Paris Hilton, U2 and LeAnn Rimes bring star power to Las Vegas

Paris Hilton and Doug Reinhardt at his 24th birthday celebration at Body English in the Hard Rock Hotel on Oct. 24, 2009.

It was a musically-diverse weekend in Las Vegas, as U2, The Black Eyed Peas, Alice Cooper, Everlast, Gordon Lightfoot, and LeAnn Rimes all performed on Friday.

Bono and the boys brought their 360 Degrees tour to the Sam Boyd Stadium on Friday, along with openers the Black Eyed Peas.

Fergie, Will.i.Am, Apl.de.ap and Taboopopped by The Bank later that night for their official afterparty, though Will.i.am had to cut his post-concert celebrating short in order to make it from the Bellagio to the Palms in time for his second gig of the evening, a guest spot at Rain.

Among those taking in Will.i.am's set (separately) were Boston Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsburyand Senator John McCain's daughter, Meghan McCain.

Alice Cooper followed up Thursday night's show at the John Varvatos store at the Hard Rock and on Friday brought his “Theater of Death Tour” to The Orleans Showroom. The well-spoken shock-rocker played three consecutive shows there, Friday through Sunday.

Cooper had dinner at Simon at Palms Place on Saturday night, along with fellow musician Steve Miller. ("They enjoyed steaks and mac-n-cheese," said a source.)

Meanwhile, Jermaine Dupri heated things up on the Strip on Friday as he returned to Privé at Planet Hollywood.

Tennessee Titan Ahmard Hall and fellow pro athlete, Minnesota Twin Joe Mauer, partied at Pure on Friday, along with comedian Carlos Mencia.

Everlast and Lightfoot were off the Strip on Friday night, with the former planning a scaled-down show at Wasted Space at the Hard Rock Hotel and the latter having taken to the stage out at Aliante Station.

Also playing a significant stone's throw from the Strip on Friday evening were alternative rockers, the Stone Temple Pilots. The group did their thing out in Primm, at the Star of the Desert Arena.

Slightly closer to the great boulevard on Friday night, The M Resort went country with a performance by Tim McGraw.

Fellow country artist LeAnn Rimes, on the other hand, was in the midst of activity on the Strip that night, and performed at Treasure Island. (She also stopped by the Encore on Friday to have breakfast -- without flame Eddie Cibrian -- at Society Cafe inside Encore on Friday).

Actress Whitney Port was one casino south of Rimes, at The Mirage, on Friday. She and friends had dinner at Fix before heading to Jet, where she and her “The City" co-star, Samantha Swetra, lived it up in true Las Vegas style.

Academy Award nominee Seymour Cassel was also in Las Vegas this weekend, along with Lacey Chabert, Johnny Whitworth, Adrienne Barbeau and Alfre Woodard. The actors attended a special screening of Cassel's new film, "Reach For Me," on Friday, which was held in conjunction with the AARP Expo at the Las Vegas Hilton.

During his time in town, Cassel also had dinner at Benihana steak house and caught Lani Misalucha in "Voices."

Jessica Alba and her husband, Cash Warren, were spotted on Friday afternoon as they were getting dropped off at the valet at The Palazzo. The couple reportedly made their way through the hotel lobby to VIP check in before making their way to Sam Boyd later that night, for the U2 concert.

They also popped by the Hard Rock Hotel the following night, where they caught the Steve Miller Band at The Joint before hitting the high-limit gaming tables.

They weren't the only famous faces in the U2 audience on Friday night: Paris Hilton and her NFL hubby, Doug Reinhardt, were there, too, as was Dr. Dre and former President Bill Clinton.

"Prison Break" actor Amaury Nolasco and his girlfriend, "House" actress Jennifer Morrison, got things started at the Hard Rock on Friday, first with dinner at Ago, then with a night of dancing at Body English.

Nolasco's co-star, Dominic Purcell, was there, too, and joined the couple on the red carpet on Friday at the grand opening party for the Hard Rock's new Affliction store.

Actress Dawn Olivieri of "Heroes" was also on the carpet that night, and Formula 1 driver Colin Buis; pro skateboarder Rob Blasko Nicholson; and UFC fighters Keith Jardine and Tim Sylviajoined the fun, as well.

