MONDAY, JULY 1

NATIONAL HEADLINES:

PRO- AND ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS TAKE PLACE IN EGYPT

Dueling demonstrations took place in Cairo, Egypt yesterday involving tens of thousands of opponents and supporters of the country’s President Mohammed Morsi. Opponents are seeking to oust Morsi from office and some of them attacked the Muslim Brotherhood headquarters after dark yesterday. The anti-government protesters blame the president for the country’s economic problems and deteriorating security situation. But Morsi said through a spokesman that he will remain in place and his Islamist supporters took the streets for demonstrations of their own. At least five anti-Morsi protesters were killed in southern Egypt when the clashes turned violent.

GAY PRIDE CELEBRATIONS HELD ACROSS COUNTRY

Gay pride celebrations took place across the country this weekend and were particularly celebratory this year given the Supreme Court’s pro-gay marriage decisions last week. Edith Windsor – the woman who led the fight against the Defense of Marriage Act – was front and center at New York City’s pride parade yesterday. "If somebody had told me 15 years ago that I would be the marshal of New York City's gay pride parade in 2013, at the age of 84, I wouldn't have believed it," Windsor said. Similar rallies were held in San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle, St. Louis, and Cleveland, as well as many other cities in the U.S. and around the globe. Last Wednesday, the Supreme Court struck down DOMA, granting legally married same-sex couples the same federal benefits as their heterosexual counterparts. The court also effectively killed Proposition 8, allowing same-sex marriages to resume in California. Yesterday, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedydenied a request from Prop 8 supporters in California to halt the issuance of same-sex marriage licenses.

OBAMA UNVEILS INITIATIVE TO BRING ELECTRICAL POWER TO SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Speaking at the University of Cape Town in South Africa yesterday, President Obama announced a sweeping initiative to help bring electrical power to sub-Saharan Africa. "We believe that nations must have the power to connect their people to the promise of the 21st century. Access to electricity is fundamental to opportunity in this age," Obama said of the $7 billion plan. The program, called "Power Africa," will also include more than $9 billion in investment from private companies. It will focus on six African countries: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria and Tanzania.  Earlier yesterday, Obama and his family visited Robben Island prison, the place where Nelson Mandela spent most of his 27 years in jail. The 94-year-old anti-apartheid revolutionary has been in fragile health for weeks.

HEAT WAVE SCORCHES WESTERN U.S.

A heat wave continued to sizzle the Western U.S. over the weekend. The soaring temperatures left one man dead and another hospitalized in serious condition from heat-related incidents in Las Vegas. Temperatures in that city shot up to 115 degrees on Saturday, two degrees short of a record. In Phoenix, Arizona, temperatures hit a staggering 119 degrees. Large areas of California were also baking in the heat, with extreme heat warnings expected to last into Tuesday night, and maybe even longer. According to the National Weather Service, temps in Death Valley – known as the hottest place on Earth – reached 125. The heat’s one fatality was an elderly man with pre-existing medical conditions, who was found dead in a home without air conditioning. Another elderly man suffered a heat stroke when the air conditioner in his car went out for several hours while he was on a long road trip. He was taken to the hospital in serious condition.

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL PERFORMER DIES AFTER FALL DURING SHOW

A Cirque du Soleil performer died over the weekend after a fall during a show in Las Vegas. Paris-born acrobat Sarah Guyard-Guillot, 31, was pronounced dead late Saturday night after a wire suspending her reportedly snapped and she fell into an open pit below the stage. The performance of “KA” at the MGM Grand was halted following the accident and the audience was dismissed. Performances of the show have been canceled until further notice and authorities were investigating the incident. Cirque du Soleil had never had a performer die in its 30-year history.

