MONDAY, JULY 8

NATIONAL HEADLINES:

PILOTS TRIED TO ABORT LANDING JUST BEFORE ASIANA CRASH KILLED 2, INJURED DOZENS

A cockpit voice recorder recovered from Asiana Airlines Flight 214 indicated the pilots asked controllers for another attempt at landing, just 1.5 seconds before the jet crashed at San Francisco International Airport Saturday. Two teenage girls were killed in the crash and scores of others were injured. The National Transportation Safety Board also revealed yesterday that the “black box” flight data recorders showed there was an attempt to boost airspeed just before the plane hit the sea wall and then slammed into the runway. There was no evidence that the Boeing 777 was experiencing any problems before the crash. NTSB investigators were still analyzing data to find out what exactly went wrong. The aircraft, which was arriving from South Korea, careened across the runway, leaving a trail of debris in its wake. The tail of the plane was ripped off in the crash. Of the 291 passengers and 16 crew members on board at the time of the crash, 180 were taken to local hospital and 49 sustained serious injuries including spinal injuries, fractures and burns. The two deceased passengers were identified by Asiana as Ye Mengtuan and Wang Linjia, both 16-year-oldChinese students. The accident was the worst jumbo jet crash in the U.S. since 2001, when American Airlines Flight 587 crashed into a New York City neighborhood killing everyone on board and five on the ground.

RUNAWAY TRAIN KILLS AT LEAST 5 IN QUEBEC

A runaway freight train set off a series of explosions and fires in a small Quebec town this weekend, killing at least five people. Canadian police said that death toll is expected to rise because there are about 40 people who have been reported missing. More than 24 hours after the accident yesterday, fires were finally extinguished, but officials said there was still a risk of explosion. The driverless train carrying petroleum products derailed in the town of Lac-Megantic early Saturday morning. The derailment caused several tanker rail cars to explode in the downtown district, destroying about 30 buildings.

FIREFIGHTERS LEAD PROCESSION FOR 19 COLLEAGUES KILLED IN AZ BLAZE LAST WEEK

Firefighters completed a 125-mile procession yesterday to transport the bodies of the 19 elite firemen who died last week in a Phoenix wildfire. The hearses departed from the medical examiner’s office in Phoenix and arrived at their final destination in the Arizona mountain community of Prescott, where the team of firefighters lived. Hundreds of firefighters, police and citizens from across the state turned out to salute the somber caravan as it passed. The firefighters were all members of the highly trained Granite Mountain Hotshots. They were killed June 30 in the Yarnell Hill fire, when the blaze suddenly shifted directions and trapped them.

VENEZUELA GIVES SNOWDEN DEADLINE TO RESPOND TO ASYLUM OFFER

Venezuelan officials are giving NSA leaker Edward Snowden until Monday to decide whether he will accept their offer of asylum. Foreign Minister Elias Jaua said the country has not had any communication with Snowden since the offer was made. News of the deadline followed the announcement by the president ofBolivia that it was joining Venezuela and Nicaragua in indicating it would offer asylum to the Snowden, who is currently on the run after leaking information on NSA surveillance programs. Snowden is believed to be hiding inside the transit zone of Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport. The U.S. continues to try to have him extradited.

SEC. OF STATE KERRY’S WIFE HOSPITALIZED

Teresa Heinz Kerry, the wife of Secretary of State John Kerry, was hospitalized over the weekend in critical but stable condition. A hospital spokesman said 74-year-old Heinz Kerry was admitted into the emergency room of Nantucket Cottage Hospital in Massachusetts yesterday afternoon. No further details on her condition or illness were released. A source told CBS News that Secretary Kerry is with her at the hospital.

THE WEEKEND BOX OFFICE FROM YAHOO! MOVIES

ROCK NEWS:

fun. GETTING READY TO RECORD NEW ALBUM

fun. is currently on the road but their mind is on the studio. Guitarist Jack Antonoff says the band suspects they will soon be ready to record the follow-up to their 2012 Grammy Award-winning album Some Nights. "There's, like, hints of a game plan," he tells Billboard. "The way we work is pretty spontaneous and pretty quick. Some Nights was written and recorded in a two-month time period, and I think that's one of the elements that made it successful as an album. …So the next album will be the same thing. I assume some time at the beginning of next year we'd like to be in the studio, but that all depends on when the feeling hits and when we have a concept that's worthy." The band has concerts lined up until early October, and says for this trek they’ve “upgraded and tweaked” some of the production. “We changed a lot of stuff,” says Antonoff. “These are the biggest venues we’ve done by far. When we were in the clubs they were selling out and we should've been in theaters, then when we were in theaters we should've been in bigger rooms. I feel like this is the first tour ever where we're right where we should be, and we're ready to be there."

