Members of Madonna's official fanclub have just got confirmation that the Confessions Tour DVD will be released, and the date of release and the cover artwork. Fan club members should visit www.iconmadonnna.com for more news.

ICON members are the first to see the cover of the Confessions Tour DVD! And we are happy to announce that the wait is almost over! The DVD will be released on January 22, 2007 internationally, January 23, 2007 in the US. Keep checking the ICON site for more exclusive news about the Confessions DVD!

The adoption story puts Madonna on the front cover (and a four page article inside) of German magazine In Touch (30 November issue 49). Click to enlarge.

Pop superstar Madonna is refusing to be daunted by an imminent challenge to her Malawian adoption, insisting she's got 'no problem' with the legal action. Yesterday, a judge in baby David Banda's homeland ruled his 18-month interim adoption could be challenged by a coalition of 67 human rights groups.
Members claim the Malawian government 'fast-tracked' the adoption process for the singer and husband Guy Ritchie, and point out intra-country adoptions are not allowed in the African nation. But Madonna's Malawian lawyer Alan Chinula says, 'They (Madonna and Ritchie) called me from London and I explained to them the ruling. They have no problem with the ruling and are also willing to sit back and wait.'
He added of the coalition's suit, 'It's good for the law. Let's build the law, let the court hear other views. It's not Madonna using an antiquated law, we followed the law to the letter in the adoption process, but it's just a bad law.'

For the Chicago fans and for those visiting Chicago, as always Berlin Chicago will be having a Madonna blast over the weekend.

This Sunday 11 December another Madonna Party held at Berlin! For two years now they've been having on Sundays all the best that our Madonna can offer! This Sunday it is the True Blue celebration! Plus all the best of Madonna's 80s hits!

Click on the flyer to enlarge.

A judge in Malawi has allowed a coalition of human rights groups to proceed with a legal challenge to pop star Madonna's adoption of a baby boy.
The alliance of 67 Malawian groups lodged a petition before the court last month, saying existing legislation did not allow for intra-country adoptions.
Madonna was granted an 18-month interim custody order which enabled her to take one-year-old David Banda out of Malawi.
The adoption of the boy sparked heated debate around the globe.
Judge Andrew Nyirenda in the Malawian capital, Lilongwe, ruled that the groups could be regarded as 'friends of the court' and so could pursue their application for a full review of the interim custody order.
'The applications from both applicants are accordingly granted and they are both joined as amicus curiae,' said the judgement, according to the AFP news agency.
The 67 groups wanted to be party to the assessment of the singer's fitness as a mother.
They had argued that the government cut legal corners to 'fast-track' the adoption, and said regulations must be followed to protect children.
David is currently living with Madonna and her family in London after she was granted the temporary custody order.
Madonna has denied using her wealth to fast-track the process.

Fans in the UK will be able to watch a documentary on the media storm that surrounded Madonna's adoption of baby David on Thursday 07 December at 10:00pm on ITV1.

Here is a review from UK magazine hot stars (02-08 December issue).

Ryan, the music director for WGLR radio station has this news for madonnalicious:

I'm the music director for WGLR radio in Platteville, Wisconsin, part of the Queen B Radio Group. I'm also involved in a charity event that will be held on WGLR (97.7) this upcoming Saturday December 2nd. Our auction is always known for it's special, rare and one of a kind items. I wanted to tell you about a special Madonna item we have up for auction.
This year we have a hand signed Madonna 'Confessions' tour program that will be auctioned off. The signature was obtained during the Chicago stop of her 'Confessions' tour. I have enclosed a scan of the item (although the scanner I used was a little smaller than the item. Nothing is cut off on the actual item, which is in mint condition).
All proceeds from our auction are used locally in our area to help individuals and families in need, plus non profit organizations. We invite all listeners in Southwest Wisconsin (plus the Iowa and Illinois portion of our listening audience) to tune in to 97.7 FM and bid on this fantastic item. The item is scheduled to be auctioned off around 1:00 CST this Saturday December 2nd.
We also will be able to accept bids from USA residents outside our listening area and ship this item to them (winning bid plus $10 postage/insurance). The number to use that day to place a bid is (800) 236-7671.

madonnalicious has had many fans write in asking if Channel 4 will be repeating the broadcast of the Confessions Tour - unfortunately we have heard from Channel 4 that they only bought the rights to show the concert ONCE and it will not be repeated on any of their channels.

The upcoming Luc Besson film Arthur and the Invisibles in which Madonna voices the character of Princess Selenina is due for a limited release in the USA on Friday 15 December and gets a national release on Friday 12 January 2007.

Some of Madonna's personal items are going to be auctioned at Sound in Leicester Square London on Wednesday 29 November including:

A large American flag signed 'ROCK THE VOTE Madonna', as used during the filming of the MTV Rock to Vote video. The autograph is written in thick black marker pen. The video was filmed at Landmark Studios in the fall of 1992, during Bill Clinton's quest for the White House. The entire studio was adorned by American flags.

A signed black T-Shirt from the Drowned World Tour with a signed wristband. The T-shirt and wristband are both signed by Madonna from her 2001 Drowned World Tour. The wristband granted the wearer access all areas.

A signed Coat. A black 1950's stylised moygashell black long flared, high waisted frock coat. Madonna attended a vintage fashion show at the Equestrian Centre and was approached by a vendor with the coat. Madonna wore it all around the event and then decided to pass on buying it, but signed it for the eventual purchaser. The coat manufactured by Brewster is signed on the inside, left hand shoulder in white marker pen 'Madonna'.

Madonna's white satin, extensively rehearsal-worn bustier. The bustier with the iconic, exaggerated cone cups and suspender attachments with eleven hook and eye closures to the rear. To the inside rear of the bustier is a small costume department tag with 'MAD' hand written in black ink. Madonna's brother Christopher, used these tags on occasion on the 'Who's That Girl' and 'Blond Ambition' items mainly to distinguish Madonna's costume from those of her backing vocalists. The bustier is accompanied by a letter from Landmark Studios where Madonna rehearsed for the Blond Ambition tour.

The blue chiffon scarf worn personally by Madonna during the filming of her music video for the track 'True Blue'....and loads more Madonna items including the iconic Open Your Heart bustier!

For more information on the auction visit www.thefamebureau.com - to view all of the Madonna items in the auction visit www.thefamebureau.com/auctions51-60

Here are some UK fans reports on last night's broadcast on Channel 4 of the Confessions Tour - and although the same three songs were cut due to timing constraints (Drowned World, Paradise (Not For Me), Lucky Star), the UK audience were treated to an uncensored version of the show!

From Ben:
A Monday morning confession from me to confirm that Channel 4 did indeed show the Confessions Tour, Live from London in all it's un-edited glory last night. I was thrilled and on the edge of my seat when I saw the full version of Live to Tell, Madonna's 'I Heart NY' guitar strap intact and no censorship of 'You can suck George Bush's dick!'.
I am tired at work this morning, but it was well worth staying up late to re-witness Madonna from the night that I was actually there. It brought back so many memories of the fantastic performances, Madonna's enthusiasm and indeed the heat in the building. Obviously nothing compares to actually being there and seeing it unravel live before your eyes, but this is surely a close second!
Big up Madonna, London and Channel 4 for exercising true freedom of speech and allowing this to happen!

From Johnny W:
NBC premiered Madonna’s Confessions Tour on the 22nd and (naturally) edited it (not just due to time restrictions but 'demand'). Various Christian religious groups were against Madonna 'mocking' Christ with her enactment of Jesus’ crucifixion.
Those who have heard Madonna’s explanation or (those who are less hypocritically) who have seen the show, know she is not mocking Christ but bringing awareness about the plight of AIDS in Africa.
Channel 4 is a channel, which, generally, tries to break down barriers. Sometimes controversial but tries to stay honest. Tonight, in England, we watched Madonna Confessions Tour (edited to a schedule) but 'bleeped' and 'blurred' it was not.
'If I ran away....' Close up of Madonna’s face, the thorns, the cross and then the light in the background on the screens. I was watching Live To Tell, as it should be. Inter-cut with the AIDS epidemic images as Madonna intended. Expressing the message that we should do more for countries that need our Western help.
We also saw the finger ('Sorry'), the heart ('I Love New York') – okay this one may be due to trademark - and heard the lyrics ('suck George Bush’s dick'). No bleeps, no blurs just pure Madonna. Ok, we didn’t get 'Drowned World', 'Paradise (Not For Me)', 'Lucky Star' etc. - (DVD Sticker) 'CONTAINING PREVIOUSLY UNSEEN FOOTAGE OF LUCKY STAR'.
But in a society where we are allowed to see and hear Madonna say 'suck George Bush’s dick' and not have a 'higher' union censor it for us we should say 'Ho' and wave our hands in the air like we don’t care. But what if she said 'suck Tony Blair’s dick'. Would we still see it on UK TV?
A toast to Channel 4 and the Confessions Tour. Let’s look forward to the DVD and hope we can unite together and try to do our bit with the AIDS epidemic and the other monstrosities in the world. 'Doing our bit' isn’t necessarily about going to Africa or donating to a charity. It can be educating your child / another person about awareness, listening to someone who is in a difficult moment, practising safe sex etc.
I’m not going to list all the Madonna cliché lyrics 'Why’s it so hard....' etc. but just want to say a little thank you for being you. Madonna you are not going to change the world in a day and neither are we. But lets try.

