Report: 'Auto IV' sees $500M in sales
SAN FRANCISCO, May 7 (UPI) -- "Grand Theft Auto IV" earned $500 million in sales the first week it was available, the video game's publishers were expected to announce Wednesday.
The New York Times said Take-Two Interactive plans to disclose it has sold 6 million copies of the latest installment in its violent "Grand Theft Auto" franchise.
About 3.6 million units are believed to have been sold the first day the game became available.
Industry analysts predicted 5 million costumers would buy the game during the first two weeks it was in stores, the Times said.
Monet landscape sold for $41.4M
NEW YORK, May 7 (UPI) -- An 1873 riverbank landscape by French Impressionist painter Claude Monet has been sold for $41.4 million in New York, auctioneers said.
"The Railroad Bridge at Argenteuil" fetched the highest price ever paid for a Monet, The New York Times said.
Christie's auction house had estimated the work would go for $35 million.
The hammer price was $37 million and the final price of $41.4 million includes Christie's commission, the Times said.
Three bidders competed for the painting. The newspaper report didn't identify the painting's new owner.
The Police to play last gig in N.Y.
NEW YORK, May 7 (UPI) -- The iconic British rock band The Police announced its last concert will be a fundraiser for Thirteen/WNET and WLIW in New York.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg joined Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland of The Police for a news conference Tuesday to announce the band's final concert "ever" will be in New York City.
"We kicked off our very first American tour at CBGB's in 1978 and this summer, 30 years later, our journey will come full circle as we play our final show here in New York City," The Police said in a statement posted on its Web site. "We are honored to partner with public television and have a deep respect for their commitment to arts and culture."
The band also took the opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to MillionTreesNYC, the city's initiative to plant 1 million trees by the year 2017.
The Police pledged $1 million to the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City in support of the program and the donation was matched by the city.
More details about the benefit show, including venue and ticket information, will be released at a later date, the band's Web site said.
People debuts Carey-Cannon wedding pic
NEW YORK, May 7 (UPI) -- People magazine debuted on its Web site Wednesday an exclusive photo from the Bahamian wedding of singer Mariah Carey and actor Nick Cannon.
The couple married April 30 in a sunset ceremony at Carey's home in the Bahamas. They had been dating for about six weeks when they wed.
The photo unveiled on People.com shows Carey beaming and wearing a white veil. She is in the arms of Cannon, who is smiling broadly and wearing a white or cream-colored suit.
The picture is to grace the cover of the new issue of People, which goes on sale Friday.
People.com promised the issue would include details on the pair's whirlwind romance, Cannon's proposal and the couple's wedding, as well as photos of their new tattoos and revelations about their plans for children.
"We really do feel we are soul mates," Carey told the magazine. "I never felt a love like this was in the cards for me."
"She is beautiful on the outside and 10 times as beautiful on the inside," Cannon added.
