MONDAY, JANUARY 13

NATIONAL HEADLINES:

THOUSANDS OF MOURNERS IN ISRAEL PAY RESPECTS TO SHARON

Thousands of mourners gathered in Jerusalem yesterday to pay their respects to former Israeli Prime MinisterAriel Sharon, who died early Saturday at age 85. Sharon’s body was laid in state in a plaza in front of the country’s parliament. A funeral service is set for today. The former leader will be buried on his farm in southern Israel. During his time as Prime Minister, Sharon caused controversy by pushing for Jewish settlements onPalestinian-disputed land. But in a surprise turnaround in 2005, he ceded the land to the Palestinians after 38 years. Sharon suffered a massive stroke in 2006 and had been in a coma ever since.

IRAN AND 6 WORLD POWERS AGREE ON HOW TO IMPLEMENT NUCLEAR DEAL

Iran and six world powers reached an agreement yesterday on how to implement the terms of a nuclear deal that was struck in November. The terms of the deal will go into effect on January 20^th. President Obama said in a statement that Iran will begin “eliminating its stockpile of higher levels of enriched uranium and dismantling some of the infrastructure that makes such enrichment possible.” Iran has also agreed to new and more frequent inspections of their nuclear sites. “Taken together, these and other steps will advance our goal of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon,” Obama said. In exchange, economic sanctions imposed on Iran would be eased for a period of six months. During that time, the six world powers – Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States – would continue negotiations with Iran on a permanent deal.

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS IN WEST VIRGINIA STILL WITHOUT CLEAN WATER

Hundreds of thousands of West Virginia residents were still without clean tap water yesterday. Things were still not fully resolved since a chemical spill on the Elk River contaminated the water supply in the central area of the state Thursday and officials said it could be “days” before the water is safe to drink or bathe in again. State Homeland Security officials said yesterday that another 800,000 liters of clean water was being transported to those affected. Since the spill, about 32 people have sought treatment at hospitals for symptoms such as nausea. Federal authorities have opened an investigation into the spill, which occurred a Freedom Industries facility.

POPE FRANCIS PICKS 19 NEW CARDINALS

Pope Francis announced his first picks for new cardinals yesterday, naming 19 men from around the world. He read the names to a massive crowd in Vatican City's St. Peter’s Square. Two of the appointees are from the developing nations of Haiti and Burkina Faso, keeping in line with the pope’s mission to pay more attention to the poor. The rest of the appointees come from Italy, Germany, Britain, Nicaragua, Canada, Ivory Coast, Brazil, Argentina, South Korea, Chile, and the Philippines. Sixteen of them are under the age of 80, meaning they will be able to vote for the next pope.

ONE DEAD, 2 INJURED AFTER BALCONY COLLAPSE IN PHILLY

One man died and two women were injured this weekend after a fourth-floor balcony collapsed during a birthday party at a Philadelphia apartment. The 22-year-old man suffered severe head and neck injuries in the fall late Saturday and was pronounced dead at the hospital early yesterday. The two women suffered broken bones in their backs. The three apparently went out onto the balcony to smoke cigarettes when the collapse occurred. Officials from the city's Department of Licenses and Inspections are investigating.

THE WEEKEND BOX OFFICE FROM BOXOFFICEMOJO

ROCK NEWS:

U2 PERFORMS SURPRISE 3-SONG SET AT HELP HAITI BENEFIT GALA

For the first time in four years, the four members of U2 shared a stage and performed live at actorSean Penn’s third annual pre-Golden Globe Awards Help Haiti Home fundraiser which took place on Saturday night at the Montage Hotel in Los Angeles. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band played “I Will Follow,” “Desire” and “Vertigo” for an audience of just 300 people. Frontman Bonojokingly told the stunned audience, “It’s been a while since we played a hotel lounge. I think the last time was a bar mitzvah.” The benefit raised nearly $6 million. U2’s as-yet untitled 13^th studio album is expected to be released this spring.

U2 EARNS BEST ORIGINAL SONG HONORS AT GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS

Irish rockers U2 picked up a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for “Ordinary Love” featured in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, the story of South African human rights icon Nelson Mandela. This was U2’s first Golden Globe win, though not their first nomination; their composition “The Hands That Built America” for Gangs of New York was in the running in 2002. During their acceptance speech, guitarist the Edge said, “We have been working for President Mandela, since the 70s. Since we were teenagers.” Singer Bono added, “It really is personal for us, very, very personal. This man turned our life upside down, right side up.”

THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS’ LETO WINS BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR AWARD

Rock star and occasional movie star Jared Leto was honored for being the latter at Sunday night’s Golden Globe Awards, taking home one of the biggest prizes of the night. The Thirty Seconds to Mars frontman took home the Best Supporting Actor trophy for his portrayal of a transgender, AIDS-positive woman Dallas Buyers Club. In his acceptance speech, Leto said, “I didn’t make a film for almost six years. I was pursuing other dreams.

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS TO BE PART OF SUPER BOWL HALFTIME SHOW

The NFL announced Saturday that the Red Hot Chili Peppers have been added as special guests for the Super Bowl XLVIII (48) halftime show on February 2 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band will join previously announced halftime headliner pop star Bruno Mars. Past Super Bowl halftime performers have included U2, theRolling Stones, The Who and Prince.

NEWSTED SHEDS LIGHT ON REAL REASON HE WALKED OUT ON METALLICA

In a recent interview, former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted finally explained what really led to his departure from the band 13 years ago. Newsted began by saying, “I’ve never told this story. I’m not sure if I should tell it now, actually.” But he did, saying Metallica’s management was ready to back his side project Echobrain, but James Hetfield was “not happy” about management’s enthusiasm. Newsted said, “He [Hetfield] was…pretty much out to put the kibosh on the whole thing because somehow it would affect Metallica in his eyes.” A few days later, Newsted got a call from Metallica management informing him they were not going to back “that Echobrain thing.”

MORELLO MAKING FIRST SOLO ROCK RECORD

Vowing “to make the craziest guitar record that anyone’s ever heard,” Tom Morello has announced he’s recording his first ever solo rock album. The Rage Against the Machine andAudioslave guitarist, who appears on Bruce Springsteen’s new album High Hopes (out tomorrow), told Billboard he already has a good amount of tracks written for the forthcoming as-yet untitled album, adding, “The idea is that this is the [Jimi] Hendrix of now.”

MASTODON MASTERS OF KEEPING FANS GUESSING WHAT FUTURE BRINGS

Known as a band whose sound is never stuck in neutral, Mastodon is working on its sixth album, and according to guitarist Bill Kelliher, it won’t sound like any of their previous five studio offerings. He told Metal Hammer, “I’ve spent a lot of time writing over the last six months, trying to come up with new ideas. Every Mastodon record seems to have a different flavor – we don’t want to keep on releasing the same record over and over again. We’ve got to surprise our fans; we’re always moving and growing.” The as-yet untitled album should be out by the end of the year.

SHOWBIZ NEWS:

E!’S INSENSITIVE FOX FUN FACT

In one of the more ridiculous moments from last night’s E! red carpet coverage of theGolden Globe Awards, the network put up a “fun fact” graphic in which they stated that Michael J. Fox announced he had Parkinson’s Disease in 1991. A screen grab of the inappropriate comment instantly went viral, forcing the network to issue an apology. "We regret the insensitive classification of Michael J. Fox's Parkinson's diagnosis during our Eonline live stream,” read the statement. “We understand the serious nature of the disease and sincerely apologize."

HILARY DUFF SEPARATES FROM HUSBAND

Hilary Duff has separated from her husband of three years, former NHL star Mike Comrie. "Hilary Duff and husband Mike Comrie have mutually decided to an amicable separation. They remain best friends and will continue to be in each other's lives," said the actress’ rep in a statement. "They are dedicated to loving and parenting their amazing son, and ask for privacy at this time." The couple, who married in August 2010, has a 21-month-old son named Luca.

PAMELA ANDERSON REMARRIES EX

Pamela Anderson has gotten hitched again. The former Baywatch star, 46, told E! that she has married ex-husband Rick Salomon again. Pamela and Rick (Paris Hilton’s sex tape partner) were previously married in 2007, but the union was annulled four months later. This is Pamela’s fourth marriage. In addition to Rick, she’s been married to Kid Rock and Tommy Lee. This is also Rick’s fourth wedding. He was previously married to Shannen Doherty and E.G. Daily.

