Mexican-American singer Jenni Rivera died in a plane crash Saturday night, her father and brother confirmed. The wreckage was found in the Ejido La Colorada, Municipality of  Nuevo Leon. Gerardo Ruiz Esparza, secretary of communications and transport, said that the plane was not recognizable, but the evidence suggested it was the aircraft carrying the singer. The Learjet carrying the 43-year-old performer lost contact with air traffic controllers after it took off from Monterrey, Mexico, at 3:15 a.m. following Rivera's concert there. Contact was lost about 60 miles away, Mexico's transportation ministry said in a statement. It was scheduled to arrive in Toluca, outside Mexico City, before sunrise. Rivera, a native of Long Beach, Calif., was known as the Diva of Banda with over 20 million albums sold worldwide and recently named one of People En Español's 25 most powerful women. She was also the star of I Love Jenni, a reality show that aired on Telemundo's mun2 documenting the singer's jet-set life as an entertainer and mother of five children. It also featured her publicist, lawyer and makeup artist, who were all on the plane with her. Earlier this month, ABC tapped Rivera to star in her own show. The self-titled comedy, Jenni, would feature her as a strong, middle-class, single Latina woman working to raise a family using unique parenting skills.

  Former South African President Nelson Mandela, in hospital for tests since Saturday, has suffered a recurrence of a lung infection but is responding to treatment, a government statement said on Tuesday. "Doctors have concluded the tests, and these have revealed a recurrence of a previous lung infection, for which Madiba (Mandela's clan name) is receiving appropriate treatment and he is responding to the treatment," the statement said. The 94-year-old former South African president and revered anti-apartheid leader is spending his fourth day in a hospital in the South African capital Pretoria. A statement from the office of President Jacob Zuma, who visited the Nobel Peace laureate Sunday, said, "President Mandela had a good night's rest" and was "in good hands." It also thanked members of the public for their messages of support. Defense Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula told reporters after paying Mandela a visit in Pretoria's "1 Military" hospital that he was doing "very, very well." The military is responsible for the health of sitting and former South African presidents. Mandela, South Africa's first black president and a global symbol of resistance to racism and injustice, spent 27 years in apartheid prisons, including 18 years on the windswept Robben Island off the coast of Cape Town. He was released in 1990 and went on to be elected president in the historic all-race elections in 1994 that ended white-minority rule in Africa's most important economy.

Australian DJs apologize for royal hoax call

They say they expected a hang-up and a few laughs. Instead, the Australian DJs behind a hoax phone call to the London hospital where the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge was being treated were deeply apologetic Monday as they described how their joke ended up going too far. The phone call — in which they impersonated Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles — went through, and their station broadcast and even trumpeted the confidential information received. Whatever pride there had been over the hoax was obliterated by worldwide public outrage after Friday's death of Jacintha Saldanha, the first nurse they talked to. "There's not a minute that goes by that we don't think about her family and what they must be going through," 2DayFM radio host Mel Greig told Australia's "A Current Affair," her voice shaking. "And the thought that we may have played a part in that is gut-wrenching."  Both DJs apologized for the hoax and cried when asked about the moment they learned that the Saldanha was dead. But neither described having reservations before the hoax tape was broadcast; they said higher-ups at the station had made the decision to air it. "We didn't have that discussion," Greig said. Southern Cross Austereo, the parent company of 2DayFM, released a statement Monday saying that Greig and Christian's show had been terminated and there would be a company-wide suspension of prank calls. The DJs themselves remain suspended. Saldanha had two children. Her husband, Ben Barboza, expressed his sadness on his Facebook page with a short note "Obituary Jacintha." "I am devastated with the tragic loss of my beloved wife Jacintha in tragic circumstances," he wrote. He said she will be laid to rest in Shirva, India.

 Sugarland‘s Jennifer Nettles welcomed son Magnus Hamilton Miller on Thursday, Dec. 6, her rep confirmed. Baby Magnus is the first child for the Grammy-winning singer, 38, and her husband, entrepreneur Justin Miller. “We are so thankful for all the prayers and support and are excited to take some time together as a new family,” the couple say in a statement. And the timing couldn’t have been better: after tying the knot during a small, sunset ceremony in Tennessee last year, the couple celebrated their first anniversary on Nov. 28.