THE WEEKEND BOX OFFICE FROM YAHOO! MOVIES

ROCK NEWS:

AUSTRALIAN RADIO REPORTS NEW PEARL JAM SONG COMING SOON

According to Australian radio station Triple M, Pearl Jam is set to release a new song sometime this month titled “Mind Your Manners.” Revolt TV quotes a DJ on the station as saying, “We just heard the new Pearl Jam song ‘Mind Your Manners’ from the upcoming album and what a cracking 3-minute beauty it is. You’ll wet your pants over this. Think ‘Spin the Black Circle.’ Short, sharp, hard and loud…”

NINE INCH NAILS DEBUTS LYNCH-DIRECTED ‘CAME BACK HAUNTED’ VIDEO

Industrial rock royalty Nine Inch Nails premiered the spooky video for “Came Back Haunted,” the lead single off the band’s forthcoming album, Hesitation Marks, available September 3. The herky-jerky clip was directed by renowned filmmaker and musician David Lynch and it brings Lynch and NIN mastermind Trent Reznor together for the first time since the two worked on 1997’s Lost Highway soundtrack.

AFI PREPS NINTH STUDIO ALBUM FOR FALL RELEASE

FYI: Northern California rockers AFI will release their as-yet untitled ninth studio album this fall. The record was produced by Gil Norton, whose resume includes the Foo Fighters, the Strokes, the Pixies, Jimmy Eat World, and Echo & the Bunnymen, among many others. AFI singerDavey Havok says of the upcoming record, “We’ve spent over two years realizing this album and could not be more excited to share it with all.”

PIXIES HOPE FANS WILL CHECK OUT ‘BAGBOY’

The Pixies have released their first new song in nine years, and the news comes just two weeks after longtime bassist Kim Deal decided to leave the band. The video for “Bagboy” features the grocery store employee in question toilet papering the inside of his own house (or perhaps someone else’s, we’re not quite sure), smashing everything in sight, and at one point, taking a bath in milk and Froot Loops. Singer Black Francis explains, “The lyrics, coincidentally, were composed at a Starbucks Coffee in Harvard Square in Cambridge, about a hundred feet from where, 25 years ago, I composed some of the lyrics to an old Pixies song called ‘Break My Body.’”

THE STRING CHEESE INCIDENT KICK OFF TOUR, PREP NEW ALBUM

Jam band giants The String Cheese Incident have just set out on a tour of America, starting with a three-show run in Rothbury, MI over the weekend. They’ll begin another three-gig residency in Austin, TX this Wednesday, followed by two nights in Morrison, CO, three more in North Plains, OR, and two in Arlington, VA before closing with three shows at the Hulaween Festival in Live Oaks, FL October 31 through November 2. Finally, the band has confirmed they’ll serve up a new studio album in early 2014.

3 DOORS DOWN SINGER TO OPEN COUNTRY DOOR FOR SOLO DEBUT

Apparently, what’s good for Staind singer Aaron Lewis and Hootie & the Blowfish frontmanDarius Rucker is good enough for 3 Doors Down vocalist Brad Arnold, who is angling to follow in the other two singer’s footsteps by stepping into the country genre for his forthcoming solo debut album. Arnold, who is already recording tracks for a record he hopes to have out next year, toldBillboard, “I know it sounds crazy, but I grew up in south Mississippi loving country music. It’s always been something I’ve wanted to do, ‘cause that’s what I grew up on, about as much on country as on rock ‘n’ roll. Country and rock are about as close as they’ve ever been.”

TYLER TOUTS BAND DOCUMENTARY, ROCK FOR THE RISING SUN

A 2011 tour of Japan helped heal the wounds festering among the members of Aerosmith, frontman Steven Tyler says as a prelude for the release of a documentary chronicling that pivotal point for the band. Discussing Rock for the Rising Sun, due July 23, and the 2011 tour, Tyler toldBillboard, “We’d just broken up for crazy f***ing reasons… We booked a tour…It took going to Japan and playing those shows for the band to realize its own magic again. Somewhere along the line there it got the band happy again, and we thought, ‘Holy s**t, we gotta do a f***ing record right now!’ So, yeah, that tour helped us to a new album.”