BIEBER EGGS NEIGHBOR

Justin Bieber is behaving badly again. The pop star has been accused of egging the home of one of his Calabasas neighbors Thursday night, and there’s [NOTE CONTENT] video to prove it. The neighbor called the L.A. County Sheriff after witnessing Bieber hurling the eggs at his front door.   Video of the incident is dark, so you can’t see Justin’s face, but you can hear the pair yelling obscenities back and forth. Justin is now being investigated for vandalism. The victim claims damage to his property exceeds $400 which means the pop star could be charged with a felony.

WHITNEY’S DAUGHTER WEDS

Whitney Houston’s daughter is a married woman. Bobbi Kristina, 20, announced on Twitter Thursday that she and finance Nick Gordon, 24, had tied the knot. “#HappilyMarried So #Inlove if you didn't get it the first time that is,” she wrote, along with a picture of their wedding rings. Bobbi Kristina, the only child of Whitney and R&B star Bobby Brown, announced her engagement to Gordon in October 2012. They soon called it off, but reconciled and got engaged again this past July. The engagement was surrounded by controversy though, since Gordon lived with Whitney and Bobbi Kristina for years, and reports claimed he and Bobbi Kristina were like siblings, even though they were not related.

AARON SORKIN LINKED TO COURTNEY LOVE

Talk about an odd couple. The New York Post reports that The Newsroom creator Aaron Sorkinis dating rocker Courtney Love. Sources tell Page Six the pair has been seeing each other for a few months while Courtney’s been in Los Angeles and staying at the Chateau Marmont. “He is intrigued by Courtney’s wit, while she says Aaron is a great influence on her,” said a source. “Some people might think they are an odd couple, but she likens them to Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller.” While Courtney’s reps would not comment on the rumor, Sorkin’s people insist, “they are not dating.”

SHIA RETIRING FROM PUBLIC LIFE

After weeks of backlash from his plagiarizing scandal, Shia LaBeouf has decided he needs a break. On Friday the 27-year-old tweeted, “In light of the recent attacks against my artistic integrity, I am retiring from all public life," adding, “My love goes out to those who have supported me. #stopcreating." But he didn’t exactly retire quietly. Just hours after making his announcement , Shia reportedly spent $25,000 for another skywriter. This time the plane spelled out the words “Stop Creating” in the skies above Los Angeles.

GIRLS GETS DEFENSIVE

The producers of HBO’s Girls were on the defensive during a Winter Television Critics panel Thursday. One reporter asked about the excessive nudity in the series, and did it in a very insulting way towards creator/star Lena Dunham, which set the panel off. “I don’t get the purpose of all the nudity on the show. By you particularly,” said the reporter, who directed the question to Lena. “I feel like I’m walking into a trap where you say no one complains about the nudity on Game of Thrones, but I get why they’re doing it. They’re doing it to be salacious. To titillate people. And your character is often naked at random times for no reason.” “That was a very clumsily stated question that’s offensive on its face, and you should read it and discuss it with other people how you did that,” producer Judd Apatow told the reporter. Dunham actually answered the question, but was still very annoyed. She said the nudity was “a realistic expression of what it’s like to be alive,” adding, “But I totally get it. If you’re not into me, that’s your problem and you’re going to have to work that out with professionals.”

DAVID CASSIDY BUSTED FOR DUI

Former Partridge Family star David Cassidy was arrested for DUI in Los Angeles Friday. Cassidy was stopped by police for making an illegal turn while exiting the 405 Freeway. He then failed a field sobriety test and blew twice the legal limit on a breathalyzer. This was his third arrest for DUI. He was busted in New York last year and in Florida in 2010.

ROBIN WRIGHT & BEN FOSTER ENGAGED

Robin Wright has found Mr. Right. A rep for the House of Cards star has confirmed that Sean Penn’s47-year-old ex is engaged to Lone Survivor star Ben Foster, 33. The pair met on the set of the 2011 filmRampart.

MILEY TOPLESS PHOTO HITS WEB

And speaking of nudity, an outtake from a Miley Cyrus MAXIM photo spread from last year has hit the internet, in which the [NOTE CONTENT] 21-year-old is topless. The photo was shot by photographer Brian Bowden Smith, and shows Miley ripping open her jacket to expose her boobs.

