FIRST LOOK: The News in Brief, June 10, 2005

AS THE CROWE FLIES: The NYPD denying that Russell Crowe received special treatment, despite the actor's claim on the Late Show that a friend "made a few calls" and "simplified things" with regards to his arrest. Crowe was processed within eight hours, while other prisoners can wait up to 36 hours for arraignment, the New York Daily News reports.

JACKSON WATCH: The jury in Michael Jackson's child-molestation case wrapping up their first full week of deliberations and going home for the weekend without reaching a verdict.

MORE JACKSON: Computer security firms warning of a Windows email virus attempting to attract victims with a false claim that Jackson attempted suicide. A link in the email claims to lead to the popster's supposed suicide note, but actually installs malicious software on victims' computers.

KUDOS: Janet Jackson receiving a Humanitarian Award from the Human Rights Campaign on June 18 in recognition of her donations to HIV and AIDS research.

ROCK RAGE: Queens of the Stone Age leader Josh Homme sentenced to 36 months of probation and 60 days in residential rehab after pleading no contest to two counts of misdemeanor battery stemming from a November attack on Dwarves singer Blag Dahlia.

THEY LOVE A PARADE: Paris and Kathy Hilton serving as grand marshals of the annual Los Angeles Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual & Transgender Pride Parade on Sunday.

CREAM OF THE CROP: VH1 naming Gary Coleman number one on its list of the top 100 child stars. Macaulay Culkin ranking second and the Olsen twins coming in third.

AILING: Corin Redgrave, brother of Vanessa and Lynn Redgrave, in critical condition Friday after suffering a heart attack.

REMEMBERED: Dana Elcar, whose role as Peter Thornton on MacGyver depicted his real-life struggle with glaucoma and blindness, has died at 77.

KABBALAH QUEEN: Madonna looking to open a Kabbalah hotel and drop-in spiritual center in a London residence that she purchased for $14 million. Neighbors of the proposed project are reportedly less than enthused, the Washington Post reports.

DIAPER DUTY: Staind singer Aaron Lewis and wife, Vanessa, welcoming their second child, a daughter, on Thursday. The couple have a 3-year-old daughter named Zoe Jane.

GIRL'S NIGHT OUT: Katie Holmes telling David Letterman that the age difference in her relationship--she's 26, Tom Cruise is 42--"never crossed my mind," during a Thursday appearance on The Late Show. The actress called her attraction to Cruise "instant."

SPORTS FAN: Matthew Perry hosting the 2005 ESPY Awards July 17 at Hollywood's Kodak Theater.

NEW BLING: Kevin Federline gifting Britney Spears with a new engagement ring featuring a 5.5 carat round-cut diamond and a platinum band.

ON A MISSION: Bono challenging EU leaders to forget national politics and spend money to boost African development during an appearance at a news conference Thursday at European Union headquarters in Brussels.

PAPARAZZI PROBE: Los Angeles prosecutors and police opening an investigation into whether some photographers engage in criminal behavior in order to get photos of stars in distress.

IN THE FIELD: Sean Penn honing his journalism skills in Tehran, Iran, where he is on assignment for the San Francisco Chronicle.

FORCE IS WITH HIM: George Lucas receiving the Life Achievement Award Thursday night from the American Film Institute. He is the 33rd recipient of the honor.

HEADING SOUTH: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie turning up in a suburb of Mexico City Wednesday night for the premiere of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. The pair avoided answering questions however about whether they were together.

UNDER SIEGE: Nu Image and Kill Master Productions suing erstwhile action hero Steven Seagal for $14 million for purportedly causing production delays on two movies, Today You Die and Mercenary.