Todays edition of UK newspaper the Daily Mail featured this brand new picture of Madonna taken outside Claridge's on Saturday 28 April in London.

German magazine Gala (26 April issue 18) devoted its front cover to Madonna's Malawi trip and also featured a four page article on the trip - click to enlarge.

Madonna and Guy Oseary's Maverick Red production genre label and Angel Baby Entertainment are producing Digger, a grave-digging horror film directed by Angel Baby partner John A. Gallagher.
The Hollywood Reporter says the feature, set for a late-summer production in Connecticut, follows Joshua Bauer, a man forced to dig graves by hand as a youth who seeks revenge through a brutal killing spree.
Angel Baby's Gregory Segal and Gallagher will serve as producers with Maverick Films' Oseary, Mark Morgan and Eric Thompson. Cheri Wozniak, who brought the project into the new horror label, will executive produce. The screenplay is written by Stephen Lancellotti.

German magazines were full of coverage from Madonna's trip to Malawi - featured below are scans from the 26 April issues of Bunte, Frau Im Spiegel, In and In Touch.

The current edition of UK magazine Hello! (01 May issue 967) features this picture packed four-page article on Madonna's recent trip to Malawi on behalf of the Raising Malawi charity. Click on the images to enlarge.

madonnalicious visitor Dennis snapped this picture of the Brillia Mare Ariake building development billboard on the Tokyo subway. The picture was shot by Steven Klein.

The current edition of UK magazine OK! (01 May issue 569) features this one-page article on Madonna's recent charity trip to Malawi. Click on the image to enlarge.

Madonna, Ringo Starr and Halle Berry were among the celebrities who sent beloved US TV host Regis Philbin get-well gifts as he recovered from a heart operation.
Madonna and Berry sent him luxury bathrobes, while former Beatle Starr sent the TV star a basket of apples.

London newspaper the Evening Standard featured Madonna and Guy on the front cover of yesterdays edition advertising the Most Powerful Couples in London - The Ritchies were cheekily named as The New Royal Family!

This great picture of Madonna, Guy, Lourdes and Rocco enjoying the spring sun in London's Hyde Park was taken on Sunday 15 April (the day before the Malawi trip).

The picture was featured in USA gossip magazine Us (30 April issue 637).

UK magazine Grazia (30 April issue 113) continues with covrage of the Malawi adoption rumour story and Malawi trip - click on the article to enlarge and read.

Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl wants to party with singer Madonna when they appear at the UK leg of the Live Earth concert in July. The rocker will be playing alongside the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bloc Party and the Beastie Boys at Wembley Stadium this summer to help raise awareness of climate change around the globe. But Grohl thinks he's 'too cool' to share a room with some of the 'different' acts like James Blunt and John Legend, but is happy to hang out with the Material Girl.
He says, 'There's some people on the bill that probably wouldn't be seen in the same room as us. But hey man, I'll party with anybody. You know me. It could be Madonna, if she wants to come do a couple of shots of Jagermeister with her friend Dave she's more than welcome to come into the room and I'll pour her some chilli shots of whisky, it'll be great!'

A video-taped message from Madonna was played during last nights Idol Gives Back show in the USA. The clip was filmed during Madonna's trip to Malawi earlier this month, and she urged viewers to help fight AIDS in Africa.

Madonna has been added to the roster of stars appearing on tonight's 'Idol Gives Back' charity special.
'American Idol' executive producer Nigel Lythgoe made the announcement this morning on Ryan Seacrest's KIIS-FM radio show.
'I'm gonna blow [a secret] now: Madonna came on board yesterday,' said Lythgoe. 'And that is just fantastic.'
Madonna's rep confirms the appearance, noting that it will be a pre-taped message.
She will join an impressive roster of artists on the two-hour special benefiting African and American children in need.
Others set to take part in the special include Bono, Ellen DeGeneres, Celine Dion, Hugh Grant, Rascal Flatts, Gwen Stefani, Earth, Wind & Fire, Il Divo, Keira Knightley, Josh Groban with the African Children's Choir, Jack Black, Helen Mirren, Quincy Jones, Annie Lennox and past 'Idol' winners Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.

UK newspaper, the Metro featured this morning an article on Madonna's 25th anniversary in the music business - click on the article to enlarge.

The biological father of Madonna's adopted son was unable to meet up with the infant during the pop superstar's trip to the African country last week.
Yohane Banda had hoped to get a chance to catch up with three-year-old David Banda, who the Material Girl star adopted last October. But Yohane was left disappointed when Madonna's tight schedule didn't allow for him to sit down with David.
He says, 'I never met him. Plans were there for me to meet David but it never happened. I must say my mother was looking forward to meeting David and she was a little sad it was never to happen. But I assured her it will happen one day.'
Banda claims the Malawi government's Director Of Child Welfare services, Penston Kilembe, told him, 'Meeting me was not on the agenda but (Madonna's) people said if time allowed she would meet me.'

UK magazine Now (30 April issue) features this one-page article on Madonna's trip to Malawi last week - click on the article to enlarge.

Madonna's PR Liz Rosenberg has published this little piece on www.madonna.com about Madonna's 25th anniversary in the music business:

It may seem like only yesterday but 25 years ago on April 24, 1982, Sire Records honcho Seymour Stein released a single called 'EVERYBODY' on Warner Bros. Records by an unknown singer from Rochester, Michigan by the name of Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone. To say the world would never be the same is an understatement. The song went on to become a huge dancefloor hit and was heard all over the radio in the Summer of 1982.
That little girl from Michigan would go on to become one of the most famous entertainers and cultural icons in history - selling close to 200 million records and remaining a star of enormous magnitude and influence for the next 25 years. She's just getting started. Long Live the Queen and Happy Anniversary to Madonna.

