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Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check - Sep 18, 2014
September 18, 2014
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The White House:
By the time you read this, a referendum will be underway in Scotland on whether that nation should break away from the United Kingdom. PRESIDENT OBAMA repeated his hope Wednesday that Scotland remain part of the UK, through a tweet sent out by the White House.
He said, "The UK is an extraordinary partner for America and a force for good in an unstable world. I hope it remains strong, robust and united."
However, that tweet was meant to convey the U.S. preference but not to sway the vote. A White House official said, "While the president is not going to tell people how to vote, he's expressing the view of the United States that we support a united UK."
Heading into today's vote, most polls give the "no" side a slight lead, with about 52-percent support. (Pacelli)Guilty Pleasures:
No winner in Wednesday night's drawing for the Powerball Lottery. That means Saturday night's drawing is valued at $196 million ($116.9 million cash value). Powerball is played in 44 states, Washington, DC and the U-S Virgin Islands. Chances of winning the grand prize (all five numbers plus the powerball) are 1 in 175.2 million.
Filling a need:
One of the worst souvenirs of a trip is a suitcase full of bedbugs or lice. Now a luggage manufacturer has come up with a suitcase that essentially cooks the bugs so that you unpack their pitiful little corpses instead of an infestation.
ThermalStrike Heated Luggage works like a slow cooker. Hidden behind the lining of its lightweight polycarbonate shell are slim infrared heating panels that bring the bag's internal heat to 140 degrees. It comes with an electrical cord to plug the bag into a wall socket, and a built-in timer with integrated sensors that turn the unit off when time's up. You can set the built-in timer for two hours (the minimum time to zap the bugs) or up to eight hours to get every last stowaway lurking in your clothes.
Obviously, it's a good idea to remove food, medicines, cosmetics and electronics before you use the thermal function.
Like a kitchen appliance, it has lights indicating warm-up and "cooking," and like most new prestige suitcases, has a built-in TSA programmable lock, reinforced corners and wheels, and telescoping handles. Prices start at $199 for the 20-inch wheeled carry-on size to $399 for a matched pair of 24-inch uprights. www.thermalstrike.com (Kaye)Sucking the life out of the wire services:
The London Daily Mail reports a "throat specialist to the stars" who wasn't supposed to be in the room for JOAN RIVERS' fatal operation was the same one who was filmed in a documentary on CELINE DION.
Dr GWEN KOROVIN appeared in Celine's 2010 film, "Through the Eyes of the World" and was filmed performing a laryngoscopy on the singer. She's also the throat doctor for HUGH JACKMAN, JULIE ANDREWS, ARIANA GRANDE and LADY GAGA.
The tabloid does not say she was the one who performed the biopsy which led to Joan's death.Fashion Emergency:
Bridal designer ALFRED ANGELO is collaborating with Disney to create a "Frozen" wedding gown. The dress will be based on Queen Elsa's now-famous shimmery, icy gown. InStyle magazine says the the Elsa bridal gown will be available at Alfred Angelo's website and stores starting in January. (Bartha)
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