Talk about a clash of the titans - it's being reported that label execs are planning to pit Britney Spears' latest album against Whitney Houston's later this year!

The Sun reveals that, after bowling her label over with demos of her newest material, plans are in the works to release Brit's as-yet-untitled follow-up to Blackout during the crucial Christmas shopping season - in direct competition to Whitney's forthcoming LP.

"Britney has been on fire in the studio of late," one label spy told the paper. "She is determined to make a triumphant comeback. Top brass have been amazed by the quality of tracks they've heard."

Of course, Britney's been working on more than just her music - she's also been getting her style right, too!

Her aunt Chanda McGovern spoke to the Sun about Britney's transformation to the Sun, commenting that the whole Spears family is "very proud of her now" and opining that Britney's troubles came from the pop princess being "very headstrong" and resistant to guidance.

"I hope she'll never walk down that path again," McGovern said. "I think she's got a bright future."

Looks like Britney's label bosses agree!

But Whitney's not going down without a fight - in fact, not only will her album feature songs written by R. Kelly, Will.I.Am, and John Legend, but she's gearing up to release a collaboration with Akon as a single to get her fans pumped!

Either way, this Christmas is shaping up to be one heck of a showdown - who do you want to see win?

Star is reporting that Britney has been dialing her ex for "weekly steamy phone sex sessions" late at night!

Oh pulllleeaaase!

Apparently it all started one sleepless night for Brit - when she dialed up K-Fed's house and the former Mr. and Mrs. Federline started chatting about the boys...however, the conversation soon switched from G Rated to X Rated, with Kevin supplying the dirty talk that he knew would lull Brit to sleep(?)!

Talk about a bedtime story!

An "insider" tells the mag that the pair's been engaging in phone sex ever since - "at least once a week. The one thing those two have in common is their need for sex, and after they get going, there are no holds barred."

Hmmm...I dunno about you, but this story seems all wet to me!

Just kidding! Brit did hook up with two men from her past last night, but not in that way!

First, Brit headed over to watch the taping of MTV's Rock the Cradle on which manager Larry Rudolph is a judge (and her old pal Lucy Walsh, a contestant).

Then later on in the evening, Brit headed to Sur restaurant in Beverly Hills with her old pal George Maloof, owner of The Palms hotel in Vegas. Could Britney be on her way to Sin City sometime soon???

Queen B had an even better day yesterday -- she spent some "extended" time with Sean and Jayden and we hear she'll get a full day with the boys this Sunday for Mother's Day!

Everyone knows that Britney Spears likes all kinds of music - but who could have ever guessed that she's a fan of Radiohead?

We spotted a copy of In Rainbows, the latest album from the indie legends, in the pop princess' hand as she left Bally yesterday evening. In Rainbows, of course, was released early over the internet to the band's most devoted fans - think Britney might be thinking about following suit? How awesome would that be?

What, you thought the boost Britney Spears got from her expanded custody with Sean and Jayden was a one-day thing? Well, guess again!

Britney was all smiles and politeness yesterday afternoon at Bally, keeping a big, sincere grin on her face as she made her way in to work out.

After that, she stopped home around 9 pm and then left at 10:15 for the studio later that night! Then, Brit was downright serious, heading straight into the booth at Conway Studios in West Hollywood, and staying put for a few hours of hard work.

Check out a clip from Brit's latest appearance on How I Met Your Mother ...

...an X17 source Xclusively tells us the psych report is what's holding her back.

Our girl Brit had a successful day in court where it was confirmed the mother of two would get to spend more time with her two kids and X17 has learned that "extended" time will mean some afternoon hours in addition to her current, three-hour (supervised) visits from 9 a.m. to noon, three days a week! And while this is great news for Britney, our source says that unsupervised visits or overnights are "well down the road" because of Brit's fragile mental state.

On July 31st, the court will address her father Jamie's temporary conservatorship over his daughter. We'd love to see Brit get her personal and financial freedoms back... but there's a catch. If Britney is allowed more independence, chances are it'll hurt her custody case.

Sounds kinda unfair, but that's the legal system for ya - we're just hoping for the best!

What's the best way to celebrate kicking ass in court? By dusting off your most notorious pair of boots, of course!

After laughing it up at the gym earlier in the day, Britney went home to rest before hitting the studio for a couple of hours with her manager Larry Rudolph. And just to help get herself in the zone, Brit made sure to wear her favorite footwear!

From there, it was home to the Summit so that Brit could catch a few Z's. Rest easy, girl - you just had one heck of a day!

With the courts finally granting Britney Spears more time with her two young sons, the pop princess had plenty of reason to smile yesterday afternoon - and as you can see, she took full advantage!

We caught Britney smiling wide as she left Bally yesterday afternoon after court. Sure, she might have just been cracking up at the paps' use of a megaphone to make themselves heard to her - c'mon, it is pretty funny! - but we prefer to think that the pop princess was still riding high on her victory over Kevin a few hours earlier!

In fact, we were so blinded by Brit's pearly whites that we had to put together a gallery - check it out!