The current editions of UK fashion and gossip magazines are full of Madonna's Malawi visit - scans featured below are from heat and Reveal (28-04 May issues).

 

David Gurland’s critically acclaimed Madonna revue 'Neurotica' returns to the The Laurie Beechman as part of DGUR Concert series for one night only as 'Madonna Unplugged' on May 20th, 2007
On Sunday May 20th at 7 PM - David Gurland will present MADONNA Unplugged - A Madonna Tribute show covering twenty of Madonna’s hit songs from the early 80’s through the present with many surprises along the way.
This version will be an 'acoustic' version of David’s hit show NEUROTICA which premiered in May of 2005, when it enjoyed sold out crowds and rave reviews with its unique mergence of rock music and the theatricality of a cabaret show.
In addition to the arrangements and musical direction, award winning songwriter/singer/instrumentalist Michael Holland will be lending his beautiful voice to the mix and playing guitar and piano. The show also features Jerry Smith on percussion and vocals.

For more information visit www.davidgurland.com or www.westbankcafe.com

The new issue of UK magazine New! (30 April issue 211) features this article on Madonna, Lourdes and David's trip to Malawi last week - click to enlarge.

Madonna and Sir Elton John have two nominations each for this year's Ivor Novello songwriting awards.
Madonna's track, Sorry, which appeared on her album Confessions on a Dance Floor is up for international hit of the year and most performed work.
I Don't Feel Like Dancing, written by Sir Elton and performed by the Scissor Sisters, has also been nominated in the same categories.
This year's Ivors will be held at Grosvenor House in London on 24 May.
The awards honour British songwriters, composers and music publishers.
Other nominees this year include the Arctic Monkeys, with their track When the Sun Goes Down, for best song musically and lyrically.
Amy Winehouse, Hot Chip and the Bodyrox are competing in the best contemporary song category.
Robbie Willliams is up against Madonna and Sir Elton in the international hit of the year category for his single Rudebox.
The album, also called Rudebox received lukewarm reviews when it was released last year.
Nominees in six categories, including best TV soundtrack and best original film score, have been announced ahead of the event.
Another nine other awards - which include prizes for best album, international achievement and songwriters of the year - will be presented on the day.

An Israeli TV guide this week sarcastically dismissed ex-Spice Girl Melanie C's comment that Madonna copied her tracksuit look!

As usual, Madonna was seen headed to a Pilates session in her favourite gym in north London, sporting the sporty-homeless-y look she's come to like so much. She'd probably be happy to hear that Melanie C, Ex Sporty Spice, claims that Madonna stole this look from her. She claims that she used to be somewhat of a trend-setter in the past, and that she was the one who started that whole sporty trend that Madonna exhibits. Cool. We wore leg warmers in third grade, and now Lindsay Lohan does too, maybe we should give her a call and tell her something about that?

Pop superstar Madonna is to try her hand at filmmaking, following in the footsteps of her director husband Guy Ritchie, according to media reports in the UK.
The Music singer, who has acted in a handful of movies including Evita and The Next Best Thing, is reportedly set to begin filming low-budget comedy Filth and Wisdom in London next month.
A source tells British newspaper The Sun, 'Madonna has Guy's full support. She told him, 'Anything you can do, I can do better honey.''

Madonna, Lourdes and David left Malawi earlier this afternoon - and of course the press where there to capture the moment they left the country.

Madonna jetted out of Malawi on Sunday after a six-day visit to the impoverished homeland of the toddler she wants to adopt, carrying the boy in her arms as she boarded her plane.
Madonna and her husband, the film producer Guy Ritchie, took custody of David Banda last October after finding him in an orphanage. Critics said the 48-year-old star used her celebrity status to circumvent Malawian adoption laws - allegations she denies.
The 20-month-old toddler waved to the bodyguards and driver who had escorted him during the visit. Madonna, wearing her now familiar straw hat, did not look back as she disappeared into the silver jet, with her daughter Lourdes following.
The star and her entourage spent their time visiting orphanages, projects for street children and agricultural development programs as well as opening a new day care center funded by her charity, Raising Malawi.
Madonna, who lives in London, made one visit to the Home of Hope orphanage, where David lived after his death of his mother in childbirth. There was no sign that Madonna had met with Yohane Banda, the peasant farmer who placed his son in the orphanage saying he was too poor to care for him.
It was also unclear whether Yohane Banda met alone with his son, as he had hoped.
David's mother died of complications in childbirth and his two siblings died of malaria in infancy.
Although a coalition of human rights groups challenged Madonna's adoption plans in the courts, many locals says they are happy that the celebrity has drawn attention to Malawi, which usually makes news because of drought, hunger and the occasional political scandal.
Madonna's childcare center aims to provide education, food and health care for up to 4,000 children. It is based on Kabbalah, Judaism's mystical sect, which counts the singer among its devotees.
Malawian child welfare officials are expected to file a report on the suitability of Madonna and Ritchie, as adoptive parents after two trips to their London residence in May and December. The singer has two other children, Lourdes, 9, and Rocco, 6.

Two UK magazines published stories this week - one about Madonna taking David back to Malawi to see his father and one about (yet more) possible plastic surgery for Madonna! Scans featured are from 21-27 April issues of Closer and Reveal.

 

The Friday editions of UK newspapers the Daily Express, Daily Mail and Daily Star all featured stories on the new adoption rumours in Malawi - click to enlarge.

