WEDNESDAY, JULY 10
NATIONAL HEADLINES:
CLEVELAND WOMEN HELD CAPTIVE BREAK THEIR SILENCE IN NEW VIDEO
The three Cleveland women held captive for a decade and rescued in May broke their silence in a videoposted to YouTube Tuesday. The women – Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight – thanked their supporters and each appeared composed as they spoke one at a time in the three-minute footage. The video was recorded last week in a law office. The lengthiest remarks came from Knight, who seemed defiant in the face of her ordeal. “I may have been through hell and back,” she said, “but I am strong enough to walk through hell with a smile on my face, and my head held high, and my feet firmly on the ground.” Knight was allegedly impregnated by the women’s accused captor, Ariel Castro, and punched in the stomach until she miscarried. All three women were freed May 6 after Berry was able to flee the house and call for help. Berry’s young daughter, who was born in captivity, was also freed. Castro, 52, has pleaded not guilty to 329 criminal counts, including kidnapping and attempted murder.
FORENSIC EXPERT BACKS ZIMMERMAN’S STORY
A forensic expert testified at the trial of George Zimmerman yesterday, saying that Trayvon Martin’s gunshot wound indicated he was likely on top of Zimmerman when he was shot. Forensic pathologist Dr. Vincent Di Maio said the single shot that killed 17-year-old Martin passed through his clothing as it hung 2-4 inches from his skin, indicating that he was over Zimmerman and leaning forward. This is consistent with Zimmerman’s account of what happened. Defense attorneys also presented evidence that Martin had marijuana in his system at the time of the fatal shooting, which they claim could have affected his behavior. Judge Debra Nelson was expected to rule on whether the defense can introduce a computer animation timeline of the fatal confrontation.
SHOUTING MATCH ERUPTS AT WHITEY BULGER TRIAL
An angry shouting match erupted during the trial of James “Whitey” Bulger yesterday between the reputed mob boss and his former right-hand man. The outburst occurred as Kevin Weeks, an alleged enforcer on Bulger’s team, took the stand for the second day. During his testimony, Weeks called Bulger “a rat” for his work as an FBI informant. That prompted Bulger to respond, “F— you!” Weeks yelled back: “F— you! What are you going to do!” The judge stepped in and stopped the exchange, scolding Bulger. Earlier yesterday, Weeks testified that Bulger shot one man, a jewelry thief, in the back of the head after a day of torture. Bulger, 83, is charged with killing 19 people as the leader of the Winter Hill Gang in Boston.
INVESTIGATORS STILL TRYING TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF QUEBEC RUNAWAY TRAIN
Investigators trying to determine the cause of a runaway oil train that killed at least 13 people in Quebec, are focusing on an earlier fire on the train. Officials said action taken during the earlier fire may have possibly led to the release of the brakes several hours later. Meanwhile, inspectors were searching for remains in the rubble, after being cleared to enter the area late Monday. A total of 50 people were still missing, and officials said the death toll was sure to rise. At least five of the train’s tankers exploded after derailing in the town ofLac-Megantic Saturday, destroying around 40 buildings.
NO WORD ON SNOWDEN’S VENEZUELA ASYLUM BID AS DEADLINE PASSES
NSA leaker Edward Snowden’s bid for asylum in Venezuela remained unclear yesterday, a day after the country’s apparent deadline passed. The Venezuelan Embassy in Moscow said it had no information on whether Snowden had completed a deal that would allow him to leave the transit area of the Sheremetyevo Airport, where he has been holed up since leaving Hong Kong last month. Venezuela’s foreign minister initially said on Saturday that the country was waiting until Monday for Snowden’s answer. Bolivia andNicaragua have also publicly offered Snowden asylum. The 30-year-old former defense contractor applied to at least 20 countries for safe passage. He’s wanted by the U.S. for leaking top secret information on NSA surveillance programs.
ROCK NEWS:
MUMFORD & SONS RELEASE VIDEO FOR “BABEL”
Mumford & Sons have released the video for their new single “Babel.” The clip for the title track of their Grammy-winning record is shot in black and white and features the quartet jamming in an empty room, with the camera constantly moving. Mumford & Sons recently headlined the Glastonbury Festival, only weeks after bassist Ted Dwayne was hospitalized with a blood clot in his brain. The band’s next U.S. date is headlining Lollapalooza in Chicago August 3rd.
