'American Idol' Winner Phillip Phillips Engaged

What's trending online today.

ByABC News
December 27, 2014, 7:55 AM

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title: 'American Idol' Winner Phillip Phillips Engaged

text: "American Idol" winner Phillip Phillips is engaged.

The singer posted the news online Friday, writing, "My best Christmas surprise is happening. We're engaged yall!"

Phillips won season 11 of the hit show.

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title: 'The Interview' Met With Sold Out Crowds

text: Even though "The Interview" was shown in just a tenth of the number of screens it was supposed to -- dropping from 3,000 to 300 theaters -- that didn't stop it from bringing in the crowds.

Many of the Christmas Day screenings were sold out, as the controversy surrounding the film and the hacking attack against Sony Pictures apparently only increased the interest surrounding the comedy.

"We are taking a stand for freedom," Cinema Village East manager Lee Peterson in Manhattan told The Associated Press. Most of his theater's seven screenings had sold out early.

The patriotic message was loud and clear at Atlanta's Plaza Theater, where the packed crowd had a boisterous sing along to "God Bless America" before the opening credits, the AP reported.

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title: Circus Tries to Pass off Pups as Pandas

text: The owners of a circus in Italy were arrested after trying to pass off their dogs as pandas.

The Italian newspaper Corriere della Sierra says the circus painted black patches on the ears and backs of two white Chow Chow puppies imported from Hungary.

Dozens of people reportedly paid to pose for pictures with the cute "pandas" -- with one male and one female -- both less than 6 months old.

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title:Charlie Brown's Christmas Hits a Milestone

text:While Charlie Brown hasn't grown any older or grown any more hair, the character's beloved animated classic is entering its 50th year.

The story of a great holiday, a group of confused kids, a tiny tree and a big message tells how Charlie Brown tries to teach his pals that the holiday is about much more than materialism.

The Christmas special debuted in December 1965 so though it isn't quite hitting the half-century mark, today is the start of that milestone year.

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