As if that wasn't enough for star-sightings on property that night, actor Cole Hauser was also spotted at the Hard Rock on Friday.

Fashion designer Betsey Johnson was also in Las Vegas this weekend, and stopped by the Mirage to catch the 7 p.m. showing of Cirque du Soleil's "Love" on Friday. Johnson also popped by her store (as did "Peepshow" starlet Holly Madison) on Saturday afternoon.

Ray Romano was at the Mirage this weekend and he managed to keep audiences inside the Terry Fator Theatre laughing on both Friday and Saturday.

Saturday’s sightings also included the over-the-top eccentric Canadian-born performer otherwise known as Peaches, who performed as part of Perfecto at the Palms.

Larry Tee followed Peaches' sweet and juicy set at Rain, while former Matchbox 20 frontman, Rob Thomas, took his solo career to The Pearl.

Thomas had dinner at N9NE Steakhouse before his show on Friday, as did "Glee" actor Mark Salling and previously-mentioned MLB catcher Joe Mauer.

Meanwhile, professional gambler David "Devilfish" Ulliott kicked back in the sexy surrounds of Playboy Club, along with Palms showroom headliner Matt Goss and about a dozen others.

While the fish and the Brit sipped their spirits at Playboy Club, actor Justin Berfield (aka Reese Wilkerson from the now-canceled series, "Malcolm in the Middle") was upstairs at Moon.

Earlier that day, another famed gambler, gaming legend Jackie Gaughan celebrated his 89th birthday at the El Cortez. "The champagne was flowing," a witness reported, as Gaughan celebrated with an Elvis impersonator, showgirls and friends.

Also that afternoon, up-and-coming teen hearthrob Justin Bieber gave an in-store performance on the Strip, at the Hard Rock Cafe. The private show was part of a promotion organized by local radio station KLUC 98.5 and saw hordes of young girls flock to the new eatery to check out the emerging artist.

Hilton and Reinhardt reappeared on Saturday over at Circus-Circus when the duo got a little freaky -- or should we say, freaked out -- at Fright Dome. (Vinnie Paul of Pantera also checked out the hotel's spooky spectacle on Sunday, along with Fright Dome owner Jason Egan.)

They later returned to the Hard Rock, where Reinhardt celebrated his birthday, first with dinner at Rare 120, then at Body English.

Meanwhile, Hilton's ex, Good Charlotte musician Benji Madden, performed across the casino floor, at Wasted Space. (Club owner/Hart and Huntington Ink co-founder/pro dirtbike rider/Pink's ex-husband,Carey Hart was also there, as was System of a Down drummer John Dolmayan.)

There was no drama, though, and Amaury Nolasco and Jennifer Morrison joined the birthday boy and his smiley plus-1 at Body English after having dinner at Tao.

Stephen Dorff also had his evening meal at Tao on Saturday, enjoying lobster wontons, bass satays, crispy rice and spare ribs with the club's owners.

After dinner Dorff and the others headed to the upper level nightclub, where boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. also partied well into the morning.

Also on Saturday: Shaggy hosted at Pure at Caesars Palace and Lil Jon did the same – OK, not the same, but similar – at Privé at Planet Hollywood.

Brent Bolthouse was also at PH’s go-to hot spot on Saturday night, while XXX film starlet Tera Patrick was spotted enjoying dinner next door on the PH mezzanine, at Strip House.

Holly Madison high-tailed it from her home base, Planet Hollywood, after her final “Peepshow” performance on Saturday night and headed north on the Strip, to Encore.

She and a group of both friends and co-stars went to XS to celebrate the birthday of “Peepshow” eye candyman, Josh Strickland.

Wasted Space went from a rock club to a rap club on Sunday as Canadian hip-hoppers Swollen Members took to the stage, along with Big B and Dirtball, Common Market and Bliss n Esso.

And finally, Khloe Kardashian rounded out the weekend’s lineup as the socialite-turned-reality TV star-turned-diet pill-pusher returned to Las Vegas and visited the Mirage for Closet Sundays’ one-year anniversary party at Revolution.

Celebrity hairstylist Kim Vo also came out for the event.

