Shakira performs in Mexico

Colombian songstress Shakira enchanted some 150,000 fans who came to see her in Merida, a city in southeastern Mexico, at a concert at which she paid special tribute to the US group Metallica by interpreting their hit "Nothing else matters".

Concertgoers enjoyed an evening of her hits and other numbers lasting almost two hours.

Accompanied by her boyfriend, F.C. Barcelona soccer player Gerard Pique, the South American pop rock star arrived in Merida Saturday afternoon, went onstage about 9.30 p.m. and greeted the excited crowd with "Good evening, Merida! Tonight is yours!"

She then launched into a broad repertoire of her songs including "Pies descalzos", "Te dejo Madrid", "Hips don't lie", "La tortura", "Loba" and "Antes de las seis", among others.

The concert wrapped up with Shakira's famous hit "Waka waka", which she popularized during the 2010 World Cup tourney in South Africa.

The crowning moment of the evening was when Shakira, along with her band, performed "Nothing else matters", one of the big hits by the US heavy metal band.

Shakira considering album in Arabic

RABAT: Colombian pop singer Shakira said Saturday she would one day like to sing pop songs, if not an entire album, in Arabic.

The native Spanish speaker, who also has global hits in English, was speaking at a news conference in Morocco, where she was headlining the Mawazine World Rhythms music festival.

"It would be a challenge to do an album in Arabic. I would first have to learn Arabic," she said. "I am completely open to that experience. ... At some point I would love that to happen in my life."

Born in Colombia of Syrian origin, Shakira said she grew up listening to the Arab world's premier divas of the 20th century, Egyptian Umm Kalthum and Lebanese Fairuz.

Shakira often uses eastern dance, also known as belly dancing, in her acts, and her hit Spanish language single "Ojas Asi" relies heavily on a Middle Eastern melody. Her eastern origins and musical influences have made her popular throughout the Middle East.

She admitted, however, that she only speaks a few words of Arabic, including "ateeni boosa" or give me a kiss, provoking laughter among the mostly Moroccan crowd of journalists.

Morocco's 10th-annual Mawazine festival of world music concluded Saturday after eight days of music that saw bands from 60 countries, including Kanye West, Lionel Ritchie, Egypt's Amr Diab and Senegal's Youssou N'Dour. (AP)

Shakira 'to sing in Bollywood film Azaan'

Shakira is said to be singing for new Bollywood production Azaan.

The Colombian popstar's rumoured collaboration with the Hindi film industry has been the subject of ongoing media speculation in India.

According to NDTV, actor Sachin Joshi outlined: "We have sealed a deal with a very high-profile international artiste, after months of negotiation. However, until all formalities are complete, we do not wish to make an announcement."

Shakira is said to be working with music composers Salim-Sulaiman on a track for the film's original soundtrack.

A source revealed: "Sachin and Salim-Sulaiman have been trying their best to lure Shakira with the double bait of big bucks and Bollywood.

"Last year, the deal fell through. This year, however, things have gone differently. They approached Shakira to do a promotional video for the movie, and to their delight, she agreed."

A report last year suggested that Shakira would be playing the role of Hindu goddess Kaali in an upcoming film.

Shakira's ring 'not stolen at concert'

Shakira has denied that a fan stole a ring from her finger while she was walking through the crowd during a live show in Mexico.

Video footage emerged of a concert-goer grasping the hand of the 'Loca' singer before she pauses and looks at her finger.

Of claims that a ring was stolen, Shakira's publicist Joseph Carozza told TMZ: "There is no truth to this report. A fan grabbed her hand and she looked down. Her ring is still visible on her hand as she continued to walk through the crowd."

Real Madrid ban Shakira

It's pretty obvious that most men will envy Barcelona defender Gerard Pique. After all, he is in a relationship with Colombian singer Shakira. However, his rivals at Real Madrid have taken things to a new level by removing Shakira's hit 'Waka Waka' from the Bernabeu stadium playlist.

Could it be down to team rivalry and petty jealousy? The Sun reports the track was used as the official anthem of the Spanish football team during their winning campaign for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Since then, the song was reported to be played during pre-match build ups and at half-time at Real Madrid games -- but not any more.

Meanwhile, Shakira has donated $400,000 (£250,000) to re-build a Haitian school after it was damaged during the January 2010 earthquake. Her donation will be matched by the Inter-American Development Bank.

AFP reports that the singer addressed around 100 of the school's students and said: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to help you make your dream come true. I would like to tell the girls of the Elie Dubois school that you should seize the opportunity for education."

Shakira Donates USD 400,000 For Haiti School

Colombian singer Shakira has donated $400,000 to help rebuild a school in Haiti.

The 34-year-old singer who visited the country recently has collaborated with the Inter-American Development Bank to rebuild the institution which was damaged by the massive earthquake last year.

"I'm convinced the key to achieve a dignified future for the Haitian people is through education. I'd like to say to the girls that this is an enormous opportunity that life is offering you - education. So make the most of it because I'm sure you can achieve any of your dreams," said the singer.

The Hips Don't Lie hit maker announced her plans to team her Barefoot Foundation with the Architecture for Humanity charity to help renovate the Elie Dubois school in the capital Port-au-Prince shortly after the disaster hit in January, 2010.

The singer also mingled with the students of the school and performed her songs during the visit.

Shakira confirms romance with Pique

BOGOTA: Colombian pop star Shakira on Tuesday confirmed her romantic relationship with Spanish footballer Gerard Pique through a message on her Twitter account.

"I present to you my sunshine ... Shak," the 34-year-old singer wrote in the message accompanying a photo of the smiling pair.

Shakira and the 24-year-old Barcelona center-back became the focus of intense media attention earlier this month when gossip magazines published photographs of the couple holding hands and kissing in Barcelona.

In January, Shakira announced the end of her 11-year relationship with Antonio de la Rua of Argentina.

Shakira's wildly popular "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" was the official song of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa, won by Spain.

Pique, a member of the World Cup team, told a March 3 press conference at Barca's training center that he prefers to just talk football.

Quizzed on his private life, he said: "I'd like it if people only talked about me from a sporting perspective but I get the impression that, ultimately, it's inevitable." (AFP)

Shakira Splits with Longtime Boyfriend

The singer and her boyfriend have called it quits


Shakira and her boyfriend, Antonio de la Rua, have both confirmed that they have split up after being together for 11 years.

The couple split last August but continue to work together on a professional level as business partners.

In statements, Shakira and her boyfriend both expressed how wonderful their time together was, and it seems as though there’s still a possibility of them getting back together because they don’t seem to view their separation as a permanent thing.

Rua is the son of the former president of Argentina.

Shakira has recently been linked to Spanish soccer player Gerard Piqué as well as tennis number one Rafael Nadal who appeared in her “Gypsy” music video. The singer denied that she was involved with either one.

Shakira 'earns $660,000 for charity'

Shakira has earned $660,000 (£419,000) for her charity foundation Pies Descalzos.

The singer agreed to appear in an advert for a Spanish cava drink - filmed last week in Barcelona - in exchange for the hefty donation by the company Freixenet, reports The AP.

She revealed that she plans to use the money to build schools in Colombia and Haiti.

"Education is a birthright and a quality education is the only tool that a child has to turn dreams into reality," she said during a press conference.

"Since I was a girl I have been aware of the tough reality faced by many children."

The deal will also allow the company to produce the music video for Shakira's song 'Sale El Sol' as well as a documentary about work done by the charity.