NEWS LITE\England awash with rumors of divorce demands.

A newspaper reported Monday that Princess Diana has told friends she would divorce Prince Charles as his mother has demanded, but only on her terms.

The Daily Mirror, quoting sources it said were Diana's friends, reported she says she wants a clearly defined role in public life and a pledge "that I will always be treated as a princess and the mother of the future king."

The elder of her two sons, Prince William, 13, is second in line to the throne after Charles.

Diana and Charles separated in 1992 after 11 years of marriage. Queen Elizabeth II wrote to them last month urging a quick divorce. Charles agreed but Diana has made no reported reply.

Prime Minister John Major said Saturday that Diana must maintain a role in public life.

Lucy's story heads for auction block

More than six years after her death, Lucille Ball is ready to speak up about her life.

An autobiography written by the red-tressed comedian was found last year and will be auctioned to publishers this month.

Maureen O'Brien of Publishers Weekly made the announcement Monday on "Biz Buzz," a show on the new CNN-fn cable channel. She said editing changes in Ball's handwriting are on every page of the typed manuscript.

O'Brien said she expects bids to reach into the millions.

Ball's daughter, Lucie Arnaz, didn't know her mother had written an autobiography before she died in 1989, according to O'Brien.

Brinkley post-surgery prognosis 'splendid'

ABC newsman David Brinkley is recovering from removal of a benign growth on his lung.

Viewers were told of the operation Sunday by Sam Donaldson, who was substitute host of "This Week With David Brinkley." "David Brinkley is not with us today because he underwent surgery this past week here in Washington to remove a growth from a lung," Donaldson said. "It turned out to be benign. He's making a splendid recovery."

McDowall relishes return to theater spotlight

Call him Roddy Come Home.

After a 12-year absence from the stage, Roddy McDowall is returning to the theater as the dogged police inspector in "Dial 'M' For Murder."

The British-born actor, who charmed movie audiences as the child star of "Lassie Come Home," said he relishes the new role.

"It's a very well-structured play, and it's the sort of role I've never done before. I love it. It's a very good part."

The play, a stage version of the 1954 Alfred Hitchcock film, will open today.

McDowall's career spans nearly six decades, including "How Green Was My Valley" in 1941 and the "Planet of the Apes" series of films in the 1970s.

Soldiers game for Bosnia Bowl

The Rose Bowl it ain't, but a muddy and rutted helicopter landing field let U.S. soldiers keep alive a tradition from back home - football on New Year's Day.

"This is the Bosnia Bowl, baby " hollered players at the opening kick-off in a game pitting U.S. and British officers against soldiers of the NATO-led peace force in Bosnia.

Instead of the roar of a crowd and cheerleaders, the ragtag teams were treated to a cacophony of sporadic machine-gun bursts from the nearby villages, the local New Year's tradition. But no one flinched.

Rather, they battled up and down the muddy 60-yard field for the Bosnia Bowl trophy, a GI helmet painted white, emblazoned with a blue-edged silver star on each side - a reasonable facsimile of a Dallas Cowboys helmet.

CAPTION(S):

PHOTO

(1) Princess Di Ready to barter? (2) Lucille Ball Book surprises family