Famous pop star Madonna will not meet South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela, his office said on Thursday.
'There was never any meeting scheduled between the two. They will not be meeting,' said a receptionist at Mandela’s office who declined to be named.
The Sunday Times reported that Madonna would during her visit to Malawi pop over to meet Madiba in South Africa on Friday.
Madonna is in Malawi to continue her charity work with the Raising Malawi organisation and to allow her adopted son David Banda to visit his home country.

Madonna visited the Katawa Clinic in Kazimbe today and even planted a tree.

Madonna, the one-time backing dancer who grafted her way to becoming the 'Queen of Pop', on Thursday urged Malawian youths to work hard to realise their potential.
'Keep working hard. I hope you realise how much power you have to make a good future for yourselves,' the US singer told scores of cheering and dancing villagers when she inspected a modern-day care centre her charity Raising Malawi Organisation has built at Mphandula village, 50 kilometres (31 miles) west of the capital Lilongwe.
Making her first public speech since she landed here on Monday to continue her charity work in this impoverished African nation, Madonna, wearing a maroon T-shirt with the word Love, said: 'It is exciting to be here at the centre.'
'It was a bush before and there was nothing, now there are these beautiful buildings.'
With toddler David Banda, the Malawian boy she intends to adopt, Madonna said inside a hall built as part of the centre: 'It is not the buildings that matter, but your kind heart for giving this land freely.'
'Remember, this is a partnership. I have heard people say please come back, this is a partnership and also help yourself and do your part.'
Alfred Chapomba, founder of the Consol Homes orphans charity, which has partnered Madonna's group, gave the star a half-hour tour of the campus as women danced and sang praises to their important visitor.
Traditional chief Kalolo thanked Madonna for the infrastructure, saying: 'We are now proud villagers who are seeing this type of development for the first time in our lives.'
The chief told Madonna to continue developing the village, home to about 2,500 people, but with neither running water nor electricity. 'Thank you for everything.'
A local band equipped with home-made instruments entertained Madonna for 10 minutes, with the 'Material Girl' and David throwing a step and dancing to the amusement of the villagers, most of whom did not wear shoes.
Madonna kept urging David to dance and clap hands, and he responded as the villagers cheered on.
Aida Kapondera, 62, vigourosly danced with Madonna for 10 minutes to the sounds of the band.
'I enjoyed dancing with her,' Kapondera told AFP, wiping sweat from her forehead.
Photographers were kept away by Madonna's bodyguards from the hall where the singer and her adopted son mixed freely with the villagers.

Madonna is the cover star of the May 2007 editions of the both the Singapore and South African versions of fashion magazine Elle.

 

Madonna wore a T-shirt proclaiming 'Love' and danced to the rhythm of a pop song at the opening of a day care center Thursday, one of the projects she's funding in Malawi.
The 48-year-old singer, who carried toddler David Banda in her arms, was greeted by singing children as she toured the center, run by local charity Consol Homes.
Madonna picked up David, then 14 months old, from an orphanage in Malawi in October and took him to her London home. She is hoping to adopt the child.
Her latest visit is to check on projects run by her Raising Malawi organization.
Local children performed the Paul Simon-Joseph Shabalala hit 'Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes,' playing traditional instruments and singing. Madonna danced to the refrain.
'You should not expect much from me alone but we are working together as a partnership,' she told local officials.
The center will eventually provide education and food for up to 4,000 children from surrounding rural areas.
Consol Homes Director Jacinta Chapombsa said parents would be able to bring their children to the center knowing they would receive a basic education and food.
Tight security has accompanied Madonna on her visit this week, and it was unclear whether she had met with David's father, who sent him to an orphanage after the boy's mother died. Yohane Banda has said he was too poor to care for his son.
Madonna, who is married to filmmaker Guy Ritchie, has two other children, 9-year-old Lourdes, who is also on the trip, and 6-year-old Rocco.

Madonna and David visited the Consol Home today (Thursday 19 April). The home is a day care center that Madonna is funding in the village of Masekese, Malawi.

Her bid to whisk a one-year-old boy away from a life of poverty in an orphanage may have raised hackles elsewhere but for the people of Malawi, Madonna is a heroine with her heart in the right place.
Eight months after she began the process to adopt little David Banda, the US singer returned to the impoverished southern African nation this week not only with her latest charge but also her biological daughter Lourdes.
But while accusations that her fame and wealth enabled her to fast-track the adoption process continue, the warm reception locals accorded Madonna and David indicated most are enchanted rather than appalled by the rags-to-riches story.
Gloria Yotamu was one of several hundred Malawians who gathered at David's old orphanage near the capital Lilongwe on Tuesday to watch the youngster return to his old stomping ground with his prospective mother.
Yotamu said she was particularly impressed that Madonna had brought David back to his roots so quickly and not simply immersed him in a new life of luxury at the star's mansion in London.
'I know about her charity work and her wish to give David a good life,' said Yotamu, who lives in a nearby squatter camp.
'Many people thought David was gone for good but here she is, returning the son to his roots and culture,' said the 26-year-old who is herself the mother of four children.
Local human rights groups have challenged an interim adoption order that was granted to Madonna last year and even some of the singer's fellow celebrities have questioned her motives, including the actress Angelina Jolie who called the adoption 'illegal'.
Madonna herself has been taken aback by some of the reaction, telling People magazine: 'I did not expect the media, the government or any human rights organisations to take a stand against me trying to save a child's life.'
According to Funsanani Yakobe, who makes his living by breaking stones in a a quarry close to the luxury lodge where Madonna has been staying, the carpers should keep quiet and instead ask what the government is doing for orphans.
'If there is someone like Madonna to help improve the lives of orphans, let it be because we are failing to help ourselves,' he said. 'Where does all the money that is meant for orphans go?' he asked.
The number of orphans is growing rapidly in Malawi as a result of the AIDS pandemic which has not only claimed the lives of so many parents but also of relatives who would have once taken care of the youngsters.
Although David's father is still alive, his mother died shortly after she gave birth in September 2005.
During her latest visit, Madonna also chatted with street children and prostitutes at a government-run rehabilitation centre in Lilongwe where a number of wellwishers held placards reading: 'Madonna you are welcome' and 'Don't listen to critics: We love you!'
Even among sceptics, Madonna's swift return to Malawi has allayed any fears they had about her motives.
Alfred Chapomba, founder of the Consol Homes orphans charity, said he does not believe in adoptions but rather believes orphans be raised in their own cultural and social backgrounds.
However he said Madonna had helped raise the profile of Malawi.
'Many people out there did not know the country existed and thought we are part of South Africa,' he said.
'We need more goodwill people like her,' he added.

