American Pie actress arrested

American Pie actress Natasha Lyonne has been arrested on drink driving charges after crashing her rental car in Miami.

Lyonne, 22, also faces charges of careless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.

The actress, who was arrested on Tuesday, was released from the Miami-Dade County jail four hours later after posting a $2,000 (£1,400) bond.

Lyonne stars as Jessica in American Pie and also in its sequel which is currently the top-grossing movie at the North American box office.

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Cold Feet's Fay launches water campaign

Fay Ripley from the hit drama Cold Feet has launched a nationwide campaign, with broadcaster Julian Pettifer, to highlight the world's water shortages.

Water Matters, led by the charities WaterAid and Tearfund, aims to promote the fact that two thirds of the population will face water shortages by 2005.

Ripley and Pettifer added their names to a petition for government action which already includes the of signatures of Sir Cliff Richard and Suggs.

The organisers are hoping to gain another million signatures at public events before presenting the petition to the prime minister in September.

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Damien Hirst plans sea-front restaurant

Avant Garde artist Damien Hirst is planning to turn a seafront pub in Ilfracombe, North Devon, into a seafood restaurant.

The artist - who is famous for preserving dead animals in glass display cases - has submitted plans for a continental style restaurant to the local district council.

Hirst, who lives near the seaside town, says he has dreamt of opening the restaurant since he moved to the area.

"I love Ilfracombe and because I live here it makes sense to open a restaurant," he said.

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Michael Jackson and the Nasdaq

Pop superstar Michael Jackson is to make an unusual personal appearance when he opens the day's trading on the Nasdaq stock market.

Jackson's financial date in New York on Thursday is a prelude to his 30th anniversary celebration concerts at Madison Square Garden on 7 and 10 September.

Nasdaq vice President David Weild said they recognise Jackson's "extraordinary vision and commitment to excellence".

Weild described him as a: "Humanitarian who is continually seeking creative avenues in which to help others."

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Film noir star Greer dies

The 1940s film noir star Jane Greer has died of complications from cancer, aged 76.

US-born Greer played cold, manipulative roles to great effect in films such as Out of the Past with Kirk Douglas and Robert Mitchum.

The actress starred in some 30 movies and more recently appeared in the TV drama Twin Peaks.

Greer was briefly married to singer Rudy Vallee and later married lawyer-producer Edward Lasker with whom she had three sons before divorcing in 1963.

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