London, Jan 30 : Shakira became the focus of unwanted attention of a French minister as he pinned a medal on her chest.

After the French culture minister Frederic Mitterand, 64, put the medal in its place, he fiddled with the ribbon and made another grab for the Colombian singer's top before finally holding his hands up, the Mirror reported.

Shakira, however, kept her cool throughout the incident.

Los Angeles, Jan 29 - Singer Shakira has become the first Colombian to be honoured with France's Chevalier De L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres medal.

The 34-year-old received the award from the French Minister of Culture Frederic Mitterrand in Cannes Saturday.

London, Dec 16 - Colombian singer Shakira's father has penned down a parental self-help book, based on his own experience.

"It is not 100 percent biographical. It's objective. It's to be more a guide for parents," dailystar. co. uk quoted Mebarak as saying.

Meanwhile, Shakira has turned editor in a bid to give her father's new book "Al Viento y al Azar" a big boost and has shown off her literary talents by editing the novel and writing the prologue.

Madrid, Dec 10 - Shakira Friday wore a glittery sequined dress and new haircut at the Gala of Los 40 Principales Prizes Friday.

The Colombian is one of the artists with the most nominations at the Gala being held at the Palace of Sports in Madrid and organized by Los 40 Principales, Spain's leading music radio network.

Washington, Nov 17 : Shakira, who serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, hopes that her trip to India will highlight the need for improved education in the country.

The 34-year-old singer, who flew to the nation earlier this month, visited a group of adolescent females in a residential education program in Udaipur, Rajasthan, where the literacy level is around five percent for women, to tell them the need for education.

London, Nov 11 - Singer Shakira broke down in tears as her father William Mebarak serenaded her during a star-studded dinner in Las Vegas.

The 34-year-old was named the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year at the special tribute Wednesday.

Shakira wiped away tears as Mebarak sang the classic song Mi Nina Bonita (My Pretty Girl), while pictures of the father and daughter appeared on a big screen behind him, reports femalefirst. co. uk.

London, Nov 9 - Singer Shakira has been honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The pop star was recognised as "the highest-selling Colombian artist of all time". She unveiled the 2,354th star Tuesday.

However, this is not all. Shakira will also be celebrating a special dinner Wednesday, when she would be named the recipient of the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year award, reports contactmusic. com.

Washington, Nov 2 : Shakira’s legacy will live on indefinitely in Hollywood when she will be honoured with a star on its Walk of Fame on Nov 8.

The Colombian superstar will have her name cemented in the legendary walkway, just a day before receiving the ‘Person of the Year’ award as part of the 2011 Latin Grammy’s ceremony for her philanthropic contributions.

Christina Aguilera and Penélope Cruz are other Latinas, who have a star in the Walk of Fame.

San Juan, Oct 16 - Colombian pop star Shakira has given the first of two concerts in Puerto Rico that will end her globetrotting world tour "Sale el Sol" (The Sun Comes Out) after more than a year of performances on five continents.

London, Oct 7 : Colombian singer Shakira has joined US President Barack Obama's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.

Others on the panel include community activist Adrian Pedroza and Arizona's School District Superintendent Kent P. Scribner.

The president praised the singer and her fellow committee members for agreeing to advise the government on ways to improve educational opportunities and performance among Hispanics.

Washington, Oct 7: Shakira has dismissed the alleged break-up rumours between her and her Spanish soccer player boyfriend Gerard Pique.

The Columbian star sent the athlete and the rest of the Spanish team, a sweet good luck message on Twitter, just before their match on Tuesday.

The tweet read, “Good luck to the Spanish national side and to my number 3, muah (kisses) @3gerardpique.”

Bogota, Oct 6 - A spokesman for Colombian singer Shakira denied rumours that the international superstar has broken off her relationship with Spanish soccer player Gerard Pique.

"It is totally false, they remain together and they are very well," Shakira's chief publicist in Colombia, Rodrigo Beltran, told EFE.

