Jennifer Lopez inks $12 million deal to judge American Idol. We thought the deal to make Jennifer Lopez an American Idol judge was DEAD. But Fox has announced that they’ve now signed a deal with JLo, to the tune of twelve MILLION dollars. Still no OFFICIAL word on who else will join Randy Jackson on the judges panel, since Simon, Kara, and Ellen have ALL left the show.

Half a million Cubans getting laid off in shift away from communism. One of the world’s last communist economic models continues to crumble before our very eyes in Cuba. President Raul Castro’s government announced on Monday that Cuba is set to lay off nearly half a million workers. The reason being given is that the government needs to become more efficient in its spending. The redundancies mean that one tenth of the island nation’s work force could be seeking employment in the private sector by April 2011.

Gamers can now pick up Halo Reach for XBOX 360, prequel to Halo trilogy story. If you’ve noticed a lot more pale nerdy guys roaming the streets today, it’s likely because they’re picking up the newly-released version of Halo! The HUGELY anticipated “Halo Reach” is a spinoff of the original trilogy, and is a PREQUEL to the original story. Halo Reach is available exclusively for the XBOX 360.

Playboy releases outtakes from Kim Kardashian’s 2007 photo shoot. Kim Kardashian’s newly-released photos from her 2007 Playboy shoot are smokin’! And I think you’ll agree that these were definitely worth waiting for! Rumors are swirling that Kim’s actually UPSET about these photos getting released. Hard to believe, because she looks fantastic! And these are the ones they DIDN’T use for the magazine!

MTV Video Music Awards attracted 11.4 million viewers, highest since 2002. The MTV Video Music Awards were a HIT! Eleven point four MILLION viewers watched the awards show, the HIGHEST ratings since the 2002 edition and the fifth highest rated program in MTV’s HISTORY! Probably because everyone was waiting on the edge of their seat for something AWESOME to happen. Not sure if Gaga wearing a meat-dress qualifies as “awesome”.

Lawyers for Playboy model Karissa Shannon threaten legal action to stop sex tape release. Vivid Entertainment president Steven Hirsch calls Playboy model Karissa Shannon’s sex tape the most EXTREME video he’s seen – and that’s sayin something! Maybe THAT’S why Karissa is threatening to SUE. Her lawyers sent Vivid a cease and desist letter, and Karissa says she’ll do everything it takes to keep it off store shelves.

Venice Film Festival awards juror Quentin Tarantino accused of nepotism after friends selected as winners. It pays to be nice to Quentin Tarantino! The director is being accused of NEPOTISM after a bunch of his FRIENDS won prestigious Venice Film Festival Awards – awards that he was president of the JURY for! Hardware was handed out to his ex-girlfriend Sofia Coppola, his friend Alex de la Iglesia, and his mentor Monte Hellman.

Kim Kardashian reportedly upset over newly released Playboy photos. Kim Kardashian is not a happy camper! Playboy just released twenty-five outtakes from her 2007 photoshoot. It’s exclusively available to members of the Playboy Cyber Club. Kim has previously said that she REGRETS posing for Playboy, and a source says she’s REALLY upset that the new pics have surfaced.

Google launches psychic Google Instant search feature. Seems Google can do it ALL! It’s now becoming something of a PSYCHIC with its new “Google Instant” feature. It predicts what you’re searching for, and starts displaying the results before you’re even done typing! For example, if you start typing “awesome gorgeous ladies”, a link to nakednews.com should appear right before your eyes!

Former Girls Gone Wild cameraman alleges Paris Hilton hid drugs in her vagina. Cops recently found drugs in Paris Hilton’s PURSE, but apparently she has a MUCH better hiding place! In his new tell-all book, Former Girls Gone Wild cameraman Ryan Simkin says that Paris got cocaine and ecstasy past airport security by putting it in an empty cigarette box, and sticking THAT box right up HER box!

Snooki fined for causing disturbance on New Jersey beach in July. Is being annoying a CRIME? Actually YES! And Jersey Shore star Snooki has found that out the HARD way! She pleaded GUILTY to charges of “disturbing the beach” related to an obscenity-laced and alcohol-influenced Jersey adventure in July. The judge handed down a fine of five hundred bucks, which will hopefully teach Snooki to tone it down a little!