From Kat And Flis:
They missed out Lucky Star last night with the fab white 'Dancing Queen' cloak, I am gutted as that was one of the best parts and would have looked fab on TV. I am glad that we got to see Live To tell though, me and my girlfriend couldn’t believe our eyes when they showed it on the TV, excellent....don’t know why they feel the need to censor it anyway!

From Sarah:
I'm really pleased that all of the potentially 'offensive' material was left in this show - however very disappointed that the audience interaction (chats, singing Happy Birthday etc), along with the Drowned World/Substitute For Love and Lucky Star tracks were all cut! I guess we have to wait for the DVD for a truly un-cut performance.
After seeing one of the London shows though, it was fantastic to be able to watch it again.

More news in from the Channel 4 broadcast of the Confessions Tour that is airing in the UK tonight - I Love New York was uncensored, red heart on guitar strap, swearing and George W Bush were all present!

Great news for fans in the UK - Channel 4 appear to be showing the uncensored version of the Confessions Tour - we have just experienced Live To Tell as it should be seen!

A quick reminder for UK fans that Channel 4 will be airing the Confessions Tour: Live From London tonight (Sunday 26 November) from 10:00pm-11:45pm. Enjoy!

UK newspaper The People published this story today about a Christmas getaway for The Ritchie family - click on the article to enlarge.

Fans who missed the NBC broadcast of the Confessions Tour will be able to watch a repeat showing on Thursday 30 November on Bravo at 8:00pm and at 12 midnight.

Let's take a look back at Madonna's concert at the Save Mart Center in Fresno on Monday 05 June - these great pictures taken by madonnalicious visitor Ricky capture the full effect of the staging and lighting of the show.

Here is a short advert for download promoting Madonna's appearance on the Home Shopping Network tonight, Saturday and Sunday in the USA - check out www.hsn.com for listings of when Madonna is featured.

Jump is still doing very well on the US Billboard music charts:

Billboard Hot Dance Airplay 4 weeks at #1 JUMP Madonna
Billboard Hot Singles Sales 2 weeks at #1 JUMP Madonna
Billboard Hot Dance Single Sales 2 weeks at #1 JUMP Madonna

The NBC Madonna website now offers fans a chance to watch some behind the scenes footage on the Confessions Tour - this features footages at the tour rehearsals and can be viewed at www.nbc.com/Madonna and clicking on the 'Go Behind-The Scenes Of Madonna's Confessions Tour!' logo.

British actress Emma Thompson has praised Madonna for adopting Malawian baby David Banda last month. The Sense And Sensibility star has seen the plight of Malawi's children orphaned by AIDS first hand after becoming involved in charity work in the African country. Shocked by the suffering she saw, in 2003 Thompson also welcomed an African orphan - 16-year-old Tindy - into her home after meeting the Rwandan refugee in London. And the 47-year-old is convinced Madonna has made the right decision, despite taking David away from his native country and culture.
She says, 'Malawi is a very difficult country, with tremendous problems with AIDS. While I understand the arguments about taking people away from their culture, there is a culture of deprivation and poverty that is not fun to be part of. She found a child in desperate need. Some people want to bring up a child personally, others want to act in a more general way, but both ways are surely to be welcomed.'

A reminder of fans in the US - Madonna will be on HSN (Home Shopping Network) Friday night (with a replay on Saturday and Sunday) to sell the box set of The English Roses 2 and other kid's books. For exact timings visit www.HSN.com

Here are several fan reports of the Confessions Tour broadcast that took place last night in the USA and Canada. They are mixed reviews, mainly due to the actual edit of the show and what was left out:

From Denim:
I just wanted to share some info about the NBC special. The 'Live To Tell' cross scene was cut, but the music played in the background as they showed images of orphaned children and the ticker at the bottom of the screen. The 'Sorry Remix' interlude was completely cut as well as 'Drowned World/Substitute For Love', 'Paradise(Not for Me)' and 'Lucky Star'. There was a commercial break after almost every song! The sound was amazing and they did a great job editing and adding special effects(such as speeding up and slowing down different sequences). I can't wait for the DVD for the full length concert!

From Eric:
The NBC broadcast of Madonna's Confessions tour left a lot to be desired. For instance, 'Drowned world/Substitute for Love' was omitted as well as a black box over Madonna's finger with a pixilated hand for 'I Love New York.' Plus, 'Lucky Star' was also omitted. My guess is that NBC wanted as much air time for their holiday ads as well as Madonna having a promo for the DVD version of the show. Those southern TV affiliates need not bother with having the concert cut from the evening broadcast, for it was suited for a ten year old bible reader!

From Joan:
Thanks for this special Thanksgiving concert - just too bad NBC had to edit the cross part. We are so stuffy in the USA! But thanks - I wish it would never end. She is so talented!

From Tammy:
I watched the NBC showing of Confessions. Pros....the Sound was great and so were the visuals.
Cons....all the censoring and commercials! Big BOOOOOOO for NBC! I can't wait for the DVD!

Remember you can discuss the NBC broadcast with fellow fans in the forum.

madonnalicious visitor Tammy noticed something strange in the NBC broadcast of the Confessions Tour last night. It appears as though Madonna's I (HEART) NY guitar strap has had the red heart blacked out....and no one has any idea why NBC would want to censor that!

Below you can see two screen captures from the broadcast showing the blacked out heart - and a photograph taken on the night of the filming with the red heart.

UPDATE:
Thanks to all the madonnalicious visitors who has written in to say that the I (Heart) NY is infact a copyrighted logo - so to save having to pay extra copyright fees NBC blacked out the heart instead!

She arrives by giant disco ball, which opens like a glittery spaceship. Out steps Madonna, done up as a horsewoman, to whip up excitement at London's Wembley Arena.
She earns the adulation in her stunning NBC special, Madonna: The Confessions Tour, which airs from 8 to 10 tonight on WESH-Channel 2.
The special serves as a needed reminder. Madonna might make headlines for controversies, from adopting an African boy to hanging from a cross in the concert. She might keep reinventing her image to stay in the public eye. Yet what matters most is that Madonna remains an electrifying entertainer, a determined singer and a tireless dancer.
The NBC special, shot with 15 cameras, provides an eye-popping record of two concerts from August. The program should be high-definition heaven. Madonna's razzle-dazzle showmanship echoes Cecil B. DeMille, Bob Fosse and even Steven Spielberg.
You want a light show? She gives you one on 'Future Lovers,' which opens the show, and another on 'Ray of Light.' Her pride in her dancers comes through in the showcases 'Jump,' 'Sorry' and 'Hung Up,' the rousing finale.
Her affection for 1970s dance rhythms infuses her Confessions on a Dance Floor CD and playful numbers in the special. Her zesty performance of 'Music' becomes a tribute to John Travolta and Saturday Night Fever. This 'Erotica,' performed in a workout leotard, recalls the Jane Fonda videos. 'I Love New York' presents her as guitar-playing rock star.
At 48, she remains in tiptop shape. She struts through 'Get Together' and saddles up for 'Like a Virgin.' She uses a chair provocatively for 'Like It or Not' and flings herself around the stage for 'Let It Will Be.'
Her performance of 'Live to Tell' takes the show in a jarring, serious direction. NBC has edited footage of her on a cross, although she can be seen wearing a crown of thorns. That imagery could offend, but she issues a heartfelt plea to remember the 12 million African children made orphans by AIDS. For anyone doubting her sincerity, the show quotes the Bible to reinforce that plea.
Fans should be dazzled by the mix of videos, lighting and dancing. Maybe she'll win a few new fans, although drawing an audience won't be easy on the night before Thanksgiving. In the end, the NBC special buttresses her status as the hardest-working woman in show business.