Madonna visited a social rehabilitation centre in Lilongwe earlier today. She was at the centre to meet street kids and women who are under going rehabilitation.

Madonna and her 9-year-old daughter, Lourdes, visited a center for street children that benefits from the charity work the pop star is doing in this impoverished southern African country.
Madonna, wearing her now familiar straw hat, and Lourdes arrived at the center Wednesday and were whisked into the compound of three buildings. The 47-year-old singer is visiting Malawi to check on projects run by her Raising Malawi organization.
She arrived Monday with Lourdes and David Banda, the Malawian toddler she is hoping to adopt.
Singing and clapping were heard coming from children inside what is called a social rehabilitation center in the capital. The center cares for about two dozen children, providing them with food, clothing and schooling before reintegrating them into their communities.
A crowd of onlookers cheered 'Madonna, Madonna' when she arrived.
'Well done, Madonna. We love you. Adopt more,' read the sign carried by Richmond Muchina.
'I love Madonna and she is most welcome,' he said. 'I wish she would come every week. She must adopt more and more because she has got the power.'
The Spirituality for Kids program, based on Kabbalah, Judaism's mystical sect that counts Madonna among its devotees, is involved with the center.
Madonna took custody of then 14-month-old David during a visit to Malawi in October. The move sparked controversy and raised concerns that regulations were being swept aside to benefit a pop star who has been generous to the country.
Madonna maintains she has followed the law.

The UK press are still covering Madonna's trip to Malawi - below are scans from todays editions of the Daily Mirror and the Metro. Click to enlarge and read.

Chaos erupted in a small village in rural Malawi on Tuesday when Madonna and the one-year-old boy she hopes to adopt arrived at the orphanage where she found him.
Scores of international and local journalists tried to force their way into the orphanage to get closer to Madonna, and were confronted by some 500 angry orphans who threw stones at them.
Orphanage officials attempted to calm the children down, and called two police officers who evicted journalists from the 'Home of Hope' at the foot of Mchinji mountain.
The US pop star, who is in the country for a three-day trip, was visiting projects she had funded around the country, and was expected to re-unite her prospective son with his biological father.
Hundreds of villagers swarmed to the orphanage to witness the chaotic scene, as Madonna and Malawi-born David were safely ensconced inside the building, hidden from reporters.
Orphans aged up to 22 chanted slogans encouraging police to chase journalists away.
'I didn't expect that this would come from the orphanage. I thought they would have handled it better rather than mobilise the orphans to throw stones at international journalists,' said local reporter Vitima Ndovi.

Madonna, Lourdes and David visited the Home of Hope orphanage earlier today in Mchinji - here are the first press pictures from the visit.

Madonna returned Tuesday to the orphanage where she found David Banda, the young Malawian boy she hopes to adopt. The pop star was also accompanied by her 9-year-old daughter, Lourdes.
Children at the church-run Home of Hope orphanage in Mchinji, a village near the Zambian border, sang and recited lessons for Madonna while Lourdes took video footage.
Madonna's security and police tried to stop journalists and onlookers from entering the orphanage compound. But villagers, mainly children, clamored over the waist-high wall and rushed in.
The orphanage has been the scene of much excitement in recent weeks with the road leading to it graded, new flowers planted and new uniforms for the children.
Madonna visited Malawi in October and took custody of David, then 14 months old, who was in the orphanage after the death of his mother. The move sparked controversy and raised concerns that regulations were being swept aside to benefit a pop star who has been generous to the country.
The 48-year-old pop star has said she has followed the law.
Madonna is visiting Malawi to oversee her charity projects in this impoverished country. She aims to provide food, education and shelter for up to 4,000 Malawian children through her Raising Malawi organization.
As she was leaving the orphanage Tuesday, Madonna posed for photographs, holding hands with Lourdes and with David in her arms.
Madonna and Lourdes waved for the cameras and, laughing, tried to encourage the little boy to wave.
'It's great,' the pop star said when asked how it felt to be back in Malawi.

Today the UK press was full of news about Madonna, Lourdes and David's three-day trip to Malawi for the Raising Malawi charity - featured below are scans from the Daily Express, Daily Mirror and the Metro. Click to enlarge the scans.

More than 200,000 people registered for tickets to the Live Earth concert at Wembley Stadium, organisers have said.
Interested fans had 72 hours from Friday to Monday to register before a ballot to distribute the £55 tickets.
Madonna, James Blunt and the Red Hot Chili Peppers are among the 17 acts confirmed for the concert, which aims to raise awareness of climate change.
Those who have secured one of the July show's 60,000 tickets will be informed by text message on Wednesday.
The Wembley show is one of seven planned to take place in major cities around the world over a single 24-hour period.
'Live Earth is featuring the world's biggest artists across all seven continents to unite an enormous global audience to take action against global warming,' Live Earth founder and executive producer Kevin Wall said.
'We're not only putting together the world's biggest live shows, we've developed an unprecedented broadcast architecture to reach a truly global audience.'
The London show will be broadcast live on BBC television and radio and shown in 120 countries.

