Rumors fly over the health of Madonna's marriage, Katy Perry tops the
singles charts and Tony Soprano's wardrobe hits the auction block.


CANNES, FRANCE REUTERS - 
 British media are a buzz with rumors over the state of Madonna's
marriage to husband of seven years, film director Guy Ritchie. According to
The Times of London, the pop-star has consulted the same divorce lawyer who
made sure Sir Paul McCartney retained his money after divorcing Heather Mills.
And with the Material Girl worth an estimated 590 million USD, there's plenty
at stake.
     Live Nation is defending Madonna as well. The company behind her
upcoming tour and latest album is seeking to knock down reports that the
Material Girl is losing her appeal. Live Nation said Madonna had sold over 90
percent of available tickets for her world tour, which kicks off in Wales on
August 23.
     California singer/songwriter Katy Perry's cheeky ditty "I Kissed
a Girl" claims the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
"Kissed" replaces Coldplay's "Viva La Vida," which spent a
week at the top. Coldplay's Viva La Vida record is currently sitting pretty at
the top of the album charts.
     If your clothing is stained with the blood of a mobster, you're
probably in hiding, or you should be. But not on Wednesday. Twenty-five
outfits worn by Soprano's star James Gandolfini in the HBO series raised more
than 187,000 USD at auction. The highest bid was for the faux-bloodstained
suit of clothes, including the shirt, tank top and pants the actor wore in a
scene when Tony is shot by demented Uncle Junior. The proceeds benefited a
charity that aids wounded soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. 
     In Los Angeles, I'm Lindsay Claiborn for Reuters.