Not all fans in the US will be able to watch the Confessions Tour concert on NBC tonight - a couple of NBC local affliate stations have chosen not to broadcast the show because it is inappropriate or clashes with previous TV schedules.

Atlanta, GA
The NBC affiliate in Atlanta, GA is not broadcasting the Madonna show on Wednesday night. Instead it is showcasing a special on the city's aquarium. The concert will be shown on another small station (same time frame) known as MyATL. The concert is being broadcast on the major NBC markets in Alabama.

Chattanooga And Knoxville, TN
WRCB announced today that the NBC local affiliate will not broadcast 'Madonna: The Confessions Tour Live' - a two-hour special set to air tomorrow November 22, 2006. The special was taped this summer at Wembley Stadium in London, UK during Madonna's worldwide sold-out 25-city 'Confessions Tour' and has received local and national controversy concerning content.
WRCB-TV Channel 3 President and General Manager, Tom Tolar viewed the preview of the special late this morning and announced the station's reluctance to air the content at 8pm.
'I believe the majority of viewers in our area would find the content inappropriate for the 8-10pm time period,' said Tom Tolar, WRCB's President and General Manager. 'Although the NBC network has edited the Madonna concert to take out a mock crucifixion scene, there are many questionable scenes and content remaining.'
WRCB is owned by Sarkes Tarzian, Inc. In addition to WRCB, Sarkes Tarzian, Inc. owns and operates KTVN-TV in Reno, Nevada; WAJI-FM and WLDE-FM in Ft. Wayne, Indiana; and WGCL-AM and WTTS-FM in Bloomington, Indiana. Sarkes Tarzian, Inc. headquarters are located in Bloomington, Indiana.

Madonna is featured on the cover of the December 2006 issue of South African magazine Marie Claire - click on the cover to enlarge.

An Australian family denies being involved in a tug of war with pop star Madonna over the adoption of a Malawian child.
British magazine Closer this week ran a cover story that the singer had chosen 18-month-old Jessica Kondanani as the latest addition to her family.
The magazine reported that at the same time an Australian couple had their hearts set on giving the little girl a new home and were in the process of adopting her.
The article has since been picked up by other media.
The family involved, Angela and John Wilmot last night released a statement in Melbourne saying most of the article was untrue - except for the fact they were adopting Jessica.
'We are not involved in a 'tug of war' with Madonna,' the statement said.
'During Madonna's time in Malawi she did visit the orphanage where this little girl is currently being cared for.'
'Jessica was one of many children that Madonna spent time with and she has no intention of adopting Jessica....that's about where the story begins and ends.'

Here is the article from UK magazine Closer (25 November - 01 December issue) that has started up another adoption story throughout the world's media - although fans should read the story above this one where it has been denied by the couple.

Norwegian TV channel TvNorge will air the Confessions Tour, totally unedited on Monday 18 December at 8:30pm.

Armenian magazine El Style features a four page exclusive interview with dancer Mihran about working with Madonna on the Confessions Tour.

Last Thursday night (16 November) Madonna and Guy attended a private showing of movie The Prestige at the Vue Cinema in Shepherds Bush, London.

They arrived late (11:45pm) at the cinema because they had been out at a function beforehand - and settled in to watch the movie with popcorn and drinks!

The new edition of UK magazine Closer (25 November - 01 December issue) makes the upcoming TV broadcast on Sunday 26 November of Confessions Live From London on Channel 4 the highlight choice of viewing on that day!

Madonna Brings 'The English Roses' to HSN With TV Shopping Debut on November 24, 25 and 26.

Just in time for the holidays, Madonna will make her TV shopping debut on HSN to promote an exclusive set of books from The English Roses, her successful children's book series. Madonna recently sat down with HSN's Callie Northagen to share candid details about the inspiration behind her newest book, The English Roses: Too Good To Be True, which will air on the shopping network and www.HSN.com November 24, 25 and 26.
HSN, an operating business of IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ:IACI), will donate a portion of the proceeds of the books to Raising Malawi (www.raisingmalawi.org), an orphan-care initiative benefiting the children of Malawi in Africa. Madonna will donate all of her proceeds to the organization as well.
'Launching The English Roses book series and my new title, The English Roses: Too Good To Be True, through this broadcast is a great chance to reach millions of homes,' Madonna said.
'HSN is thrilled to be partnering with Madonna to support 'Raising Malawi' through the offering of her latest children's book The English Roses: Too Good To Be True,' said Bill Brand, Senior Vice President of Programming at HSN. 'These books are terrific holiday gifts that give back by supporting a worthwhile cause. Madonna's appearance on HSN will provide our viewers with interesting details about her beautiful books and allow them to discover a completely different side of this extremely talented artist.'
HSN will offer the English Roses gift set (HSN item # 214-019) for $29.95, which includes: the original The English Roses and its sequel The English Roses: Too Good to Be True; Madonna Reads, an audio CD of Madonna reading the first five of her popular children's books; and an exclusive, collectible 8 X 10 illustration. HSN show times are available online at www.HSN.com
Too Good to Be True continues the story of five young girls - the best of friends - and their adventures in planning their first school dance. Their friendship is tested by the arrival of new student Dominic de la Guardia, whose dashing looks and charming manners have them vying for his attention. The colorful 64-page jacketed hardcover is stylishly illustrated by Stacy Peterson.
Madonna made publishing history with the global release of The English Roses published simultaneously in 30 languages in more than 100 countries in 2003. It became the fastest-selling book written by a first-time children's author and stayed on the New York Times' Children's Bestseller List for 18 weeks. The English Roses is now available in 40 languages worldwide. Her following four books - Mr. Peabody's Apples, Yakov and the Seven Thieves, The Adventures of Abdi, and Lotsa de Casha - are also worldwide bestsellers and will be available on HSN and www.HSN.com

If any fans in the US can capture this broadcast (in a computer friendly format) for sharing with fellow fans then please contact us at madonnalicious@gmail.com

Fans can now vote for Madonna in two categories in the 2007 NRJ Music Awards. Madonna is nominated in both the International Female Artist Of The Year and International Album Of The Year categories.

To vote for Madonna visit nrjmusicawards.nrj.fr and click on the VOTE buttons.

Madonnas Jump remains at #1 for the second week on the UK Dance Singles Chart, and Confessions On A Dance Floor jumps from #11 to #6 on the UK Dance Albums chart - check out www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/dancesingles

Jump enters the Latvian biggest radio station European Hit Radio chart at #24 and fans can vote it higher at www.europeanhitradio.com

Madonna's single Jump moves up from #24 to #6 in the Dutch single charts.

XES in New York City (24th Street in Chelsea) will be hosting a Confessions Viewing Party and an all night Madonnarama party on the Wednesday 22 November.

It starts at 6:00pm and they will broadcast the whole concert special on several plasma TVs - check out their website at www.xesnyc.com for more information.

An interview with Madonna will feature on today's edition of US TV show Access Hollywood - the interview will preview the Confessions Tour broadcast tomorrow night on NBC.

Want more Madonna? Our girl will give an exclusive interview to Access Hollywood on November 21 and will discuss the show’s TV broadcast and her tour memories. Turn on your recorder and let the Queen Of The Dance Floor tell you more about it! Check local listings for interview times.

Madonna Night III will be taking place at Celebrities Nightclub in Vancouver BC on Wednesday 29 November.
There will be another amazing show featuring Vancouver's only premier Madonna impersonators and drag artists performing some of Madonna's favourite tracks.
Come check it out and make a donation to the Raising Malawai Foundation. DJ Dicky Doo will be spinning all Madonna, all night!

Click on the flyer to enlarge.

A High Court judge postponed his ruling for a week on a challenge to Madonna's plans to adopt a Malawian baby, court officials and lawyers said.
Judge Andrew Nyirenda was unavailable to give his ruling as he was attending a conference, said Lilongwe High Court registrar Ken Manda.
Manda said the ruling was now expected on Monday or Tuesday of next week.
Nyirenda had been due to make a ruling after a coalition of 67 human rights and child advocacy groups petitioned the court to ensure no Malawian laws had been broken in the adoption process and to make the committee a party to the adoption so it can help assess the pop singer's fitness as a mother.
On October 12, Nyirenda granted Madonna and her filmmaker husband Guy Ritchie an 'interim order' allowing them to take away 14-month-old David.
Madonna says she has met all the country's requirements for adopting the child.