London newspaper the Metro reported today on Madonna's M by Madonna collection giving the fashion retailer H&M an increase in profits last month.

Just after arriving in Malawi this morning, Madonna has already visited Gumulira village in Mchinji, just outside Lilongwe.

Below are the first pictures of Madonna and Lourdes visiting the village.

Later in the day Madonna and Lourdes toured a U.N. Millennium village in Mtanga, Malawi. Madonna toured U.N. backed development projects in the small village of Mtanga, where farmers are being helped to grow maize and start fish farming.

Here are the first pictures of Madonna and David arriving at Kamuzu international airport in Lilongwe, Malawi earlier today.

Madonna arrived in Malawi on Monday with the young local boy she is adopting, amid rumors she intended to adopt a second child from an orphanage in the impoverished southern African nation.
The pop singer, who sparked controversy last year when she decided to adopt one-year-old David Banda from a local orphanage, plans to visit the boy's father during the visit, a government official said.
Madonna landed at Lilongwe's airport in a private jet wearing dark glasses and a black outfit and carrying Banda, now about 18 months old, a Reuters witness said.
She left the airport in a convoy of vehicles, which took the road to the Home of Hope orphanage where Banda lived before Madonna applied to adopt him, the witness said.
'The government of Madonna salutes Madonna for coming back with the child for the father to see him,' Minister of Information Patricia Kaliati told Reuters, adding she would visit the orphanage and pay a private visit to Banda's family during the visit.
Yohane Banda, the child's father, has complained he did not have access to Madonna and was having difficulty getting information about his son. David Banda was placed in an orphanage shortly after his mother died.
The American singer is also expected to visit an orphanage just outside the Malawian capital in connection with her charity work in the country.
A spokeswoman for Madonna says she has no plans to adopt another child despite media reports that the U.S.-born singer and her British film director husband Guy Ritchie wanted to add a young Malawian girl to their family.
The visit comes some six months after the couple signed interim adoption papers for Banda, who was to stay with Madonna and Ritchie for 18 months before a decision was made by the Malawian government on whether to finalize the adoption.
Malawian officials have said they are monitoring Banda's progress in Britain, where he has been living with the couple.
Madonna's adoption of the child grabbed world headlines and caused some rights groups in Malawi to question whether she had used her celebrity status to bypass laws governing the adoption of Malawians by foreigners - an argument denied by her lawyers.
The adoption controversy has helped to spotlight the plight of orphans in Malawi, where more than 900,000 children are orphaned and another 500,000 have lost at least one parent, many of them to the country's devastating HIV/AIDS pandemic.

London newspaper the Metro published this report about Madonna's return to Malawi today (Monday 16 April).

Hennes & Mauritz AB, Europe's second-largest clothes retailer, said sales in March rose at the fastest pace in at least 15 months, beating analysts' estimates, as designs by Madonna lured shoppers in London and Berlin.
The stock rose to a record. Revenue from stores open at least a year gained 17 percent, the Stockholm-based company said today in a statement. The median estimate of 16 analysts polled by SME Direkt was for growth of 9.5 percent. Total sales surged 29 percent in the month.
H&M in March started selling the Madonna range, including silk dresses for $69.90 and a black corset belt for $34.90. The company has boosted earnings by hiring celebrity designers such as Karl Lagerfeld and Stella McCartney and opening stores in Hong Kong and the U.S. H&M today said warmer weather in Europe helped increase demand after snow hurt sales in March last year.
'It's the stock in the industry to own, and celebrity collections by the likes of Madonna are generating lots of buzz for the company,' said Simon Blecher, a fund manager who manages the equivalent of $590 million at HQ Fonder AB in Stockholm, including H&M stock. 'There's enormous momentum in the shares.'
'The Madonna collection was clearly significant,' said Henrik Schultz, an analyst at Danske Equities in Copenhagen, who advises shareholders buy the retailer's shares.
The collection helped H&M with the launch of its new shop in Hong Kong, where hundreds of shoppers flocked to the outlet when it opened on March 10.

Two UK newspapers today focused on Madonna's return to Malawi this week working with the Raising Malawi charity on building a new orphanage in the country - scans featured below are from the Sunday Express and the The People.

Belgian newspaper Het Niewsblad posted an article naming the Belgian Gay Top 100 Songs and Madonna's Hung Up is at #4.

01 - Dancing Queen - ABBA
02 - I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
03 - Alexandrie, Alexandra - Claude François
04 - Hung Up - Madonna
05 - Hot Stuff - Donna Summer
06 - Believe - Cher
07 - I Don’t Feel Like Dancing - Scissor Sisters
08 - Meisjes Aan De Macht - Yasmine
09 - Je t’Adore - Kate Ryan
10 - Vlieg Met Me Mee - Paul de Leeuw

The current issue of UK fashion magazine Look (16 April 2007) features the M by Madonna sunglasses on their High Street Spy fashion page.

Beat master Timbaland has revealed that the Queen of Pop really cracks the whip.
The producer, who's masterminding Madge's new album with Justin Timberlake, has been working flat out.
But taking a rare break at London club Funky Buddha, the 36-year-old told us: 'We are working round the clock. Justin was meant to be out but he's too tired. Madonna's a funky lady, she's up for everything.'
And he joked: 'I was hoping to come out tomorrow because I hear William and Harry party in the week and they love my songs!'
Timbers also revealed that there'll be no 80s disco tracks on the album and no purple leotard. 'It's kinda like Holiday with an R&B groove.' Sexy's back!

