Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe was stunned to discover he was a kidnap target for Muslim terrorist group Al-qaeda. The Federal Bureau Of Investigation warned Crowe and a number of other big screen stars prior to the 2001 Academy Awards that Osama Bin Laden wanted to kidnap them - nine months before Bin Laden spearheaded the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington DC. New Zealand-born Crowe says, "That was the first conversation in my life that I'd ever heard the phrase al-Qaeda. And it was something to do with some recording picked up by a French policewoman, I think, in either Libya or Algiers. I don't think that I was the only person. But it was about - and here's another little touch of irony - it was about taking iconographic Americans out of the picture as a sort of cultural-destabilization plan." Following the warning, Crowe was accompanied to the Oscars - where he picked up the Best Actor award for Gladiator - by FBI agents, who also guarded him while he shot subsequent movies A Beautiful Mind and Master And Commander. He jokes, "I never fully understood what the f**k was going on. Suddenly it looks like I think I'm f**king Elvis Presley, because everywhere I go there are all these FBI guys."

Charlie Sheen has hit back at rumors his womanizing ways led to the shock split between himself and his pregnant wife Denise Richards. The Two And A Half Men actor was served with divorce papers last week by the former The World Is Not Enough Bond girl, but he insists he isn't cheating. In a statement released yesterday, Sheen says, "I did not cheat on my wife. These stories and allegations are unconscionable. The reason for our separation is a private matter between the two of us."

Kirstie Alley has been attacked by members of the world's leading eating disorders group for joking about "life-threatening diseases" like bulimia on her new comedy show Fat Actress. Officials at America's National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) are furious with the former Cheers star for trivializing binge-eating disorders during the debut of her new program, which aired in the US on Monday night. In one scene, which has upset NEDA's chiefs, co-star Kelly Preston tells Alley's character, which is loosely based on herself, that making herself sick after every meal is one way of losing weight - a practice commonly used by bulimics. NEDA Chief Executive Officer Lynn Grefe says, "My guess is that Kirstie Alley's concept for the show was born from her frustrations with the unreasonable standards found in the entertainment industry, frustrations that NEDA understands because it is that unrealistic standard that often triggers an eating disorder. However, there is nothing funny about eating disorders, and to make comedic references to anorexia, bulimia or binge-eating disorder is dangerous. Nearly 10 million women and one million men suffer from anorexia or bulimia and it is estimated that another 25 million suffer from binge-eating disorders."

Angelina Jolie fought hordes of photographers as she spoke for orphan refugees in Washington DC yesterday. The Tomb Raider star was a special guest at a National Press Club luncheon, where she addressed children's rights amid an explosion of flashbulbs. The Oscar-winning actress, who has donated more than $3 million, to aid refugees, was in Washington to announce the launch of a new organization she had helped fund, which will provide free legal aid to the thousands of children who arrive alone to the United States each year as refugees and immigrants. In a speech, she outlined plans for the Washington-based National Center For Refugee And Immigrant Children, which is expected to open next month. But she was taken aback when her arrival was greeted by hungry paparazzi and she had to ask several times for photographers to "back down" and let her speak. The 29-year-old United Nation's goodwill ambassador also used the press day to confirm she was planning to adopt again - so that her son Maddox could have a little "African brother". After the Press Club appearance, Jolie met on Capitol Hill with lawmakers regarding refugee funding and legislation.

Former US President Bill Clinton has returned to the hospital in New York, where he'll receive treatment for compression of his lower lung. The ex leader, 58, who underwent heart surgery last year, appeared in great spirits as he arrived at the Presbyterian Hospital at Columbia University Medical Center this morning, telling waiting journalists "I feel great". Dr. Herbert Pardes, who will oversee the procedure to correct Clinton's problems says, "We'll be undergoing a procedure later this week to remove some fluid and scar tissue from his left chest cavity. The procedure, which is a recognized occasional consequence of open-heart surgery, will take place Thursday... and he (Clinton) will remain in the hospital for somewhere in the nature of three to 10 days." Pardes insists that Clinton is expected to make a full recovery, and he's impressed with the former President's efforts to take his health more seriously since his heart surgery. He adds, "The fluid build up and compression has caused the president some discomfort in recent weeks but he has otherwise been in very good condition. He recently passed a stress test and is walking up to four miles a day near his home in Chappaqua (New York). Once fully recovered, President Clinton is expected to resume his work without limitations."

Hollywood actor John Travolta promises to reveal intimate secrets of his intense friendship with late British royal Diana, Princess Of Wales in his forthcoming autobiography. The Saturday Night Fever star first met Diana at a White House party in 1985 hosted by then American President Ronald Reagan - and his wife Nancy told Travolta the princess was desperate to dance with him. The 51-year-old recalls, "I was at the lowest point of my career and yet in that room I felt like a frog who had been turned into a prince. I timidly crept over and said, 'Excuse me, princess, would you care to dance?' And she dipped her head and looked up at me and she blushed. Then she said, 'I would love to.' As they started playing songs from my movies they all left the floor. We were dancing alone. I said, 'God, we're in the middle of the floor with the whole world watching!'" Travolta adds, "I'm writing my book. If I wait any longer, it'll be two memoirs and I can't do that. I guess for readers in England the most interesting thing is going to be the stuff about Princess Diana. It will include a lot of things I've never discussed with anybody."

Newlyweds stars Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey are both recording new albums after taking time out to make movies and star in the reality TV show. The "Irresistible" singer has recently finished filming The Dukes Of Hazzard big screen re-make with Johnny Knoxville - and she's currently working on songs for the film's soundtrack, including a duet with co-star Willie Nelson. The 24-year-old says, "I haven't done that yet, but we will be doing something. I was just in the studio with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis recording the single. I can't wait for people to hear it... I can't give away any of my new secrets." Former 98 Degrees singer Lachey is working on the follow up to his debut solo album Soulo in a custom-built studio at the couple's luxurious home. He says, "It's definitely not gonna be the straight-ahead pop ballad thing that people have been used to hearing from me. I'm trying to mix it up a little bit. Part of the beauty of music is experimentation and kind of finding yourself and your direction. That's what I've been doing the past few months - writing and singing and 'demoing' and getting back to the kind of musical frame of mind and what it is that I really want to do."

Pop beauty Britney Spears and husband Kevin Federline were thrown out of two exclusive Beverly Hills, California restaurants Monday - because they refused to leave their beloved Chihuahua outside. The singer and Federline were asked to leave Euro-Asian eatery Crustacean, because her pet pooch Bit Bit's presence would have broken health and safety regulations. The couple then headed to the Trattoria Amici Restaurant, but left red-faced after a waiter explained dogs are not permitted in the plush establishment. But fortunately, the Trattoria Amici Restaurant's manager had a change of heart and chased the pair down the road to offer them a table, on the condition that Spears hid Bit Bit in her purse.

English pop star Boy George has launched a scathing attack on makeover TV show Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, telling the gay hosts to "leave straight people alone". The former Culture Club singer is unimpressed with the American program's various gurus - Kyan Douglas, Ted Allen, Jai Rodriguez, Thom Filicia and Carson Kressley. George says, "My life is about much more than what my cushions are like or what theatre show I should go to. It's really poncey. I just think that they should leave straight people alone, they look fine."

Wildman rocker Ozzy Osbourne congratulated himself for giving up alcohol and drugs - with cosmetic surgery. The former Black Sabbath singer, 56, admits he underwent several procedures to change his facial appearance last year after he was inspired by his wife Sharon Osbourne's cosmetic enhancement. Osbourne says, "It boosted my confidence no end. I've had a face job and a new nose."