Madonna's new single Jump entered straight into the Spanish single charts at #3.

Hung Up, Sorry and Get Together have all been #1 hits in Spain.

madonnalicious visitor Mark filmed some clips from the opening night of the Confessions Tour at The Forum in Los Angeles on Sunday 21 May 2006.
The clips are shot from both the screen and stage and feature Like A Virgin, Forbidden Love, Isaac and Sorry.

Jump is the 3rd single from Confessions On A Dance Floor to go straight to #1 in the Italian Official Singles Charts (Get Together debuted at #2).

Today's edition of UK newspaper the Sunday Mirror featured a one page article on Madonna's love for her Pringle jumper in it's magazine supplement Celebs Sunday.

Great news as Madonna's Jump tops four Billboard charts this week:

Billboard Hot Dance Single Sales Debut at #1 Madonna Jump
Billboard Hot Dance/Club/Play 2nd week at #1 Madonna Jump
Billboard Hot Dance Airplay 3rd week at #1 Madonna Jump
Billboard Hot Singles Chart jumps from #4 to #1 Madonna Jump

Other news from Billboard - Jump is at #5 on the Bubbling Under The Hot 100 Chart and Confessions On A Dance Floor has moved up from #7 to #6 on the Electronic Albums chart for it's 53rd week!

Expect to see some more chart climbers next week after the Confessions Tour broadcasts on NBC.

The Russian edition of Us Weekly (November 2006 issue) features this two page article on the adoption of David Banda.

Swedish TV channel SVT will be broadcasting the Confessions Tour: Live From London on Friday 29 December at 10:40pm.

Visit the NBC website to watch an extended advert promoting the upcoming broadcast of the Confessions Tour on Wednesday 22 November. To view the preview visit www.nbc.com/Madonna and click on 'Watch An Extended Preview'.

The video for Jump is now available to buy on UK iTunes for £1.89 at this link here.

It is also available to buy on the US version of iTunes too!

Fans in Japan can watch the Confessions Tour: Live From London on Japanese satelite TV channel WOWOW on Saturday 30 December at 8:00pm. They will also be showing I'm Going To Tell You A Secret on the same night.

For more information visit www.wowow.co.jp/music/madonna

Now we go back to Saturday 03 June for Madonna's one and only Confessions Tour show at the Los Angeles Staples Center - these pictures were taken by madonnalicious visitor Rustin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Madonna was named the World's Best Pop Artist, beating other nominees James Blunt, Shakira, Justin Timberlake and Robbie Williams at the World Music Awards last night at Earls Court in London. Madonna did not attend the ceremony.

In THE most anticipated chart of all time, VH1 has teamed up with The Official UK Charts Company to release a definitive list of the Top 100 Best Selling Albums ever. This chart is not another poll voted for by the critics or viewers of a TV programme; it is a chart made up of actual sales figures from the last fifty years, unveiling who really has had the best selling album of all time; a fact that has never been revealed before, until now on VH1’s ‘Nation’s Favourite Album.’
VH1’s ‘Nation’s Favourite Album’ which transmits 18th November on VH1 at 6pm, reveals that legendary rockers Queen have outsold all other artists to claim the coveted title of the UK’s favourite album with their Greatest Hits compilation selling a staggering 5,407,587.

Madonna's The Immaculate Collection rounds off the Top 10 with UK sales of 3,364,785.

Here is the list of the Top Ten Top Selling Albums of All Time:

Queen – Greatest Hits - 5,407,587
Beatles – Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band - 4,803,292
Oasis – What’s The Story Morning Glory - 4,304,504
Dire Straits – Brothers In Arms - 3,946,931
ABBA – Gold Greatest Hits – 3,932,316
Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of The Moon – 3,759,958
Queen – Greatest Hits II – 3,631,321
Michael Jackson – Thriller – 3,570,250
Michael Jackson – Bad – 3,549,950
Madonna – The Immaculate Collection – 3,364,785

Madonna also charts at #64 with True Blue with sales of 1,961,164 and just misses the Top 100 with Ray Of Light at #101 (sales of 1,677,925) and Like A Virgin at #109 (sales of 1,626,126).

It seems Madonna is planning to adopt a second baby from Africa.
The pop diva wants to take in a baby girl, who would be a little sister to her biological children, Lourdes, ten, and Rocco, six, and adopted Malawian boy David Banda.
Asked in an interview if she wanted another child, the 48-year-old said: 'Yes, absolutely. I'm going to adopt another Malawian child very quickly. A baby girl this time, in order to redress the balance.'
In the interview with French magazine Paris Match, the singer said her children would accompany her to Africa on her next trip.
'The next time I go to Africa to visit the orphanage, I am going to take the children with me,' she said.
'I want to open their minds to the rest of the world.'
Earlier this week it was revealed Madonna must wait to find out if human rights groups in Malawi can challenge her adoption of 14-month-old David.
A coalition of 67 organisations claim the 'bending of laws and fast-tracking' allowed her to adopt the child.
The judge will rule next Monday on whether to allow the legal challenge.

Time magazine has compiled a list of the 100 Best Albums Of All Time. Representing the 1980s among the albums chosen was 'Like A Prayer'. Here is what Time writer Josh Tyrangiel said about the album:

This is the moment Madonna peaked as a pop star and mass media manipulator. First the manipulation. In the title track video, Madonna kisses a saint, shows off some self induced stigmata and dances in a field of burning crosses.
Caving into protests from religious groups, Pepsi pulled out of a Madonna sponsorship deal. (She held on to a $5 million payday) and the whole episode generated enough publicity to ensure the album's debut at No. 1. Brilliant. As it happens so was the record.
'Like A Prayer' was a genuinely soulful first single and 'Express Yourself' merged Madonna's dance sensibility with her strongest feminist message. Stephen Bray, Patrick Leonard and Prince (yes,that Prince) rescue the few middling tracks with production that elevated Madonna's voice out of its early bubble gum phase and into something resembling a real instrument.

A few days ago madonnalicious reported that the Confessions Tour DVD would be released in early December for both the French and UK markets.

At that time Warner Germany were reporting that the DVD would be released in early 2007....and now our fears our realised, Warner France have just confirmed that the DVD will not be released in December but in February/March 2007!

Lets hope this is the one and only delay to this DVD - and is probably due to the rights to the show being sold to many countries for broadcast on TV over the Christmas period.

Here are some more Confessions Tour memories from San Jose - these pictures were taken by madonnalicious visitor Enrique at the Tuesday 30 May show.

 

Jump is the UK's #1 Dance Single this week - entering the chart straight at #1.

Check out the official chart at www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/dancesingles

Rumours started by UK tabloid The Sun about Madonna working with ABBA's Agnetha and Frida have been put to rest by ABBA's spokeswoman Görel Hanser:

Last Saturday the English newspaper The Sun reported that Madonna was about to start a collaberation with Agnetha Fältskog, 56 and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, 60. But according to ABBA's spokeswoman Görel Hanser the story is made up. 'I have just spoken to Frida, and the rumours are not true,' she says.

The current issue of UK magazine heat (18-24 November 2006) features a recent picture of Madonna jogging in Central Park, New York City in their Spotted column.

Spanish TV Channel Canal + will be airing the Confessions Tour: Live From London show on Sunday 31 December 2006 from 10:30pm-12:30am.

Okay you have all read about it, now is your chance to download Kylie Minogue's performance of Madonna's Vogue rap on her Showgirl tour.
This clip was filmed by madonnalicious visitor Jason last weekend.

Fans in the UK can catch Madonna's recent appearance on US TV show The Oprah Winfrey Show on Thursday 16 November on ITV2 at 9:00pm.

The new edition of UK magazine heat (18-24 November issue) is out in stores today and features a one page photograph feature of Madonna and the big bruise on her cheek - Liz Rosenberg confirmed that this bruise was caused by the press photographers bashing into Madonna at Heathrow Airport!

Here is some news about a new fan service for Madonna fans on the internet, www.buymadonnastuff.com is a page where you can buy and sell rare Madonna items, and this site will have new items added regularly.

There are also two new forums online for www.madonnamad.com forum members while the Madonnamad forum is down - fans can join the the forums at madonnagroove.forumup.us and madonnalove.forumup.us and meet up with fellow Madonnamad members.

