MADONNA'S INDIAN ADOPTION

Madonna is set to adopt a baby from India after visiting the country earlier this year.

The '4 Minutes' singer - who is in the final stages of formally adopting two-year-old Malawian son David Banda - is keen to open her home to a disadvantaged Indian tot after she fell in love with the country following her visit this year.

During the trip - on which Madonna was accompanied by husband Guy Ritchie, David and her two other children Lourdes, 11, and seven-year-old Rocco - the family spoke to Bollywood choreographer Sandip Soparrkar, who has adopted an Indian baby.

Sandip said: "We spoke about how there are so many children in India who need homes."

Madonna - who has given up her attempt to adopt a little girl from Africa after growing frustrated with the process - and Guy initially clashed over the idea but they have now decided it will be good for the family.

A source told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "Madonna was very taken with Sandip. He told her there were orphans who would melt her heart. Guy was against the idea, but when she wants something, she gets it. "After the stress of adopting David, Guy thought Madonna was mad to want to go through it all again. But they talked and talked and decided adopting a baby from India would be easier."

The couple started the process of adopting David in October 2006. Last week, Madonna was deemed a suitable mother by Malawian officials and it was recommended that David should stay with the couple at their family home in London.

The adoption is due to be formalised in the near future.

Beyonce Knowles' New York nuptials

Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z reportedly tied the knot in a star-studded ceremony in New York on Friday night (04.04.08).

The 'Dangerously in Love' singer and the hip-hop mogul tied the knot in a lavish ceremony at Jay-Z's New York apartment, with their parents and a host of celebrity friends, including Gwyneth Paltrow and her husband Chris Martin, and Beyonce's former Destiny's Child bandmates Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland looking on.

A guest at the wedding said: "It was amazing - very special, very private, very intimate. Everyone had so much fun. It ended up being a wild party."

Beyonce, 26, wore a stunning white dress with a plunging neckline, and had her hair put up in a half ponytail accessorised with a white flower. All the female guests also wore white.

The ceremony took place in a white marquee on the roof of Jay-Z's apartment building, which was filled with over 60,000 white orchids from celebrity florist Amy's Orchids.

While the service was filmed by a videographer, guests were reportedly ordered to leave their mobile phones with their chauffeurs to prevent any photos being taken.

The pair are expected to take their honeymoon later this year due to their work commitments, which include Beyonce starring as legendary soul and blues singer Etta James in 'Cadillac Blues'.

Jay-Z, 38, headed to North Carolina on Saturday (05.04.08) to continue his 'Heart of the City' tour with Mary J. Blige - who congratulated the couple on stage.

Mary told the crowd in Greensboro, "Congratulations to my man, Jay-Z and my girl B," before performing her hit song 'All I Need'.

Kate Moss' £90k ring

Kate Moss has reportedly splashed out £90,000 on her own wedding ring for her forthcoming nuptials to rocker lover Jamie Hince.

The supermodel - who is believed to have got engaged to rocker lover Jamie Hince in Paris, France, last month - has treated herself to a diamond and platinum band based on the Egyptian symbol of long life from exclusive London jewellers Garrard.

A source said: "Kate is the main breadwinner in this relationship and has paid for her own ring. She went to Garrard and looked at its selection and a 'ring visitor' went to her home to show her designs. She wants the wedding plans tied up by May 1."

The couple, who have been dating since last August, are said to be planning a summer ceremony.

Last week, it was revealed Kate - who has a five-year-old daughter Lila with ex-boyfriend Jefferson Hack - accepted The Kills guitarist's marriage proposal after he agreed to start a family.

A source said: "Jamie is besotted with Kate and desperately wanted her to become his wife. He realised he needed to show his commitment and spell out how he saw their future."

Paul McCartney: Let It Three

Sir Paul McCartney is romancing three girls at the same time and wants to enjoy the dating game now he is unattached, it has been claimed.

The Beatles legend, whose four-year marriage to Heather Mills officially ended last month, has been on holiday with US heiress Nancy Shevell but is also said to be romancing actress Rosanna Arquette and former Olympic horse rider Tanya Larrigan.

A source said: "Paul is keeping his options open and is seeing three women. He is free to play the field now and has no plans to commit to another serious relationship. He just wants to go out and have fun."

Despite his romantic Caribbean break with Nancy, Paul has remained in contact with Rosanna, 48, and the pair have met several times in London for intimate dinners.

Paul, 65, has also grown close to 53-year-old Tanya - who is the daughter of one of Paul's friends from his Beatles days - after she supported him through his bitter divorce battle with Heather.

