Cheat Sheet - Al Qaeda’s Legion of Doom

Today: Huge Fire Closes Nairobi Airport , Kristin Davis, Self-Styled Spitzer Madam, Is Arraigned on Drug Charges , Obama Sticks to Issues on Leno August 07, 2013 ZAWAHIRI CALLING 1. Al Qaeda's Legion of Doom It wasn't just any terrorist message that triggered U.S. terror alerts and embassy closures—but a conference call of more than 20 far-flung al Qaeda operatives, Eli Lake and Josh Rogin report. Read it at The Daily Beast IN FLAMES 2. Huge Fire Closes Nairobi Airport A massive fire engulfed Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Wednesday, stranding hundreds of travelers at the busiest airport in East Africa. At least two people are being treated for smoke inhalation, though no serious injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is not yet known, but one passenger told Reuters that he heard two small explosions prior to it. The fire erupted at 5 a.m. at the immigration section of the arrivals hall and has since wiped out the area. Transport Secretary Michael Kamau said no flights had landed or departed since the fire broke out. Wednesday marks the 15th anniversary of the U.S. Embassy bombings in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, but there were no immediate signs of terrorism in the fire. Read it at Associated Press SPITZER FAME 3. The Madam's Curse She courted fame by claiming to be Eliot Spitzer's madam and then running against him for New York City comptroller. But Kristin Davis's celebrity looked like her downfall as she appeared in court on drug charges. Michael Daly on the latest twist in New York's grubby election game. Read it at The Daily Beast carry on 4. Obama Sticks to Issues on Leno Don't panic: just be prudent. That was the message President Barack Obama relayed from Jay Leno's couch Tuesday night. Appearing on The Tonight Show, the president made his first public comments on the string of embassy closures in the Middle East, warning travelers over a possible terror threat. Americans shouldn't "overreact" but should act "prudently," he said, adding, "the odds of dying in a terrorist attack are a lot lower than they are of dying in a car accident." This week, the State Department shuttered more than a dozen embassies and consulates after intercepting al Qaeda messages that seemed to indicate an attack in Yemen. Obama also commented on the current outrage over the NSA programs, saying: "We don't have a domestic spying program. What we do have is some mechanisms that can track a phone number or an email address that is connected to a terrorist attack...That information is useful." Read it at NBC News HOT 5. 2012 One of Warmest Years on Record Another reason to write off 2012. Last year was one of the 10 warmest years on record, researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Tuesday. While the past 150 years have seen average temperatures rise 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit, 9 of the 10 hottest years on record have been since the 1990s—with 2012 ranking somewhere around 8 or 9. Arctic sea ice reached record lows during the summer, while 97 percent of all of Greenland ice melted in the winter—far more than average. Of particular importance in the NOAA report was the rise in ocean heat storage, which reached record levels in 2012. The surface temperature of the oceans was among the 11 warmest on record, and sea levels also reached a record high. Read it at Los Angeles Times OH, GOD Weiner Calls Opponent 'Grandpa' At a forum sponsored by AARP. ... AND YOU'RE DONE Bezos May Have Overpaid for Post Estimated value around $60 million; he paid $250 million. DISASTER Radioactive Water Leaking Into the ocean from Fukushima. BEHIND THE VIDEO Mumford Video Director Spills Band wanted to use a different song to parody. I AM MRS. CARTER Beyoncé Bikes to Brooklyn Concert Captures it on Instagram. GET The Cheat Sheet A speedy, smart summary of news and must-reads from across the Web. You'll love the featured original stories on politics, entertainment, and more from The Daily Beast's diverse group of contributors. GET Culture Beast Weekly cultural recommendations from The Daily Beast. Cee Lo Thinks Adam Levine is 'Precious' Before the release of his new album 'Age Against the Machine' with Goodie Mob, CeeLo and the guys dropped by The Daily Beast to play a little word association game. Check out what they have to say about Republicans and George Zimmerman. More Videos Python Murder Mystery by Christine Pelisek 'God-Inspired' Fashion by Misty White Sidell What's Wrong With Jennifer? by Kevin Fallon

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