Russia's parliament on Wednesday rejected a proposal to send the celebrated U. S. singer and actress Madonna to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2008. The motion had been introduced by Alexei Mitrofanov, a member of the Duma for the ultra-nationalist LDPR party, saying the trip would be "a serious event" to organize in the same year as presidential elections in the United States and Russia. Madonna had expressed her desire to go into space and board the ISS, during her first ever Russian concert.

The concert of international pop icon Madonna scheduled Sunday in Dusseldorf, Germany, will be monitored by German prosecutors to determine whether a mock crucifixion during the performance is offensive to religious beliefs. However, the prosecutors say they will not be watching the show live, but rather rely on media reports to conclude their observations.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MOMA) renounces claims that a painting purchased for $45 million is a phony. The painting is reportedly the most expensive one purchased by the museum to this date. The museum released a statement that they had "no reason to doubt" the authenticity of Madonna and Child. The artwork is attributed to medieval artist Duccio.

Famous blondes such as Marilyn Monroe or even Pamela Anderson might be the symbol of idolization for many young women around the world - but not in Japan, where women prefer darker, more sophisticated hair colors. It was only ten years ago that fair-haired women were seen all over the streets of Tokyo and on newsstand fashion magazines, but that trend is now a thing of the past. The only-fair haired women now are foreign models.

Britain's Musicians' Union is calling on performers to come clean and tell audiences if they lip synch rather than sing live. The union is urging promoters, producers and artists to back its campaign for lip-synching to be clearly labeled during TV shows, in pop arenas and on stage. The union suggested that a lip-synching logo could be flashed up on television or on posters and tickets for shows.