 

Toni Braxton hospitalized for Lupus and blood clots

R&B singer Toni Braxton has been hospitalized for complications related to her Lupus, she announced via Twitter. "Hey guys, I'm in the hospital for health issues related to Lupus & Blood clots, I will be home soon...Thanks for all the love&support! Xoxo," the singer tweeted on Friday. The 45-year-old revealed two years ago that she was diagnosed with Lupus, a dangerous autoimmune disease. Specifically, she suffers from systemic lupus erythematosus. Braxton's own uncle passed away from complications related to the illness, and her brother suffers from it as well. Braxton was also hospitalized back in January for what she called a "Lupus flare-up." She also suffers from microvascular angina, or "small vessel disease," which makes blood clots particularly common.

 

Ex-President Bush remains hospitalized, stable

Former President George H.W. Bush remains in stable condition in his third week of hospitalization in Houston for treatment of a bronchitis-related cough. Methodist Hospital spokesman George Kovacik said Sunday there was no change in the 88-year-old Bush's condition. Doctors have said over the past several days that the 41st president continues to improve but they're in no hurry to release him. Bush was admitted to the hospital the day after Thanksgiving. Bush and his wife, Barbara, divide their time, spending winters in Houston and summers in Kennebunkport, Maine.

Brent charged with manslaughter

Police charged Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Josh Brent with intoxication manslaughter Saturday after he flipped his car in a pre-dawn accident that killed teammate Jerry Brown.  Irving police spokesman John Argumaniz said the accident happened about 2:20 a.m. Saturday in the Dallas suburb, hours before Brent was to be on a team flight to Cincinnati for the Cowboys' game Sunday against the Bengals. Argumaniz said the 25-year-old Brown — a practice-squad linebacker who also was Brent's teammate for three seasons at the University of Illinois — was found unresponsive at the scene and pronounced dead at a hospital. the pair had joined a dozen teammates who apparently spent Friday night at Privae, a Dallas club where comedian Shawn Wayans was appearing. Brent released a statement Saturday night through his agent, Peter Schaeffer. "I am devastated and filled with grief," the statement reads. "Filled with grief for the loss of my close friend and teammate, Jerry Brown. I am also grief-stricken for his family, friends and all who were blessed enough to have known him. "I will live with this horrific and tragic loss every day for the rest of my life. My prayers are with his family, our teammates and his friends at this time.” It marked the second straight week the NFL found itself dealing with a tragedy right before gameday. ''We are deeply saddened by the news of this accident and the passing of Jerry Brown,'' Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. ''At this time, our hearts and prayers and deepest sympathies are with the members of Jerry's family and all of those who knew him and loved him.'' Officers conducted a field sobriety test on Brent and arrested him on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, Argumaniz said. The charge, a second-degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison, was upgraded after Brown was pronounced dead. Argumaniz said Brent, who pleaded guilty to a drunken driving charge three years ago at Illinois, was being held without bond. Brent is named as Joshua Price-Brent in the police news release. Argumaniz said Brent missed a 10 a.m. Saturday booking session with a judge because he was intoxicated. He did not know if Brent had an attorney. Brent was speeding when the vehicle hit a curb and flipped at least once, Argumaniz said. Police received 911 calls from motorists who saw the upside-down vehicle but they did not immediately have any eyewitnesses to the wreck, the police spokesman said. Argumaniz said when officers arrived at the scene on a state highway service road, Brent was dragging Brown from the vehicle, a Mercedes, which was on fire. Officers quickly put out the small blaze, he said. Before he was taken to the jail, Brent went to a hospital for a blood draw for alcohol testing and also received treatment for some minor scrapes. Argumaniz said Brent identified himself to officers as a Cowboys player. Cowboys players were aware of the accident Saturday morning, and coach Jason Garrett told the team about Brown's death on the plane about 1:15 p.m. after asking other personnel to step off the aircraft, team spokesman Rich Dalrymple said. The flight was ''quiet, more than normal,'' Dalrymple said. Former Illinois coach Ron Zook said Brent, a third-year player who made the first start of his career in the opener against the New York Giants, was trying to help Brown make it in the NFL. Brown joined the Cowboys in October after he was released by the Indianapolis Colts. Brown played for San Antonio in the Arena Football League this year. In 2011, he played for Jacksonville in the AFL and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League. In June 2009, Brent pleaded guilty to DUI and was sentenced to 60 days in jail, two years of probation, 200 hours of community service and a fine of about $2,000. As part of his plea deal, prosecutors dropped one count of aggravated DUI/no valid driver's license. Brent successfully completed his probation in July 2011.


