Big 3 mimic each other at E3: more, more and more

By DERRIK J. LANG, AP Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES - One word sums up the announcements made by the Big Three gaming companies at the E3 this week: more.

During their flashy press conferences, Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony all announced plans for more games, more sequels, more exclusives, more connectivity and more ways for gamers to use their systems for stuff other than gaming.

Such an escalation in enhancements is undoubtedly good news for existing owners of the Xbox 360, Wii and PlayStation 3 consoles, as well as their handheld counterparts. However, the upgrades may leave the systems feeling less distinct than ever before. Similar features and comparative accessories could confuse financially strapped consumers looking to power up this holiday season.

Microsoft kicked off E3 Monday at the Los Angeles Convention Center with a ceremony pitching the Xbox 360 as family-friendly. Perhaps the biggest announcement was a redesign of the console's interface, which will allow users to create avatars that can interact with each other and play select games online. The Wii's already had that feature — called Miis — since its 2006 debut.

The parallels only begin there. Microsoft flaunted "Lips," a new sing-along game similar to Sony's popular "SingStar" franchise. Unlike "SingStar," this karaoke game developed by iNiS enables wannabe singers to croon their preexisting tunes from MP3 players and to bust moves with a microphone that's motion sensitive, a feature that's been a hallmark of the Wii.

The next day at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Nintendo unveiled WiiSpeak, a "community microphone" that attaches to the top of the console's sensor bar and will allow users to vocally chat. The WiiSpeak accessory will cost $29.99 and be available later this year. Both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 already feature voice chat capabilities and their own headset microphones.

Nintendo teased the news that new entries in the decades-old "Mario Bros." and "Zelda" franchises were currently in development. And for the first time, Nintendo will bring the "Animal Crossing" series to the Wii with "Animal Crossing: City Folk" later this year. The cutesy open-world game will boast a bigger playing field and an online auction house selling virtual items.

"You're able to just do all the things you love to do in 'Animal Crossing' but even more," said Cammie Dunaway, vice president at Nintendo. "And particularly with the new WiiSpeak peripheral, it just opens up the experience, so that you can be playing in a roomful of people, talking to people somewhere across the world."

At the end of their press conference, Nintendo struck up "Wii Music" — yet another play-along music game but one that uses the Wii's controls instead of instrument-shaped peripherals like "Rock Band" and "Guitar Hero." Nintendo's game will give makeshift musicians the ability to conduct an orchestra as well as simulate playing 40 instruments. That's 36 more than "Rock Band."

Later at the Shrine Auditorium on Tuesday, Sony debuted its long-awaited video download service for the PlayStation 3. Standard and high definition videos from such studios as MGM, Fox, Lionsgate and Disney can be downloaded and watched on the console and transferred to Sony's PlayStation Portable handheld system. Rentals cost $2.99 to $5.99 while purchases range from $9.99 to $14.99.

Microsoft announced a deal the day before with DVD rental company Netflix which will allow Xbox 360 owners to stream videos from Netflix to their TV. Microsoft launched its own video download service two years ago with programming from providers such as Paramount Pictures, MTV Networks and Warner Bros. Lionsgate and Disney since used the service to dispense their content, too.

Sony surprised some spectators at E3 by announcing it would focus on and reduce the price of the 80-gigabyte PlayStation 3 to $399. Previously, the company sold a 40-gigabyte version for that price. Before E3 began, Microsoft revealed it would cut the price of 20-gigabyte Xbox 360 by $50 to $299. The company will also begin selling a 60-gigabyte version for $349.

Microsoft and Sony used part of their press conferences to showcase a crop of upcoming sequels. Microsoft will unleash role-playing game "Fable 2" and third-person shooter "Gears of War" 2 later this year. Sony sequels due in time for the holidays include follow-ups to "Resistance" and "Motor Storm." The first next-generation "God of War" game will be released next year.

"Franchises like 'Resistance' and 'MotorStorm' that did so many key things for us at launch are going to be very key for us this holiday season, with 'Resistance 2' and 'MotorStorm Pacific Rift,'" said Jack Tretton, chief executive at at Sony Computer Entertainment America, following the Sony press conference Tuesday.