THE BLACK KEYS SPONSOR OHIO BASEBALL TEAM
The Black Keys are showing their support for a local baseball team. The rockers donated $300 to the West Akron Baseball League in Ohio, the same league drummer Patrick Carney used to play in with his childhood best friend. The donation came after the best friend asked Carney to sponsor his younger brother’s team. The rockers agreed, and sent the money to buy new shirts. They’ve even offered to sign them for the youngsters.
KINGS OF LEON TALK OKLAHOMA BENEFIT CONCERT
Kings of Leon are headlining a concert in Oklahoma later this month to help those affected by the recent tornadoes, and bassist Jared Followill says it’s the least they could do for the state. “It just felt like something we could lend a hand to,” he said. “We talked about just donating some money. But you know we just all started talking and we realized we’d probably raise more money by doing a show and it would probably be more fun for us than just writing a check. We can go there and be with the people, be with our family.” Kings of Leon’s Rock for Oklahoma: A Benefit Concert for Oklahoma Tornado Victims takes place July 23rd at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, and also features guests The Flaming Lips, Built to Spill, Jackson Browne, Grace Potter and Ben Kweller. In addition to the concert, there will be a silent auction to win a meet-and-greet with Victoria’s Secret models Lily Aldridge (Caleb Followill’s wife) and Erin Heatherton. Proceeds will benefit the United Way of Central Oklahoma May Tornadoes Relief Fund.
STP BOOKS U.S. DATE
Stone Temple Pilots has lined up a U.S. gig. The rockers, with Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington replacing Scott Weiland, will be the headliners for the inaugural Rockwave Festival at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Florida on September 21st. Other artists on the bill include Jane’s Addiction, Filter, Anberlin and Beware of Darkness.
STALEY’S DAD JOINS ALICE IN CHAINS ON STAGE
Alice in Chains’ July 1st concert featured a surprise appearance by the father of the band’s late frontman Layne Staley. Guitarist Jerry Cantrell introduced Phil Staley during their performance at FoxFest in Burnaby, British Columbia. "We always like to remember our brothers," said Cantrell. "This one is for Layne Staley and Mike Starr." The band then launched into the 1994 track, "Nutshell." Staley died April 5th, 2002 from a drug overdose; Starr died from a prescription drug overdose March 8, 2011.
NEW KORN ALBUM DUE OUT IN OCTOBER
Korn’s latest album, The Paradigm Shift, is due out in October and features the return of the band’s lead guitarist Brian “Head” Welch, who left the group eight years ago. "I'm a metalhead. I love rock music, and I came here just wanting to do the old Korn vibe, but with a new twist," Welch tells Rolling Stone. “The end product is a really good mix of old Korn mixed with some new elements. It's got a fresh new Korn 2013 sound. And the melodies, the lyrics and the choruses on these songs are at a new level. It's my favorite album by Korn." Lead singer Jonathan Davis is glad Welch decided to return to the band. “To have our brother back was really good for morale,” he says. “It was just fun being in the studio with his goofy ass again.”
FARRELL BUSY WITH JANE’S ADDICTION AND PORNO FOR PYROS
Perry Farrell is one busy man. The performer revealed on his Facebook page that he’s currently working on new material for both of his bands – Jane’s Addiction and Porno for Pyros. In addition, he’s working on music with his wife Etty Lau Farrell. “This summer has been so far gratifying. I have been active recording Jane's Addiction, Porno For Pyros, and PerryEtty Vs. songs,” he wrote. “There is nothing more gratifying to me than making a beautiful song. A song that people will fall in love with. They should be lovesick to hear it again. That's how I feel about the songs as they are being born."
SOUL ASYLUM RELEASING COVERS EP
Soul Asylum will be releasing a series of EPs paying tribute to artists and songs that have made an impact on them. The first is due out digitally July 16th, and features covers of Joy Division’s“Love Will Tear Us Apart,” MC5’s “Shakin Street” and Suicide Commandos’ “Attacking The Beat.” Soul Asylum is currently on tour with Big Head Todd, The Wailers and Matthew Sweet, and revealed they’ll be playing their multi-million selling album Grave Dancers Union from start to finish during the trek.