And don't forget if you want to chat about all things Madonna you can always join the madonnalicious forum here at invisionfree.com/madonnalicious

NBC have made a special website dedicated to their broadcast of Madonna's Confessions Tour concert on Wednesday 22 November - on the page at www.nbc.com/Madonna you can view 44 great pictures from the show.

Although NBC are a little confused of the venue it was filmed at....they say Filmed At Wembley Stadium (which is still under construction) instead of Wembley Arena!

A legal challenge to Madonna's bid to adopt a baby boy from Malawi, brought by a coalition of the country's human rights groups has again been adjourned.
An alliance of 67 groups is pushing for the right to challenge the interim adoption order which let Madonna take one-year-old David Banda from Malawi.
David's father is opposed to moves to halt the adoption.
The judge says he will decide next Monday if the group will be allowed to participate in the adoption hearings.
'Basically what we are asking the court is that we want to be joined as a party to the assessment because we have a lot of legal issues we want to raise,' the group's Justin Dzonzi, told journalists after the one-and-half hour hearing.
Mr Dzonzi said the rights groups want Malawi's adoption laws clarified to avoid the trafficking and abuse of Malawian children. He said currently the laws that are being used are archaic, a situation he said that has led to a lot of illegal adoptions.
Madonna has denied using her wealth to fast-track the process.
Madonna's Malawian lawyer Alan Chinula told journalists as far as Madonna was concerned all Malawian adoption laws were complied with.
'My clients followed all legal channels; if the laws are archaic it's not the Ritchie's fault,' he said.
Madonna funds six orphanages through her Raising Malawi charity and is setting up an orphanage for 4,000 children in a village outside the capital, Lilongwe.

madonnalicious visitor Anthony took these great pictures at the Tuesday 30 May Confessions Tour show at the HP Pavilion in San Jose.

Vote for Madonna as the Sexiest Woman Of All Time in an online poll by German TV station VIVA TV.

The winner of this poll will get a four hour TV special on VIVA TV - so vote as many times as you can at www.viva.tv (Scroll down, click 'Madonna' and then 'LOS').

In the return of her Showgirl tour this weekend in Australia Kylie Minogue delighted fans when she added the Vogue rap to her performance of her song Burning Up - a homage to the Queen of Pop from the Princess of Pop!

madonnalicious visitor Markus was at the show and sends in this report:

I was at the opening of Kylie's Homecoming tour (Saturday 11 November), and it was the best Kylie show I have ever seen! After the intermission halfway through, I heard a very familiar song....Vogue! (Think The Girlie Show.) The crowd went wild!

Fans in Toronto can head to the Madonnarama party on Friday 17 November - for more information click on the flyer or visit myspace.com/madonnaramatoronto

Madonna's new single Jump made a new chart entry today in the UK Singles Chart at #9 and was the second highest new entry. This is her 60th Top 10 hit in the UK and is not bad considering some shops were not even stocking the single!

UK TV station Channel 4 will be broadcasting the Confessions Tour concert on Sunday 26 November at 10:00pm-11:45pm.

As the running time is only 1 hour 45 minutes, the show is likely to be highly cut and may even be the same edit that was broadcast on NBC a few days previously.

HBO Latin America will be broadcasting the Confessions Tour Live From London show in December - some promotional adverts (see screen captures below) have started running on the channel.

HBO Brazil have confirmed they will be showing the concert on Thursday 07 December 2006 at 8/9:00pm. For more information visit www.hbo-br.tv

Madonna is set to go into the studio with ABBA stars Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid ' Frida' Lyngstad after holding talks with the Swedish pop legends. The Dancing Queens agreed to record material with Madonna after being impressed with her sampling of Gimme Gimme Gimme on her Hung Up single.
A source tells British newspaper The Sun, 'Madonna has been in contact with Agnetha and Frida for a few months. Madonna was the driving force behind the idea because she was so happy with her sample of Gimme Gimme Gimme on Hung Up. Agnetha and Frida loved it, they really warmed to Madonna for rejuvenating one of their most famous tracks.' Abba songwriters Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Anderson will not be involved.

Madonna is the cover star of the latest issue of Chilean magazine Blondie (November 2006 edition). The article covers attempts to bring Madonna's tour to Chile and the adoption of baby David. Click on the cover to enlarge.

Madonna is turning her hand to directing - following in her husband's footsteps.
The Evita star's efforts in front of the camera have been panned by critics in the past.
But the singer, 48, said husband Guy Ritchie fully supported her plans to direct.
She told Kirsty Wark in a BBC interview: 'From my perspective, you can say very little from a political point of view as an actress.'
'The visionary in a film is the filmmaker so if I want to make an impact with a film, then I should direct one, not act in one.'
Asked whether she was going to direct, the Queen of Pop replied: 'I'd like to, yeah.'
She added that she had a specific idea in mind but would not reveal details because 'I don't wanna jinx myself'.
Madonna said of her husband, who shot to fame at the helm of the gangster film Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels: 'We've had discussions about it and he's encouraged me to direct.'
In the interview, to be screened on BBC4 on Sunday, the star denied that her marriage is in trouble, saying: 'Well, I think every married couple is rowing.'
'People have been speculating about my marriage since my marriage began and....I'm not gonna lie and say that we don't fight but I think that's how it goes.'

The full interview with Kirsty Wark will be broadcast on digital channel BBC4 on Sunday 12 November at 9:00pm.

There will be a Confessions Party at the martini lounge in Portland Maine called Springstreet on Wednesday 22 November 2006.

Prior to the concert at the pre-party, they will be giving away all of her Confessions remix singles, 2 copies of the CD and 1 copy of the collectors edition. The concert will air on 10 TVs and one 42 inch plasma screen.

According to searchred.org the Confessions Tour DVD and live CD is scheduled to be released in the UK on Monday 04 December.

In France, music retailer FNAC are listing both the Confessions Tour DVD and live CD+DVD packs as due for release on Monday 11 December.

Please remember neither of these dates are confirmed yet, BUT it is looking hopeful for an early Christmas present for Madonna fans!

While it looks like Jump will get a Top 10 entry in the single charts in the UK on Sunday - the sales figures are very close and it could be a bit hit and miss. To ensure Madonna get's the best entry possible on Sunday - make sure you buy a copy today!

The midweeks on Tuesday and Wednesday showed Jump secure at #5 with positions 6 and 7 literally being within the hundreds aparts, Jump has now dropped to #7 on the midweeks and is literally 60 from postion 5. So its very close! Jump needs to sell more to climb back up to #5!

Unfortunately the main high street retailer for singles, Woolworths has not been stocking the single. They have a choice of what new releases to stock and chose not to stock Jump which will not help it's chart position at all!

Fans can still pick up the single from ASDA, HMV, Virgin Megastores and other retailers - or download from UK iTunes.

Here is a small clip taken during the Hung Up finale at Wembley Arena on Saturday 12 August filmed by madonnalicious visitor Lisa.

Madonna is getting the fans to sing along with her, but as she turns to walk up the runway it sounds like people have stopped singing, causing Madonna to tell off the crowd! Are you guys going to stop singing? All together now. What is this shit?!

The Rolling Stones' Bigger Bang tour was a big winner at the Billboard Touring Awards, which were given out tonight (Nov. 9) in the Grand Ballroom at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York. The awards, based on box-office figures reported to Billboard Boxscore, wrapped up the third annual Billboard Touring Conference.
Another multiple winner was Madonna, a finalist in four categories. She won the top boxscore award for her $22 million, eight-sellout stand at London's Wembley Arena on her Confessions tour, while Madonna's team of Guy Oseary and Angela Becker won the top manager award.

Madonna's Jump again is the #1 Billboard Hot Dance Airplay.

Madonna's Jump is the #1 Billboard Hot Dance/Club Play.
This is Madonna's 37th #1 on this chart it's unlikely anyone will ever surpass her!

Let's go back to May when Madonna played two dates at the MGM Grand Garden venue in Las Vegas - this fabulous shot below was taken by madonnalicious visitor Jei at the Sunday 28 May show.

MTV UK have contacted madonnalicious asking for fans to participate in MTV Flux and fans can be from anywhere in the world to take part!

Do you want to appear on MTV and choose your favourite videos?

MTV Flux are looking for the biggest fans of Madonna to appear on our channel, talking about her music as well as your other favourite bands and videos.

If you think you have the confidence, enthusiasm and personality to appear on MTV Flux, please email MTV Flux with some info about yourself i.e: what other music you like, any other interests or hobbies you have, the area you live in etc.

The current editions of German magazines Gala and In (09 November issue) both feature baby David related news stories - both illustrated with new pictures of Madonna out and about in New York City.

