Stars from across the world of show business have expressed their shock and hailed the news that terrorist Osama Bin Laden has been killed in Pakistan.

The Al-Qaeda leader, 54, is believed to have been the mastermind behind the tragedy of 9/11, when two airplanes crashed into the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center in New York on September 11, 2001. Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the worst terrorist atrocities in the country’s history. Reports of Bin Laden’s death began surfacing late on Sunday after an almost 10 year manhunt.

U.S. President Barack Obama confirmed the news during a specially televised press conference on Sunday, revealing he received intelligence about Bin Laden’s whereabouts last August and authorized action last week. Bin Laden was shot during a U.S.-led military mission earlier on Sunday and his body is currently under U.S. custody. DNA tests have confirmed his identity.

During the live telecast, Obama said, “Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world, the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama Bin Laden, the leader of Al-Qaeda, and a terrorist who is responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women and children.”

Celebrities were quick to react to the news, taking to their blogs on Twitter.com to voice their astonishment and celebrate the death of America’s public enemy number one.

Hollywood action man and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger writes, “I’m proud of our men and women in uniform. Wherever you are, take a minute to say thank you to one of the brave heroes who serve our country.”

In a series of ‘tweets’, CNN newsman Piers Morgan stated, “Bin Laden dead. Wow… What a moment for Obama. What a moment for America. Magnificent address by the President. And magnificent operation. This is his finest hour.”

Actress Christina Applegate writes, “Let me try this one more time…my heart raced when I heard the news. the terror he caused us was epic.the lives lost, too many..”, while designer Nicky Hilton adds, “After 9 years, 8 months and 20 days justice is finally served. #binladenisdead.”

Supermodel Tyra Banks paid tribute to the bravery of the U.S. military, writing: “My brother has been a US soldier for over twenty years. Today I salute him and all of our brave, selfless military women and men.”

The moment was made even more emotional for rocker Nikki Sixx, who heard the news while in the Big Apple: “Being in New York and hearing that Bin Ladin (sic) is dead is icing on the cake…”.

Meanwhile, a stunned LeAnn Rimes exclaims, “Omg (Oh my god), Bin Laden!!! Blessings to our troops and a bit of peace for our country and those who lost loved one’s (sic) in 9/11″, and Spice Girl Melanie Brown writes, “We need to take a moment to give thanks to the soldiers who risked their lives.”

~StarPulse.com

Kid Rock gave as well as received on Sunday night (May 1) in his home town.

While accepting his controversial Great Expectations Award at the Detroit branch of the NAACP’s 56th annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner, Rock announced $100,000 in donations — five $10,000 grants to Motor City-based organizations and $50,000 to the American Red Cross for tornado victims in U.S. Southern states. Many in the crowd announced at more than 10,000 gave Rock a standing ovation, diffusing a bit of the controversy that surrounded the award.

Critics felt it was inappropriate for the NAACP to honor Rock since he uses a Confederate flag in his stage shows and videos. Outside of Cobo Hall, where the dinner was held, a couple of dozen protesters marched with Say No To Kid Rock signs and at one point burned a Confederate flag over a garbage can. Adolph Mongo, a Detroit political consultant who was outspoken in his opposition to the award, said that the flag “stands for hatred, bigotry, racism, murder. “Every bigot and racist in this country loves that flag.” He added that, “If Kid Rock was alive in the 50s in Selma (Ala.) he would have beaten up John Lewis and waving the Confederate flag.” Lewis, a leading Civil Rights activist and now a U.S. Representative from Georgia, was one of the night’s other honorees.

During his brief remarks, Rock — who attended the dinner with his son, Bob Ritchie, Jr., brother Billy Ritchie and production manager Eric “Shakes” Gryzbowski — told the crowed that “I’ve never flown that flag with hate in my heart, not one ounce.” He explained that his use of the image was an “homage” to Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, who he’s name-checked in his songs and whose “Sweet Home Alabama” was an ingredient in his 2008 mash-up hit, “All Summer Long.” Rock explained that he made the donations to “turn a negative into a positive,” and concluded his speech by saying that, “I love America, I love Detroit and I love black people!”

In presenting the award to Rock, Detroit NAACP President Wendell Anthony acknowledged the controversy as well as his organizations opposition to what the Confederate flag represents and noted that Rock “has stirred the pot” by using it. But he added that “we are not saluting the flag. We are saluting the works” that Rock has done in the community.

Rock returns to the road this week with a pair of casino shows in Thackerville, Okla., before playing the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on Sunday (May 8). He begins a five-date Canadian tour on May 31, then starts a summer run with Sheryl Crow on July 2 in Cincinnati.

The party just keeps rolling for country music star Jason Aldean

Long left out of major award consideration, Aldean’s recent tear continued Wednesday morning when he received a leading four 2011 CMT Music Awards nominations.

The singer’s video for “My Kinda Party” earned nods for CMT’s top award, video of the year, and male video of the year.

Six acts trail Aldean by one with three nominations apiece: Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, Zac Brown Band, Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert and The Band Perry. All are nominees for video of the year. Seven others received two nominations apiece.

The nominations for the awards, which are in their 10th year, were announced Wednesday morning on NBC’s “Today” show. Fans can now decide the winners in 10 categories on the video channel’s website and will choose the video of the year winner during the June 8 awards telecast.

Joining Aldean’s “My Kinda Party” in the category are Kenny Chesney’s “The Boys of Fall,” Lady Antebellum’s “Hello World,” Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me,” Rascal Flatts’ “Why Wait,” Sugarland’s “Stuck Like Glue,” Taylor Swift’s “Mine,” The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young,” Carrie Underwood’s “Undo It” and Zac Brown Band’s “Colder Weather.”

Fans will narrow the video of the year field down to final nominees through June 7, then will choose a winner during the show

© 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.