'Skyfall' returns to No. 1
In the box-office lull before the arrival The Hobbit next weekend, Skyfall returned to the number-one spot at the box office, becoming the first film since How to Train Your Dragon to lead the chart in its fifth week. It also became the highest grossing Sony release of all time. Way back in sixth, Gerard Butler and Jessica Biel’s new film, a soccer-themed rom-com Playing for Keeps completely missed the goal, debuting with an awful $6.0 million.
1. Skyfall – $11.0 million
4. Rise of the Guardians – $10.5 million
2. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 – $9.2 million
3. Lincoln – $9.1 million
5. Life of Pi – $8.3 million
6. Playing for Keeps – $6.0 million

Rick Ross Cancels Remainder Of His MMG Tour As Safety Concerns Arise

It seemed the Maybach Music Group boss was having a great time on tour with his MMG protégés, Meek Mill and Wale, but he suddenly canceled two North Carolina shows on Thursday night and then the rest of his run on Friday. Rozay has pulled the plug on the tour that was to run up to his New York City show on December 16, a source confirmed with MTV News. That's a total of seven scheduled stops in Nashville, Memphis, Houston, Detroit and the Big Apple; and the previously canceled NC dates. "I want to apologize to all of my fans who I missed performing for due to the cancellations and want to let them know that I will get back to their cities," Rick Ross said on Friday. "I enjoyed my experience with my little bros Wale and Meek Mill and I'm ready to get back in the studio to make good music." A rep for Ross said that though the first leg of the tour was successful the remaining dates were cancelled due to "apparent lack of organization and communication on the part of the tour promoter." Despite the official word, there are rampant reports that Rozay halted his North Carolina dates because he received threats from a street gang known as the Gangster Disciples. In a YouTube clip members of the organization cite grievances with Ross for name-dropping their chairman Larry Hoover on the chorus of his 2010 single "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)."

Kristen Stewart: 'I Can Confirm' I'm Co-Starring With Ben Affleck In Focus

Kristen Stewart's post-"Twilight" career is off to a good start. After a month of buzz claiming the 22-year-old beauty was being considered to star alongside Ben Affleck in the upcoming Warner Bros. comedy "Focus," Kristen herself has revealed she nabbed the role.  The actress, whose latest movie "Breaking Dawn - Part 2" (the final film in "The Twilight Saga") is still burning up the box office, is thrilled to be getting a humorous change of pace. "It's a comedy. I'm really excited about it," she told the website. "We start shooting in April." Kristen will play a rookie con artist alongside Ben, who will play an experienced swindler. The fraud-loving pair's relationship grows complicated when they begin to develop romantic feelings for one another. 

 

Yet another celebrity is swept up in a nude photo scandal after taking naked pics for a significant other. This time, it's singer Ciara, who allegedly took the photos for her on-again off-again boyfriend 50 Cent as a gift for his birthday in July -- though some sources say the pics may be as much as five years old. This time, the photos weren't stolen from a hacked cell phone or email account, but taken behind-the-scenes at a private photoshoot. Ciara appears nude, except for elaborate decorative body paint.

Beyoncé signs $50 million Pepsi deal

Beyoncé has cemented her place as a top earning pop superstar by signing a lucrative deal with Pepsi worth an estimated $50 million. The singer has previously appeared in Pepsi ads, but she has now stepped up her involvement with the company by becoming the face of the brand and giving Pepsi sponsorship for her albums, concerts, photo shoots and music videos. Pepsi will also provide a multimillion dollar fund for Beyoncé to use to bankroll her own creative projects over the next few years.  Beyoncé says in a statement, "Pepsi embraces creativity and understands that artists evolve. As a businesswoman, this allows me to work with a lifestyle brand with no compromise and without sacrificing my creativity." Lee Anne Callahan-Longo, who runs Beyoncé's Parkwood Entertainment company, insists the deal is more than just a regular brand sponsorship agreement, adding, "It's wise for a brand like Pepsi to give an artist the ability to truly express herself. Instead of just the old-school way of, 'Do you want to be in an advertisement?' This is much bigger. This is, 'How can we create something together that is truly unique?'"  Beyoncé will collaborate with Pepsi on America's upcoming 2013 Super Bowl halftime show, and an image of her face will be stamped on the side of limited edition cans due for release in the spring. The singer's next album is due for release around the time of the massive televised concert in February.