Meanwhile, Paul has paid a moving tribute to his first wife Linda, nearly 10 years after she died of breast cancer.

Paul said: "She was a great person to hang out with. She was beautiful, smart and talented. She was a very natural girl, naturally blonde, so funny. She didn't know she was dying - she was such a strong, forward-thinking lady. She was fighting right up to the end."

Influential Ellen DeGeneres

Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has been named the most 'Influential Gay Woman in America' in a new list from Out magazine.

The talk show host topped Out magazine's list of the most 'Influential Gay Men and Women in America' in their Power 50 issue.

Before finding success as an interviewer, Ellen starred in two TV sitcoms 'The Ellen Show' and 'Ellen'.

She has hosted the Oscars and Emmys, while 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' has won 15 Emmy Awards.

Ellen, who is dating former 'Ally McBeal' star Portia de Rossi, publicly 'came out' as a lesbian in 1997 in an appearance on the 'Oprah Winfrey Show' and has always been outspoken about her sexuality.

The 50-year-old star recently took a break from the comedy side of her series to give a tearful tribute to 15-year-old Lawrence King, who was shot and killed because he was gay.

Out magazine's list also includes 'The Silence of the Lambs' actress Jodie Foster and gossip blogger Perez Hilton.

On learning he had been placed 16th, Perez - real name Mario Lavandeira - said: "Thanks to everyone at Out magazine for this great honour!

"If any young kids are reading this - gay or not, those that are different, those that aren't stick-thin, those that aren't conventionally 'beautiful'. To them, we say - be yourselves! Be yourself and be brilliant! You can be successful just as you are."

Tom Cruise's godfather role

Jennifer Lopez reportedly wants Tom Cruise to be godfather to her twins, son Max and daughter Emme.

The Latino star, who gave birth to son Max and daughter Emme on February 22, has reportedly persuaded her husband Marc Anthony to give Tom the role despite their differences in religious beliefs.

A source said: "Tom is delighted. Marc wasn't sure if it was a good idea to have a Scientologist as the kids' godfather, especially as he and Jennifer are both Catholic. But in the end Jennifer managed to convince him to agree."

Tom, who is an active follower of bizarre sci-fi cult Scientology, has already showered the newborn twins with gifts.

He splashed out $200,000 on designer christening outfits for Max and Emme, ordered a giant fish tank for their nursery and gave them complete Disney DVD box sets.

It has also been claimed Tom and his wife Katie Holmes planned to host a star-studded $200,000 'Welcome to the World' themed-party for the fraternal twins.

Max and Emme have been treated to a host of gifts since they were born.

Jennifer, 38, is said to have purchased two Shetland ponies for Max and Emme, along with diamond-encrusted rattles, 600 thread count Egyptian cotton for the baby's cots and designer babygros for the nursery wing in her Los Angeles home.

Leonardo DiCaprio's green house

Leonardo DiCaprio has bought a "groundbreaking" eco-friendly apartment.

The 'Titanic' actor - who is an outspoken environmentalist - has purchased a 'green' flat in New York's pioneering Riverhouse complex, which offers one-bedroom properties from $835,000 and four-bedroom homes from $2,975,000.

DiCaprio's representative confirmed the sale, but did not reveal how much the star had paid, saying: "Riverhouse is a prime example of how green technology is both accessible and achievable for new residential developments - it is a groundbreaking building."

Riverhouse is described as "the highest performance green living in Manhattan condominiums".

The 264-unit complex in Rockefeller Park was built using locally acquired renewable materials, is partly powered by solar energy, offers a 24-hour fresh-filtered air system and boasts green rooftops planted with pine trees.

Riverhouse residents also have access to a children's playroom, media cafe, fitness centre, dog spa and a treehouse.

DiCaprio has long been an ardent campaigner on green issues. He was one of the first people to buy a hybrid car and has established his environment awareness organisation the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation.

He also co-wrote and produced 'The 11th Hour', a documentary about why the planet is in crisis.

Sarah Harding's equine engagement

Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding is set to marry her DJ boyfriend Tom Crane, after he proposed with a horse.

The blonde singer - who fell in love with horses after learning to play polo for reality TV show 'The Passions of Girls Aloud' - was thrilled when boyfriend Tom Crane asked her to be his wife after presenting her with the unconventional gift.

A source told Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "Anyone can buy a diamond ring but what Sarah loves about Tom is that he is so original.

"He spent ages trying to find the perfect animal for Sarah to play polo on and he settled on a 16-hands, bay-coloured beauty called Spirit.

"He introduced them last week and asked Sarah if she would consider marrying him. She was bowled over and said 'Yes' straight away."

