Madonna lights Sabbath candles at Israeli leader Netanyahu’s home

October 11th, 2009 Turkey freezes Israel out of air force drillJERUSALEM — The Israeli military says Ankara has canceled an annual air force drill in Turkey this week because of Israeli participation. Relations between the two countries have deteriorated sharply since Israel's winter war in Gaza.

September 3rd, 2009 Madonna visits Jordan's Petra ruinsPETRA, Jordan — The Material Girl has wrapped up her world tour with a sightseeing trip to Jordan's famed ruins in Petra. Madonna, 51, was flown by helicopter into this ancient Roman-era city carved out in red stone in a trip arranged by Queen Rania, the wife of Jordan's King Abdullah II.

September 2nd, 2009 Hindu and Jew urge Madonna to take up Gypsy causeBUCHAREST, Romania — Two Americans — a Hindu and a rabbi — have urged Madonna to take up the cause of the many Gypsies in Europe who face discrimination. Last week, Madonna was booed by thousands of fans during a concert in Bucharest when she said widespread discrimination against Gypsies in eastern Europe should end.

September 1st, 2009 Madonna wrapping up world tour in IsraelTEL AVIV, Israel — Madonna brought her mix of provocative music and spirituality to the Holy Land with a concert Tuesday in front of 50,000 fans who had endured a 16-year wait since the pop icon's last gig in Israel. Madonna is wrapping up her worldwide "Sticky & Sweet" tour with two concerts this week in a country whose place at the heart of the Mideast conflict has made it more of a magnet for diplomats than big-name performers.

September 1st, 2009 Madonna wraps up world tour in IsraelTEL AVIV, Israel — Madonna was bringing her mix of provocative music and spirituality to the Holy Land with a concert Tuesday in front of 50,000 fans who have endured a 16-year wait since the pop icon's last gig in Israel. Madonna wraps up her worldwide "Sticky&Sweet" tour with two concerts this week in a country whose place at the heart of the Mideast conflict has made it more of a magnet for diplomats than big-name performers.

August 30th, 2009 Madonna tours Jewish holy sites in JerusalemJERUSALEM — The Material Girl has opened a visit to the Holy Land with a spiritual touch. Madonna headed to Jerusalem's Old City late Sunday where she toured an ancient tunnel near the Western Wall — the holiest site where Jews can pray.

August 25th, 2009 Bulgaria's church deplores Madonna concertSOFIA, Bulgaria — Orthodox Church officials are urging Bulgarians to keep away from a planned Madonna concert this weekend, accusing the pop singer of showing disrespect to Christianity. The powerful Church of Bulgaria has issued a statement expressing "disapproval and disagreement" with Saturday's event, and says the U.S.

July 21st, 2009 NEW DELHI - Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Rajkumar Chauhan conducted a surprise check of new street lights Monday night and found many were not working. In run-up to the conduct of the Commonwealth Games due next year, these international standard lights, which have better illumination and a fancier look, are to be installed all over Delhi by January 2010.

July 11th, 2009 Police, ultra-Orthodox Jews scuffle in JerusalemJERUSALEM — Ultra-Orthodox Jews threw themselves under the wheels of an idling bus and in front of waiting cars to protest the opening of a parking lot on the Jewish Sabbath — an act they consider an abomination. The municipality opened the lot on Saturdays last month to limit illegal parking in the city's ancient walled quarter.

June 20th, 2009 Madonna's adopted daughter leaves MalawiLILONGWE, Malawi — Madonna's new daughter has flown out of her native Malawi on a private jet headed for London, an airport employee and a person familiar with Madonna's adoption proceedings in this southern African country said Saturday. The airport employee, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter, said 3-year-old Chifundo "Mercy" James left late Friday headed to London, with a stop in neighboring South Africa.

June 15th, 2009 JERUSALEM - US President Barack Obama has expressed his support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's endorsement of the goal of a Palestinian state to exist alongside Israel as expressed in the Likud leader's Bar Ilan speech. Refraining from remarking on the demand for an American guarantee of the Palestinian entity being demilitarised, "President Obama welcomes the important step forward in Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech," Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said in a statement.

June 11th, 2009 Ruling on Madonna's Malawi adoption due FridayBLANTYRE, Malawi — Malawi's highest court plans to announce Friday whether Madonna can adopt a second child from the impoverished southern African country, the pop star's lawyer said Thursday. The lawyer, Alan Chinula, said the ruling would be issued at 9 a.m.

June 2nd, 2009 Material Girl to perform in IsraelJERUSALEM — The Material Girl is coming to the Holy Land. Madonna will play in Tel Aviv on Sept.

May 2nd, 2009 Girl's father does not want Madonna to adopt herNEW YORK — The father of a girl from Malawi whom Madonna hopes to adopt says he's capable of taking care of his daughter. James Kambewa (kam-BEH'-wah) is believed to be the biological father of Chifundo (chee-FOON'-doh) "Mercy" James.

April 25th, 2009 5 Palestinians injured in West Bank clashNABLUS, West Bank — Jewish settlers, Israeli troops and Palestinian villagers clashed with guns, rocks and tear gas, leaving five Palestinians hospitalized Saturday, hospital officials said. Israeli media said five settlers were lightly hurt, but gave no details.