This new picture of Madonna was snapped by comedian Dom Joly during his stint as a paparrazi for ITV2's reality show where celebrities run their own gossip magazine called Deadline. The magazine comes free with Closer magazine (14-20 April issue).

Madonna is determined to get all she can out of her new collaborators Justin Timberlake and Timbaland - she's working them around the clock.
The pair are working on several tracks on the Material Girl's forthcoming album in a London studio - and admit they thought they would have more free time to check out the sights in the British capital.
Timbaland sighs, 'We are working around the clock. Justin was meant to be out tonight but he's too tired.'

A Madonnarama party is taking place on Friday 20 April at the Play Dance Bar in Nashville, TN. For more information on the event visit www.playdancebar.com

Despite earlier reports that Madonna had already flown to Malawi - it is now confirmed by Liz Rosenberg that Madonna will travel to Malawi this weekend:

Singer Madonna has denied reports that she is returning to Malawi to adopt a second African child.
The US star sparked a furore when she adopted one-year-old David Banda from a Malawi orphanage last year.
'She is overseeing the building of a children's healthcare centre,' her spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg said. 'She is absolutely not adopting another baby.'
David is living with Madonna and her family in London after the pop star was granted an interim custody order.
In November, the 48-year-old told the BBC's Newsnight programme she would consider adopting another child from abroad.
'I wouldn't rule it out....but I would like to experience David for a while and see how it works out,' she said.
Ms Rosenberg said she did not know whether David would join Madonna on the trip to Malawi.
'She's going back to continue her work with Raising Malawi Organisation,' she told the Reuters news agency.
The singer helped set up the Raising Malawi charity, which aims to provide accommodation, food, education and other support to orphans in the country.
In August, she said she would donate $3m (£1.5m) to the country via the organisation.

London newspaper the Evening Standard published this report on Madonna and the new adoption rumours today. To illustrate the article they used a brand new picture of Madonna leaving the recording studio yesterday where she is still working with Timbaland and Justin Timberlake. Click on the article to enlarge.

Please continue to vote for Madonna as the Most Elegant Woman of the Month on the online Hello! magazine poll.

To vote for Madonna visit www.hellomagazine.com/vote/mostelegantwoman/month

Fans wanting to purchase tickets to see the London play Madonna and Me are advised to call the box office on 020 7261 9876 - if it's an answerphone leave your name, how many tickets you require and for which night - your name goes on a list and you pay on the day. For more information visit www.madonna-and-me.co.uk

Anne-Marie from the Humane Society of New York has sent this news item in:

We thought it might be of interest to you and your readers to know that the Humane Society of New York is hosting its Second Benefit Photography Auction April 16, 2007, at the Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York City.
For auction are six amazing photos of Madonna by renowned photographers David LaChapelle, Steven Meisel, Gary Heery, and two by Jean-Baptiste Mondino that Madonna personally donated.
Anyone can log onto our website and bid – you don’t have to attend the benefit in person. All proceeds will go to the thousands of dogs and cats that the Society cares for each year in our clinic and adoption center.

Please visit the www.humanesocietyny.org to learn more about the auction.

Madonna reportedly flew back to Africa with her adopted son David to meet with the boy's biological father last night, according to US news reports.
The pop star hopes to spend a few days with Yohane Banda in Malawi and open discussions concerning her plans to adopt another child, according to American publication Life + Style. An insider tells the magazine, 'She wants David to have a relationship with his biological father. She's going under the guise of a vacation, but she's not on vacation - she's on a mission.'
Madonna, who also runs a foundation for abandoned children in Malawi, was harshly criticised when she adopted Banda last October; critics accused her of using her wealth and fame to fast-track the adoption process. The source tells Life + Style that Madonna hopes her trip back to Malawi will help show her critics that the adoption was 'an unselfish act of love.' The insider adds, 'She plans on having David's father be part of the extended family. She wants to show that her adoption was not what it was portrayed as in the media.'
Madonna's publicist, Liz Rosenberg, has confirmed the trip, stating, 'She's going to continue her work with the Raising Malawi Orphan Care Initiative, including the building of a children's care centre.'

Justin Timberlake and Madonna emerge from a west London studio looking exhausted after their first day recording together.
The two superstars are collaborating on the Queen of Pop's new album - and they've drafted in America's top producer Timbaland to put it together.
Justin, 26, revealed: 'I've been working on new music but it's not for myself. I'm working on some stuff for Madonna.'
The 48-year-old singer caused havoc outside the studio last night as she demanded her car be brought to the back door and parked on the pavement so nobody would see her escape.
JT only flew in from LA yesterday. He is over here for a few weeks preparing for the UK leg of his current world tour.
Madonna, who is famous for reinventing herself, said this time her album - which is due out in November - will have a hiphop feel.

Click here to view pictures of Madonna and Justin at the studio in London.

UK newspapers the Daily Star published this article about Madonna headlining the London leg of the Live Earth concerts in July.

Madonna and Justin Timberlake are working together on her new album, her publicist, Liz Rosenberg, confirmed to The ShowBuzz on Wednesday.
Rosenberg said that the singers have been in the studio in London along with rapper-producer Timbaland. She said there was no firm release date for the album yet. According to reports, its due to be released in November.
Madonna has collaborated with other stars in the past, including Britney Spears (Timberlake's ex-girlfriend) and Grammy-winning DJ Stuart Price (aka Jacques Lu Cont).
Timbaland is also rumored to be helping Spears with her comeback album. He has collaborated with Timberlake and Nelly Furtado in recent years.
It was announced Tuesday that Madonna, along with the Beastie Boys and Black Eyed Peas, will headline the Live Earth concerts taking place at London's Wembley stadium this summer.