Meanwhile, Sarah has thrown the upcoming Girls Aloud tour into chaos after seriously injuring her back.

The 26-year-old star was lifting a heavy box when she pulled a muscle and was rushed to hospital for immediate treatment.

Sarah was ordered to rest for a month by doctors if she has any chance of being fit for the gruelling string of shows, which kick off in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on May 3.

A source said: "Sarah is so stressed and in complete agony. She keeps breaking down and crying. Their show is the biggest yet but Sarah is unable to rehearse."

The other girls, Nadine Coyle, Cheryl Cole, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh, may have to alter the dance routines to accommodate their injured bandmate ahead of the 'Tangled Up' tour.

George Clooney's phone harassment

George Clooney launched a private investigation after receiving a threatening phone call warning him to split from his girlfriend.

The 'Leatherheads' star was so shocked when he received the threatening voicemail telling him to "dump the b***h", a reference to his lover Sarah Larson, he enlisted the help of his former police officer chauffeur to trace the call to a pre-paid cell phone.

In the message, a middle-aged man can be heard saying: "Dude, your friends asked me to give you a message - dump the b***h before you're sorry!"

George has been dating Las Vegas cocktail waitress Sarah since last year, but the 29-year-old beauty is unconcerned by the threat.

After George played it to her for the first time, in front of New Yorker magazine writer Ian Parker, a surprised Sarah said, "Before you're sorry?"

Sarah claims she has been the focus of many false stories involving her Las Vegas past, adding: "They say that I'm a stripper. There's a ton of stuff about that. I've never been a stripper. You know, just because I'm from Las Vegas, I must be a stripper. Because I'm a cocktail server, that means I'm an escort."

George, 46, denied the call could be the latest in a series of pranks played by close friends Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, insisting: "It's not a prank - none of my friends would do that."

After tracing the call, George and his driver attempted to discover if the suspect had used a credit card to pay for the phone, but soon reached a dead end in their investigation.

Rihanna's Juno success

Rihanna was victorious at Canada's Juno Awards last night (06.04.08), while new singing sensation Feist picked up a remarkable five prizes.

The singer's LP 'Good Girl Gone Bad' won International Album of the Year at the ceremony which took place at Calgary's Pengrowth Saddledome.

Rihanna fought off stiff competition from Fergie, Bon Jovi, Josh Groban and Timbaland to land the accolade.

New Canadian singing sensation Feist picked up a remarkable five awards on the night.

As Feist took to the stage to collect her first statuette, Single of the Year for hit '1234', she said: "I wrote down a load of stuff to say on my arm. Should I try to chip through it?"

Later, when her LP 'The Reminder' was named Pop Album of the Year, she added: "I am so grateful. I forgot to say that last time."

Feist, 32, also walked away with Artist of the Year, Album of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.

Michael Buble had been nominated for five prizes, but only picked up the Juno Fan Choice Award.

2008 Juno Awards winners in full:

Juno Fan Choice Award - Michael Buble

Artist of the Year - Feist

Single of the Year: - '1234', Feist

Album of the Year - 'The Reminder', Feist

Pop Album of the Year - 'The Reminder', Feist

Songwriter of the Year - Feist, 'My Moon My Man', '1234', 'I Feel It All'

New Group of the Year - Wintersleep

New Artist of the Year - Serena Ryder

Group of the Year - Blue Rodeo

Country Recording of the Year - 'Risk', Paul Brandt

Video of the Year - 'C'mon', Chris Mills

Alternative Album of the Year - 'Neon Bible', Arcade Fire

Rock Album of the Year - 'Them Vs. You Vs. Me', Finger Eleven

International Album of the Year - 'Good Girl Gone Bad', Rihanna

Charlton Heston dies

Screen legend Charlton Heston has died aged 84.

The Hollywood legend passed away at his Beverly Hills home on Saturday night (05.04.08) aged 84.

According to a statement released by his family, Heston's wife Lydia - who was married to the actor for 64 years - was by his side until his final moments.

No other details, including the cause of death, are yet to be revealed.

The statement read: "Charlton Heston was seen by the world as larger than life... We knew him as an adoring husband, a kind and devoted father, and a gentle grandfather, with an infectious sense of humour. He served these far greater roles with tremendous faith, courage and dignity. He loved deeply, and he was deeply loved.

"No one could ask for a fuller life than his. No man could have given more to his family, to his profession, and to his country. In his own words, 'I have lived such a wonderful life! I've lived enough for two people.'"

In 2002, Heston revealed in a videotaped message he had been diagnosed with symptoms consistent to the onset of Alzheimer's disease. He was seen little in public in the last few years.