 Nashville star Hayden Panettiere has broken up with her boyfriend of more than a year, New York Jets wide receiver Scotty McKnight, a source confirmed. But the split doesn't appear to be the stuff of a sad country song. The actress, 23, is still friends with McKnight, 24. This is Panettiere's second go at a relationship with an athlete. Before dating McKnight she was with Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko for about two years.

 

Justin Bieber adds 30 2013 tour dates

Billboard -- Pop star and recent Grammy-snub victim Justin Bieber has added 30 North American dates to his ongoing "Believe" tour, which has been extended through August 2013. The arena trek, which supports Bieber's latest No. 1 album "Believe," kicked off on Sept. 29 in Glendale, Ariz., and has continued across the country this fall. The tour will head overseas beginning in February and return for a fresh run of North American starting on June 22 in San Diego. Tickets for the newly announced "Believe" dates, presented by AEG Live, will go on sale on Dec. 14 and Dec. 21. Although the former Best New Artist nominee failed to garner any new Grammy nods for his "Believe" work, Bieber took home the Artist of the Year trophy at the 2012 American Music Awards last month.
 Over the weekend, the "Diamonds" singer, 24, posed for pal Melissa Forde, sipping wine and smoking by a fireplace in a ski chalet- Rihanna was slightly less relaxed earlier in the weekend -- launching a tirade against, presumably, on-again, off-again beau Chris Brown.  "Examine what you tolerate, goodbye muthaf****," she tweeted Friday, although she didn't clarify the root of her anger. "You give, you get, then you give it the f*** back" and "Claps for the basic b****." The tweets came after Chris Brown was recently seen with his ex-girlfriend.


Adele facing fine over baby registration

British singer Adele is facing a fine after allegedly failing to register her baby's birth with authorities. Adele gave birth to her first child with her partner Simon Konecki on Oct. 19, but she has yet to speak out about the new arrival or reveal the little boy's name. It has now emerged that Adele has failed to file the necessary paperwork with registrars within the required 42-day legal deadline and could now be facing a $1,600 fine.

Brooke Mueller could be jailed for drinking alcohol on probation
In addition to reportedly overdosing on Adderall on Friday (Dec. 7), Brooke Mueller faces more trouble, as she has reportedly violated her probation by drinking alcohol. Charlie Sheen's ex say that when Mueller was hospitalized for the overdose, alcohol was found in her system. Mueller is currently on probation for felony drug possession, and part of the deal is no drinking alcohol. No word on whether prosecutors plan to revoke Mueller's probation. Mueller's rep, meanwhile, publicly denied that she overdosed on drugs, saying she was hospitalized for exhaustion and dehydration

Shannen Doherty may have prevented fan's suicide after calling police

"Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Charmed" star Shannen Doherty received messages on Twitter from a fan in New Jersey who was thinking about suicide. Unsure how to help, Doherty called police in Westhampton Township and explained what was going on.  On the call, Doherty says, "This is going to sound incredibly strange ... my name is Shannen Doherty and I'm an actress. I'm on Twitter, sadly, and there is a girl that is threatening to shoot herself and she lives somewhere over there." At one point in the call, the dispatcher even tells Shannen that her co-workers are big fans. Officers were able to find out where Doherty's 27-year-old fan lived, and they were dispatched to her home. According to the report, the woman was fine and said she had no intention of actually hurting herself.

 remember how Kat Von D tattooed Jesse James' creepy school picture from fifth grade under her armpit right before they broke up for the final time (and she then accused him of cheating on her with 19 women)?  Despite her insistence that she would keep the fittingly placed tat because she lives with "no regrets," Kat apparently had a few regrets. On Friday, the Deadmau5-dating tattoo artist tweeted photos showing her getting the portrait lasered off. "AND SO IT BEGINS!" she wrote. "First round of tattoo removal well underway! :) #freshstart."