Hurricane Ida projected path, hurricane ida path, Ida sends oil prices spiralling

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 (KUNA): Hurricane Ida projected path, hurricane ida path, Ida sends oil prices spiralling. Oil prices in Asia rose from a one-week low as the dollar weakened and Hurricane Ida entered the Gulf of Mexico, forcing oil companies to close a number of their facilities.

Oil prices exceeded the USD 78 a barrel mark after Ida became stronger upon entering the gulf, which accounts for 27 percent of US oil production and 15 percent of natural gas production.

The dollar declined against 12 of 16 main currencies, making commodities more attractive as investments.

Crude oil for December delivery increased USD 1.02, or 1.3 percent, to USD 78.45 a barrel in after-hours electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

In Singapore, it was at USD 78.37 on Monday.

On November 6, contracts dropped USD 2.19, or 2.8 percent, to USD 77.43, the lowest level since October 30, after a US report showed that unemployment climbed to 10.2 percent, the highest in 26 years.

Oil prices also hiked after Petroleos Mexicanos, Mexico's government oil company, closed about 90 wells in Veracruz and Tabasco because of the storms and floods.

Oil reached its highest level in a year, which was USD 82 per barrel, on October 21 as shares hiked, boosting the confidence of investors.

Ida's speed reached 105 miles, or 169 kilometers, per hour.

The Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, which exports oil, stopped loading tankers Sunday afternoon because of high waves.

Deliveries to refiners are being met through stored oil.

The system could provide one million barrels daily, or about 12 percent of US imports.

Chevron, the US's second-largest oil company, said in a press release on Monday that it closed several of its facilities in the gulf and evacuated some of its employees.

Meanwhile, Exxon Mobil Corp., the world's biggest oil company, said its operations in the gulf were normal.

In addition, oil prices were supported by the fall of the dollar against the euro on Monday after the Group of 20 agreed to maintain the stimulus measures.

Investors purchase commodities including crude as an inflation hedge as the currency drops.

The US dollar rate came to 1.4938 per euro in Tokyo Monday, compared to 1.

Angelina Jolie knocks 'em dead in the new 'Salt' trailer (video)

Angelina Jolie (Photo/indio)

Angelina Jolie plays Evelyn A. Salt, a blond knockout, and performs most of her own stunts in the spy thriller Salt. The film is slated for a Summer of 2010 theater release.

Jolie's character starts out as a demure blond CIA agent who is accused of being a Russian sleeper agent. Throughout the film, she undergoes numerous transformations, and producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura has this to say about her character,

People who think they know the real her may or may not. Those who think they can tell whether she's in a disguise also may or may not. You're supposed to be kept guessing. She tells you her agenda, but are you supposed to believe it?"

Tom Cruise was originally set to portray the title character, who at that time was called Edwin A. Salt. When Cruise dropped out of the project, and Jolie accepted the role, the premise was reworked for a female protagonist.

Rihanna '20 20' full interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer

Rihanna '20 20' full interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer is available on the web
(AP Photo/ABC, Ida Mae Astute)

Rihanna's full "20/20" interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer is available on the web today. In Part I, pop singer Rihanna talks about the genesis of her dream to become a pop star while growing up in Barbados. In Part II, she talks about dealing with the media frenzy and confused feelings she had after the violent incident she went through with her boyfriend, singer Chris Brown.

"I just had a dream. I had an idea," Rihanna says as the interview opens. "I knew what I wanted to do, and this is what I was going to do. All I wanted to do was make music internationally. In Barbados, it's an unrealistic goal."

When Ms. Sawyer asks her if it's true that she used to stand in front of the mirror holding a hairbrush as a microphone singing "A Whole New World" from the Disney movie Aladdin, she nods and adds "that, and the Little Mermaid song." She smiles, saying she thinks every little girl does that at one time or another.

In Part II, Rihanna explains what helped finally make her decision about her personal relationship with Mr. Brown. "When I realized that my selfish decision for love could result into some young girl getting killed, I could not be easy with that part. I couldn't be held responsible for telling them, 'go back.'"

See Rihanna's full interview with Diane Sawyer on the web. The interview was just posted Saturday morning after it aired on television on ABC's program 20/20 Friday night.