NO WHITE WEDDING FOR CHAD & AVRIL

Pictures have hit the internet of Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger’s wedding last week to pop star Avril Lavigne. The bride and groom both wore black to the nuptials, which took place at a French castle near Cannes. Photos show the couple embracing on a balcony as they and their guests watch fireworks that capped the evening’s festivities.

GUNS ‘N ROSES ANNOUNCE PAIR OF INTIMATE GIGS

Guns ‘N Roses have announced two more club shows. Earlier this summer, the rockers played the intimate Brooklyn Bowl in New York ahead of their Governor’s Ball headlining slot, and now they’ve scheduled two similar shows in Canada. Axl Rose and crew will play the Metropolis in Montreal on July 14^th, and Toronto’s Sound Academy on July 15^th. Both shows follow the band’s headlining gig at the Festival D’Ete in Quebec City on July 12^th. The 11-day fest, which kicked off July 4^th, also features Rush, Def Leppard, Foreigner and the Black Keys.

LAMB OF GOD FRONTMAN WRITING MEMOIR

Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe, who was arrested, charged and cleared in the manslaughter death of a fan who fell off the stage at a show in Prague, is getting ready to release his memoir. Da Capo Press has picked up the yet-to-be-titled book, which will hit stores next spring. The book is expected to focus heavily on the May, 2010 death of fan Daniel Nosek, and the subsequent trial. Blythe was acquitted in March and the ruling was upheld in June, although the role the rocker played in Nosek’s death weighed so heavily on him he felt the need to write about it. "While I've dreamed of being a published author almost since I began to read, I never imagined my first book would center around such a sad topic," said Blythe in a statement. "Sometimes though, life unexpectedly provides you a story that needs to be told. I believe this one does (for several different reasons, not just for the benefit of myself), so I will tell it with the respect and dignity all involved deserve.”

TOOL FOR BABIES

Tool fans who have started to procreate rejoice   – the rock band’s classic tunes are being turned into lullabies for babies. Twinkle Twinkle Little Rock Star, which in the past has released lullaby renditions of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Guns N’ Roses and many others, is now planning to release a Tool edition, featuring songs like “Schism,” “Lateralus,” “Sober,” ‘Stinkfist’ and nine others. The album is due out July 16^th.

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH JOINS AFTERSHOCK FEST

Five Finger Death Punch has been added to the lineup of the Aftershock Festival, taking place September 14^th and 15^th in Discovery Park in Sacramento, CA. The Los Angeles metal band will co-headline the second night alongside Avenged Sevenfold. Day one of the fest features Korn, Megadeth, Shinedown, Papa Roach and Steel Panther. Other bands on day two includeVolbeat, A Day to Remember, HIM, All That Remains and Filter.

MEGADETH RELEASE VIDEO FOR “SUPER COLLIDER”

Megadeth has released the video for the first single and title track from their new album Super Collider.   "That song kind of came from that 'Symphony Of Destruction' corner of my mind," frontman Dave Mustaine told Guitar World magazine. "You can't always play aggressive, thrashy stuff …To me, 'Super Collider' made sense like a normal song — a verse-chorus-verse-chorus kind of thing. It's written the way a real songwriter would write the song, instead of just taking all these musical twists and turns."

ARCTIC MONKEYS SET SIGHTS ON THIRD GLASTONBURY

The Arctic Monkeys recently headlined their second Glastonbury Festival and they’re already looking forward to returning. "I don't see why we can't do it again," frontman Alex Turner told NME. "In a few years time…I mean it! It seemed like everyone was having a good party, you know. And I know we certainly were. So why not?" Turner said that last month’s set was “one of the best gigs we’ve ever done. Ever!”

FLOODS CANCEL KISS CONCERT

KISS has been forced to cancel their July 13^th concert in Calgary because of the devastating floods that recently hit the city. The Scotiabank Saddledome, where the concert was to be held, was severely damaged in the flooding, forcing the cancellation of not only the KISS show, but concerts by Carly Rae Jepsen, Tim McGraw and Dixie Chicks.

CHURCH REJECTS ROCK LYRIC FOR TOMBSTONE

The Church of England has rejected a family’s request to have the Rolling Stones lyric “It’s only rock n roll” etched on their father’s gravestone. Darren and Rick Clapman wanted the words written on their musician dad Charles’ tombstone, but a Church of England court judge ruled against them, calling the lyric “inconsistent with the Christian Gospel.”