Fans wanting to register to buy tickets for Live Earth should visit the website www.livenation.co.uk/liveearth for full details.

Madonna, Genesis, James Blunt and the Red Hot Chili Peppers will be among the headliners at the London show of the global series of Live Earth concerts.
They will be joined at Wembley Stadium by groups including Foo Fighters, Duran Duran, Snow Patrol and Razorlight.
Seven Live Earth shows will take place around the world on 7 July as a way of highlighting climate change.
In the US, The Police, Kanye West and Bon Jovi will be among the artists at the Giants Stadium in New Jersey.
The Smashing Pumpkins, Alicia Keys, Kelly Clarkson, KT Tunstall, Fall Out Boy and Pink Floyd legend Roger Waters will also perform at the US leg.
More acts are still to be announced for both venues. There will also be concerts in Johannesburg, Rio de Janeiro, Shanghai, Sydney and Tokyo.
The diverse London line-up also includes rap group The Beastie Boys, singer-songwriters David Gray and Damien Rice and R&B pianist John Legend.
The Black Eyed Peas, Bloc Party, Corinne Bailey Rae, Keane and Paolo Nutini complete the Wembley bill so far.
Tickets for the UK show will be allocated by a ballot and fans must register their interest online for 72 hours from 1200 BST (1100 GMT) on Friday.
Tickets, priced £55, will be limited to two per person and can be bought from 18 April.
Fans can buy tickets for the US show from 1000 EDT (1500 GMT) on 16 April.
The concerts aim to set a 'green example' for other music events by using measures such as eco-friendly electricity, sustainable lighting and carbon-neutral travel.
Former US Vice-President Al Gore, who is one of those involved in organising the events, said he expected Live Earth to attract 'an audience of billions'.
'We hope Live Earth will launch a global campaign, giving a critical mass of people around the world the tools they need to help solve the climate crisis,' he said.
All profits will go to organisations including the Alliance for Climate Protection, the Climate Group and Stop Climate Chaos.
The BBC has confirmed that it will be broadcasting the concerts on TV and radio in the UK.

The legendary DJ/Creator Ed Bailey of Washington DC returns bringing his unique spin of all things Madonna to Houston. This show is not to be missed!

For more information visit www.southbeachthenightclub.com

A CD called Mashed was recently released in the UK and features a collection of mash-ups. The CD can be found at www.amazon.co.uk/Mashed-Various-Artists

The CD features a mix of Madonna's Music with A Taste of Music's Boogie Oogie Monster mashed up to become Boogie Oogie Music.

madonnalicious visitors Fred, John, and Zhanna have sent in some M by Madonna pictures from Montreal and Steve has sent in a picture from Toronto, showing off the H&M - M by Madonna campaign in Canada.

The NRW Forum in Düsseldorf will host an exhibition of Mario Testino large format photographs titled 'Out of Fashion'.
It will portray about 40 photographs of Madonna, Kate Moss, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jude Law as well as a choice of work done for Gucci, Vogue and Vanity Fair.
More information and tickets can be found at www.nrw-forum.de

Jay Cumbie, the Music Director at radioio80spop.com has sent in this news and offer for madonnalicious visitors:

Just wanted to let you know that Madonna's album 'Like A Virgin' will be a featured favorite this coming week (starting Monday) as a favorite on radioio80spop.com.
Radioio80spop is the best 80s internet radio station on the web with listeners in over 80 countries. As a featured favorite songs from the album and artist in general will be played more frequently throughout the week as well as a link to buy the album on our website.
I would be happy to offer the visitors of 'madonnalicious' a free one month soundpass to listen to the station commercial free. All they have to do is email me at jay@radioio.com with their first and last name and say they heard about radioio on madonnalicious.com

madonnalicious visitor ramstigo captured these pictures of the M by Madonna set up and display at the H&M store in Philadelphia.

Danish radio station, Radio 100FM, had a Top 100 of 80's countdown of songs selected buy the Danish public today.

Madonna was one of the few artists who had more than one song on the countdown. She was placed at #83 with Holiday and at #7 with Like A Virgin.

There is SuperPOP Madonna party taking place in Moscow, Russia on Sunday 15 April at 7:00pm at the Sova Club, m. Kitay-gorod, Varvarka, 14.

Elle Icons is a promotional supplement in conjunction with Levis that comes with the May 2007 issue of UK magazine Elle - it features Madonna both on the cover, index page and a two-page article talking about her as a style icon.

madonnalicious has re uploaded the animated avatar archive back online for use on forums and message boards.

Unfortunately madonnalicious does not have the time to make new ones but after repeated requests we have put these classic ones back online.

To pick and choose the avatar you want to use visit Animated Avatars Menu

If anyone wants to make original avatars for this site then please contact us here.

Be Cointreauversial is a photography exhibition in Madrid, Spain which includes this huge original picture of Madonna by Daniel Smith taken on set of Swept Away in 2001.

For more information on the exhibition visit www.efti.es

UK magazine heat (31 March - 06 April issue) featured this candid shot of Madonna watching baby David play outside their London home on Sunday 11 March.

madonnalicious visitor Rachel attended the Hong Kong premiere of Arthur and the Invisibles at the 31st Hong Kong Film Festival on Wednesday 21 March.

Director Luc Besson was in attendance and did a question and answer session with the audience, he said that Madonna and him are great friends and that he chose her for the rold of Princess Selenia as Madonna is 'pretty enough to play a princess'.

