Moon Over Ecuador: Fugitive NSA Leaker Edward Snowden was seen at the Moscow airport talking with ambassadors from Ecuador, a possible new home. But Snowden was not on a flight to Cuba today, as was expected. He’s getting help from odd bedfellows, including WikiLeaks and the Russian government. The US cancelled Snowden’s passport before he left Hong Kong, but officials there allowed him to depart.

Mandela: Former South African President Nelson Mandela has been downgraded to critical condition in a hospital. he was admitted two weeks ago with a recurrence of a serious lung infection. His family is debating how aggressive treatment should be for the 94-year-old icon.

Money: A 5.3% dip in the Chinese stock market today put world financial markets on edge and the Dow Jones dipped 250 points. China’s economy is sowing down, causing worries that the Chinese will buy fewer goods and commodities from other countries.

Phew: Tightrope artist Nik Wallenda walked a two-inch cable across a canyon 1500 feet over the Little Colorado River in a stunt broadcast live on the Discovery Channel. Over the years five members of the “Flying Wallendas” family act have died in falls and accidents, including founder Karl Wallenda. Wired for sound, Nik Wallenda prayed all the way across. “”Praise you God, praise you Jesus how I love you.” Who knew God watches Discovery?

Weekend Box: The cartoon characters of “Monsters Universit beat Brad Pitt and the Zombies of “World War Z”. The monsters grossed $82 million in the US; Zombies did just $66 million. The Superman movie “Man of Steel” slid into third place.

The Obit Page: Stormy Monday. Blues man Bobby (Blue) Bland died Sunday in Memphis at 83. never the biggest headliner, he was a contemporary of BB King and an influence on everyone from Wilson Pickett to the Allman Brothers.

>Former Rolling Stone scribe Chet Flippo died at 67 in Nashville after a long illness. In the 1970s and 80s Flippo chronicled country musicians such as Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Dolly Parton. He also covered John Lennon’s legal troubles and the many re-inventions of Bob Dylan.

Sugar Shock: The new incarnation of the Hostess Company says Twinkies will be back in stores by July 15th. Hostess went bankrupt and sold many of its major brand names including Winderbread, to other companies. But Twinkies, Donettes and CupCakes remain. The slogan on their new packages: “The Sweetest Comeback in the Hstory of Ever.”

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