Good evening, are you ready for your random news fix?
- The Cupertino effect - Microsoft Word 97's spell checking feature has corrected the word "co-operation" so many times, in so many documents, that "Cupertino" has now entered popular culture as a (non-proper) noun. What's the date that Skynet is supposed to become self-aware again...?
- Ah those crazy dudes at Mexican Playboy HQ. They thought it would be brilliant, just before the annual pilgrimage to the shrine of the Virgin of Guadaloupe, to put a nude Virgin Mary-alike on the cover of their magazine! Just add religious fervour and stir. But it's okay, they've apologised. Apparently the intent was to "reflect a Renaissance-like mood". Er, okay.
More after the jump...
- Star Wars onstage at the 02! Get your head round this - the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will play a "painstakingly rewritten" version of the score edited from all six Star Wars movies, and the show will feature no actors, but live narrators, props, costumes and production artwork. Sounds like a lot of work. Surely it would be easier to just stage Shrek? Oh, they're already doing that on Broadway.
- Dr Humayra Abedin plans to return to the UK this week. This is the Bangladesh-born NHS doctor allegedly held captive by her parents in Bangladesh when she visited the country to see her sick mother. When a friend in London received an urgent text from Abedin, the Foreign Office tried to push through a protection order under the UK's Forced Marriage Act. Luckily, although Abedin is not a British national, it was granted. Abedin does not want to bring charges against her parents. Which I can understand, sort of. What a horrible situation to be in.
- Nora Batty passes away - sad news that Kathy Staff, who played Nora Batty in Last of the Summer Wine for an amazing 35 years, died on Sunday at the age of 80. "She was a very sweet woman," said Mike Grady, who played Barry. I can believe it. We shall not see her be-curlered, wrinkly-stockinged like again.
- Finally, Tara Reid has checked herself into rehab. Apparently she is "so happy with where I am right now". Whether she's referring to her state of mind or the quality of service at the Promises Treatment Center in Malibu is unclear.
Image courtesy of Angelatchou's Flickr stream.
