METALLICA, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE Rumored For UK's READING And LEEDS Festivals

According to eFestivals.co.uk, METALLICA and RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE are rumored to be two of the three American headliners slated to perform at this year's Reading and Leeds Festivals, which will happen, as usual, in England over the August Bank holiday weekend '” from Friday, August 22 to Sunday, August 24.

By The Canadian Press

TORONTO - The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired GM John Ferguson and replaced him on an interim basis with Cliff Fletcher.

"After full consideration of the Leafs' situation, it has become clear that change and a new direction is needed," Richard Peddie, president and CEO of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, said in a statement. "The decision has been made that John will not be receiving a new contract at the end of this year, and it's in the best interests of the Leafs and of John to begin the transition immediately."

Ferguson was informed of the news by Peddie on Tuesday morning. A news conference was set for 1 p.m. ET at the Air Canada Centre.

When reached by e-mail Tuesday, Ferguson declined to comment.

"John has been given the opportunity and the resources he requested to deliver results from the strategic plans that he put in place when he was named general manager in 2003, and while the new collective bargaining agreement required some re-shaping of those plans, the results have fallen short of what our organization, including John, and our fans expect," added Peddie.

"We will always be grateful to John for his passion, dedication and commitment to putting a winning team on the ice. He's a man of the highest integrity, who withstood often unfair public criticism with dignity and class. He represented our organization and our community in a first class manner. We wish him well in what we expect will be a long and productive hockey career."

The MLSE board of directors met on Monday and decided to make the change.

Fletcher first served as GM of the Maple Leafs from 1991 to 1997, twice leading the team to the Western Conference finals. The 72-year-old is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

"Cliff Fletcher is the ideal person to lay the groundwork of positive change for the Leafs," said Peddie. "As all of our general managers have had, he will have the autonomy and responsibility for all hockey decisions with a focus on establishing a foundation from which the next general manager can build. He will guide us through the upcoming trade deadline and toward the draft and free agent signing period."

Leafs head coach Paul Maurice left the ice during practice Tuesday morning and was seen huddling with Peddie before returning to practice.

Speculation about Ferguson's future with the club has been swirling recently as the club has struggled in January.

The Leafs missed the playoffs the past two years and are in 14th place in the NHL's Eastern Conference standings with a 19-22-5-3 record. But they have won three of their last four games.

Slash still wants to move forward on a solo album, which he says will feature a roster of guest vocalist.

But if anything delays the Velvet record, I would turn around and do that (solo album) then."

When Universal confirms a release, then I'll get excited.

Lebeis said Axl is currently "in negotiations" with unspecified parties to arrange to album's on-sale date.