In what may have been E3's best-kept secret, audible gasps were heard from the audience Tuesday when Nintendo announced that Rockstar Games was developing a "Grand Theft Auto" title for the portable Nintendo DS system that would be released in winter. Titled "Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars," the game will be set in Liberty City and focus on the Triad crime syndicate.

While the Big Three presented much more of the same, they also used E3 to show off completely different products. Microsoft demonstrated a game that uses a video camera to transport players inside B-movies while Nintendo showed off Wii Motion Plus, which adds more precision to the Wii Remote. Sony is betting the new user-generated puzzle game "LittleBigPlanet" will be a blockbuster.

Rolling Stone guitarist Ronnie Wood enters rehab

By GREGORY KATZ, Associated Press Writer

LONDON - Ronnie Wood entered a rehabilitation facility Wednesday for help with alcoholism, said a spokeswoman for the Rolling Stones guitarist.

"Following Ronnie's continued battle with alcohol he has entered a period of rehab," the spokeswoman said on condition of anonymity as required by her agency. "His close family and friends say he is seeking help and look forward to his recovery."

Wood, 61, has fought a long battle with alcoholism during his rock 'n' roll career, which started in the 1960s when he played with the band The Faces.

His spokeswoman didn't release any details about the treatment he will receive or the clinic that he entered.

The craggy guitarist had seemed to be in good health in recent years. He has developed a strong second career as an artist, selling his paintings at some of London's respected art galleries.

But he has been the focus of feverish recent newspaper reports about his resuming drinking.

Danson raises glass to Obama

By Jack Hannah
CNN

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Ted Danson is returning to FX's "Damages" -- and getting on board with Sen. Barack Obama.

Ted Danson, with wife Mary Steenburgen at a film premiere this week, is coming back to FX's "Damages."

Danson's character on "Damages," imperious billionaire Arthur Frobisher, will be back for a second season of the Glenn Close series, FX revealed Tuesday at its gathering for the Television Critics Association.

However, FX head John Landgraf was coy as what Frobisher's condition will be, given that the character was shot at the end of the first season. ("Damages" makes use of extensive flashbacks and flash-forwards, so that's not necessarily a hindrance to Danson's participation.)

Meanwhile, the actor, one of Sen. Hillary Clinton's strongest celebrity supporters during her run for the White House, told CNN that he will "indeed get on the bandwagon" and support Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee, for president.

"I will do everything in my power to make sure that we have a Democrat in the White House, absolutely," Danson said. "And Sen. Obama is a remarkable candidate."

Danson said that Clinton has been a family friend for many years. He and his wife, actress Mary Steenburgen, even appeared at rallies with Clinton earlier this year.

He acknowledged that the race between the two senators evoked strong emotions in supporters of each, but the actor said the pair's agreement on many issues should make it possible for Democrats to unite.

"I don't care who you were backing, or how fervently, or how upset [you were]," he said. "If you don't go out and back the person who represents the issues you care about ... [then] you need to do that."

Danson is best known for his long run as bartender Sam Malone on "Cheers." His performance as Frobisher has earned raves from critics, with the Chicago Tribune's Maureen Ryan calling his work "one of the high points of the show."

William Petersen's run on 'CSI' coming to end

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- William Petersen is leaving "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," a move that might have fans of his brainy crimebuster Gil Grissom screaming bloody murder.

William Petersen will leave "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" in the middle of the upcoming season.

Petersen has agreed to return for occasional guest appearances and will remain a "CSI" executive producer but his run as an original cast member will end this coming season, executive producers Carol Mendelsohn and Naren Shankar said Tuesday.

The air date for his final episode, the season's 10th, has yet to be determined but probably will be at the beginning of 2009, the producers said. The series debuted in fall 2000.

A number of familiar characters will return in the episodes building up to Grissom's departure, among them his former colleague and flame Sara Sidle, played by Jorja Fox; the Miniature Killer and sexy Lady Heather.