A Madonna Madness party is taking place at Level 2 in Providence, Rhode Island, USA on Sunday 15 April - visit www.chrisharrispresents.com for more information.

David Montalvo is working on an AIDS in Africa charity project and needs some input from madonnalicious visitors:

I am working on an AIDS in Africa charity project for DoSomething.org and national Sirius Satellite Radio.
On April 27th, of this month, I will be presenting a piece on OutQ, Channel 109 (which Madonna has frequently been interviewed on www.siriusoutq.com) and would like to know if any Madonna fans have interacted with her or have been at the same charity event as her in regards to her crusade to fight AIDS.
There may even be a chance to mention the names of these fans on-air or on the website. For more info, Madonnalicious fans can visit: www.dosomething.org

If you think you can help David then contact him at dmontalvo@jbcumberland.com

Yesterday we brought you the news about Madonna's Sorry video inspiring a medication advert and now that story has inpsired Israeli newspaper Maariv to publish this story today. Translation and scans by madonnalicious visitor Nadav:

Rona-Lee and Madonna: Find the Differences
Fans of the Queen of Pop, Madonna, were probably surprised to see a picture of Rona-Lee Shimon spread on the first page of the songstress's big fansite - www.madonnalicious.com.
Yesterday the site posted an article with a picture of Madonna from her video-clip 'Sorry,' and to its left, a picture of Rona-Lee from the Israeli campaign for a birth control pill 'Feminet.'
Accidentally, or not, the two are photographed dressed in the same outfit, in the exact same pose. The site noted that the picture was taken from an Israeli campaign for a period pain relief pill, and that the people behind it were probably inspired by Madonna's video clip.

In a bizarre twist, Madonna's appearance in her video for Sorry is the inspiration behind an advert for a period pain relief pill from Israel!

madonnalicious visitor Nadav has sent in the advert with the Sorry video still as comparison, and it looks like the advertisers even took inspiration from the Confessions On A Dance Floor background artwork.

Vandals have sabotaged an enormous poster featuring Madonna by appearing to make her weep.
They targeted the 250 sq ft image advertising her new range for fashion store H&M by daubing the poster with green paint.
The culprits climbed the scaffolding to which the mesh advertising banner was attached, cut a hole in one of the eyes and poured paint through.
The poster, featuring two images of the 48-year-old superstar, is being replaced today at a cost of around £6,000.
The attack, near Old Street roundabout in Shoreditch, is believed to have taken place on Monday night or early on Tuesday.

To read the rest of the article and view the picture visit www.dailymail.co.uk

In another look at the M by Madonna displays we take a look at the Rue de Rennes H&M store in Paris in pictures taken by madonnalicious visitor Mat.

Madonna's clothing line for H&M has sold more than £8 million since going on sale just over a week ago.
Her designing debut, M by Madonna, has been so successful the retail chain has offered her a multi-million-dollar deal to do a seond and third collection, beginning later this year.
But she might not take it after saying: 'I really enjoyed doing this collection. But, honestly, I don't know ho wlong I could sustain this for.'

There was a page long interview with Jamie King in yesterdays edition of The Daily News published in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

She's confident, sensual and strong, but I like to bring out her vulnerability as well.

Madonna is dedicating her new children's book to her adopted son.
The pop superstar - who has written a number of children's stories - is said to be drawing on her experiences with Malawian tot David Banda, who she was granted custody of last October, for her next tale.
A source said: 'She adores David and wants to honour him by writing a boys' adventure with a moral lesson.'
Madonna, 48, is believed to be keen to make sure the book has a Kabbalahist moral message in line with her beliefs. The faith is an offshoot of Judaism, and the singer and her husband Guy Ritchie are both devout followers.
It is not the first time Madonna has written a book inspired by one of her children.
The star's first story, 'The English Roses', dealt with peer pressure among girls, and was based on her experiences with her daughter Lourdes.

Finnish magazine Apu features an interview with Isaac singer Yitzhak Sinwani who also toured with Madonna on the Confessions tour last year - the article talks about the tour and the fact that he is now teaching kabbalah in Finland.

Pop superstar Madonna is set to star in the last ever episode of Ricky Gervais' hit TV comedy Extras. Gervais and writing partner Stephen Merchant will end the programme's two series run with a star-studded Christmas special this year.
A host of A-list stars have appeared in the series, including David Bowie, Robert De Niro, and Chris Martin. Gervais and Merchant want the show to bow out in style with a guest-appearance from Madonna.
According to reports, Gervais has been in contact with the Material Girl since they met backstage at the Live 8 concert in London in 2005, and a deal is almost complete.

madonnalicious visitor Dave took this picture of these large M by Madonna adverts in the Ducth city of Rotterdam.

madonnalicious visitor Jansen sent in this M by Madonna report:

I was reading some negative press about M by Madonna not selling well, which is bull! I just wanted you to know I visited to H&M in Los Angeles this afternoon and I saw people buying M by Madonna left and right.
It was packed with people and when I asked about the M by Madonna sunglasses they said they sold out within hours the first day! Which sucks because being I'm a boy who doesnt crossdress, there wasnt anything else I could really buy of hers hehe.
The only thing that was a dissapointment was the staff were not wearing M by Madonna shirts. I'm not sure if that was only for the opening day but I wanted to see it hehe!

The UK press were full of stories about Madonna's rumoured appearance in US TV show Nip/Tuck - scans featured below are from heat, Look and Now magazines.

Another Madonna Party hosted by Chicago night club Berlin, MadonnaRama Pajama Party! This coming Sunday 01 April. Come and dance to everything Madonna! For more info check out www.berlinchicago.com