ABDUL SUES TANNING SALON

Paula Abdul is suing a tanning salon claiming she suffered severe burns during a session last January. Abdul filed suit last week against UVASUN West, claiming her SlimStar infrared body wrap treatment was applied “negligently, carelessly and recklessly” which caused her to suffer “severe and painful burns all over her body.” Specifically, she says she suffered second and third degree burns to her left thigh.  She is seeking unspecified damages in excess of $25,000.

JONAH HILL DATING ACTRESS

Jonah Hill has a new girlfriend. Us Weekly reports that the Wolf of Wall Street star is dating actress Isabelle McNally. The pair was first photographed together back in September but a source tells the mag, “it’s been going on longer than that, (a) few more months.” McNally has appeared in the indie film Frances Ha, and is currently filming the pilot The Money for HBO.

EFRON ALL FOR HOOKING UP

Zac Efron has no problem hooking up on the first date. “Sex is a beautiful thing. I don’t object,” he told Glamour magazine. As for what he’s looking for in a relationship, Zac says it’s “honesty,” adding, “In the beginning, sometimes girls don’t show their genuine personality.”   The actor, whose new film That Awkward Moment opens January 31^st, was then asked what he finds most awkward about dating. “The awkward thing for me is when the realization happens that I actually might like this girl,” he replied. “Then I become awkward.”

CELEBRITY BABY NEWS

● Grey’s Anatomy star Jesse Williams and wife Aryn Drake-Lee welcomed a baby girl, Sadie, in early December, according to reports. The couple tied the knot in September after five years of dating.

● Former Dancing with the Stars hoofer Edyta Sliwinska and her husband Alec Mazo welcomed son Michael Alexander Mazo on January 4^th. “We are extremely happy and in love with him. So far it’s been the most amazing experience of my life,” Sliwinska, 32, told People.

TV TIDBITS

● Gwyneth Paltrow is expected to return to Glee for the show’s 100^th episode. According to theHollywood Reporter, she’ll reprise her role of substitute teacher Holly Holliday for the show’s milestone, which has been expanded to two parts, airing March 18^th and 25^th. The premise of the episode will have Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) finally shutting down the glee club.

● ABC is developing a new comedy that will reunite Vacation duo Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo. They will play a married couple raising grandchildren.

● AMC announced that the first half of Mad Men’s final season will premiere Sunday, April 13^th at 10 pm. In addition, the Breaking Bad spin-off Better Call Saul will debut sometime in November, and The Talking Dead has been renewed for a fifth season.

● Comedy Central has ordered 10 episodes of the animated comedy series Moonbeam City,produced by Rob Lowe. Lowe will lead the show’s voice cast, along with Elizabeth Banks, Kate Mara and Will Forte. The series follows an undercover detective named Dazzle Novak (Lowe), described as a handsome idiot who commits more crimes than most criminals.

● The Walking Dead’s David Morrissey (The Governor) will star in The Driver, a three-part thriller for the BBC. The series follows a taxi driver who makes the mistake of accepting an offer to start driving for a criminal gang.

● Gwyneth Paltrow is expected to return to Glee for the show’s 100^th episode. According to theHollywood Reporter, she’ll reprise her role of substitute teacher Holly Holliday for the show’s milestone, which has been expanded to two parts, airing March 18^th and 25^th. The premise of the episode will have Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) finally shutting down the glee club.

● ABC is developing a new comedy that will reunite Vacation duo Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo. They will play a married couple raising grandchildren.

MISCELLANEOUS MOVIE NEWS

● Richard Gere has signed on to star in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2, a sequel to the 2011 hit film. Production is set to begin in India, with David Strathairn also joining returning stars Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, and Dev Patel.

● James Marsden is in talks to replace the late Paul Walker in the big screen adaption of theNicholas Sparks novel The Best of Me.   The film, which also stars Michelle Monaghan, follows a pair of former high school sweethearts who reconnect when they both return to their small North Carolina town.

● Meanwhile, Homeland’s Rupert Friend will replace Paul Walker in the action film Agent 47, a sequel to 2007’s Hitman (which starred Justified’s Timothy Olyphant in the title role). Details of the plot are being kept under wraps.