PRAYER CARDS DISTRIBUTION OF ALASKA AIRLINES ENDS…The 30-plus-year tradition of presenting prayer cards in Alaska Airlines’ in-flight meals began in the 1970s as a marketing strategy and to put passengers at ease. But this tradition which was borrowed from Continental Airlines will be discontinued starting Feb. 1. Alaska Airlines said on Wednesday that it would end a decades-old tradition of distributing prayer cards on customers meal trays.

BLUE MARBLE 2012: NASA SHARES NEWEST HIGH DEFINITION IMAGE OF EARTH…NASA released on Wednesday the newest high resolution image of Earth in its series of stunning Earth images, popularly known as the “Blue Marble,” taken on January 4, 2012 from Suomi NPP.

OBAMA SINGS AL GREEN CLASSIC ‘LET’S STAY TOGETHER’ (VIDEO), AL GREEN SAID HE NAILED IT…President Obama stole the show by singing a tune of Al Green’s Let’s stay together during a campaign fundraiser event, Thursday, at New York City’s Apollo Theatre. In a report by TMZ, Green thinks Obama nailed his song.

FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR TALKS TO MANNY PACQUIAO BY TELEPHONE TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE SUPERFIGHT…After the much talked about series of tweets made by Floyd Mayweather taunting Manny Pacquiao to step up, it looks like Mayweather is really in a hurry to fight Pacquiao. Mayweather called Pacquiao on the telephone Wednesday night and spoke to him personally about the possible super bout next May.

Experience American Idol like never before as ETC offers fans a chance to have their voices heard! Catch American Idol Season 11 as it premieres via satellite this January 19, Thursday and January 20, FRIDAY at 6PM on ETC, and witness the start of a truly localized viewing experience like never before. As American Idol is not just about who has the best voice, it is also about you the fans and ETC wants to know what you have to say. Simply rant or rave with other viewers via ETC’s Twitter, Facebook and website and you could win great prizes from ETC or see your comments on-air. What are you waiting for? Join the conversation now #aionetc!

INTERNET ADDICTION IS LIKE DRUG AND ALCOHOL ADDICTION – IT CHANGES YOUR BRAIN, STUDY FINDS…Internet addiction could cause damage to the brain similar to alcoholics and cocaine addicts, a Chinese study has said. The internet addiction disorder (IAD) is becoming a serious mental health issue around the world wherein an individual have an inability to control his or her use of the Internet, which may eventually result in marked distress and functional impairments of general life such as academic performance, social interaction, occupational interest and behavioral problems.

SNAKE NAMED MATILDA: MATILDA’S HORNED VIPER, WORLD’S NEWEST SNAKE NAMED AFTER A 7-YEAR-OLD GIRL…Matilda, a cute, sweet sounding name for the world’s newest known snake species that looks really scary. Matilda’s Horned Viper, discovered in a remote part of Tanzania, East Africa two years ago, has a striking yellow and black scales, slitted green eyes, and two spiky horns. Tim Davenport…

This January Jack TV launches a block of shows that will give you every reason to stay home in front of the TV. The Saturday Night Laugh block delivers top-notch laughs from the most-loved and most-anticipated new shows. Catch the latest seasons of The Simpsons, Family Guy and Saturday Night Live as well as breakout animations Napoleon Dynamite and Allen Gregory first and exclusively on Jack TV!

SHE SMELLS SO NICE: LISTEN TO THE NEW SONG OF THE DOORS WITH VOCALS BY THE LATE JIM MORRISON…The late Jim Morrison comes to life again with the release of The Doors new song titled “She Smells so Nice” from the forthcoming 40th Anniversary Edition of LA WOMAN.

CAR OF THE YEAR: HYUNDAI ELANTRA AND LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER EVOQUE WIN TOP AWARDS AT THE 2012 NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW…The Hyundai Elantra has been named the 2012 North American Car of The Year while the Range Rover Evoque won the 2012 North American Truck of the Year award. The awards was announced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Monday, Jan. 9, 2012. Andy Goss said he is honored that the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

ZE:A, the most sought after boy band in Southeast Asia and Japan, is arriving Manila on Wednesday, January 11 to promote their latest CD, “Exciting.” A series of live performances and autograph signings are scheduled at Ayala Malls: January 12 @ Trinoma Activity Area in QC @ 6PM; January 13 @ Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City @ 6PM and January 14 @ Market! Market! @ the Bonifacio Global City @ 6PM.

“It’s more fun in the Philippines” – this is the new tourism slogan unveiled today by the Department of Tourism (DOT). Netizens have been feeling good about it posting positive comments on why it is more fun in the Philippines resulting in the worldwide trend of the hashtag #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines. But hours later after its release, a 1951 Swiss ad saying “It’s more fun in Switzerland” eventually popped out and the copycat issue begins.

The lies continue to pile up when the long-awaited mid-season return of Pretty Little Liars Season 2 on ETC beginning Saturday, January 7 at 8PM. Television’s most tweeted about TV show of 2011 has fans on the edge of their seat as its mix of mystery, scandal, intrigue and nail-biting suspense proves to be a hit formula with audiences.

$736,000 TUNA IN TOKYO AUCTION (VIDEO)…Kiyoshi Kimura paid 56.49 million yen ($736,000) for a bluefin tuna in the first auction of the year at Tokyo’s Tsukiji fish market, breaking the old record for the most expensive tuna in Tokyo. Pricey Sushi: Tuna Fetches Record $736,000 (Video)