Once again, MTV Video Music Awards will be the medium for Britney Spears' prove-to-the-world that she is still the princess of pop. The singer who failed to impress at last year's event is slated to perform this year, singing one of the tracks from her new album. A source close to the Spears family said, "This is her big chance to make amends and let everyone see that she is becoming the Britney of old again."

In a report published by Express.co.uk, Van Toffler who serves as the president of MTV Networks Music Group said that Britney deserves "a second or third chance". He said, "I'm not sure how we top Britney opening the show but we are working on it every minute of every day."

A friend of the celebrity added that Britney is actually nervous on the gig, saying "She is as nervous as hell but at the same time itching to get back in front of the same audience where she screwed up so badly last time. It is the perfect platform for her to announce to her fans and the world that the dark days are behind her and she's back on track with her life and her career. She really wants to do this, despite the jitters."

If indeed Britney is tapped to perform, then the event held on September 7 at Hollywood Paramount Studio will be largely in her theme. She has received three nominations for her video "Piece of Me" and has also taped commercial videos for the event with host Russell Brand that were released earlier this month.

Beside making more public appearances, Britney is also working on her sixth studio album which is self-proclaimed to be her "best work ever". She gushed to OK! Magazine, "I think it is more urban. I'm working with producers who are just amazing. There is this fresh new energy." The album is still untitled but is predicted to come out in six or nine months to come.

Paris Hilton and Britney Spears behind rising trend for miniature 'handbag dogs'

Celebrity pet-owners like Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Geri Halliwell have prompted a sharp rise in the demand for miniature "handbag dogs", according to new figures.

By Lucy Cockcroft
Last Updated: 11:27AM BST 19 Aug 2008

Paris Hilton and Britney Spears are reportedly beind the growing popularity of designer dogs Photo: AP and Reuters

The number of chihuahuas insured by Sainsbury's has leapt 417 per cent since 2006, apparently spurred on by celebrities who carry their small dogs "like fashion accessories".

In the same period the overall number of small pedigree breeds the supermarket chain insures has risen by 41.3 per cent.

Heiress Paris Hilton is often photographed holding her chihuahua, Tinkerbell, while singer Britney Spears has owned three of the small-breed pets.

Spice girl Geri Halliwell has a shih-tzu named Harry, and even took the dog with her when she met Tony Blair at Chequers.

However, Sainsbury's has warned against choosing a pet on the basis of fashion and said that carrying a pet in a handbag - as popularised by some celebrities - could become distressing for the animal.

Neal Devine, Sainsbury's pet insurance manager, said: "The publicity around celebrities like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears and their small pedigree pets has fuelled the demand for handbag dogs.

"A pet should never be seen as an accessory and people should not be guided by fashion trends when purchasing a pet.

"It's important that you understand the physical and mental needs of a particular breed, such as how much exercise it needs, when you purchase it, and that your lifestyle enables you to accommodate this.

"Generally speaking, the cost of looking after a pedigree animal is more expensive than for a cross breed. Indeed, the most frequent claim for a small pedigree dog is for cardiac disease, which can run into thousands of pounds."