Around The Arts

Michael Douglas returns from \ngoodwill mission\nFREETOWN, Sierra Leone -- Actor Michael Douglas wrapped up a trip to war-ravaged Sierra Leone on Wednesday, checking out vast stockpiles of surrendered arms and talking with victims of the ruthless 10-year conflict.\nDouglas arrived Saturday and has spent most of his time in the eastern Kono diamond-mine district. His work is meant to show the wartime role of child soldiers, and their reintroduction back to their families and communities.\nMadonna makes complaint to press\nLONDON -- Madonna has complained to Britain's press watchdog about a magazine article claiming she was pregnant, the Press Complaints Commission said Wednesday.\nA commission spokeswoman said the singer-actress had contacted the organization to say a report in celebrity magazine Heat was "inaccurate."\nMadonna's spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, was quoted by the British Broadcasting Corp. as saying there was no truth in the report.\nThe commission said it would contact Heat in an effort to settle the matter. If no agreement is reached, the commission could rule that the magazine had breached Britain's press conduct code, although it has no power to fine offenders.\nOperatic performer Hines dies at 81\nNEW YORK -- Bass vocalist Jerome Hines, who spent 41 years performing at the Metropolitan Opera, more than any other principal singer in its history, has died. He was 81.\nHines died Tuesday.\nIn a career that spanned more than six decades, Hines was known for his rich timbre, as well as the research he conducted into the historical and psychological background of the roles he portrayed.\nAltogether, he gave 868 performances at the Met, retiring in 1987. He went on to perform with regional opera companies and at benefits.