"Who better to turn to when you're a scientist in crisis," Mendelsohn said jokingly of Heather (Melinda Clarke).

The decision to leave was Petersen's, the producers said, declining further comment. A call to Petersen's publicist was not returned Tuesday.

The actor had taken a break during the 2006-07 season to perform in a play, with Liev Schreiber stepping in as a visiting investigator.

Police commissioner reverses decision on booze cop, hails him as hero

BY ALISON GENDAR
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Updated Wednesday, July 16th 2008, 9:19 AM

A detective who was disciplined after failing a mandatory booze test in the wake of an off-duty shooting was restored to full duty Wednesday, as the city's top cop praised him as a hero.

"At grave personal risk, Detective Ivan Davison took appropriate and courageous police action to end an imminent threat of death or serious injury to himself and others," Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said.

Davison shot and wounded Stephen Allston, 22, early Sunday after the gunman flashed a Tec-9 during a Queens street fight. The off-duty detective blew a 0.09 after the shooting, becoming the first cop to fail the mandatory booze test imposed by Kelly after the 2006 Sean Bell shooting.

"As the shooting was investigated, witnesses were located and the facts became known, it became apparent that the shooting was within department guidelines," Kelly added.

The alcohol tests were never intended to be the only factor in deciding whether a shooting falls within department guidelines, Kelly said.

"We said from the beginning that it would be possible to have cases where officers might test positive for alcohol use, and also be found to have taken appropriate police action," Kelly said.

The commissioner praised Davison, a 15-year veteran, as a model cop and an example of "selfless dedication to duty."

'The Dark Knight' belongs to Heath Ledger

BY RAFER GUZMÁN |rafer.guzman@newsday.com

July 17, 2008

With rave reviews leaking early, talk of an Oscar for the late Heath Ledger and advance tickets selling for screenings that start at midnight tonight, it seems a foregone conclusion: You'll soon be seeing "The Dark Knight." Here's what to look for after you've settled in with your popcorn:

THE SETUP No back stories here: The Joker (Heath Ledger) simply bursts upon an unsuspecting Gotham City to wreak havoc on citizens, criminals, cops and, of course, Batman ( Christian Bale).

THE FIRST SIX MINUTES The opening bank robbery counts as one of Hollywood's hardest-hitting action sequences in years, an ominous storm of violence with bodies that fall like dominoes and several unnerving wild cards. It all sets the tone for a film that's dark, complex and always one step ahead of its audience - when's the last time you saw one of those?

HEATH LEDGER Any Oscar will be awarded on sentiment rather than merit, but Ledger is wickedly brilliant as the Joker. He revels in his spaghetti hair and maimed-clown makeup, but it's his delightfully nasty delivery and twisted posture that transform him into a force of nature. If Alfred Hitchcock was right that a film is only as good as its villain, that explains the success of "The Dark Knight."

Jessica Alba Shows Off 'Miracle' Baby Honor

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Giving birth to daughter Honor Marie Warren last month "was more like meditation," actress Jessica Alba tells OK! magazine, in which she reveals the first photo of the baby.

"I did yoga breathing. I was focused," says Alba, who opted for a natural birth.

Having a newborn still "hasn't totally sunk in," the "Love Guru" star says.

"She dreams, she smiles, and coos and does all these things, but she hasn't seen enough of the world yet to understand any of that stuff. So I still feel like she's connected to the other world, or something. There's no other way to explain it. It's a miracle."

As for getting back into her pre-pregnancy body, Alba says she's taking it slow.

"I started working out last Thursday, but for 20 minutes. I do cardio on my own. I'm doing it slow," she said.

"Now I'm starting to eat more healthy. Because after working out, having fried chicken and mashed potatoes is a little counteractive."

Ex-Samsung boss convicted

SEOUL, South Korea (CNN) -- The former chairman of the Samsung Group was sentenced Wednesday to pay a hefty fine, but he will not go to jail, a court spokesman said.

Former Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-Hee is shown last week arriving at a court in Seoul.

The sentence comes after investigators looked into corruption allegations at Samsung, which accounts for about 18 percent of South Korea's economic output.

