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Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check
November 16, 2009
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Where's Osama bin Hiding?:
The Times of London reports (HERE) that OSAMA bin LADEN's so-called "right hand man in Europe" is still helping to run al-Qaida from behind bars by smuggling out propaganda for the Internet and finding recruits. A think tank funded by the British home Office says that ABU QATADA has published "fatwas" --or religious rulings-- on the Internet from Long Lartin prison calling for holy war and the murder of moderate Muslims.
The paper says that another major al-Qaida figure --ABU DOHA-- has taken courses in South London's Belmarsh prison enabling him to "mentor" other inmates. (Pacelli)London tabloids:
Today's "Diva du Jour" award goes to BEYONCE, who isn't one to travel light. The UK's Daily Mirror reports the singer popped into Manchester, England, this week and booked two different hotel suites. One of the rooms was to sleep while the other held seven suitcases, three handbags and two bags containing fourteen dresses, makeup, shoes and twenty-five wigs! (Lee)
Gossip Central:
What do MILEY CYRUS and OZZY OSBOURNE have in common? Both use teleprompters to remember the words to their songs. Star magazine reports that Miley flubs the words to her own songs all the time so she has them rolling at all times. It also shows her what city she's performing in. (Myers)
Broadcast, cable and video news:
DANNY DEVITO has a big treat for everyone this Christmas --he's stripping down for a special holiday episode of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." ContactMusic.com reports filming the nude scene was "a little disconcerting," but is happy with his choice because he's always wanted to do a "no holds barred," edgy, crazy show. (Lee)
Grace notes:
Want to know the main reason LED ZEPPELIN will never tour again? According to a recent book, "Led Zeppelin: Shadows Taller Than Our Souls," lead singer ROBERT PLANT hates the band's signature tune, "Stairway To Heaven," and refuses to peform it. The only way Plant would agree to sing it at the 2007 reunion concert in London was if the song was in the middle of the set and not the finale. Plus, it had to stay true to the album version, not the sprawling live versions Led Zep has done over the years with endless soloing from JIMMY PAGE. Even the most diehard Led Zep fans agree that "Stairway" is not one of the band's best songs, and that it's clearly overplayed on the radio. (Marino)
Survivor: real life:
BARBARA CRUSAN of Fort Madison, IA, wasn't expected to deliver her baby for another two weeks. So when she wasn't feeling well this past Saturday morning, her doctor prescribed medication by telephone. At 11 am, her husband went out to pick it up. By noon, she was a mom.
According to the Burlington Hawk Eye, while she was in the bathroom, the baby came, without labor pains, and Barbara delivered it herself. About 20 minutes later, she was strong enough to get up and dial 911. JENNIFER CRUSAN, who weighed in at 7 pounds, 1 ounce, is doing fine. (Maiman)Captain Obvious:
If you're looking for a new aphrodesiac, you might want to head to Columbia.
Agence France-Presse says a group of student chefs in that country have just created a dessert made from passion fruit and Viagra. Student JUAN SEBASTIAN GOMEZ says, "By trial and error we found out it works. We gave it to a group without telling them it contained Viagra. A second group was in the know and both experienced heightened libido."
Gomez says young women have been the most enthusiastic about the dessert. (Still) -
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