He had a distinguished acting career and became famous for his portrayals of epic heroes and Biblical characters in the 50s and 60s.

His most acclaimed performances include playing Moses in the 1956 remake of 'The Ten Commandments', the title role in 1959's 'Ben-Hur' - for which he won the Best Actor Oscar - and as an astronaut who returns to a post-apocalypse Earth ruled by talking Gorillas, Chimpanzees and Orang-utans in 'Planet of the Apes', released in 1968.

The family's statement added: "He was known for his chiselled jaw, broad shoulders and resonating voice, and, of course, for the roles he played. Indeed, he committed himself to every role with passion, and pursued every cause with unmatched enthusiasm and integrity.”

Later in his life Heston became well-known for his Right wing political beliefs and caused much controversy in his role as president of America's National Rifle Association.

He fiercely campaigned on the right for US citizens to bear arms, but resigned from the position in 2003.

He is survived by his wife Lydia, their two children, son Fraser and daughter Holly Ann, and three grandchildren, Jack Alexander Heston, Ridley Rochell and Charlie Rochell.

Madonna's vocal exercise

Madonna has defended her intense exercise regime, saying it helps hone her vocal skills.

The '4 Minutes' singer - who was photographed with bulging biceps as she left a London gym recently - believes people are unfairly critical of her dedication to working out.

She said: "My body is an important instrument as well as my voice. Does working out really help with singing? Yeah, absolutely. Using your diaphragm properly is connected to having good posture.

"Your body is one organism. You can't separate it. If you are not in good health your vocal cords will suffer. Everything will suffer."

Madonna also revealed people don't realise how shy she is, and often misread it as arrogance.

She added to Q magazine: "I can be shy, yeah - and nervous about things. And people will never think that of me. Shyness should be regarded as a quality? Yes. It can be read as arrogance."

Renee Zellweger's pasta passion

Renee Zellweger says pasta is her food vice.

The 'Cold Mountain' actress - who gained 20lbs to star in 'Bridget Jones' Diary' in 2001 - finds it easy to stay away from calorific sweet treats, but insists on including Italian dishes in her diet.

She said: "I am a constant 110lbs. I don't like eating sweets at all, but give me pasta in Rome and I'm like nobody's business! I love it."

Renee also said that while she has come to terms with the amount of travelling her job involves, she loves nothing better than staying at home and spending time with her friends.

She added: "I know. It's terrible not to be impressed by being spoilt rotten, but spoilt rotten to me is sleeping on my best friend's couch because I love having private moments with people that are real - that's just how I'm made!"

Keith Richards' toy syringe

Rolling Stones legend Keith Richards has revealed he used to buy syringes to inject heroin from New York toy shop FAO Schwarz.

The Rolling Stones legend - who recently revealed he still smokes marijuana "all the time" - found it difficult to transport his syringe kit to the US, so relied on the children's nurses kit from New York's FAO Schwarz.

He said: "Back then you had to put all the bits together. I was staying in the Plaza once in New York - I would fly with a needle and just put it in my hat to fix the feather. I wasn't going to fly with syringes. So the minute I got the s**t, well, now I need the syringe, right?

"My trick was, I'd order up a cup of coffee because I need a spoon, right? FAO Schwarz was right across the street. And then, if you went to the third floor, you could buy this children's doctors and nurses set that had the barrel and the syringe that fitted onto the needle that I'd bought."

Keith, 64, said he stopped snorting cocaine after falling out of a tree in Fiji in 2006 and sustaining a serious head injury.

He added to Britain's Esquire magazine: "I've definitely found myself sleeping better since the bang on the head. I had to give up the cocaine. How do you think you stay up for so many days? By the time the accident happened, it was really just once after meals anyway. Thank God I've got a reason to give it up!"

The Kooks' sex offer

The Kooks love being offered sex by their American female fans.

The British band have revealed their US fan base is far more forward than their UK followers, and often proposition them with group sex.

Singer Luke Pritchard said: "American groupies are different. They will come up to you and say, 'Hi do you want a threesome?' Sorry to ruin the myth, but that is very appealing actually!"

The rockers also revealed they write songs to seduce girls, and are annoyed when female fans are accompanied by their boyfriends to concerts.

He added: "It's true, we make music for girls. Why wouldn't we want to make music for them?

"We started with lots of female fans in England, but then the girls brought their boyfriends and now it's half and half.

"We played in London recently and the first two rows were boys - we were so p****d off. We had just come back from America where it was all chicks and here we were playing to a bunch of sweaty old men."