ROLLING STONES MAKE LONG-AWAITED GLASTONBURY FEST DEBUT

The world’s greatest rock and roll band finally performed at one of the world’s longest-running and most prestigious festivals Saturday. The Rolling Stones played England’s Glastonbury festival for the first time since the event began way back in 1970, kicking off their set with “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and bringing it to a close with “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” The only guest appearance turned out to be former Stones guitarist Mick Taylor, who has been a regular on the band’s 50 and Counting tour. Aside from the predictable hits, the band surprised the throng with a new customized version of “Factory Girl” titled for the occasion “Glastonbury Girl,” plus “2000 Light Years from Home,” the trippy track from their 1967 album, Their Satanic Majesties Request. The band’s next concert will be this Saturday in London’s Hyde Park.

RICHARDS PRESCRIBES ROCK N ROLL FOR GOOD HEALTH

There is no question he has tested the theory to the limit, so perhaps Rolling Stones guitaristKeith Richards is really on to something when he says rock and roll should be part of a balanced approach to good health. Asked in a recent interview with the BBC to respond to those who say he and his bandmates are too old to rock and roll, the 69-year old living example of resilience responded, “I’d say, ‘What do you know about it? You’ve never tried it.’ It’s good for your health to play rock ‘n’ roll in a clean-living band like the Rolling Stones. You should try it. It’s better than church.”

BOWIE SOUGHT TO PLAY ROLE IN TV’S HANNIBAL

The multitalented David Bowie has plenty of experience in front of the camera, having starred in several films, including The Man Who Fell to Earth and Labyrinth, to name just two. Now, the producers of NBC’s Hannibal are hoping to coax the reclusive rocker out of semi-retirement by offering him a role on the new series. Hannibal producer Bryan Fullerconfirmed to E! News that he has “reached out to David Bowie to see if he’s interested and available” for the part of Hannibal’s uncle, Count Robert Lecter. So far, Fuller hasn’t heard back from the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.

SHOWBIZ NEWS:

J.LO CRITICIZED FOR TURKMENISTAN PERFORMANCE

Jennifer Lopez was the celebrity entertainment at the birthday party for Turkmenistan leaderGurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, who is known for his oppressive rule and human rights violations. In fact, Human Rights Watch describes Turkmenistan “among the most repressive in the world.” J. Lo was reportedly paid $1 million plus expenses for the performance, which included her singing “Happy Birthday” to the controversial leader. She later apologized for appearing at the event, with her rep explaining she “was invited to perform by China’s National Petroleum Corporation,” and would not have accepted had she known there were human rights issues in Turkmenistan.

JESSICA SIMPSON WELCOMES BABY BOY

Jessica Simpson and fiancé Eric Johnson welcomed a baby boy on Sunday. "Ace Knute(pronounced Ka-nute) Johnson has arrived! Mom and baby are doing great," her rep tells Us. "Jessica, Eric and Maxwell are thrilled to welcome the new addition to their family." [Kanute is the first name of Eric’s Swedish paternal grandfather.] This is the second child for the couple. Their daughter Maxwell is almost 14 months.

DEEN DROPPED BY PUBLISHER…AND MORE

Things went from bad to worse for Paula Deen over the weekend. Even though her upcoming cookbook Paula Deen’s New Testament: 250 Favorite Recipes All Lightened Up was number one on Amazon.com, Ballantine Books announced they will not be releasing it as planned, and also cancelled Deen’s five-book publishing deal. Earlier Friday, Kmart and Sears announced they were dropping Deen-endorsed products in light of her N-word controversy, as did Walgreens.

PAULA FIGHTING BACK

Meanwhile, Paula Deen is now fighting back against the woman whose harassment suit led to her downfall. Lisa Jackson is suing Paula and her brother Bubba, claiming she endured racial harassment while working as manager at Bubba’s restaurant. It was during a deposition for the case that Paula admitted to using the N-word in the past. Well, now Paula is suing Lisa for filing a bogus lawsuit. Paula’s lawyers argue, that while Lisa is claiming she’s got African American ties, since her partner’s niece is half-black, she in fact doesn’t at all. Paula’s lawyers say Jackson’s niece is Hispanic. As for Lisa’s claims Paula used the N-word at Bubba’s wedding, Paula’s lawyers say Lisa has offered no proof at all to her allegations. Deen’s lawyer wants the judge to issue sanctions against Jackson for filing a false racial harassment suit.