SHOWBIZ NEWS:
HASSELBECK’S VIEW DEPARTURE CONFIRMED
It’s been rumored for months, but it’s finally official– Elisabeth Hasselbeck is leaving The View. “We have had ten wonderful years with Elisabeth and she will now be swimming in new waters," said Barbara Walters. "We will miss her and wish her everything good.” Hasselbeck is leaving the ABC daytime show to move to Fox News where she’ll replace Gretchen Carlson on Fox & Friends. Carlson recently received her own one-hour daytime show on the network, which will begin in the fall. Hasselbeck's last day will be today She joins Joy Behar who will leave the show at the end of the season, and Walters who’ll retire next year.
CHEN OFFENDED BY BIG BROTHER/SPENCER’S MOM SAYS HE’S NO BIGOT
Big Brother host Julie Chen is not happy about the racist comments made by some of the houseguests this season. "Personally, I was offended," Chen told TMZ. "I was offended by all the comments — the anti-gay, the anti-black, but especially the anti-Asian ones … for obvious reasons." Meanwhile, the family of BB houseguest Spencer Clawson claims he’s not a bigot, despite the Hitler-loving and anti-gay comments he’s made. "Spencer really is a great guy," his mom Donna tells TMZ. "This is not a guy that’s a bigot or a racist. And he’s not that way at home." As for why he’s made such offensive comments, Donna suggests it’s just part of the game. "If you're in a group, you go along with the group talk and that is what is happening with him,” she says. "This is a reality show. The purpose of the show is scheming behind each other's backs. Spencer might not be perfect but he's my son. All those kids are somebody's child. He's a good guy."
WHY SO BLUE, AMANDA?
Amanda Bynes was in a New York courtroom yesterday in connection with her bong tossing case, but she certainly didn’t dress for the occasion. The troubled 27-year-old appeared before a judge wearing a blue wig and sweats. Her entire hearing lasted just minutes, with prosecutors filing paperwork saying they’re ready to go to trial. Bynes is due back in court September 26th.
BYNES COMPLAINS SHE CAN’T BREATHE
In other Amanda Bynes news….The 27-year-old has had several nose jobs, and apparently she’s still having issues. “My Nose Is Broken I'm Bruised I Can't Wait For My Next Surgery," she tweeted Monday, adding, “My Surgeon Broke My Nose During My Surgery But Hasn't Finished My Nose! It's Still Broken And I Can't Breathe!" Bynes first revealed she was having her nose done last month, and said she was planning at least one more procedure after that.
GLANVILLE STUMBLES OUT OF L.A. HOTEL
Brandi Glanville appeared to have had one too many at dinner Monday night. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star was photographed stumbling out of the London Hotel in West Hollywood Monday. Glanville was such a mess, she actually had a nip slip in front of paparazzi, and at one point she fell down and had to be picked up by a male companion.
A BABY JONAS
Looks like we have a storyline for next season’s Married to Jonas. People reports that Kevin Jonas and his wife Danielle are expecting their first child. “Dani and Kevin are thrilled that Dani is pregnant with their first child. They are, of course, elated, and so excited to share this news with their fans,” says their rep. “They are very much looking forward to building a family together.” Kevin and Danielle married in December 2009. Their E! reality show airs Sundays at 10 pm.
PRANKSTER LEAVES MESSAGE ON KRISTEN’S DIRTY CAR
Kristen Stewart probably wishes she washed her car more often. The actress got a bit of a shock when she returned to her dirty pickup truck to find someone had written “I (heart) Rob” in its dust. Of course Rob is Kristen’s ex-boyfriend Robert Pattinson. The couple reportedly ended their relationship in May.
RYAN VACATIONING WITH SPORTS ILLUSTRATED MODEL GIRLFRIEND
Ryan Seacrest’s new romance seems to be going well. The American Idol host was spotted on vacation in the South of France with his reported new girlfriend, Sports Illustrated modelDominique Piek, ex-girlfriend of Star Trek’s Chris Pine. The couple has been vacationing on a luxury yacht with friends, and they looked quite cozy as photographers snapped pictures of them chatting on the deck.
FARRAH ABRAHAM KICKED OUT OF REHAB
So much for Farrah Abraham’s attempt to get help for alcohol problems. Radaronline reports theTeen Mom-turned-porn-star was kicked out of rehab early because counselors at her facility thought she was a “disruptive influence” on other patients. The 22-year-old had signed up for a 10-day stay at the Lukens Institute in Palm Beach Florida, but was asked to leave two days before she finished the course because, according to an insider, “her behavior became challenging.” She reportedly got into an argument with a nurse, and also tried to take a photo of fellow patient Patricia Krentcil, a.k.a. the Tan Mom, who was in therapy with her. Upset patients reportedly complained to management that Farrah was acting like a bully.
