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Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Oct 25, 2013
October 25, 2013
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NSA Spying:
Based on leaks from our old pal EDWARD SNOWDEN, London's Guardian newspaper says the National Security Agency has monitored the phone conversations of 35 world leaders. European allies are furious. The U-S ambassador to Germany was given a dressing down yesterday and the U-S, which has tried to justify its spying by saying it has to keep tabs on its enemies, is now having to explain why it's been spying on its friends.
At the start of the two-day European Council summit yesterday, German Chancellor ANGELA MERKEL said the United States must agree to a "no-spying" deal with Germany and France before the year's end.
Meanwhile, Germany and Brazil have decided to work together to push a U-N resolution aimed at restraining the U-S's international surveillance of, among other things, world leaders. While the draft resolution doesn't directly address the NSA revelations, it's clearly aimed at U-S intelligence's recently revealed spying efforts. (Maiman)Trash talk and satellite dish:
Warning: note content.
As we told 'ya yesterday (RBR 10.24.13) MILEY CYRUS turned heads in a stunning sequined MARC JACOBS gown last Tuesday, but was back to her old, attention-grabbing antics just hours later. The chart-topper Tweeted out a photowearing a short skirt and fishnet stockings, holding dollar bills, flipping off the camera and straddling an old pal by the name of CHEYNE THOMAS. Pure class. (Lee)High school hijinks:
A high school chemistry teacher in Indiana was fired after being charged for allegedly taking several of his students on an unauthorized "field trip" to a local strip club.
Students confessed that Lechien, who's 31, had served them alcoholic beverages in his home before taking them to the strip club to celebrate one the students' 18th birthday.
According to prosecutors, Lechien had regularly "hung out" with his students, allowing them to drink alcohol and smoke flavored tobacco from his hookah.
He was suspended without pay following his arrest, and was formally terminated this week after being officially charge. If found guilty, he could spend up to three years in prison.
Editor's note: Oh, c'mon, he was merely taking them to periodic table dances. (Maiman)Broadcast, cable and video news:
The cast of "High School Musical" is reuniting for its five-year reunion --for charity. And you can be there.
MONIQUE COLEMAN organized the reunion as a promotional tool to raise money for her online talk show, "GimmeMo'," which is about giving teens a chance to talk about real issues, spotlighting organizations that are serving teens, and doing celebrity interviews.
When you donate on the Prizeo fundraising page, you're entered into a drawing for one lucky fan to attend the reunion party and meet VANESSA HUDGENS, ASHELY TISDALE, CORBIN BLEU and others. ZAC EFRON will not be there but has promised a "special surprise" for the winner, whose name will be drawn Sun, Dec 01.The Reel Deal:
Ch-ch-changes in store for the upcoming "Star Wars: Episode VII," with J-J ABRAMS and LAWRENCE KASDAN taking over screenwriting duties from the original writer.
This is not a bad thing, since Kasdan, whom you probably know from "The Big Chill," also wrote "Raiders of the Lost Ark" along with two "Star Wars" films, "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi." JOHN WILLIAMS has also agreed to come back and score the soundtrack as well. So long-time fans of the series have a lot to look forward to.
The Hollywood Reporter says shooting on "Episode VII" is scheduled to begin next Spring and will be in theatres in 2015.Baseball:
Are ya tired of hearing NEIL DIAMOND's "Sweet Caroline" during the eighth inning at Boston Red Sox games?
It's a tradition now, and according to the Boston Globe, it's not gonna change anytime soon. In fact, the Globe says the team tossed around the idea of changing the song last year, but decided against it.
And, it regained popularity after the Boston Marathon bombing last year, when Neil himself showed up at a Red Sox game to sing it a few days later.
So... deal with it! -
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