IS BALDWIN’S CONTROVERSY AS BAD AS DEEN’S?

Is Alec Baldwin’s Twitter rant against a Daily Mail reporter going to ruin his career? On Friday, the actor went off on what some are calling a homophobic rant, after Daily Mail reporter George Starkreported that Alec’s wife Hilaria Baldwin was tweeting during the James Gandolfini funeral. The30 Rock star lashed out on Twitter, calling Stark a “toxic little queen,” and threatened to “put my foot up your f**king a**…but I’m sure you’d dig it too much.”   Some sites were comparing Baldwin’s homophobic remarks to Paula Deen’s N-word controversy, suggesting his comments were equally as bigoted.

ALEC APOLOGIZES FOR TWITTER RANT

Over the weekend, Alec Baldwin reached out to GLAAD to apologize for his outburst, but insisted his rant was  not homophobic. “My ill-advised attack on George Stark of the Daily Mail had absolutely nothing to do with issues of anyone’s sexual orientation,” wrote Alec. “My anger was directed at Mr. Stark for blatantly lying and disseminating libelous information about my wife and her conduct at our friend’s funeral service. As someone who fights against homophobia, I apologize.” GLAAD then gave him a pass on the rant, explaining, "Alec Baldwin is making it clear [to GLAAD] that the intent behind his tweets does not excuse his language, especially at a time when there were 11 incidents of violence against gay men in New York City just last month.” But not everyone agrees it’s right to let Baldwin off the hook. News anchor Anderson Cooper, who came out of the closet last year, tweeted Friday, “Why does#AlecBaldwin get a pass when he uses gay slurs? If a conservative talked of beating up a ‘queen’ they would be vilified.”

FBI FILES CLAIM JACKSON PAID OFF TWO DOZEN MOLESTATION ACCUSERS

Britain’s Sunday People got a hold of secret FBI files on Michael Jackson, which claim the King of Pop spent $35 million to silence two-dozen boys he abused over 15 years. Since 1989, the FBI accumulated thousands of pages of evidence, including phone transcripts, and hours of audio tapes,   indicating Jacko molested children, and in some cases right under the noses of the kids’ parents. In one instance, Michael was allegedly caught by his staff abusing a “world-famous child star.” A lot of the evidence was actually found thanks to Michael. He reportedly hired celebrity private eye Anthony Pellicano to make sure his secrets stayed out of the limelight. When Pellicano was investigated for bugging Hollywood stars back in 2002, the FBI seized his files, including the Jackson information.

ROWE SAYS PARIS IS STRONG LIKE DAD

Meanwhile, Debbie Rowe, the mother of two of Michael Jackson’s kids, gave the public an update regarding her daughter Paris, who has been hospitalized since her suicide attempt last month. “My daughter has asked that I extend a huge thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers and support,” Rowe tweeted. “She is strong like her father.” In fact, at this weekend’s opening of the Michael Jackson ONE Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas, Paris’ uncle Jackie Jackson told E!, “She’s doing wonderful right now. She should be out (of the hospital) soon.”

DEPP BRINGS GIRLFRIEND TO MOSCOW

Johnny Depp and his girlfriend Amber Heard are getting a little more comfortable in the public eye. The pair isn’t often seen together, but was photographed holding hands at the Moscow premiere of The Lone Ranger last week. After the screening, the couple met up for dinner at one of the city’s top restaurants.

SLEEPING PHOTO OF KIM NOT NEW

The public appeared to get its first look at a post-pregnancy Kim Kardashian. On Saturday, Kim’s sister Khloe posted a picture of what was believed to be the new mother napping alongside Khloe’s pooch Bernard. The pic’s caption read, “I love my lil’ baby so much.” But Khloe later clarified that the pic was an old one and from before Kim had the baby.

