Liz Hurley advertises Estee Lauder products

England have

Liz Hurley has been greeted by protesters at the Los Angeles premiere of her new film Bedazzled.

The 35-year-old actress has outraged fellow actors by filming an advert during the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) strike.

SAG members are striking over "pay for play" conditions in adverts. The actors want this rule to be extended to Cable TV adverts which are currently paid at a flat rate and not based on how many times the advert is shown.

Liz Hurley claims that she was not aware of the strike when she filmed the Estee Lauder advert.

"It's very sad for me because they are my union and I do support the strike. I wouldn't have dreamt of working had I known there was a strike but the fact remains I didn't know. You can't rewrite history.

"I have apologised and said 'Hey I'm sorry, I didn't know" she said.

She has also made a $25,000 donation to the SAG to show her support.

More than 200 protesters were at the premiere. Banners declaring 'Liz = ugly scab' and 'Beauty fades - honour doesn't' were waved as the actress arrived at Mann's Chinese Theatre.

One protestor said: "She's upset a lot of people. Her reputation in this town is zilch."

A spokesman for the SAG said: "She has expressed her regret in a letter to the union but she's definitely going to have to appear before the board."

Ms Hurley faces a heavy fine and possible expulsion from the union, which would seriously damage her career.

"Without union membership, her chances of starring in another Hollywood movie are nil" said a SAG spokesman. The SAG strike started in May and has since gained support from another union, the American Federation of Television and Radio artists. 

Honecker ruled for 18 years

After 18 years in power he will be replaced by Egon Krenz, currently the head of internal and external security for the Politburo.

The official reason for his departure is said to be "ill health" but failure to deal with the tide of discontentment sweeping the country and the party is thought to be the real reason.

Up to 120,000 people marched in Leipzig on Monday to protest against a lack of political reforms and thousands of people are continuing to leave the country in search of better opportunities.

The recent visit of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev is also being seen as a contributing factor to the downfall of Mr Honecker.

The Soviet leader was highly critical of the East German leadership saying there was a need for people to feel involved with their country and to have their opinions taken seriously.

The placement of Mr Krenz is being seen by the opposition as a change of tactics rather than a change of direction.

The banned opposition movement New Forum said: "Krenz's appointment shows the Communist party has no intention of sharing power. Reform under him is unlikely."

Mr Krenz, who at 55 is the youngest member of the Politburo, has been groomed to take over for more than a decade by Mr Honecker.

The news has so far received mixed reactions.

Student Steffi Muller, referring to the official announcement that "health reasons" were the cause for the departure said: "They were really referring to the health of the country - we were dying on our feet under Honecker."

Rainer Eppelmann, an East Berlin vicar said: "Krenz must show that he has the will to change things, and not only cosmetically."

Mr Honecker was expected to retire next year, following the country's 40th anniversary celebrations.

zilch: remove from a position or office（小人物；無）