Beyoncé Knowles thinks parents must ‘prepare’ their children for being alone.

The iconic singer is currently expecting her first child with her husband Jay-Z, with the baby due early next year.

As the birth approaches Beyoncé has started thinking about what sort of mother she wants to be.

‘I believe that parents prepare their kids for the moment that they’re on their own: at this point, I am taking everything my dad and my mother have taught me, and I’m able to do things my way,’ she told Jones magazine’s Winter Arts & Entertainment issue.

The 30-year-old star appears on the cover of the publication, in an image believed to have been shot several months ago.

There is no visible sign of a baby bump, with Beyoncé posing in a barely-there outfit comprising of animal-print panties and a series of feathers and buckles strapped around her waist.

She is wearing a long-sleeved silky top in a nude shade, with a giant fake fur collar around her shoulders.

The star forgoes trousers in the image, although her feet are encased in strappy high-heeled boots.

Lana Del Rey will make her U.S. TV debut on Saturday Night Live January 14 in advance of her new album ‘Born To Die’ (January 31 / Interscope).

The host of SNL that evening will be Daniel Radcliffe.

Last week, Lana released her new music video for the title track, “Born To Die,” and instantly became a Twitter trending topic worldwide. The video’s concept was created by Lana and directed by Yoann Lemoine (aka Woodkid).

A full U.S. tour is planned for Spring 2012.

Staff on the US X Factor were left reeling last night when three people were hurt as the show was being broadcast.

The programme reached its finale yesterday, with Melanie Amaro, Josh Krajcik and Chris Rene all vying to win the $5 million recording contract prize.

As 50 Cent took to the stage to perform for the crowd of 700 gathered at Los Angeles’ CBS Television City as well as the millions of people tuning in at home, tragedy struck backstage.

An out-of-control stair lift smashed two members of the crew on the head before sweeping another off his feet.

Paramedics turned up just minutes later and were able to treat the injured people as the hip-hop star performed.

Those hurt are all thought to be recovering well. The man who was knocked off his feet was overheard reassuring his boss he was alright as he clutched an ice bag to his head.

‘I”m fine!’ he insisted. ‘.on the f**king last night of the show!’

The trio were taken to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where they were fully examined.

It was a star-studded night at The X Factor, with Leona Lewis, Ne-Yo, Stevie Wonder and Justin Bieber all taking to the stage.

Chris, who was mentored by L.A. Reid, came in third place. He later admitted he wasn’t sure what was happening when his name was read.

‘I’m like, ‘Wait, what’s going on? What’s happening? Whoever they call first, they go?’ Because I’m not really paying attention to that. I’m just there to perform. I was just floating away,’ he told ew.com.

Josh took the second spot. He was mentored by Nicole Scherzinger, who he has bonded with during the process.

‘We’ve become good friends through this. Yeah, I can’t wait to hang out with her when we don’t have deadlines and work to do, you know?’ he said.

Taking home The X Factor crown was Melanie, who was one of Simon Cowell’s acts. She was so astounded by her win she could hardly speak, leaving it to Simon to thank her fans.

‘I want to say America, thank you for giving this girl an opportunity,’ he enthused.

The final judge on the panel was Paula Abdul, but none of her acts made it to the final.

Eddie Van Halen is auctioning a guitar to raise money for the charity Drop In The Bucket.

Drop In The Bucket is a Los Angeles based charity creating a world for children to be safe, healthy, educated and free from fear. So far the charity has completed 150 projects in six countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

The guitar is the very first Wolfgang guitars every produced and was owned by Eddie Van Halen from 1999-2011. It comes complete with a certificate of authenticity signed by Eddie.

Eddie will personalize the guitar for the successful bidder.

The last bid for the guitar (at time of publication) was $4057. Bids go up in $250 increments so the next bid needs to be $4307.

The estimated value of the guitar is $10,000.

Bidding closes on Thursday, January 19, 2012.

Place your bid http://www.charitybuzz.com/categories/24/catalog_items/291927

added: 23 Dec 2011  //  by: newsdesk

http://www.music-news.com/shownews.asp?H=Eddie-Van-Halen-auctions-guitar-for-charity&nItemID=47191

Actress/pop star Holly Valance is to marry property tycoon Nick Candy.

28-year old Holly posted the photo you see here on Twitter and commented ‘And I said YES!!! Happiest day of my life!!!!!!Xxxx’

Australia first saw Melbourne born Holly as Felicity ‘Flick’ Scully in the TV soap Neighbours.

She has also appeared in CSI: Miami and CSI: New York.

In 2008 she had a role in ‘Taken’ alongside Liam Neeson.

She released her album ‘Footprints’ in 2002 and had a number one single with ‘Kiss Kiss’.

This year she took part in Strictly Come Dancing, paired with Russian dancer Artem Chigvintsev. She finished in 4th place.

Nick Candy and his brother Christian specialize in the luxury housing market in London.

Lady Gaga tweets that she’ll put out an unreleased Born This Way track on Christmas day.

Gaga tweeted last night: ‘Been racking my brain on what to get Little Monsters for Christmas!!’

Then followed it up with ‘I finally figured it out!! On Christmas Day I will leak to you an unreleased song off Born This Way​! It was recorded live, in one take, on the tour bus. Uncensored’ (followed by a darling little picture of a snowman).

There we go. A very unpolished Born This Way outtake is on its way for Christmas. She’ll presumably do it through Twitter, as is her wont.

Gaga’s 2012 plans include much more touring (possibly through 2013) and likely working on her third full-length album.

added: 23 Dec 2011  //  by: newsdesk

http://www.music-news.com/shownews.asp?H=Lady-Gaga-to-release-new-track-on-Christmas-Day&nItemID=47190

An untitled and previously unheard Radiohead song from the mid-90s appears to have surfaced online.

The song sounds like a throwaway from the band’s first two albums, Pablo Honey or The Bends. The clip itself says it is a Bends-era song.

Radiohead fan site www.ateaseweb.com says that Putting Ketchup in the Fridge ‘has been named as the actual title of the track,’ although they offer no source.

Have a listen to the song below and tell us in the comments whether you think it is real or a hoax? While you’re there, tell us what you think the song should be called. I think Putting Ketchup in the Fridge is a bit of a crap name. The song is alright though.

added: 23 Dec 2011  //  by: Noise11

http://www.music-news.com/shownews.asp?H=Radiohead-song-from-Bends-era-appears-online&nItemID=47188

Speaking on Radio 4′s Today Programme, Financial Secretary to the Treasury
Mark Hoban said: “It’s important that consumers know up front what charges they
pay.

“What we have announced today will give consumers the transparency they
need.

“I think consumers do feel ripped off and we want them to be able to shop
around.”

Richard Lloyd, executive director of Which?, welcomed the move.

“Given that airline passengers alone pay more than £265,000 a day in card
surcharges, businesses should not drag their feet over this,” he said.

“While the law will come into force at the end of 2012, we want companies to
be upfront and fair over card charges today.”

He hoped that the Irish government would work at the same pace as the UK
government in implementing the changes, to cover traders and travel companies
based in the Irish Republic.

The process of accepting credit or debit cards as payment is quite complex,
although retailers point out that they absorb this cost in their sale price.

The OFT calculated that travellers spent £300m on card surcharges in the
airline industry alone in 2010. Ryanair responded to the government’s
announcement by saying that it charged an administration fee – which also
covered the cost of running the website – rather than a surcharge.

The OFT has been investigating some unnamed airlines over the “transparency
and presentation” of their surcharges.

The government will launch a consultation at the start of 2012.