Former Chairman Lee Kun-Hee was sentenced for tax evasion to three years in prison, but that sentence was suspended, meaning he will not spend time behind bars. He also was ordered to pay 110 billion won ($109 million).

Lee was found not guilty of another charge -- breach of trust. The charge alleged that he illegally attempted to transfer ownership of a Samsung affiliate to his son.

Lee resigned in April.

"I sincerely apologize and will do my best to take full legal and moral responsibility," he a week after being indicted. "It grieves me for I still have many things to do."

Second quake hits near Greek island

ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- The Athens Geodynamic Institute says an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.3 has struck near the Greek island of Rhodes. No injuries or damage have been reported.

The institute says the quake struck Wednesday morning at 02:52 a.m. (2352 GMT) and had an epicenter beneath the seabed south of Rhodes and about 440 kilometers (about 275 miles) southeast of the Greek capital, Athens.

The quake is considered to be an aftershock to a 6.3 magnitude earthquake that shook the area on Tuesday.

Russian oil tycoon seeks parole

MOSCOW, Russia (AP) -- The lawyers for jailed Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky say they have asked for his parole.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former head of Yukos Oil Company, in court in 2004.

Khodorkovsky was convicted of tax evasion and fraud in May 2005 after a politically tinged trial. He is serving an eight-year sentence and has been in custody for nearly five years.

His lawyers said Wednesday that they persuaded Khodorkovsky to ask for early release and have filed the request with the court in the Russian city of Chita.

The legal onslaught against Khodorkovsky and his Yukos oil company was widely seen as Kremlin punishment for his independence and political ambitions. Yukos has since been taken over by state oil company Rosneft.

The court's willingness to consider his parole is being seen as a test of new President Dmitry Medvedev's commitment to the rule of law.

Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim arrested

Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has been arrested over allegations of sodomy, police and his lawyer say.

Armed police surrounded his car early on Wednesday and took him into custody, his lawyer said.

The move came shortly before Mr Anwar was due to given a statement to police over the claims made against him.

The former deputy prime minister denies the allegations, which he says are aimed at ending his political comeback.

The move is likely to exacerbate the political tensions that have emerged since the opposition's unprecedented gains in the general election of March 2008.

BY-BBC NEWS

US troops abandon Afghan outpost

American troops have abandoned a remote village in eastern Afghanistan where militants killed nine US soldiers and wounded a dozen more on Sunday.

A statement said the outpost had been temporary and that "regular patrols" in the area would be maintained.

Afghan police are continuing to fight insurgents after the pullout on Tuesday, local officials say.

The attack caused the biggest American loss of life in battle in Afghanistan since operations began in 2001.

Nato says the rebels also suffered heavy casualties.

It did not name the attackers but there has been a sharp increase in Taleban attacks in the country, and in that region in particular, although other rebel groups are also known to operate there.

BY-BBC NEWS

Mid-East prisoner swap under way

An exchange of prisoners between Israel and the Lebanese militant movement Hezbollah is under way on the Israeli-Lebanese border.

Israel is returning the bodies of 200 Lebanese and Palestinian fighters.

Earlier, Red Cross vehicles carrying two coffins said to contain the bodies of two Israeli soldiers captured in 2006 crossed from Lebanon into Israel.

Israel is carrying out DNA tests on the bodies. The capture of the two men in a cross-border raid sparked a 33-day war.

The prisoners, including Samir Qantar (third left), left the jail before dawn

Israel is carrying out DNA tests to confirm the identity of the two Israeli soldiers, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, before handing over five Hezbollah prisoners it holds.

United Nations officials, who have carried out their own tests, have confirmed that the remains are those of the two soldiers.

The soldiers' relatives broke down in tears as they saw the images of Hezbollah handing over the two coffins.

Before the swap, it was unclear whether the two soldiers were alive or dead.

Some in Israel had held out hope that they might still be alive, but the images of two plain black coffins being delivered to the border told the soldiers' family what they had long suspected, says the BBC's Wyre Davies on the Israel-Lebanon border.

BY-BBC NEWS