New Lisbon resident Madonna has been extolling the delights of living in the Portuguese capital Lisbon, the most illustrious of a growing number of foreigners in the newly-fashionable city.

 Madonna attempted on Tuesday to stop an upcoming auction of a prison break-up letter from rapper Tupac Shakur and a note in which she called singer Whitney Houston and actress Sharon Stone "horribly mediocre."

 Madonna was hailed as a "symbol of a motherly spirit" by Malawi President Peter Mutharika after the American singer opened a children's hospital named after her adopted daughter Mercy James.

Madonna was presented on Friday with Billboard magazine's Woman of the Year award, but the seven-time Grammy Award winner said one of her biggest challenges was being a good mother. 

 Madonna paid tribute to Prince, Kesha earned a standing ovation for her stirring rendition of "It Ain't Me, Babe" honoring Bob Dylan, and Celine Dion dedicated her Icon award to her late husband

 Students showcase recycled designs, New water puppet stage opens at Museum of Ethnology, Dutch Jaap Blonk performs at CAMA ATK, Berlin music producer Offermann returns, Madonna, Bruno Mars covers at Hard Rock Cafe

Madonna is to direct her third film, an adaptation of Rebecca Walker's debut novel Ade: A Love Story.

 Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Jay-Z and Daft Punk are among the stars vying for glory at the prestigious Grammy Awards.

 Business magazine Forbes named Madonna the highest-paid musician in the world, estimating her earnings at $125 million in the year to June.