He said the singer decided to clear the air after the breakup rumours circulated in European and Latin American media and on social networks.

New York, Oct 3 (ANI): Shakira has already landed in the midst of a bidding war among record labels as her contract with Epic expires.

The 34-year-old singer, who will soon become a free agent, is getting interest from a number of major labels, including Warner and Island Def Jam.

London, Sept 30 : `Hips Don't Lie' hitmaker Shakira has revealed that she is not planning to perform any gig for controversial Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov's birthday.

A spokesman for the politician had recently made an announcement that Shakira and violinist Vanessa Mae will perform at the politician's glitzy birthday party next month.

London, Sep 30 : Colombian singer Shakira has denied that she will stage a performance for Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov's 35th birthday.

A spokesman for the politician had recently announced that Kadyrov would be celebrating his birthday next month with a glitzy party, including performances by Shakira and violinist Vanessa Mae.

But the "Hips Don't Lie" hitmaker has quashed the news through her Twitter account, reports dailystar. co. uk.

London, Sep 29 - Colombian singer Shakira and musician Roger Waters together bought a Caribbean island worth $16 million.

Shakira, 34, and Waters, 68, are reportedly hoping to "reinvent the concept of tourism" by building a set of luxury holiday homes on the island which will also include private beaches and a number of hotels.

Miami, Aug 9 : Colombian songstress Shakira has become the seventh most-popular person on the Twitter social network, with nearly 7.42 million followers, her publicist announced Monday.

The artist exceeds in numbers of Twitter fans other celebrities and performers such as Ashton Kutcher, Taylor Swift and Oprah Winfrey, according to statistics compiled by the social network.

Mexico, July 18 : Colombian singer Shakira enchanted some 150,000 fans in Mexico, at a concert where she paid tribute to the US group Metallica by interpreting their hit "Nothing else matters".

People enjoyed an evening of her hits and other numbers lasting almost two hours in the southeastern city of Merida, reports the Spanish news agency EFE.

Merida (Mexico), July 18 - 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.

Jerusalem, June 22 : Colombian songstress Shakira said here Tuesday that she wants a world that emulates the teamwork of the title-winning F. C. Barcelona soccer club to "win the match against discrimination".

"I would like a world that functions like a team, just like Barca does. In this way, we will be able to win the match against discrimination," she said at a press conference while her boyfriend, Barcelona star Gerard pique, looked on from the first row of seats.

London, June 14 : Colombian singer Shakira, who last year released her debut fragrance "S by Shakira", has launched her second perfume.

"I wanted to find a way to express the feeling of pure happiness through the medium of fragrance," femalefirst. co. uk quoted her as saying.

She described her second fragrance - S by Shakira Eau Florale - as a modern floral scent with optimistic energy and full of feminine sensuality.

London, June 8: Looks like Shakira is all set to give Rihanna a run for her money - the Colombian singer has performed a raunchy dance move on the pole for the video of her latest single ‘Rabiosa’.

Shakira, who appeared in just a pair of tiny knickers and a string bra, showed off her incredible body as she performed the highly seductive and erotic movements, reports the Daily Mail.

Dubai, May 29 : Colombian pop singer Shakira recently revealed in Morocco that she is interested in recording an album in Arabic.

"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."

London, May 20 : Seems like singer Shakira and footballer boyfriend Pique Gerard have thrown caution to the wind since announcing their relationship in March.

The handsome couple, dubbed the new Posh and Becks, are currently on a romantic break at luxury hotel Villa d''''Este on Lake Como in Italy and was spotted sharing steamy kisses on a boat trip, reports the Daily Mail.

London, May 19 : A representative of Shakira says that the Columbian singer has nothing to do with the autographed guitar allegedly gifted to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

The controversial leader had publicly thanked Shakira last weekend after he was presented with the red electric guitar, which was said to be sent by her.