 

Malawian government ministers praised Madonna for adopting a child from the impoverished African nation.
The officials also attacked criticism of the star for adopting 13-month-old David Banda from an orphanage during a recent visit to the country.
Speaking during a visit to a primary school in Edinburgh, education minister Anna Kachikho said: 'What Madonna has done is great. There are a lot of street children in Malawi, street children people are not caring for. They stand on a street, they ask, they beg.'
'Here is Madonna who has picked a son from a Malawian father who has lost a wife and nobody takes care of, and she says 'I would like to educate and bring home that child'.'
The minister angrily condemned those who have criticised the singer. She said: 'I'm against whatever people are saying against Madonna, if there is credit to give we should credit Madonna because she is saving the life of this young David. Why condemn Madonna?'
The country's minister for Foreign Affairs Joyce Banda, said that of the country's 1.2 million orphans, 15% were living in child-headed houses.
She insisted David's father consented to the adoption and listed the other things the star was doing to help children in the country.
Miss Banda added: 'She has also established an organisation called Raising Malawi. Under that project she is going to establish a centre that is going to reach out to 4,000 children. She is also going to provide free secondary education and tertiary education for Malawi children.'
The ministers were speaking at the launch of two Scottish led training schemes aimed at helping teachers from the African country.
The Scottish Executive is providing funding of £327,000 over the next five years to provide a two-year Bachelor of Education top-up degree in primary education.

Another month, another Madonna party! This time it takes place in Nashville and takes place on Friday 10 November.

For more information visit playdancebar.com

New York Daily News columnists Rush & Molloy report some pictures that have emerged showing Madonna with a bruised cheek:

Her Madgesty is sporting a big bruise on her left cheek, thanks to a paparazzo who knocked into her with his camera at London's Heathrow Airport, the singer's rep, Liz Rosenberg, tells us.
'Thank goodness [new adopted baby] David wasn't harmed,' adds Rosenberg.
At least Madonna's son, Rocco, 6, who gave his mom a shiner last year, won't be blamed for this one.

The new edition of German magazine In Touch (02 November 2006) features a look at Madonna's love for her Ed Hardy designed cap - click on the article to enlarge.

Madonna's Re-Invention Tour live audio album I'm Going To Tell You A Secret is now available to buy on both the US and UK iTunes websites.

The tracklisting is the same as the in store available version of the CD.

Madonna is the cover star of the new issue of Danish magazine Horeskopet.

madonnalicious visitor Josh has asked for fellow fans help in getting Jumnp requested on his local radio station 94.9:

Request Link: www.electric949.com/waez/request
Top 9@9: www.electric949.com/waez/h8

Cities to use: Knoxville TN, Bristol TN, Bristol VA, Kingsport TN, Johnson City TN.

Here is further news on the Madonna quote featured on ABBA's album:

Queen of Pop Madonna has heaped praise on iconic Swedish band Abba, saying their 'timeless' music not only rejuvenates her, but also continues to inspire her.
'Abba's timeless music continues to inspire me. It's joyous. Standing still when you hear Abba is impossible,' The Sun quoted the pop diva as saying.
'When I started recording my Confessions On A Dance Floor album, Stuart Price (her producer) and I played their music constantly,' she added.
'Hung Up is my homage to their contribution to music,' said the 48-year-old who has recently got into a controversy over her attempt to adopt tot David Banda from a Malawian orphanage.

Madonna has supplied some quotes to be used on the sleeve notes of the new ABBA release Number Ones - one of her quotes was also used in the press advertising for the album - Standing still when you hear ABBA is impossible.

Jump is #1 again this week in Greece, keep voting to keep it #1 at radiowithatwist

Jump was also at #2 on one of Athen's biggest radio stations yesterday 88.3 Village FM - to make it #1 visit top30.883villagefm.com and 883villagefm.com/top4at4

As the adoption story begins to slow and we head towards the end of the year madonnalicious is taking the time to catch up on all the Confessions Tour media that fans sent into the site.

Over the next couple of months madonnalicious will bring you previously unpublished pictures and video clips taken by fans from the tour....so stay tuned and relive your Confessions Tour memories!

Below are some pictures taken at the Tuesday 01 August show at London's Wembley Arena by madonnalicious visitor Neil.

 

 

 

 

Jump, the fourth single off Confessions On A Dance Floor went on sale in the UK today. So make sure you buy a copy (or two) and support Madonna!

Also Jump has climbed 4 places to #34 with airplay and downloads alone on the UK hit40uk chart - check out www.hit40uk.com/chart

Here is a download of Madonna's appearance on US TV show Live With Regis And Kelly that was originally broadcast on Friday 03 November.

Home is clearly where the heart is for Brad Pitt, who claims having a family is the best thing in his life.
At the LA premiere of his new movie Babel, the notoriously protective father was gushing about family life with partner Angelina Jolie and their three kids.
He said: 'Family life is beautiful, it is just the greatest.'
Pitt has recently been in India filming the movie A Mighty Heart, based on the life of murdered Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, with his natural daughter Shiloh Nouvel, and two adopted kids Maddox and Zahara.
Naturally he was asked about the furore surrounding Madonna's adoption of Malawian baby David Banda and unsurprisingly he is backing Madge all the way.
He said: 'They are trying to give a kid a home and education who probably wouldn't get that and good health care.'
Pitt, who worked with Madonna's husband Guy Ritchie in Snatch, says he is sure they had the best intentions when they gave the boy a home.

There is a Madonna party taking place in Moscow, Russia, on Sunday 12 November at 7:00pm at the Sova club, m. Kitay-gorod, Varvarka, 14.

Madonna has again defended her adoption of an African baby, telling a magazine: 'I'm saving people's lives.'
The star insisted she did not care that people were accusing her of jumping on the bandwagon on African issues.
Building orphan care centres and giving people food and medicine - the singer's project - was not getting to the root of the problem, but it was a start.
'I'm saving people's lives,' said Madonna, whose adoption of 13-month-old Malawian boy David Banda made headlines around the world.
'And whether I have earned the right to do it, or the respect of people who think I may not have the right to do it, is completely and utterly irrelevant.'
Madonna said the adoption process had been so tough that she had thought every day about giving up and finding another family to look after David.
Sitting in a courtroom with his father had been 'really heart-wrenching'. 'He was looking down at the ground all the time and I felt so bad for him,' she said.
His 'hangdog expression' when she offered to give him the money to bring up David in Malawi 'crushed' her.
'It was very confusing, and I'm sure he was very confused,' she said.
Although she denied getting any special treatment or jumping the queue, Madonna said she thought that that would not necessarily be a bad thing.

Today's edition of UK newspaper The Sunday Times speaks to journalist Kirsty Wark on interviewing Madonna this week for the BBC2 show Newsnight - the article includes how the interview was set up, Madonna's management stipulations on the interview and Kirsty's thoughts. Click on the article to enlarge.

The full Kirsty Wark interview will be broadcast on Sunday 12 November on BBC4.

