BBC News | Roundup | Madonna pens bedtime story for charity

The Queen of Pop and Evita star was one of several celebrities asked to contribute to a new edition of the classic Hans Christian Andersen tale, the Emperor's New Clothes,

Madonna was set the task of penning 200 words based on The Empress. But the Material Girl enjoyed it so much, she ended up writing a 1,000 words!

Other contributors to the charity book include actor Harrison Ford and comedian Robin Williams.

Oliver Stone's Declassified unplugged

Oliver Stone's conspiracy theory was rejected by ABC

The network is reluctant to broadcast the special project, called Declassified, because it is worried about blurring the line between entertainment and news.

On 17 July 1996, Flight 800, which was packed with passengers and crew, took off from New York's Kennedy International Airport. It exploded in mid-air shortly after, killing everyone on board.

Experts believe the tragedy was caused by an explosion in the plane's central fuel tank. But in Stone's portrayal, the US government is implicated in a conspiracy.

Declassified contains quotes from witnesses of the blast who have said that moments before the explosion streaks of light could be seen heading towards the plane.

ABC has pulled the plug on Stone's speculative theories and axed the entire project.

Sinead backs Northern Ireland peace

Liam Neeson reading peace poem for new charity album

She features on a charity album, Across the Bridge of Hope, recorded to raise money for the victims of the August tragedy.

O'Connor said she was hopeful the bombing would be Northern Ireland's final tragedy.

"It is possible people have taken power back into their own hands and the terrorists are now the terrified," she said.

Pop stars from Ireland including Van Morrison, The Corrs, Boyzone, U2, Ash and Enya have also contributed tracks to the recording.

The Omagh choir and Ulster Youth Orchesta are also featured, as well as actor Liam Neeson reading poems by Seamus Heaney, and a 12-year-old victim of the bomb Sean McLaughlin, whose words form the album's title.

Fox TV in row over "Catholic bashing"

Ally Mcbeal: Accused of "Catholic bashing"

The Catholic League watchdog group had been quoted as saying Fox had "given in" to their protests over the episode aired in the US in October, in which lawyer Ally's client is a nun who is thrown out of her order for having sex.

Fox executives say they merely told the group they were sensitive to its concerns, but they had not issued any apologies or assurances.

Van Damme wins $1.5m lawsuit

Van Damme jubilant over lawsuit win

Martial arts expert Frank Dux claimed the 1991 film, The Quest, which Van Damme directed and starred in, was strikingly similar to the manuscript Enter the New Dragon: Kumite, which they co-wrote.

The jurors rejected Dux's testimony that an audio tape documenting an oral agreement was destroyed in the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

Jury Foreman Paul Martinet found the account less than credible. Dux said he planned to appeal.

Spanish King and Queen meet Zorro

Banderas film funds to go to benevolent actors

The Spanish actor spoke to the couple at Madrid's Palace of Music, and revealed plans that funds from the film's preview would go to a foundation for retired actors.

His wife, US actress Melanie Griffith, gained an equal share of the limelight with a perfectly executed curtsey to the Spanish royals.