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Last Updated: Tuesday, 16 September, 2003, 10:36 GMT 11:36 UK
TV chef Oliver in hot water
TV chef Jamie Oliver has apologised after he was seen around the world in a T-shirt supporting Sri Lankan rebel group the Tamil Tigers.

The presenter has received 15 complaints after he inadvertently wore a shirt bearing their name during an edition of his series Oliver's Twist, which is shown in numerous countries but not the UK.

Oliver posted an apology on his website, saying: "Really sorry if I have upset a few people by wearing a T-shirt on one of my shows, it seems it had certain connections to the Tamil Tigers.

"I had no idea they were connected and I do apologise if I have offended anyone in any way."


New album for Destiny's Child

R&B supergroup Destiny's Child will begin work on a new album early next year, according to band member Beyonce Knowles.

It will be the group's first album of new material since Survivor two years ago.

Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams and Knowles took a break to pursue solo projects in 2001.

Knowles's album, Dangerously in Love, topped the UK chart at the same time as her single, Crazy in Love, in July.


Pirates of the Caribbean still going strong

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is still topping the foreign box office for the fifth week running, making $258.5m (£161m) so far.

The swashbuckling adventure starring Johnny Depp took $29.7m (£18.5) over the weekend from 41 countries outside the US.

It is only the second film this year to dominate the chart for five consecutive weeks, following in the footsteps of The Matrix Reloaded.

Sean Connery's film The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen took second spot for the weekend, with $6.6m (£4m) from 21 markets.


Jessica Lynch to give first interview

Former prisoner of war Jessica Lynch will give her first interview on November 11 to Diane Sawyer of US cable channel ABC News.

Private Lynch, 20, was captured along with six other soldiers when her convoy was ambushed by Iraqi troops near the city of Nasiriya in March.

Following her return to the US every major news outlet and publisher was vying for her exclusive story - despite the fact that she is said to remember little about her capture.

Her publishing spokesman, Paul Bogaards said: "The bottom line? It's all about the numbers. ABC News has a history of delivering extraordinary numbers for their prime time news specials."


Ex-Smashing Pumpkin pulls plug on Zwan

Billy Corgan's post-Smashing Pumpkins band Zwan has broken up amid poor sales and personnel problems, according to a report in America's Billboard magazine.

"I enjoyed my experience with Zwan, but at the end of the day it just becomes like anything else," Corgan said on Monday on Chicago radio station WGN.

Zwan cancelled a planned summer tour due to "family matters". Bassist Paz Lenchantin quit the band last month.

Zwan's only album - Mary, Star of the Sea - sold 267,000 copies in the US.


Polish harmonica group break record

Polish musicians broke a world record this weekend when a group of more than 900 played When the Saints Go Marching In on the harmonica.

The enthusiasts form the city of Poznan kept up the performance for 10 minutes, beating the previous record set three years ago in Bristol by 84 British harmonica players.

The group had to perform together for a minimum of five minutes while being recorded and filmed in order to qualify for a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Krzysztof Ranus, who organised the event, said the aim was "to beat a record, interest people in something besides pop music and popularise the blues."


Mexico thriller ignites cinemas

The thriller Once Upon A Time In Mexico reignited the North American box office over the weekend, opening in top spot.

The film, starring Antonio Banderas, Johnny Depp and Salma Hayek, grossed £15m, compared to £4m taken by last weekend's No.1 film, Dickie Roberts.

Director Robert Rodriguez's film is the third in a series about a gun-slinging mariachi singer.

Nicolas Cage's conman caper Matchstick Men opened in the number 2 spot, with the horror yarn Cabin Fever at number 3.





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