JERSEY SHORE STARS’ PHONE NUMBERS LEAKED ON HACKED SITE
Jersey Shore stars Snooki and Pauly D had to change their cell phone numbers earlier this week, after JWoww’s Twitter account was hacked and the hacker posted their digits on the site. The anti-Semitic hacker also changed JWoww’s Twitter avatar to a swastika, and posted numbers ofDeena and Perez Hilton as well. JWoww eventually regained control of her site and took down the Nazi symbol.
GROUP CALLS FOR BOYCOTT OF ENDER’S GAME
A gay organization named Geeks Out is urging the public to boycott the upcoming movie Ender’s Game, over the anti-gay marriage views of the book’s author Orson Scott Card. "By pledging to Skip Ender’s Game, we can send a clear and serious message to Card and those that do business with his brand of anti-gay activism — whatever he’s selling, we’re not buying," writes the group on their Skip Ender’s Game website. "The queer geek community will not subsidize his fear-mongering and religious bullying. We will not pay him to demean, insult, and oppress us." Card actually addressed the controversy in an interview with EW.com, suggesting the Supreme Court’s recent overturning of DOMA makes his opinion meaningless. "Ender’s Game is set more than a century in the future and has nothing to do with political issues that did not exist when the book was written in 1984," Card said. "With the recent Supreme Court ruling, the gay marriage issue becomes moot. … Now it will be interesting to see whether the victorious proponents of gay marriage will show tolerance toward those who disagreed with them when the issue was still in dispute." Ender’s Game opens November 1st.
FIRTH’S DARCY GETS A STATUE
For most people, Colin Firth is the ultimate Mr. Darcy from Pride & Prejudice and now he’s been immortalized with a 12-foot fiberglass statue. The piece depicts the memorable scene from the 1996 BBC miniseries in which Darcy emerges from a lake and declares his love for Elizabeth Bennet. The statue is currently in the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park, London but will tour the UK and end up in Lyme Park in Cheshire, where the scene was filmed.
LINDA HOGAN SAYS PERSONAL ITEMS ARE ON EBAY
Hulk Hogan’s ex-wife Linda is upset that some treasured family keepsakes have somehow turned up on eBay. Linda tells TMZ the items, including pictures of son Nick’s christening and a CD of Brooke’s first single, went missing from her L.A. storage unit, and are now for sale. The seller claims he found the items at a local thrift store, and Linda thinks they were taken when she hired guys to move some of her other stuff to Goodwill. Linda is hoping the seller will give the items back.
TV TIDBITS
● Meredith Vieira is coming back to daytime TV. It was announced yesterday the former Todayshow host has made a deal with NBCUniversal to launch her own nationally syndicated talk show in fall, 2014.
● TLC has announced that the 10th and final season of What Not To Wear will kick off Friday, August 9th at 10 pm, with the series finale set for Friday, October 18th.
● The MTV Moonman is getting a makeover. The trophy handed out at the annual Video Music Awards has been reinterpreted by artist KAWS for the upcoming VMAs, which will take place at Brooklyn’s Barclay’s Center August 25th.
● Community fans will be seeing a lot less of Donald Glover next season. The actor, who plays Troy, will only appear in five of season five’s 13 episodes, in order to free up time to focus on his music career, in which he performs under the name Childish Gambino.
● Nashville has promoted three of its part-time cast members. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Chris Carmack, who plays Will, and Maisy and Lennon Stella, who play Rayna and Teddy’s daughters, have all been upped to series regulars.
MISCELLANEOUS MOVIE NEWS
● Slumdog Millionaire’s Dev Patel is in talks to star in the sci-fi flick Chappie, the next movie fromElysium director Neill Blomkamp. The film is based on a Blomkamp short story about a robotic police force patrolling the slums of South Africa.
● Stellan Skarsgard is in talks to join Lily James, Cate Blanchett and Helena Bonham Carter in Disney’s live-action version of Cinderella. Skarsgard will play the grand duke, advisor to the king, who may have ulterior motives. James stars in the title role, the young orphaned woman who finds her handsome prince, played by Game of Thrones’ Richard Madden.