Having relocated to Kentwood for the duration of her pregnancy, Jamie Lynn Spears has been staying away from the press lately - until now!

OK! Magazine spoke to the pregnant teen queen about last weekend's baby shower recently, and Jamie Lynn was only too happy to talk about her gifts, her condition - and, of course, her big sister!

"It was wonderful to be able to spend time with [Britney] and just be girls again," Jamie Lynn said when asked about spending last weekend with her big sister. "We painted our nails and did stupid stuff, and we had our private time too. To be able to be in the privacy of our own home and just be sisters again was wonderful." Of course, the Spears sisters also found some time for a heart-to-heart about motherhood, with Britney stressing to Jamie Lynn that "there are going to be some long nights - but it is completely worth it."

Of course, "privacy" is a relative term - especially when you're in a house with twenty other guests! "There were about 20 or 30 people [at the shower] - to me, it was pretty big," Spears said. "My mom put it all together for me. There were mainly people her age so that way they could get me all the important stuff I need. The people my age, like Sarah and Leah, got me the cute stuff."

And what kind of cute stuff might she have received? "I got adorable clothes," she replied. "I registered for all the necessities. There is a certain type of bottle I use, Dr. Brown's Bottles. You need your travel set and your sling. I got a wonderful sling yesterday. It is adorable, and it will put a baby right to sleep."

Wow, it really sounds like Jamie Lynn's maturing into her new role as a mother! Of course, as she herself admits, she's still got a long way to go - heck, she hasn't even picked out a name yet!

"We want it to be something special," Spears told the mag. "That's something we haven't figured out yet, but I'm thinking hard. I'm working on it. No one has given me any suggestions. I wish they would!"

We'd be happy to help - does anyone have any baby name ideas for Jamie Lynn?

Even though she's involved in lotsa courtroom drama, Britney still finds time to keep working out!

Our girl Brit was all smiles when she left the Bally Total Fitness in Culver City yesterday - Cinco de Mayo! - in blue sweats and a white top. Lookin' good, girl!

And after winning increased visitation with her two boys today, Britney has even more reasons to smile!

We also hear that Brit will get to be with Sean Preston and Jayden James this upcoming Sunday... Mother's Day! CONGRATS!

And in case you missed it, watch Elliot Mintz's statement on today's court proceedings HERE and watch Mark Vincent Kaplan's statement HERE!

Britney Spears has returned to her Beverly Hills home following a successful bid for more visitation of her two young sons this morning.

It seems like everything really is coming together for Britney, and having more time with the boys is just an another reward for all her hard work!

Congrats, Brit!

Kevin Federline's attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan has addressed the press, where he's confirmed what we reported earlier, Britney will get more time with the kids!

"This represents a step moving forward ... Obviously it's something more than it has been and it's a step in the right direction. The order that was in place has remained in place, with the exception that there has been some graduated expansion of time. Other than that, nothing has been changed with the order," Kaplan told the press.

Federline's spokesperson, Elliot Mintz gave this statement on behalf of his client:

"Kevin is extremely pleased with the way things went today and everybody seems to be hoping and believing that there are two children who will be enjoying two parents who love them and care for them."

Brit's parents released the following statement:

"We are so pleased with Britney's progress and we are very appreciative of the court's recognition of this progress."

There will be a progress report on July 15th, and then another hearing in August to review the modified custody arrangement.

More details coming soon...

A source close to Britney's attorneys is telling X17online that Britney will get MORE and LONGER visits with her sons as a result of today's hearing!!!

We're still awaiting official confirmation, but our source is telling us that Britney's and Kevin's attorneys reached an amicable agreement, presented jointly to the commissioner and that it was approved.

We hope it's true and we'll bring you the details as we get them!

While Britney Spears spends the day in court fighting for increased custody over her young sons Sean Preston and Jayden, the boys themselves occupied their morning with another trip to My Gym!

We spotted the kids being picked up after a morning full of play. Sounds like the kids were in high spirits, too - in fact, if you listen close as Sean Preston's nanny brings him down the stairs, you can clearly hear him call out "Manny! Wait for me!"

(Hmm - could Sean have been calling his enormous bodyguard by name? Or might "manny" just be the term the tyke associates with the folks who escort him around town? Don't forget, SP spent a lot of time with Perry Taylor as an infant - is it possible that he heard heard the term so much that it somehow just stuck with him?)

Wouldn't it be great if the courts gave Britney expanded custody of her kids today? After seeing how happy her boys look leaving the "gym", we can't imagine anything that would make her happier than to take 'em there herself!

Britney has left the courtroom is apparently headed home, according to court spokesperson Allan Parachini.

Kevin Federline and his attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan are still inside, without Commissioner Scott Gordon.

The next progress report hearing is for July 15.

Allan Parachini is currently speaking to the press, we'll bring you the deets as soon as we have them!

The court just announced a lunch break and we're waiting for Britney, Kevin and their respective entourages to come out.

Hopefully Brit will emerge with a smile on her face this time to let us know it's going well!

We'll let you know as soon as we see her!