On Capitol Hill yesterday, Nicole Kidman conceded that Hollywood probably has contributed to violence against women by portraying them as weak and sex objects.

The Oscar-winning actress said she is not interested in those kinds of roles, adding that the movie industry also has made an effort to contribute to solutions for ending the violence.

Kidman testified before a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee that is considering legislation to address violence against women overseas through humanitarian relief efforts and grants to local organizations working on the problem.

Asked by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., if the movie industry has "played a bad role," Kidman said "probably" but added that she herself doesn't.

"I can't be responsible for all of Hollywood but I can certainly be responsible for my own career," she said.

Kidman appeared before the committee in her role as a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. Development Fund for Women to promote the International Violence Against Women Act.

RETRIAL ORDERED IN EXTORTION CASE

A judge in the Bahamas has ordered a retrial in the John Travolta extortion case because of possible juror misconduct.

Judge Anita Allen issued the order yesterday after a local politician said in a speech on TV and radio that one of the defendants had been acquitted after the monthlong court case.

Allen did not set a date for a new trial.

An ambulance driver and his lawyer were charged with trying to extort $25 million from John Travolta following the death of the actor's son.

Travolta attorney Michael Ossi said he will cooperate in any way possible and testify again if necessary.

NEWSCASTER APOLOGIZES FOR MIXUP

MSNBC's Contessa Brewer has apologized for mixing up civil rights activists Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

She made the slip-up yesterday from the network's New York studio while introducing Jackson during a segment on homelessness.

After the introduction, Jackson stared at the camera from a studio in Burbank, Calif., and said, "I'm Rev. Jesse Jackson."

Brewer explained that her script read that she was to introduce "the Rev. Al Sharpton."

She continued, "We all know who you are, Rev. Jackson. I'm so sorry."

TOP U.S. ARTS OFFICIAL GOING ON 'ROAD TRIP'

The country's top arts official is going on the road.

Rocco Landesman, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, announced yesterday that he will spend six months visiting towns and cities nationwide, starting Nov. 6. He called it the "Art Works" tour, referring to works of art, the effectiveness of art and that art is a worthy form of employment.

The first stop: Peoria, Ill. His tour will also include time in St. Louis; Memphis, Tenn.; and communities in California, Idaho and Kentucky.