NORTH WON’T DEBUT ON KRIS’ SHOW

Despite Internet rumors, the public will not get its first look at Kim Kardashian’s daughter North West on grandma Kris Jenner’s new talk show, which premieres July 15^th. Sources tell TMZ Kim is planning North’s coming out in a photo shoot. Although Kim has not settled on a magazine yet, insiders say one publication offered her $2 million. Kim allegedly plans to donate all the proceeds to charity.

KRIS CONFIRMS BRUCE HAS MOVED OUT

Kris Jenner last week confirmed rumors that her husband Bruce Jenner has moved out of their Calabasas home. Tabloids claimed that ever since Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and babyNorth moved in, Bruce has felt put out in his own home, and has retreated to his Malibu pad. Confirming that the 63-year-old Bruce needed to “get away for a bit,” Kris explained, “it does get a little congested in our house.” But Kris insists Bruce sleeps at their home most nights, although “once in a while” he’ll stay at the beachfront property.

KIMYE WANT NAMED REMOVED FROM CHARITY AUCTION

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have sent a cease and desist letter to an advertising agency that used their names for an upcoming charity auction.   Jonathan Hay Publicity is auctioning off a painting of West, with proceeds going to the Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, the same hospital Kimye asked donations be made to in lieu of baby gifts. But while the stars commended the publicity firm for their act of charity, they say the company is misleading people as to couple’s involvement. “While our clients certainly have no objections to yours and Mr. Michael A. Smith’s desire to donate money to the Charity, and in fact would applaud your making a donation, you cannot do so under the guise that it is pursuant to a request by our clients,” attorney Lisa M. Buckley wrote in the letter. The company insists there is a disclaimer at the bottom of their website that clarifies Kim and Kanye are not involved in the auction.

LAVIGNE & KROEGER NOT MARRIED…YET

Several media sites reported Saturday that Avril Lavigne and Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger tied the knot in the South of France, but it turns out the news was premature. The rumors began after Avril’s manager Mike Heller tweeted, “I'm in south of France about to see my little Rok star #avril get married I am so happy to be part of this special celebration. ” But it turns out the Saturday celebration in Cannes was just a pre-wedding party, part of a three-day wedding extravaganza. According to E!, the actual wedding is expected to take place later today at an undisclosed location.

BEEKMAN BOYS WED

The Fabulous Beekman Boys Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge got married Friday at their farm in Sharon Springs, NY. The couple, who also won the 21^st edition of The Amazing Race,exchanged vows in front of guests like Martha Stewart, who helped plan the nuptials. "It could not have been a more perfect day," Ridge told Us Weekly. "Surrounded by family, friends, neighbors…and goats!"

LUCAS CELEBRATES MARRIAGE IN CHICAGO

One week after tying the knot in California, George Lucas and new wife Mellody Hobsoncelebrated their union with a big party in Chicago. The bash took place at Chicago’s Promontory Point, with a guest list that included Robin Williams, Mark Hamill, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Al Roker, Gayle King and Jesee Jackson. Guests were treated to a performance byPrince, who was backed by a 22-piece band.

NEW YORK KNICKS’ STOUDEMIRE WEDS

New York Knicks’ Amar’e Stoudemire tied the knot with longtime partner Alexis Welch Saturday at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, FL. The couple, who have four children together, were legally married in New York City on 12/12/12, but always wanted to celebrate with a big event. Guests at the celebration included Carmelo Anthony and wife LaLa, Timbaland, Swizz Beatz and wife Alicia Keys.

BROOKE HOGAN ENGAGED

Brooke Hogan is getting married. The former reality show star, daughter of Hulk Hogan and ex-wife Linda, got engaged over the weekend to Dallas Cowboy player Phil Costa. The NFL star popped the question in front of the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. "Happiest moment of my LIFE. I am marrying my best friend. I [wouldn't] choose anyone else. I am so lucky and so grateful," Brooke posted on Instagram, alongside a photo of Costa down on one knee.