REVOLVER TOPS 100 BEST LIST

This weeks’ Entertainment Weekly ranks the “100 Best” and when it comes to albums, it’s no surprise The Beatles hold the number one spot. Revolver tops the list, followed by Prince’s Purple Rain, The Rolling Stones’ Exile on Main Street, Michael Jackson’s Thriller and The Clash’sLondon Calling. Rounding out the Top Ten are: Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks; Aretha Franklin’s Lady Soul, Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy; The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds and Nirvana’s Nevermind.

MORRISSEY ALMOST DIED… BUT WAS OKAY WITH IT

Morrissey is opening up about the health scare earlier this year that caused him to cancel his entire North American tour. He was diagnosed with double pneumonia, a bleeding ulcer and a throat condition, which left him vomiting blood. "It was terrible. I had played in January in Ohio, and I was perfect, but the next night at the hotel I collapsed. I lost consciousness and when I recovered, I was covered in black blood and did not know what it was,” he said. “Not being able to finish the tour was devastating, but doctors warned me: 'A few weeks ago you almost died, and now you say you'll do 18 shows more? Are you trying to kill yourself?' In fact, I think that was what I was doing.” The former Smiths frontman added, “Seriously, I did not worry too much, because eventually we all die one day and in my case it would be better to die on stage than on a sofa covered with bread crumbs."

SHOWBIZ NEWS:

MAN ARRESTED FOR TRYING TO EXTORT DEEN

A New York man was arrested Friday for allegedly trying to extort money from Paula Deen.Thomas Paculis reportedly sent an email to Deen’s attorney in June, saying he would release “true and damning” statements by Deen unless he paid her $250,000. Reports that Deen had used the N-word during a deposition hit the media around that same time, causing Deen to lose her job at the Food Network, as well as several endorsement deals. Deen’s attorney went to the FBI after he received the threat, and Paculis was taken into custody on Friday. He is due to go before a Savannah, GA judge next week.

DEEN DROPS AGENT

Meanwhile, also on Friday, Paula Deen announced she had parted ways with the agent that made her famous. Deen had worked with agent Barry Weiner for over ten years, and he was responsible for landing her her show on the Food Network. "Paula Deen has separated from her agent," Deen's spokeswoman, Elana Weiss, said in a statement. "She and her family thank him for the tireless effort and dedication over the many years."

NIGELLA’S HUSBAND ANNOUNCES DIVORCE

Nigella Lawson’s husband Charles Saatchi revealed Sunday that he is divorcing The Tastejudge. The news comes just weeks after Saatchi, 70, was photographed choking her at a London restaurant. In his announcement, Saatchi says he decided to end their 10-year marriage because he was disappointed she did not publicly defend him during the fallout from the incident. "I am sorry to announce that Nigella Lawson and I are getting divorced," he said in a statement to The Mail. "I feel that I have clearly been a disappointment to Nigella during the last year or so, and I am disappointed that she was advised to make no public comment to explain that I abhor violence of any kind against women, and have never abused her physically in any way." Saatchi went on to say that he and Nigella had drifted apart over the years, and had the nerve to add, “The row photographed at Scott's Restaurant could equally have been Nigella grasping my neck to hold my attention — as indeed she has done in the past."

KERRY WASHINGTON GETS HITCHED

Kerry Washington is married. The Scandal star secretly wed San Francisco 49ers cornerbackNnamdi Asomugha last month. The couple, who had been dating since last summer, filed amarriage license on June 24^th in Blaine County, Idaho. According to reports, they actually got hitched in Hailey, Idaho, with Washington’s parents as witnesses, and Asomugha’s sister, a minister in Maryland, officiating the ceremony.

CLOONEY & KEIBLER OVER?

Sounds like George Clooney may be looking for his next gal. Sunday People claims the Oscar winner has split from his girlfriend of two years, Stacy Keibler. The report suggests Clooney dumped Keibler after they opted to celebrate the Fourth of July separately. “It's not like George and Stacy couldn't find time to get together if they really wanted to,” claimed a source. “George is quietly backing away from the relationship. It's always the same. As soon as he feels a woman is getting too close he pulls back.”

LONGORIA DATING FORMER READY FOR LOVE CONTESTANT

Eva Longoria has a new boyfriend. Several months ago it was rumored she was dating Ernesto Arguello, a contestant on her now-defunct dating show Ready for Love. While Eva insists they weren’t a couple at the time, they apparently are now. "I think that's why our relationship is so special – we truly started as friends,” she tells People, insisting they only recently started dating. “I guess we have the press to thank for pushing us to see something we didn't see!"

