Ashanti and Estelle coming to Dubai

Plus: Elton John says feud with Madonna over; Lauryn Hill working on new music; Emeli Sande sets UK record; Eastwood will direct until he turns 105.

Ashanti will be in Dubai on Thursday. AFP

Two global R&B stars are coming to Dubai's Cavalli Club on Thursday. Fresh from the success of her album All of Me, Estelle returns to the UAE this week. Those who witnessed her supporting the Scissor Sisters on Yas Island last year would testify to her fierce onstage performance and fun banter with the crowd. After performing as part of the 2011 Formula One after-parties at Skybar, the American star Ashanti is back on Thursday, too. If we're lucky, she may treat us to a new track from her forthcoming album Braveheart. Doors open at 7pm. For details, email [e-mail].

– The National staff

Elton John: feud with Madonna over

During an interview with Extra, Elton John said he's patched things up with Madonna after badmouthing her in an interview last year. John said the feud was "over and done with" after they bumped into each other in France. "We were in a restaurant in France in the summertime. She came in and I sent over a note. She was very gracious. I apologised profusely because what I said should never have appeared in public," John said. "She accepted our apology and then we bought her dinner. That's over and done with." – IANS

Emeli Sandé sets UK record

The Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé on Sunday smashed a record that was held for nearly 50 years by The Beatles when her debut album, Our Version of Events, hit its 63rd week in the top 10 of the UK album charts. "It feels quite surreal to even have your name mentioned in the same sentence as The Beatles," said Sandé. Now she has set herself a new challenge: tackling the US market. Her single Next to Me is currently 46th in the Billboard Hot 100 chart and she is in the US this month to actively promote her album. "I'm really excited about taking music over to the US  because it's a brand new challenge," she said. "It's a brand new adventure and it's chapter two of this whole big thing." – Reuters

Lauryn Hill is working on new music

Lauryn Hill, who hasn't brought out a studio album since 1998, has announced on her Tumblr page that she's working on new material. "I have entered into an agreement with Sony Worldwide Entertainment to launch a new label on which my music will be released," she wrote. "I've remained silent after an extensive healing process. It took years for me to get out of the 'parasitic' dynamic of my youth, and into a deal that better reflects my true contribution as an artist." Hill, who didn't specify a timeline, is currently working on paying back taxes after pleading guilty last year to tax evasion. – The National staff

Clint Eastwood wants to direct until he turns 105

Clint Eastwood may be 82 but dreams of making films for two more decades. At a Tribeca Film Festival talk, Eastwood expressed admiration for the 104-year-old Portuguese director Manoel de Oliveira. "It would be great to be 105 and still making films," Eastwood said, calling such a hope "the ultimate optimism". On seeking inspiration for a project, Eastwood said: "You have to steal a lot. You have to have a criminal mentality to be a film director." Eastwood last directed 2011's J Edgar, and acted in last year's Trouble With the Curve. He currently has a few films in development. – AP

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