The pair, who only announced their split last month, have reportedly reached an agreement by which custody of their two sons is shared 50/50 between them. Rocco, eight, and their three-year-old adopted son David, will divide their time between Madonna’s New York home and the film director’s base in London.

Although court documents reveal the singer cited ‘unreasonable behaviour’ on her husband’s part in the divorce petition, the couple have apparently impressed lawyers by reaching a remarkably smooth settlement over their assets.

Last night Guy was spotted taking his sons out to dinner in Liverpool where he’s currently lensing his latest film Sherlock Holmes, while, Madonna was back on stage in Philadelphia with her Sweet & Sticky world tour.

The Touch My Body singer outdid her own outrageous sartorial standards when she wore a fireman’s jacket – and little else – for an October 31 party in New York. The emergency garment was open in the front to reveal bejewelled red underwear, suspenders and stockings.

Her other half Nick Cannon had also donned a firefighter disguise – though he also had the T-shirt and trousers to match.

Adding impact to their smoking-hot entrance at the do – which doubled as a celebration for their six-month wedding anniversary – the duo pulled up in the back of fire truck.

The couple relived their first reunion date back in Oct. 10, when they saw LaMontagne – who happens to have the same manager as John – in concert at the Opera House in Boston. On Oct.17, Mayer blogged about how “brilliant” the folksinger is, and encouraged others to listen to his music.

The spotting of the on-again lovebirds going out together publicly comes at a very interesting time, as Jen was just seen out on a romantic date with Hollywood hunk Gerard Butler on Oct. 22 at The Tower Bar in L.A.

Could John be regaining ground with Jen through their shared love of music?

Lighting a taper in Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, the veteran musician announced: “This candle is for peace. For all the people around the world. And especially in Israel and Palestine”.

As news of the VIP visitor spread, fans gathered around the site – believed to be Christ’s birthplace – for photographs and in search of an autograph. The pop star handled it with his customary good humour, attempting to say Hello in all their languages – though Russian and Ukranian foxed him.

One particularly enthusiastic group of wellwishers from Spain struck up a chorus of Yellow Submarine in their own language.

Paul – who’s travelling with girlfriend Nancy Shevell and is due to play a concert in the country on Thursday – also popped into a nearby Palestinian school. After playing the piano and harmonica for the youngsters, he wished them ‘Ramadan Karim’, a traditional greeting during the fasting month of Ramadan.

The pop star will again openMTV’s Video Music Awards, which will broadcast live from Los Angeles’s Paramount Studios on Sunday night (9 p.m. ET). But unlike last year, where Spears delivered a memorable (and critically derided performance, the pop star is not expected to perform on the show.)

“She gets an opportunity to start over again,” hip-hop producer Jermaine Dupri told PEOPLE at Friday’s TAG Records Official MTV VMA Kickoff party in Hollywood at Avalon. “A lot of people don’t get a chance to do that again. I just hope she kills it.”

And the man who’s helped launch the careers of platinum artists TLC, Kris Kross and Da Brat added, “Last time, I didn’t think her performance was that bad, but people ragged her so bad, then I saw the press.”

So what will she do?

The singer’s role on the show has been a tightly guarded secret. Regardless of how she fares live, Spears may just prove to be the talk of the night. That’s because she’s nominated for the show’s top honor, video of the year, for “Piece of Me.” The pop star has earned two other nominations, including best pop video and best female video – also for the same single. (If Spears wins, it will be her first “Moonman” despite 16 prior nominations.)

Also up for top honors are the ceremony: the Jonas Brothers (for “Burnin Up”), Chris Brown for “Forever,” the Pussycat Dolls for “When I Grow Up” and the Ting Tings for “Shut Up and Let Me Go.”

Nominees the Jonas Brothers will also perform on the show. They will join a starry group of singers, including Rihanna, who will take the stage with rapper T.I., and Pink, who will also grace the stage. “I Kissed A Girl” singer Katy Perry is expected to perform a cover of Madonna’s “Like A Virgin” and Kid Rock will perform with rapper Lil Wayne.

Kanye West will close out the evening with a performance.

Hosting this year is British comedian Russell Brand, known for his role a lothario musician Aldous Snow in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. But he will be joined onstage by Pete Wentz, who will act as a co-host of sorts. (Wentz’s wife Ashlee Simpson-Wentz is expected to present on the show.)

Also presenting: previously announced stars including Miley Cyrus and Lindsay Lohan. In days leading up to the ceremony, MTV has added new presenters, including Christina Aguilera and Gossip Girl’s Chace Crawford.

Nobody draws attention like Lindsay Lohan and gal pal Samantha Ronson.

The duo sat in the front row for the Saturday morning presentation of Ronson’s sister Charlotte’s spring collection at New York Fashion Week, where they were immediately swarmed by photographers who brushed past other famous folks like Sean Lennon to get shots of the actress and DJ.

Lohan sported a denim dress and blue pumps, and wore her blonde hair pulled back in a bun; Ronson had on a black T-shirt and a gray skinny jeans and vest — she usually incorporates a hat into her rocker look, but this time she opted to show off her pixie haircut.

They stood up for a standing ovation when Charlotte Ronson appeared on the runway after the show, and made a quick exit as media chased them backstage (where they hid in a VIP lounge).

Actress Emma Roberts, the niece of Julia Roberts, joked that she was stuck in a “Lindsay traffic jam” as she tried to leave the crowded event.

In-demand music producer Mark Ronson — brother of Charlotte and Samantha — deejayed the music at the show.

He declined comment when asked about the buzz over Lohan and his sister, but said he was proud of his family.

“I think we’re just all driven and love what we do,” he said of his siblings.

Following a successful appearance on US sitcom How I Met your Mother plus the news Madonna is helping plan her next musical move, the future looks bright for Britney, whose father Jamie is credited for helping turn her life around. “She looks wonderful now. You can see the happiness in her eyes,” says a family friend.

Britney’s uber-glam appearance coincided with her amicable custody agreement with former husband Kevin Federline, which allows for more overnight visits with her sons. The 26-year-old will now have three visits a week from two-year-old Sean Preston and one-year-old Jayden James with at least two overnight visits.

To the delight of the audience, Amy Winehouse took to the stage at Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday concert in…

To the delight of the audience, Amy Winehouse took to the stage at Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday concert in Hyde Park on Friday night, just days after being diagnosed with emphysema.

Looking healthy and tanned in a black and cream dress, Amy – whose appearance had been under doubt due to her illness – was back to her best as she performed hits Valerie and Rehab at the concert.

For many in the crowd, her act was the highlight of a day begun by Hollywood star Will Smith and his wife Jada. In front of 46,664 spectators – including Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Prince William’s girlfriend Kate Middleton – the Hancock star praised the former South African leader.

“Nelson Mandela has taught us about love and reconciliation, taught us about justice,” he told the cheering crowd.

A who’s who of famous faces then took to the stage, including X-Factor winner Leona Lewis, the Sugababes, who were introduced by racing star Lewis Hamilton, newlywed Jamelia and Eurythmics singer Annie Lennox.

As well as the live acts, a giant screen played messages of congratulations from celebrities including David Beckham, Morgan Freeman, Susan Sarandon and Sharon Osbourne.

And of course, no birthday celebration would have been complete without an appearance from the man of the moment. Joined by his wife Graca Machel, Mr Mandela made his way from the VIP area onto the stage, where the stars and the crowd burst into a rendition of Happy Birthday.