GLEE MAKING CHANGES

Glee has downgraded several of its original cast members, and upped a few of their newcomers. Producers announced Friday that Amber Riley (Mercedes), Mark Salling (Puck), Harry Shum, Jr. (Mike)and Heather Morris (Brittany) will not be series regulars for season five, and Dianna Agron (Quinn) and Jayma Mays (Emma), will only return for possible guest appearances. Meanwhile, Melissa Benoist (Marley), Jacob Artist (Jake), Becca Tobin (Kitty) and The Glee Project alums Blake Jenner and Alex Newell have been upped to series regulars.

ACTRESS INDICTED FOR SENDING RICIN TO PRESIDENT

Actress Shannon Richardson, who had bit parts on The Walking Dead and The Vampire Diaries, was indicted Friday on charges she sent ricin-laced letters to President Barack Obama and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. She has been charged with two counts of sending threatening communications and one count of making a threat against the President of the United States. She faces up to five years in prison on each of the charges.

PITCH PERFECT CO-STARS DATING

Pitch Perfect co-stars Anna Camp and Skylar Astin are dating, according to Us Weekly. The pairmade their first public appearance together last week at the 3^rd Annual 24 Hour Plays in Santa Monica, CA. “They left together,” said a source. “Apparently backstage Skylar was talking about how he loved her from the first day they met.” Camp is currently in the middle of a divorce from Pan Am actor Michael Mosley, whom she was married to for three years.

BERT & ERNIE USED TO CELEBRATE DOMA REPEAL

While the folks at Sesame Street insist Bert and Ernie are simply “best friends,” the New Yorkerseems to think they are much more than that. In fact, the magazine’s next issue, featuring a piece called “Moment of Joy” about SCOTUS’s repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, features Bert and Ernie on the cover looking quite close as they watch the announcement of the historic ruling on TV.

ARTIST SUES CAMERON OVER AVATAR

A British artist who designed album covers for bands like Yes and Asia is suing James Cameronover his hit movie Avatar. Artist Roger Dean is seeking more than $150 million from the director, alleging production workers on Avatar used and referenced his art for the film. Cameron’s lawyer denies the director copied from anyone, calling Cameron the “most original and creative person in the motion picture business today.”

TERMINATOR 3 STAR ARRESTED

Terminator 3 star Nick Stahl was busted for drugs in LA early Friday morning. TMZ reports the 33-year-old was arrested in a motel at around 5 am with three other people and they were all using meth. Cops were at the motel conducting a parole check on one of the people Stahl was with. Talk about being at the wrong place at the wrong time.

MISCELLANEOUS MOVIE NEWS

● Paramount Pictures is rebooting the Terminator franchise. The studio announced the first flick in the planned trilogy will hit theaters June 26, 2015. There’s currently no word on who will direct or star in the movie. The original was directed by James Cameron, and starred Arnold Schwarzenegger in the title role.

● Ryan Reynolds will star in Mississippi Grind, about a gambler on a losing streak who teams up with a younger gambler in the hopes of changing his luck.

● Django Unchained co-stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Jamie Foxx will re-team for the flick Mean Business on North Glanson Street. The film will star DiCaprio as a detective who gets sent to Missouri after an incident at his precinct. There, he teams with Foxx, an officer who also has a tarnished record. The pair work together to figure out why so many local cops have been turning up dead.

TV TIDBITS

●  Chilean actor Pedro Pascal has been cast to play Prince Oberyn Martell in the upcoming season of HBO’s Game of Thrones. Oberyn, also known as the Red Viper, is the charming and dangerous prince of Dorne, whose sister was killed by the Lannisters.

● Duck Dynasty is getting a new, less bearded face. Alan Robertson, the eldest brother of the Robertson clan, will join the A&E hit in season four. Alan, who unlike his brothers is clean shaven and wears suits, is a minister and decided to join the show in order to share his faith with a larger audience.

● Brian Austin Green is becoming a series regular on Charlie Sheen’s Anger Management. The former 90210 star will reprise his role of Sean, the boyfriend of Charlie’s ex-wife Jen (Shawnee Smith). The series is also expected to cast a new actress to replace Selma Blair’s character, and they’re said to be looking for a “gorgeous sexy” Latina or Caucasian female in her 30s or 40s.