Germans snub Cruise request

Germany has turned down a request by Tom Cruise to shoot scenes for 'Mission Impossible 3' in a government building.

The actor wanted to use the Reichstag parliament building's 40 metre glass and steel dome in the sequel, due to start filming later this year. A spokesman said: "The building is not available as a film location and we refuse point blank every request to use it as such. It is about maintaining the dignity of the parliament."

The 19th century Reichstag has been a major tourist attraction since the British architect Norman Foster gutted the building, which was damaged in World War Two, and turned it into a model of transparency with the glass dome.