Britney Spears has attacked magazine US Weekly for publishing photographs of her Fijian honeymoon with husband Kevin Federline. The pictures of the couple appear on the cover of the American publication under the headline, "Britney's Private Album!" Other pictures of the couple's October tropical honeymoon are displayed on five pages inside the magazine. A furious Spears says in a statement: "Kevin and I chose a resort location where we were promised absolute privacy and seclusion. Unfortunately, staff members took photographs of us, which we allowed them to take once we were assured they were being taken only for private use in a scrap book they gave us as a souvenir. Other magazines, including Star, contacted us when presented with these photographs and refused to publish them. Kevin and I thank those other magazines for respecting our rights of privacy." But defiant bosses at US Weekly hit back, "Coming from a celebrity who sold pictures of both her wedding and her stepdaughter, it's unlikely the issue here is privacy. Could it be that Britney is seeing red after not seeing the green from these photos? Britney Spears should start a magazine if she'd like to dictate her own coverage."

Comedian Bill Cosby has learned he will not face charges stemming from a woman's allegation he fondled her. Pennsylvania authorities found "insufficient credible and admissible evidence" to support the woman's claims, says Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor in a statement. Cosby's accuser told authorities in her native Canada last month that the funnyman gave her medication which made her feel dizzy, then fondled her at his suburban Philadelphia home after a dinner out with friends in January 2004. She said she later awoke to find her bra undone and her clothes in disarray. Cosby has denied the allegations. Castor has said that the accuser's year-long delay in coming forward, and her contact with Cosby in the past year, weighed in the comedian's favor. The prosecutor also reviewed claims by other people that Cosby had "behaved inappropriately" toward them, but detectives could find no instance "where anyone complained to law enforcement of conduct which would constitute a criminal offense". Castor has refused to elaborate on the reasons for his decision for fear his comments would be used as evidence in any possible civil lawsuit.

Sick superstar Michael Jackson has been discharged from a hospital in Santa Maria, California, after being treated for influenza. The singer's child molestation trial was delayed for a week on Tuesday after he fell ill on the way to court - where jury selection is currently underway. Jackson was kept overnight on Tuesday night, doctors on Wednesday declared he was "in good spirits" but needed care for "persistent viral symptoms" - but doctors decided he was strong enough to be sent home to recover at his nearby Neverland Ranch. His spokeswoman Raymone Bain says, "He's still not feeling well, but he's going to continue his recovery at home." Throughout his stay at the Marian Medical Center Jackson could be seen waving at fans who had gathered outside his window. When jury selection resumes on February 22, the singer will stand trial on 10 counts of abusing a 13-year-old cancer sufferer. Jackson denies all charges, but if convicted he could face 22 years in prison.

Russell Crowe is considering taking over directorial responsibilities on troubled Australian movie Eucalyptus only a week after Fox Searchlight Pictures put it on hold, citing script concerns. The Gladiator star has been spotted conducting technical surveys of possible locations with the project's director of photography Mandy Walker near the New South Wales town of Bellingen. Crowe is set to appear alongside Nicole Kidman in the big screen adaptation of Murray Bail's novel. An insider says, "An actor on a technical survey doesn't happen, nor is it something that you'd expect an executive producer to be doing." Another source slammed Fox's announcement last week, branding it a smokescreen for the real issue surrounded an unnamed member of the film's cast. The source explains, "That press release Fox Searchlight is issuing is garbage. It's a certain actor's fault this project fell apart. There were no script problems, just ego problems." Despite Crowe's appearance, movie experts predict filming won't start until later in the year - and the Oscar-winner will be fortunate to retain his technical crew. The source adds, "Anyone who has been burnt by this would have to be desperate to go back on that job."

George Clooney has hit back at Hollywood rival Russell Crowe, after the Gladiator actor slammed stars who appear in commercials. The Antipodean actor was particularly scathing of Clooney, Harrison Ford and Robert De Niro, who have all plugged products on television outside America. Crowe said, "I don't use my celebrity to make a living. To me it's kind of sacrilegious - it's a complete contradiction of the f**king social contract you have with your audience." But Clooney has hit back - and suggested Crowe uses his celebrity to promote his rock band 30 Odd Foot Of Grunts. He says, "I'm glad he set us straight. Because Harrison, Bob and I were putting a band together called Grunting For 30 Feet, and that would also fall under the heading of 'bad use of celebrity'. Thanks for the heads up."

Silver screen legend Dame Elizabeth Taylor has hit out at rumors she is close to death. Recent reports claimed the 72-year-old Cleopatra legend is close to dying, following a long-term battle with illness. But Taylor's representative insists she is not only "in good shape", she is extending her House Of Taylor fragrance line to incorporate a new range of jewelry. Her rep Sally Morrison says, "Oh, again? She's in good shape. We're doing a photo shoot with her next week. She might travel for her birthday, on the 17th. Quite lively for a corpse, don't you think?"

Star Wars director George Lucas will make a cameo appearance in the upcoming final film in the sci-fi series. Lucas is set to follow in the footsteps of Lord Of The Rings film-maker Peter Jackson by briefly appearing before cameras in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge Of The Sith, playing Baron Papanoida in an opera house scene. Jackson has immortalized himself on screen in all three Lord Of The Rings films, playing hobbit Albert Dreary, an uncredited Rohirrim Warrior and an unnamed Mercenary On Boat in The Fellowship Of The Ring, The Two Towers and Return Of The King, respectively.

The woman accusing Colin Farrell of stalking her has been given a month to properly serve the Irish actor or risk having to give up her case against him. Desarrae Bradford appeared in court in Santa Monica, California, on Wednesday but was made to look stupid in front of the judge when it became clear she hadn't followed the correct procedure to bring a case against Farrell. Bradford filed a handwritten lawsuit against Farrell in September, alleging the movie star pestered her with phone calls and accusing him of harassment and stalking - but it became clear at yesterday's hearing that she hadn't actually served the actor. Bradford was given one month to properly serve Farrell, or the case will be dismissed. The actor's accuser is demanding $5,000 from the star, plus the return of artwork and an erotic tape. Farrell's representatives insist the Irishman has never even met Bradford. The actor wasn't in court for the hearing.

Director Matthew Vaughn turned down the opportunity to helm Casino Royale - the 21st James Bond movie - because he wants to bring cult 1960s TV series The Man From Uncle to the big screen. The Layer Cake filmmaker, who is married to German supermodel Claudia Schiffer, came very close to taking on the prestigious project but dropped out when the production was delayed by a year. The 33-year-old says, "I came very close to doing it - as close as you can get. I was offered it by the studio, but then circumstances meant it was pushed back by a year." Goldeneye director Martin Campbell has since been confirmed as his replacement, but Vaughn plans to give 007 some serious competition with his new script. He continues, "We're writing it at the moment. We're totally trying to reinvent the whole genre. I'm a real Bondaholic, but I think The Man From Uncle will show Bond a few things." Vaughn agreed to direct the Warner Bros movie because he grew up believing the 1960s show's star Robert Vaughn was his father until recent tests proved his biological dad is English aristocrat George De Vere Drummond.

Sexy couple Penelope Cruz and Matthew McConaughey can't get enough of each other - they're planning on making their second film together in as many years. The couple fell in love on the set of new adventure movie Sahara and will now team up again for the big-screen adaptation of Joe Coomer's novel The Loop. The love story revolves around the romance between a highway patrolman and a librarian.