On Wednesday, Madonna sat down with TIME's Josh Tyrangiel for a rare print interview to set the record straight about her controversial adoption of a Malawian boy. Excerpts:
Why do you think people are so upset by the fact that you adopted a Malawian child?
People or the media? Because I don't think people really give a shit. But when you throw in things like, I'm a celebrity and I somehow got special treatment, or make the implication of kidnapping, it gets mixed into a stew and it sells lots of papers. But care? People don't care and the media certainly doesn't care.
What they should care about is that there are over a million orphans in Malawi, and following me around is just a gross misappropriation of attention and money. But I do think there's a certain amount of nationalism and racism thrown in there. I mean, there's a lot of Brits-reporters on the street-who've said, 'Why don't you adopt a kid from Britain?' Or, 'Why did you adopt a black child?' So a lot of people's hangups and 'isms' are sort of mixed into this, too. It's just kind of a cocktail for disaster in terms of media perception.
One of the 'isms' that you're frequently accused of is dilletantism. You're new to Africa and these issues and there's a perception that you're jumping on a bandwagon, and bringing a child into it, too.
Look, I could have joined the U.N. and become an ambassador and visited various countries and just kind of showed up and smiled and looked concerned. But that's not getting to the root of the problem-and by the way, neither is building orphan care centers and giving people food and medicine. But it's a start. I'm saving people's lives. And whether I have earned the right to do it, or the respect of people who think I may not have the right to do it, is completely and utterly irrelevant.
And in any event, no, I'm not interested in going in there like a dilettante and being an idiot and going 'Ok, I'm going to build 10 orphanages and I'll see you guys later!'
You met Mr. Banda once, in a courtroom. What did you say to him?
Obviously when you're sitting across from the father it's really heart wrenching. He was looking down at the ground all the time and I felt so bad for him. I said, 'I feel for you and I want what's best for David. So if you want him, I don't want to take your son from you. I just want to save his life. I can't live in Malawi. I can't move my family here. He would have to come and live with me and I would raise him as a son. But there's another option. I can just give you money, and you can raise him.' And he said no. But he still had a very hangdog expression, which crushed me.
It was very confusing, and I'm sure he was very confused. Look, his wife dies, his other three children die, the guy's been grieving and been through hell. He gives his last son to an orphanage at the age of two weeks....to a certain extent he was ready to move on with his life. Then suddenly I show up and someone from the village says 'Hey, this white woman'-he didn't know who I was-'wants to adopt your child!' And once the press got involved everyone said Oh God, now we better cross our t's and dot our i's to make sure we actually aren't jumping queues, because we're going to be scrutinized....
The idea that people think I got a shortcut or an easy ride is absolutely ludicrous. I have never worked so hard for anything in my life, and I've never been given such a hard time. And my celebrity has worked against me in every way....And by the way, say I did cut the queue? Say I did cheat and not have to wait two years to adopt a child? Well good for me! Do you know how many children are going to die in the next two years? It's a stupid law. Change the law.

The full interview is available to read online at www.time.com and will be available to buy on news stands on Monday 06 November.

UK magazine New (06 November issue 188) features this two page article on the adoption of David - click on the images to enlarge.

Jump is now available to buy on UK iTunes:

Jump 3:58
Jump (Extended) 5:08
History 5:55

History is only available as part of the EP purchase for £1.99 or buy Radio Edit or Extended for 0.79p each. Direct Link to EP: www.apple.com

The current issue of UK magazine first (01-07 November 2006) features Madonna and David on the cover with yet another story on the adoption.

Jump is proving to be very popular on radio in the province of Québec in Canada. The song has been #1 for 3 weeks! Check out www.adisq.com

The fan can keep requesting the song again at:

CHUM FM | www.chumfm.com/music/SongRequest
CKOI | www.ckoi.com/6a6
Radio Énergie | www.radioenergie.com/musique/top5
Rythme FM | www.rythmefm.com/demandes_mtl
The Mix | www.themix.com/requests

The 04-10 November issue of UK magazine Reveal features an article on Madonna's defence of the adoption of David on The Oprah Winfrey Show - click to enlarge.

Rock superstar Bono has backed Madonna's controversial adoption of a needy African child, saying 'I think it's really great'.
The U2 singer, who is also perhaps the best-known anti-poverty campaigner in the world, has praised Madonna and her husband Guy Richie for the adoption of David Banda, a child from Malawi.
'I'm very happy that Madonna should offer succour and more than that to a young boy,' Bono said. 'He's got a great opportunity now.'
'There's so many children in the world - there's really enough to go around.'
Madonna has come under fire for taking the Malawi boy back to Britain. But the singer said she had been astounded by the criticism.
The support from Bono, who has an in-depth knowledge of African health and social issues, is a much-needed endorsement for the singer's actions.
Bono, who is due to perform at U2's opening Australian concert in Brisbane on Tuesday night, also revealed the band was planning a new album. 'I think a U2 album will not be that far away, I hope,' he said. 'We've hit the vein, I think.'

The Madonna interview with Meredith Vieira that appeared on NBC's Today show on Wednesday 01 November is now available to download - filmed at the same time as the Dateline interview it covers the adoption, the upcoming Confessions Tour TV broadcast, family life and her career.

Madonna's Jump is #1 on Billboard Hot Dance Airplay Chart.

Madonna's Jump is #2 in Billboard Club/Play Chart.

Let's hope Jump continues to rise and becomes Madonna's 37th #1 on this chart!

The current edition of UK magazine Now (06 November issue) recaps Madonna's recent interview on The Oprah Winfrey Show - click on the article to enlarge.

Words that might describe Madonna: diva, maverick, humanitarian. But in a language spoken widely in the African country of Malawi, her name takes on a new - and unintentionally funny - meaning.
'People started to say my name and they had never heard of Madonna,' the 48-year-old singer, talking about her recent visit to Malawi, told AP Television in an interview Tuesday.
'And, in Chichewa, the word `madonna' means `distinguished white lady,' so I think they got very confused.'
Madonna's efforts to adopt a 13-month boy, David Banda, have set off a media storm. She and her husband, filmmaker Guy Ritchie, were granted an interim adoption order by Malawi's High Court last month.
The boy has joined her two children - daughter Lourdes, 9, and son Rocco, 6 - in England. What is it like to have a little one again?
'It's nice,' she said. 'It's lovely. It's so great to hold him, you know, and he's just starting to walk. And just to see that - the whole world being new again - and to see the world through his eyes is wonderful.'
Madonna has written a new children's book, 'Too Good to Be True,' and said she wants to direct a movie and has a project in mind. She also has an NBC concert special set to air Nov. 22.
When asked if she would retire to focus on her children full time, a smiling Madonna replied, 'No. I love my job.'

Here's a look at the Jump picture disc as featured on music website www.eil.com

Jen Atkin, one of the Confessions Tour hairstylists has written into madonnalicious about a fund raising event she is participating in:

My name is Jen Atkin and I worked on the Confessions Tour doing hair. We often looked at your site while on the road and I thought to include you and your readers in an event I'm doing at the Chris McMillan Salon in Beverly Hills to try to raise awareness for the Raising Malawi foundation.

Dear Friends,
After having the opportunity to see the world this summer, I am feeling a little guilty as I jump back into all of the luxuries and pleasures we enjoy here in L.A.
Night after night during the show, I watched Madonna sing while screens behind her flashed images of orphans in Africa. I don't know how many of you are familiar with the Raising Malawi cause. Here are a few links, if you'd like to learn more about it.
http://www.raisingmalawi.org
http://streamos.maverick.com/qtime/maverick/rmf/livetotell320x24o.mov
Malawi is on of the poorest countries in the world, suffering from famine, drought, poverty, and diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and hepatitis. OUT OF A POPULATION OF 12 MILLION, AT LEAST 1 MILLION ARE ORPHANS.
The problem is very overwhelming, and every little contribution helps. So, I'd like to give you an opportunity to get involved, do something nice for yourself, and for someone else.
Starting this week, if you book an appointment with me on a Monday at the Chris McMillan Salon, a large portion of your payment will be donated to Raising Malawi.
I thought it would be a great opportunity for you to come to the salon, catch up, and put good vibes out into the world. I'm trying to get more stylists to participate so please forward to anyone you think would like to get involved.....You can call the salon at 310-285-0088.
Thank You!

A download is now available of the full NBC Dateline interview with Meridith Vieira that was broadcast in the US yesterday evening.
Madonna talks about the adoption and also the NBC broadcast of the Confessions Tour - included in the report are some clips from the Confessions Tour show and Madonna's recent book reading event in New York City.

Madonna gave a private reading of her new book, The English Roses: Too Good To Be True, to children at a Halloween party in New York City on Tuesday.

NBC Dateline showed a small clip of this event and here are some screen captures.

madonnalicious visitor Don has this news about Jump in Chicago:

Jump is actually being played on the Radio in Chicago! I heard it on 101.9 fm the Mix last night. Go to WTMX.com to request the song.

A quick reminder for London based fans - the Jump party takes place this Saturday 04 November at the G-A-Y basement bar www.g-a-y.co.uk/bar

Please call 1-818-520-MOVE and request Jump during the hours of 10 am to 2 pm pacific standard time. Make sure to request Jump and other songs from COADF. This is a new station in Los Angeles (93.9 FM) and they just added a mid day host/dj. The lines are usually open and easy to get through. This station is not owned by Clear Channel so our requests really can help get Jump on the air. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE call and request JUMP. Thank you so much.

A download is now available of Madonna's interview with Kirsty Wark on BBC2's Newsnight that was broadcast yesterday. Apologies for the poor quality of this file as there was interference on the TV while I was recording it....typical!

