UK duo lead soul shortlist

British R&B duo Floetry are leading the nominations for the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards, receiving recognition in four categories.

The female group from London, who have yet to score a hit in the UK, have made an instant impact on the R'n'B scene in the US.

Their Lady of Soul nominations include two for best R&B singles, best R&B album and best new group.

Other artists nominated include Erykah Badu, India Arie and Whitney Houston, with awards being handed out on 23 August at a ceremony in Los Angeles.

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Bollywood star injured in crash

Indian film star Vivek Oberoi has been operated on after breaking his leg in a motorcycle crash while filming a high-speed chase last Thursday.

Oberoi was injured on a shoot near Calcutta, and was admitted to hospital near Bombay soon after.

"The operation was successful. We expect him to stand with crutches in a couple of days," said Dr Sanjay Agarwal.

Mani Ratnam, the director of the yet-to-be-titled film, collapsed after seeing the crash, and is also in hospital. Doctors said he was suffering from stress and high blood pressure.

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Museum sued over 'stolen' art

The grandson of a Russian aristocrat has sued Los Angeles' County Museum of Art over artwork in a forthcoming exhibition he said was stolen from his family.

Andre Marc Delocque-Fourcaud, who lives in Paris, has said the paintings, including works by Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne, Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso, were stolen during the Russian revolution from his grandfather.

"One of the prime reasons why the case was brought was to make it crystal clear to museums around the world that they can't do this without protecting and taking care of the actual heirs of the art work," Mr Delocque-Fourcaud's lawyer said.

Some 25 paintings once owned by Sergei Ivanovich Shchukin are part of a travelling exhibition from Moscow's Pushkin Museum.

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Tribute album for Parton

The songs of country star Dolly Parton are to be celebrated with an all-female tribute album in October.

Called Just Like A Woman, after a 1968 track by Parton, the album will include covers by Norah Jones, Shania Twain, Sinead O'Connor and Emmylou Harris.

Parton herself will contribute with a new version of the title track.

"I believe it is the poet in Dolly that has anchored and lifted her over the years," says Harris in sleevenotes for the album, due out in October.

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Santana plays for Aids charity

Guitarist Carlos Santana has been working for free this summer to raise money for an Aids charity.

Santana pledged the net proceeds from the US leg of his tour to the fight against Aids in Africa.

He estimates the tour raised at least $2 million.

The money will go to a fund run by Los Angeles-based non-profit Artists for a New South Africa, which supports South African groups fighting the spread of HIV and Aids.