Overnight Briefing & General Reality Check

Those WikiLeaks:

It's not over. Both the BBC and the Swiss newspaper Der Sontag report that Swiss whistle-blower and former banker RUDOLF ELMER has given WikiLeaks information on the Swiss bank accounts of over two-thousand "prominent individuals." That info could expose some big time tax evasion.
   Elmer handed the data over the WikiLeaks boss JULIAN ASSANGE at a London news conference yesterday morning. Assange says some of the info will be handed over to international authorities.
   Rudolf Elmer previously worked in a Swiss bank and was fired from his position in 2002 after leaking info about questionable bank accounts in the Cayman Islands. (Pacelli)

Fast Food:

Venti-sized Starbucks cups not big enough to fuel your caffeine addiction? Fear not, because the coffee Gods are smiling on you.
   Just what we need: A new beverage size from Starbucks... and a dopey new way to refer to it. Starbucks plans to roll out a new, "Trenta"-sized 31-ounce cup in all their coffee shops by May 03. However, the cup size can only be used for iced coffee, iced tea, and iced lemonade.
   Trenta --or variations thereof-- means "30" in some languages (Italian/Spanish). That's seven-ounces larger than the "Venti" cup for iced drinks, which is the largest size currently offered. 
   Some Southern stores have the cups as of today; they'll be in California by Feb 01. (Pacelli)

Idle gossip & unconfirmed rumors:

Look who's jumping on the trash CHARLIE SHEEN bandwagon: KIRSTIE ALLEY.
   The former "Cheers" star posted a series of zingers on her Twitter page, including the following: "Charlie Sheen... you have TWO beautiful girls... Perhaps for the sake of these children, you can decide to QUIT hanging with porn stars & hos."
   Kirstie says Charlie should pull himself together for the sake of his kids.
   And after the post, she got a reply from Charlie's ex-wife, DENISE RICHARDS, who said "That would be a good start..." to which Kirstie replied, "I got your babies backs (sic)..."
   And the beat goes on.

Gossip Central: tabloids with Cory Myers:

You think celebs would learn to not get spotted buying questionable items. Star magazine reports that BRITNEY SPEARS boyfriend JASON TRAWICK was spotted buying Libigirl, an herbal stimulant for men and women at a 76 gas station. He also bought bottled water and a banana. Ewwwww. (Myers)

Stars and their movies:

Some celebrities like to moan and complain about the high price of fame, but ADAM SANDLER admits life has been pretty good to him. The comic tells AbsoluteNow.com that he got to watch JENNIFER ANISTON and NICOLE KIDMAN dancing in coconut bras and grass skirts while filming "Just Go With It" and says it was a flat-out "awesome sight." 
   Editor's Note /Phone Starter: Everyone is grateful to be employed these days, but what are some tiny perks that make your job so fantastic? That nice gal in accounting who makes out-of-this-world blueberry muffins? The top-of-the-line coffee service? The fact that your boss is always grateful? Little things really add up --and have the potential to make your life --and career --much more enjoyable. (Lee)

Grace notes:

PAUL McCARTNEY has a challenge for you. Come up with a new vegetarian meal for Linda McCartney Foods. That's the line of meatless meals developed by Paul's late first wife. He posted a video on his official Web site and says that if he decides your dish is a good one, it will be added to the company's offerings, and you'll gey your photo on the box. (Marino)

Stupid people, stupid places:

Warning: note sexual content:
   A couple in Australia had to be rescued after they tried to use inflatable love dolls as river rafts.
   The Sydney Morning Herald says the unidentified pair tried to float down the Yarra River but they hit rough rapids caused by recent heavy flooding. The woman fell off and ended up clinging to a tree. Luckily, a passerby heard their cries for help and called rescuers. The couple was eventually pulled from the water uninjured.
   Police were NOT amused, warning that "blow-up sex toys are 'not recognized flotation devices'."
   According to another newspaper account, "While it is understood the blow up doll and several other inflatable items were salvaged from the scene, the bottoms of the rescued woman's bathers were long gone down the river." (Still/Maiman)