Downton Abbey tops iTunes charts

Apple's iTunes has revealed that the top-selling TV series of 2012 is Downton Abbey's second season. The best-selling single episode was one from The Walking Dead's third season, while the top-selling movie was The Hunger Games. In the music world, Adele's 21 topped the list of best-selling albums, while Carly Rae Jepsen's Call Me Maybe was the most downloaded song of 2012. Right behind Adele is Taylor Swift's latest release, Red, followed by Mumford & Sons' Babel. - AP

Xzibit announces new year's Dubai show

The American rapper and actor Xzibit has said he's performing a New Year's Eve show in Dubai. The Pimp My Ride host recently tweeted that he's set to ring in the new year at Dubai's Cash Club. "I'm going to be in #Dubai for #newyearseve at The Cash Club!" he stated, offering no details. The club, located at Ibn Battuta Gate hotel, has yet to make a formal announcement. Stay tuned. - The National staff

Kelly Clarkson announces engagement

Kelly Clarkson is engaged to her boyfriend, the singer said on Twitter on Saturday. Clarkson, 30, revealed just last month she had been dating the talent manager Brandon Blackstock since early this year. Blackstock is the stepson of the country singer Reba McEntire. "I'm engaged!" Clarkson said on Twitter. "I wanted y'all to know! Happiest night of my life last night!" She then posted a link to a photo of her canary yellow diamond engagement ring. She wrote that her boyfriend helped design it. - Reuters

Fatherhood inspires Wiz Khalifa's music

The rapper Wiz Khalifa says preparation for becoming a first-time father has helped put him in a more mature musical state of mind. "I'm at a different point in my life," said Khalifa, whose new album ONIFC. debuted at No 2 on Billboard's 200 albums chart last week. "I just want to express myself on another level on the album," he said. "I have new responsibilities." He and his fiancée, Amber Rose, who is in the third trimester of her pregnancy, are expected to get married later this month. - AP

Bieber making acoustic album, sitcom

In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres on Friday, Justin Bieber revealed he will release an acoustic album in January. "It's something the fans really like, because I started out on YouTube just playing my guitar, just singing without all the production," said Bieber. Meanwhile, the US network ABC is developing a sitcom based on the singer's life. Bieber will executive-produce the comedy, about a wannabe pop-star and his family. - IANS