TWO BIG BROTHER CASTMATES LOSE JOBS OVER OFFENSIVE COMMENTS

The Big Brother racism controversy has had some consequences for the houseguests. After several were shown during the live feed making offensive comments, CBS released a statement saying they don’t “condone” the cast’s behavior, adding, “We certainly find the statements made by several of the Houseguests on the live Internet feed to be offensive” But now that offensive behavior has cost some of the cast their real-life gigs. GinaMarie Zimmerman has been fired from her job as pageant coordinator with East Coast USA Pageant Inc., after referring to welfare as “n***er insurance.” In letting her go, the company said they were shocked to find out GinaMarie could “display such acts of hate and racism.” In addition, contestant Aaryn Gries was fired from her modeling agency over her homophobic and racist remarks. She was heard calling a gay houseguest “queer,” and telling an Asian houseguest to “shut up and go make some rice.”

McCARTHY IN TALKS TO REPLACE BEHAR ON THE VIEW

Jenny McCarthy is reportedly in talks to replace Joy Behar on The View. The former Singled Outhost has frequently appeared on the ABC daytime talker, and now rumors claim she may become a permanent member of the panel when Behar leaves in August. So far there has been no comment from ABC.

ELISHA CUTHBERT WEDS

Happy Endings star Elisha Cuthbert married Toronto Maple Leafs captain Dion PhaneufSaturday in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Reports claim 300 people witnessed the couple say “I Do” at the St James Catholic Church in Summerfield, followed by a reception at Phaneuf’s waterfront estate. This is the first marriage for both Cuthbert and Phaneuf, who got engaged last September after dating five years.

SETH MEYERS ENGAGED

Seth Meyers is off the market. The Saturday Night Live head writer, who will take over for Jimmy Fallon on Late Night next year, has gotten engaged to longtime girlfriend Alexi Ashe. According toUs Weekly, the couple met several years ago at a wedding. 

50 CENT CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

50 Cent was charged with domestic violence last week after he allegedly kicked the mother of one of his children last month. The rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, also reportedly caused $7,100 worth of damage to the victim’s California home. The 37-year-old allegedly got into a fight with the woman who then locked herself in the bedroom. He got mad and kicked down a door, broke chandeliers, furniture, a TV and a lamp. 50 Cent left before cops arrived. An attorney for 50 Cent denies the allegations, adding, “It is important to note, Mr. Jackson has not been arrested and there is no warrant outstanding for his arrest."

BUSY PHILIPPS WELCOMES SECOND DAUGHTER

Busy Philipps is a mom again. The Cougar Town actress and hubby Marc Silverstein welcomed their second daughter on July 2^nd, announcing the news on Twitter. The actress posted a picture of herself and her newborn, with the caption, “so this happened…” It was the same caption she used to announce her pregnancy, along with her positive pregnancy test. So far a name for the baby has not been announced. Their first child, daughter Birdie, is almost five.

BEYONCE’S DAD REMARRIES

Beyonce’s dad got married again over the weekend, although his famous daughters were not there to witness the happy occasion. Matthew Knowles married former model Gena Avery on Sunday in Houston Texas, although both Bey and sister Solange couldn’t make it. Matthew explained, “Unfortunately, Beyonce and Solange had previous engagements which made it impossible for them to attend.”

ELI MANNING & WIFE WELCOME SECOND DAUGHTER

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and his wife Abby welcomed their second child last month. “We welcome another Manning to the @Giants Family, Eli and Abby's second daughter,Lucy Thomas born June 17, 2013," the official Giants Twitter revealed last week. The couple is already parents to daughter Ava Frances, who is two.

VICTORIA BECKHAM FEELS GUILTY ABOUT WORKING

Victoria Beckham admits that sometimes it’s hard juggling motherhood and her career. “It’s a huge juggling act, when you are a working mother and looking after your family,” the mother-of-four tells Vogue China. “Millions and millions of women around the world are doing this every day, but it’s not easy and yes, you feel guilty every time you walk out of the door to go to work.”

BYNES BACK TO THINKING DRAKE IS UGLY

Amanda Bynes is back to insulting Drake. The trainwreck goes back and forth as to whether she finds him sexy or ugly, and apparently she’s now back in the ugly phase. On Sunday she tweeted, “Drake Looks Like He Has That Disease Where He Ages Quickly. He Looks 80 Years Old,” followed by “Drake is ugly.” Just two days prior she tweeted, “Drake Is The Most Gorgeous Man On The Face Of The Earth.”

BENSON DENIES DATING CO-STAR

Pretty Little Liars star Ashley Benson is denying an Us Weekly report that claimed she was dating her PLL co-star Tyler Blackburn. While the pair plays sweethearts on the ABC Family hit, Ashley took to Twitter to deny they were a couple in real life. “Haha @usweekly what are you gonna come up with next???,” she wrote. “Hilarious. Although I do love you @tylerjblackburn.”