Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Jul 21, 2011

The War on Terror: Osama bin Wanna-be:

The Department of Homeland Security says operatives of al-Qaeda are looking to score another U-S terror attack through major utility facilities.
The intelligence states that "violent extremists have, in fact, obtained insider positions" at places such as chemical and oil refineries, and that "outsiders have attempted to solicit utility-sector employees."
A former Homeland Security official tells ABC News that a utility attack is the "only way you can actually kill the large-scale number of Americans" that terrorists are after.
Homeland Security says they know of no specific threat to any particular utility but that this latest bulletin is part of an ongoing effort to keep the country on guard as the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approaches. (Maiman)

The Weather:

The massive heat wave baking two-thirds of the nation has brought something else along with it: Mosquitoes.
The little bloodsuckers are always around in the summer but the heat and humidity this summer have made them even worse and have led to a relatively new species called the Asian Tiger Mosquito, so named for its black-and-white-striped body, but also because it's so aggressive and hard to kill.
First appearing in Texas in the late 1980s, they're turning up more in cities than in rural areas this summer since urban areas tend to be both hotter and more humid than the countryside. (Maiman)

So how do you cool off a hot car that's been sweltering in that kind of heat? Scientists in Japan say they have a trick.
First, roll down the window on the driver's side, shut the door and walk around to the passenger side. Open and shut the passenger side door five times. Sounds kooky (and looks it in this video), but the car actually feels a little bit cooler.
By doing that, scientists say you're drawing the hot air out of the car faster than waiting for the air conditioner to kick in. (Maiman)

Sucking up:

We have more proof that ROBERT PATTINSON might be the perfect boyfriend. One shopper at a vintage store in Southern California tells HollywoodLife.com he headed out with KRISTEN STEWART to do some shopping last weekend. Word is he helped his leading lady pick out some clothes, gave feedback outside the fitting room and the two spent the remainder of the time laughing and hugging. (Lee)

Fashion Emergency:

Lord Voldemort wears girly underwear! At a London press conference for "Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, Part 2," actor RALPH FIENNES revealed that he wore tights and a garter under his robes during filming.
“It was an irritating costume to wear,” Ralph said. “ It was too long and, sometimes, I would trip over it... The... tights kept dropping between my thighs, and this made it very hard to walk with any kind of dignity." So a garter belt was used to solve the problem.
He also said that when “the stunt team got too macho, I would tease them with my inner thigh."
Editor’s Note: He-Who-Should-Not-Be-Named is talking about Things-That-Should-Not-Be-Shared. (Bartha)

Driver's Ed:

An alleged carjacker in Maryland was forced to give the car back to the victim --cause they couldn't drive a stick.
The NY Post says the thief forced a driver out of a sports car at gunpoint, then couldn't get the vehicle in gear. After struggling for a few minutes, the punk and his accomplice ran off on foot. Cops are still looking for the dynamic duo. (Still)