Beyoncé and Gwyneth Paltrow are among the many American celebrities campaigning for gun control after the Sandy Hook school shooting in Connecticut. They feature in ads for Demand A Plan, a campaign launched by the Mayors Against Illegal Guns organisation, asking such questions as: "How many more classrooms? How many more movie theatres?" The ads also feature Jon Hamm, Jennifer Aniston, Jeremy Renner, Michelle Williams, Amy Poehler and Conan O'Brien. - The National staff
Rolling Stones Wood ties the knot
The Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood has married his fiancée Sally Humphreys at a ceremony at London's Dorchester Hotel. The Sun and the Daily Mirror carried photographs of the 65-year-old rocker with a pale boutonnière and a dark blue suit, and his 34-year-old bride in a traditional white gown. The Sun quoted Wood as saying "I'm feeling great" as he and his bride posed for pictures outside the hotel. Guests included the singer Rod Stewart and the former Beatle Paul McCartney. - AP
Crowe back in Sydney with family
Russell Crowe has been reunited with his family, returning to Sydney on Friday and visiting the home of his estranged wife, Danielle Spencer. Australian newspapers reported Crowe was spotted in the airport carrying a large bag of Christmas gifts. The actor has been in New York shooting his new movie, Winter's Tale. Crowe and Spencer announced in October that they were separating after a nine-year union. They have two sons. - AP
Jolie lines up Unbroken as next directing project
Angelina Jolie has announced she is directing a film adaptation of the Laura Hillenbrand best-seller Unbroken, a true story about a US Air Forces bombardier who survived a plane crash and then spent the rest of the Second World War in Japanese prison camps. "I was so moved by this heroic story, I immediately began to fight for the opportunity to make this film," Jolie said in a statement. "I'm deeply honoured." Universal Pictures is producing. - The National staff
Swiss Salvation Army off to Eurovision
Switzerland is putting its faith in a Swiss chapter of the Christian missionary group The Salvation Army to win the Eurovision Song Contest when it is staged in Sweden in May. Switzerland hasn't won since Celine Dion represented the country in 1988. Meanwhile, four countries will abstain from the contest: Portugal, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Slovakia are not participating, citing economic reasons, while Turkey has opposed changes to the competition's rules. - AP