British actor Jude Law is to replace Tom Cruise as the star of a new American civil war movie, Cold Mountain.

Tom Cruise's ex-wife Nicole Kidman and Bridget Jones's Renee Zellweger are also reported to be in negotiations for roles in the drama.

The film is based on a best-selling novel by Charles Frazier and Law, 29, is to play Inman, a wounded soldier making his way home after the war to be with his sweetheart.

Law is currently starring in the Christopher Marlowe play Doctor Faustus at the Young Vic in London.

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Celine Dion auctions jewelled CD

A jewel-encrusted disc recognising Celine Dion's enormous UK sales figures is to be auctioned for charity.

The lavishly decorated gift was made by the Queen's jeweller Asprey & Garrard and was given to the singer yesterday.

It will be auctioned for Capital FM's Help A London Child appeal. It is hoped that the piece will fetch �50,000.

Dion said: "Children are the most important part of our lives. They bring out the good in the world and they give us hope. I'm thrilled that I can donate this award to Help a London Child."

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Prince views art of drugs

Prince Charles has visited an art exhibition where the pieces are made entirely of prescription drugs.

A dress made of contraceptive pills is just one of the works on display at the Harley Gallery, near Worksop, in Nottinghamshire.

The prince also viewed a tiara created with brightly coloured migraine painkillers during his tour of the gallery and artists' workshops.

The Harley Gallery is built on the site of a former gasworks.

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Mornington Crescent honours Rushton

Comedian Willie Rushton, who died in 1996, has been honoured by the unveiling of a plaque at a London tube station.

Comic Heritage placed the plaque in the ticket hall of Mornington Crescent station to honour the satirist, a leading exponent of the Mornington Crescent panel game on BBC Radio 4's I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.

Fellow panelists Tim Brooke-Taylor, Barry Cryer and Graeme Garden were at the unveiling - along with 200 fans.

London Underground's Jeff Mills said: "We are delighted to honour this much-loved comic raconteur - Willie's plaque will provide a complimentary and fitting tribute to be enjoyed by the thousands of customers who pass through this station daily."

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US politician backs Bono

U2 singer Bono and US treasury secretary Paul O'Neill are to visit Africa together next month to see the effects poverty and Aids have had on the continent.

The Irish singer is at the forefront of appeals to help developing countries and attends meetings worldwide to draw attention to the issue.

During a press conference at a United Nations Mr O'Neill said he has the utmost "respect" for Bono.

"This is a person who has invested enough of his own time and energy to learn about and go see on the ground what life is like," he said.