Fans in the UK can also watch the program online at news.bbc.co.uk/newsnight

madonnalicious visitor Carlo asks for fellow fans help in voting for Jump:

Madonna's new single 'Jump' has been released locally by our record company Gallo, however, the song is not even making a mark here. It isn't even on our countries' Top 40!
Here is a link for people to vote for the song on our BEST RADIO STATION, 5FM www.5fm.co.za/music and make it a hit in South Africa!

madonnalicious visitor Patience was at yesterdays taping of Madonna's interview on Live With Regis And Kelly and took these exclusive on set pictures.

The interview will air on Live With Regis And Kelly on Friday 03 November.

The father of the African child Madonna plans to adopt praised the pop star for opening 'the way for a better life' for his 13-month-old son and questioned legal attempts to delay the adoption, a German publication reported Wednesday.
'Madonna was like a bulldozer who has cleared the way for a better life for my son,' Yohane Banda was quoted as saying in an interview in Bunte magazine, set to appear on newsstands Thursday.
Banda left his son, David, with a Malawian orphanage, where Madonna found him, after the boy's mother died shortly after childbirth - a relatively frequent occurrence in the impoverished African nation that suffers from high rates of maternal and infant mortality. He lost two other children in infancy to malaria.
He rejected efforts by a human rights group to hold up the adoption to make sure no Malawian laws were broken.
'Madonna explained to me that she wanted to adopt my son,' Banda was quoted as saying in the interview, which took place Friday. 'She assured me she would take good care of David and raise him in peace.'
'I told her that the most important thing for me was that she offered my son a good future. And then I agreed to the adoption.'
The people in his village considered it an honor that Madonna had adopted one of their children, and Banda said he slaughtered a goat to celebrate with the whole family.
Banda was asked if it would have been better for the 48-year-old pop star to give him money so he could raise his son.
'She knows what to do with a lot of money, and I don't,' he said. 'I could not have started anything with the money, and in the end it would have only spoiled things for me and David.'
Madonna has told NBC 'Today' show co-anchor Meredith Vieira that Banda had refused her offer of financial assistance to help him keep his son.
'I said I would be happy to....bring him back to your village and help you financially raise him. And he said no,' Madonna said.

The BBC News showed a preview clip of Madonna's upcoming interview about the adoption of David Banda on Newsnight tonight (Wednesday 01 November) - a download is now available of this news report.

The air date for Madonna's interview on Live With Regis And Kelly has been moved from today to Friday 03 November.

A quick reminder for UK fans that Madonna's interview on BBC2's Newsnight will air at 10:30pm tonight (Wednesday 01 November) - here are some screen captures of the interview from a preview clip.

Madonna spoke to NBC News about NBC's editing out images of her on the crucifix during Live To Tell for their Confessions Tour broadcast:

It's not one hundred percent like my vision. But what was my goal? My goal was to be able to talk about the AIDS epidemic in Africa and to wake people up. And to talk about my foundation, Raising Malawi. So, if I say no, I don't want to change it, then I don't get my show aired at all. If I say I'll compromise, then I get my show aired. I still get my point across. And I'm now talking to you. And this will be on TV. And people will hear what I have to say.

UK magazine OK! (07 November issue 545) features a one page article on the new addition to the Ritchie family - click on the article to enlarge.

Madonna offered to support the African baby she hopes to adopt and leave him in Malawi but his father declined, the pop star has told the BBC.
In a Newsnight interview, to be shown on Wednesday night, she denied reports that David Banda had regular visits from his family at his orphanage.
She 'became interested in him' after being told he had been 'left in the orphanage', she said.
He is now at her London home after she was granted a temporary custody order.
Madonna denied newspaper reports that David had regular visits at the orphanage from his father and his grandmother.
'I never met a granny and I was told....that from the day that he was left in the orphanage he was not visited by any extended family members and that's really why I became interested in him.'
'If someone had said to me, 'His dad comes every week or his granny visits on a regular basis and he's well looked after,' I would not even have given it another thought.'
There were 'many conditions' that made her 'worry for his life', Madonna added.
'One was the fact that, according to the reverend who ran the orphanage that David came from, his father never visited him.'
'His father lived 50 or 60km away, had no car, had no money and, as far as I was told, had remarried and moved on with his life.'
On Friday, the hearing of a case brought by Malawi rights groups challenging the adoption was adjourned until 13 November.
An alliance of 67 groups is pushing for the right to challenge the interim adoption order which let Madonna take one-year-old David out of the country.
His father was at the court, protesting against moves to halt the adoption.
Mr Banda told the BBC he feared the controversy stirred by the groups could prompt Madonna to return his son.
He urged the human rights groups challenging the adoption to leave the child alone and added that he was unable to look after David himself.
Madonna funds six orphanages through her Raising Malawi charity and is setting up an orphanage for 4,000 children in a village outside the capital, Lilongwe.
Madonna will appear on Newsnight on BBC Two at 2230 GMT on Wednesday.

Here is the first look at Madonna being interviewed yesterday for the NBC News shows Dateline and Today by Meredith Vieira.

The first segment aired this morning, Dateline will air a segment tonight (Wednesday 01 November) and Today will air another segment tomorrow (Thursday 02 November) morning.

In an interview airing Wednesday on NBC News, Madonna talks in detail about her controversial adoption of David, a 1-year-old boy from Malawi, calling the media scrutiny surrounding it 'depressing,' and a 'dark moment.'
Reports of the adoption by the pop star angered some civil rights groups, and became the subject of tabloids and late-night talk show jokes for a week.
'When I had my daughter, people accused me that I did it as a publicity stunt. I expected that. I didn’t expect to be accused of kidnapping, or of doing something illegal. I didn’t expect to be demonized.'
The negative press, she says, made her feel sad about the state of the world. 'With all the chaos, pain and suffering in the world - the situation in Iraq, with Iran and North Korea — the fact that my adoption of a child who was living in an orphanage was the number one story for a week in the world....to me, that says more about our inability to focus on the real problems, and our desire to have distractions and to be consumed with gossip.'
In the interview, the pop star says she met and spoke to David’s biological father, Yohane Banda, in court and spoke to him with the aid of a translator. She said that she offered her resources to help him raise her son in their village.
'When I met him, I said ‘I would be happy to facilitate to bring him back to your village and help you financially raise him.’ And he said ‘no.’ And there was a lot of translation situations....and I couldn’t really understand that decision. I don’t want to judge him. And I don’t know his life. And I think he truly felt in his heart of hearts that he [David] would have a better life with me. So, when he said ‘no,’ that was my sign that it was my responsibility to look after him.'
Racial prejudice, she suspects, may have something to do with why some people objected to her adopting David. 'I think it’s still considered taboo. I have people say to me when I’m walking down the street, ‘Why did you adopt a black child?’ I don’t dignify their question with a reply. But there is a lot of racism in the world. I think that’s underneath a lot of people’s prejudice about me adopting David. A lot of people have a problem with the fact that I’ve adopted an African child, a child who has a different color skin than I do.'
And while she says she’s thought about this reality, race is not an issue to her. 'I’m not going to buy into it and neither are my children. So I don’t worry about it. I don’t live in a white world. I live in THE world. And my children are exposed to all cultures and all races and many belief systems.'
She describes her new son as easy-going, considering the adjustment and his new environment. These days though, Madonna says David is developing more of a personality. 'He’s got a terrible temper. He’s very flirtatious. And he’s hysterically funny. Obviously he’s going to come with his own baggage and his own DNA and I look forward to being surprised by what he’s going to offer the world and how he’s going to turn out.'
She confirms reports that David is wearing a red Kabbalah string bracelet around one of his wrists, and says that like her other children, he will study Kabbalah.
'Studying Kabbalah doesn’t mean you can’t be a Christian or a Buddhist or a Muslim or a Jew or agnostic. It’s not a dogmatic religion. It’s kind of philosophy.' She says that when her son is old enough, he can decide what he wants to believe. 'I believe in Jesus and I study Kabbalah. So, I don’t see why he can’t too.'
In the interview, Madonna also talks about her recent concert tour, 'Confessions on a Dance Floor.' The tour and the album, she says, was designed, among other things, to be provocative and call attention to some of her causes — including AIDS in Africa.
Her controversial performance of 'Live to Tell' was to get people talking about the AIDS epidemic. '[It’s] to wake people up. And to talk about my foundation, Raising Malawi. I still want to be a part of making the world a better place.'
For more on the pop star’s interview with NBC’s Meredith Vieira, tune into Today Wednesday and Thursday, 7 a.m. and Dateline Wednesday, 10 p.m. Madonna talks more about life as a mother, the process of adoption in Malawi, her career and the difference she still hopes to make.