Band cancels Antarctica stop; ice collapses

Global warming might have felled a massive, 160-square-mile chunk of ice on Antarctica's Western Peninsula, but it was weather of a chillier sort that forced Fall Out Boy to cancel its show in Antarctica yesterday. The stop was to be its last in its quest to become the first band to play all seven continents in less than nine months, which would have set a new world record.

Nasty weather in the area forced the cancellation of all flights in and out of Antarctica.

"We were sort of aware that this might happen, but, to be honest, we're just hoping some other band doesn't slip in by boat or something and set the world record right under our noses," singer Patrick Stump told MTV News. The ice shelf that melted was so humongous--reportedly the size of Manhattan--that it took what would have been the runway for Fall Out Boy's plane right with it.

"Basically it's more evidence of global warming," bassist Pete Wentz told MTV News about the ice-shelf melt. "Essentially our runway just fell off."

The Game preps Los Angeles Times

Recently released from jail and facing a civil lawsuit over his assault of a man during a pickup basketball game, the Game is hoping to focus on the music for the foreseeable future. The rapper has set a June 24 release date for Los Angeles Times, his latest studio album.

Calling the album "highly controversial," the Game told Billboard.com, "I'm addressing real issues that other artists might be scared to talk about on record; issues that need to be heard."

The album's first single, "Big Dreams," was produced by Cool & Dre and recently went to radio. Dr. Dre is expected to be involved on the production side, but no other details have been released.

Los Angeles Times is the follow-up to 2006's Doctor's Advocate, which has sold 966,000 copies in the US, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Dr. Pepper unveils Chinese Democracy promo bet

In a press release chock-full of song-name puns, Dr. Pepper has announced a tongue-in-cheek promotional effort tied to the long-delayed, long-mocked release of Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy. The soft-drink maker has vowed to give away a free can of Dr. Pepper to everyone in America--except estranged GNR guitarists Slash and Buckethead--if the 17-years-in-the-making album ever hits stores.

"It took a little patience to perfect Dr. Pepper's special mix of 23 ingredients, which our fans have come to know and love," Dr. Pepper's Jaxie Alt said in a statement. "So we completely understand and empathize with Axl's quest for perfection--for something more than the average album. We know once it's released, people will refer to it as 'Dr Pepper for the ears' because it will be such a refreshing blend of rich, bold sounds--an instant classic."

Smashing Pumpkins sue Virgin Records

The Smashing Pumpkins have filed a lawsuit against their record label, Virgin Records, claiming the label illegally used their name and music in promotional deals that hurt the band's credibility with fans. The breach-of-contract complaint, filed Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims that Virgin's use of the band in a "Pepsi Stuff" promotion with Amazon.com and Pepsi Co. threatens their reputation for "artistic integrity."

The band has "worked hard for over two decades to accumulate a considerable amount of goodwill in the eyes of the public," the group said in the complaint. The lawsuit alleges that Virgin had no right to ink the deal because the only active agreement between the two parties is a deal granting Virgin permission to sell digital downloads of the band's songs. The lawsuit said that the agreement does not give Virgin the right to use the band in promotional campaigns to sell outside products.

"I'm sure they indicated to Pepsi that they had a right to do this, full well knowing they do not have the right," Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan told Billboard.com about the lawsuit by phone from Australia, where the band is touring.

Corgan said he has been feuding for years with Virgin over the handling of the Pumpkins' back catalog, but that the Pepsi/Amazon.com promotion "crosses the Rubicon. You're going to see more of this playing fast and loose with the rules, hoping they don't get caught. At face value, it's not a huge deal. But in terms of precedent, it is, because there will be much more of this coming."

Bon Jovi guitarist arrested for DUI

Despite two rehab stints in 2007, Richie Sambora continues to struggle with alcohol. The Bon Jovi guitarist was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in Laguna Beach, Calif., on Tuesday night. Sambora was arrested while driving in his black Hummer, which police said was weaving across the center traffic line, according to the Associated Press. There were three females, including two minors, in the vehicle with him at the time of the arrest.

Police ordered Sambora to perform both verbal and manual field-sobriety tests on the scene. He failed them and was later given a blood test, the results of which were not released. According to police, Sambora willfully submitted to the tests. Sambora was transported to the Laguna Beach jail and was released about five hours later. He is scheduled to stand before a judge May 7 to answer to the misdemeanor charge.

The guitarist has had a rough go of it in recent years. He split from actress Denise Richards recently, and ended his marriage to actress Heather Locklear last April, just following the death of his father, who'd succumbed to lung cancer.

Nate Dogg cuts plea deal

Nate Dogg won't have to deal with his recovery from a stroke from prison. The West Coast crooner was sentenced to three years' informal probation Tuesday after pleading guilty to aggravated trespass and battery stemming from a 2006 domestic-violence complaint brought by an ex-girlfriend. The singer--real name Nathaniel Hale--must also complete a batterers' treatment program and refrain from owning a weapon for 10 years, according to TMZ.com.

Nate Dogg was charged with misdemeanor aggravated trespass, battery, telephone harassment, dissuading a witness from reporting a crime, and violating a restraining order from a previous domestic incident after breaking into the Newport Beach home occupied by his ex-girlfriend, her new boyfriend, and the boyfriend's mother.

According to police, after he forced his way into the residence, Nate punched the other guy in the face and then fled the scene. Both the unidentified beau and Nate's ex filed for additional orders of protection to keep him away.

With a possible jail sentence averted, Nate Dogg is now focusing on regaining feeling on the left side of his body following a stroke he suffered in late December.

"Time will tell everything, obviously," Nate's rep, Rod McGrew, told MTV News in January. "The doctor can only guess what the outcome will be. But based on situations with similar people his age, and based on his health, the prognosis is good right now."