Britney Spears opens Madonna show

Fans didn't have to wait long for the much-hyped Britney Spears and Madonna collaboration
at the Material Girl's Dodgers Stadium show in Los Angeles on Thursday night --
the pop stars opened the show.

As expected, Spears joined Madonna for a version of "Human Nature,"
but no one expected the pop pair to team up so early in the evening.
Wearing black pants and a white top, Spears stunned the sold-out crowd by singing and dancing
with her heroine before she was lowered beneath the stage at the end of the number as portions
of the crowd cried out her name.

It was a tame stage collaboration compared to the last time Madonna performed with Spears --
the pair hit the headlines back in 2003 when they locked lips during a wedding-themed routine
at the MTV Video Music Awards.



Spears' ex Justin Timberlake was also performed onstage with Madonna.

The show was a big success, despite fears about the stage after a minor collapse on Wednesday.

Prior to Thursday night's show, Madonna said,
"Even though my stage roof was damaged and some lights and effects aren't working,
I want to do the show anyway because I don't want to disappoint my fans."

Guy Ritchie turns down Madonna's offer

Madonna's estranged husband Guy Ritchie has reportedly snubbed a $31 million offer
from the pop superstar to settle their divorce out of court.

The pair announced earlier this month that they are to divorce
following seven-and-a-half years of marriage.
They have been locked in divorce negotiations ever since,
but director Ritchie is allegedly refusing to settle without a fight.

A source says,
"Guy is certainly not going to accept the first offer -- $31 million is a lot of cash,
but not in their world."


Madonna's fortune is estimated at a staggering $468 million.

The former couple is also at odds over their custody plans.
Madonna is said to be planning to move to New York with their son Rocco, 8,
adopted son David, and Lourdes, 12, the singer's daughter from a previous relationship,
while Ritchie wants them to remain close to his London home.

Madonna shines at New Jersey concert

HACKENSACK, N.J., Oct. 5 (UPI) --
Turning 50 has not dulled the glow emitted by Michigan native Madonna,
who debuted her latest tour at the Meadowlands in Hackensack, N.J., critics said.

Age was no factor as the U.S.-turned-British resident sang and danced
for nearly two hours Saturday night, the New York Daily News reported Sunday.

"Madonna lived up to her reputation as the queen of pop," the New York Post wrote,
adding the "Sticky and Sweet" tour could be her best live effort to date.

Not one to shy from political controversy, Madonna included videos
that had Republican U.S. presidential nominee John McCain alongside Nazi leader Adolf Hitler
and Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama with Mother Teresa.

Madonna kicks off a two-nighter Oct. 12 at Madison Square Garden.