “rattle and tank” (the bank)

In a time where the economic crisis sees no end and more money seems to be flying out of your accounts than going in, it’s weird to think this is the solution that some banks have resorted to help keep their customers happy. Well, who wouldn’t want a ‘speckled hen’ now and again anyway?

The rhyming slang prompts will be available from five ATMs in east London for three months.

King of Pop

We all know that Kanye West is known for having a bit of an ego, but never in a million years did we think he would try and replace former King of Pop Michael Jackson so soon after his death.

Well neither did he, according to recent reports Kanye West fell victim to a internet hoax as rumours began to spread that the singer was ready to replace the former King of Pop.

The confusion arose after Kanye made the comments on a spoof interview on Scrapetv.com.

He said: “You know everyone loves and respects Michael but times change – it’s so sad to see Michael gone but it makes a path for a new King of Pop and I’m willing to take that on.”

Fans of the former legend were both shocked and outraged by the singer’s comments.  It was later reported that the quotes were made up and false.

This bizzare story is just one of the many reports that can be added to the ever growing Jackson files; over recent weeks the public has been witness to child custody battles, paternity tests, questions over his will and legal battles over the singers assets- the King of Pop surely knows how to keep making headlines.

And it doesn’t stop there, It seems the singer has also been conducting interviews from the  hereafter as well; website www.michaeljacksonfromthegrave.com has claimed to have made contact with the singer and have even produced an entire transcript of the interview. The interview discusses the cause of the singer’s untimely death and includes personal messages to family, friends and fans.

As for his children grandmother Katherine Jackson has won the legal rights to take care of the children-biological mother Debbie Rowe has been given visitation rights but will not receive any financial support.

After discovering dangerous amounts of Propofol, search warrants were issued to Dr. Conrad Murray’s Las Vegas offices and home as officers  began looking into any record of communication between Jackson’s personal physician and a number of other doctors including rheumatologist Allan Metzger and anesthesiologist Randy Rosen.

It is still unclear when or if a final autopsy report will be released.

Baitmag will keep you posted on further Michael Jackson updates.