Rodney Jerkins, better known as Darkchild, has spoke about Britney's new album, and his work on the album, saying, "I'm just trying some new things, I've always worked with Britney and I love working with her. I'm trying to re-invent her, and re-invent myself with her project, and the stuff that we did so far is very dancey, very really uptempo, in the clubs, real aggressive and real catchy, very hook-friendly. I worked with her about four tweeks ago. She's the same, I've always worked with Britney, she's always been a professional. It normally takes people a lot of time to record songs, but you know, she walked in at 8:30 and was out at 10:30 and we'd done a whole song, in and out, and I was very happy that she's working on the positive side and moving towards new things. I was happy to hear that she has visitation rights to her kids again, and I think it's about to be her time again. They're talking 2009, early 2009."

Tennis superstar, Venus Williams, has namechecked Britney, when talking about her mornings, in an interview with "USA Today," saying, "My preparation includes breakfast at home in the morning and then practice. My music of choice has been the new Britney Spears album, which is upbeat and helps me get my day started on the good foot."

Rodney Jerkins, better known as Darkchild, who produced the new Pussycat Dolls single, "When I Grow Up," and Britney's covers of "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" and "I Love Rock 'N' Roll," alongside "Lonely" and "Intimidated" from the 2001 "Britney" sessions, has confirmed he is on board and working on tracks for Britney's sixth studio album, due later this year. Darkchild joins Dallas Austin, Guy Sigsworth, Damon Elliott, Bloodshy & Avant, Sean Garrett, Nate 'Danja' Hills, Jim Beanz, Fredwreck and Jonathan J.R. Rotem on the list of people who are working on the record.

Kevin Federline is still seeking primary custody of his two children with Britney Spears, with neither party agreeing on a resolution in an out-of-court mediation meeting held today. The meeting was held al day at a 5-star hotel, with Jamie Spears and attorneys for both Britney and Kevin Federline attending; however, there was no resolution, with neither party agreeing to move once again to 50-50 custody. Federline currently has temporary primary custody, with Britney having regular visititation rights, including overnight visitation, with her chidren. Federline's lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan, said, "The mediation didn't result in an agreement that would avoid the trial set in August. The mood was comfortable, positive and it was a mood that was consistent with opening at least a great dialogue, which is necessary."

Laura Wasser, who stopped representing Britney Spears in her custody case shortly after the divorce was finalised in 2007, and 50-50 custody was in place, is back as Britney's lawyer in the custody case against Kevin Federline, replacing Stacy Phillips. Britney attended court today, in a smart white shirt and trouser suit, was sworn in and sat for the entirety of the hearing, looking very business-like, but not engaging in conversation with Kevin Federline, who was also present. The court changed the custody arrangement, giving Britney more time, leading her to tell reporters that she is 'pleased', and the court added it was pleased with her progress; a further hearing will be held in August.

Jim Beanz, who co-wrote "Gimme More" and "Break The Ice," amongst other songs on "Blackout," and who recently won the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 with Dima Bilan, has confirmed he is working on tracks for Britney's new album, saying, "Britney is amazing. Everyone has personal stuff, but a true professional doesn't bring it into the studio."

Britney has flown home to Kentwood, Louisiana, to stay with her mother at Serenity, the house she owns and reportedly intends to return to eventually, to be with her sister, as she gave birth to a baby daughter, Maddie Bryann. Britney is expected to fly home with her father, through Delta Airlines, who she used to fly out to Kentwood.

Britney Spears has been ordered to undergo full psychiatric evaluation ahead of the final hearing in the conservatorship order on 31st July 2008, to decide whether or not she should regain control of her medical care and personal assets. Her lawyer, Samuel D. Ingham III, said Britney would comply with the order and work around a planned trip out-of-state this month, where she is due to fly home to Kentwood, Louisiana, to stay with her mother at Serenity, the house she owns, whilst Jamie Lynn gives birth to her baby. Jamie Spears also recently filed legal documents detailing the extent of his role as conservator, for which he had to give up full-time work, saying he has run errands, including buying groceries and cooking supper, as well as arranging security, meeting with doctors, care providers and attorneys.

Nate 'Danja' Hills, who wrote and produced "Gimme More" and "Break The Ice," amongst other songs on "Blackout," has confirmed in a MySpace bulletin that he has "got some heat for Britney Spears... shh!! I been grinding!!"

After falling out of the top 75 last week to #77, "Break The Ice" has returned to the official UK top 75 singles chart, climbing 6 places to #71, and giving it a 12th week in the top 75.

MTV have confirmed that Britney's guest appearance in "When I Grow Up," the new video from The Pussycat Dolls, has been scrapped from the final edit. Spokespeople for both Britney Spears and the Dolls did not comment on why her appearance was not included in the final video, which premieres on Wednesday in the USA. According to reports she filed a short role last week; "They all wave at each other as they are passing in traffic. Of course, Britney looked hot and blonde. It is a very short sequence, but she had a lot of fun with it; she was totally down to do the video."

CBS have submitted Britney's guest appearances on "How I Met Your Mother" to the Emmy committee for consideration, when choosing nominees for the Best Guest Actress, which will be announced by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in time for the September ceremony. Britney is one of 41 actresses on the list, which also includes Sarah Silverman, who famously made fun of Britney at the 2007 VMAs, Mary-Kate Olsen for "Weeds," Alyssa Milano for "My Name Is Earl," and "Scrubs" star Sarah Chalke, for her role as Britney's boss in "How I Met Your Mother."

Following reports she is interested in moving to Geffen Records, after her meeting with David Geffen, photo agency X17 are speculating that Britney Spears is more interested in Maloof Music, the new record label started by her friend, George Maloof (who also owns the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas). Maloof Music currently only has Lindsay Lohan's sister, Ali Lohan, signed to the roster, but is distributed via Geffen's sister label, Interscope Records, part of the Universal group. Thus far, SonyBMG have not officially commented, apart from mentioning that she is working on her new album.

According to reports, Britney Spears spent an hour in the company of David Geffen, owner of Geffin Records (who currently have Nelly Furtado, Mary J. Blige, Kate Nash and Ashlee Simpson on their roster), at his Malibu beach home, following her guest appearance in the new music video from the Pussycat Dolls, who are on one of Geffen's sister labels, Interscope Records. There is speculation that Britney is shopping for a new record label, but this is extremely unlikely; Jive Records/SonyBMG are acitively involved in the A&R and overseeing recording for her new album.

After 28 weeks in the official UK top 75 singles chart, "Piece Of Me" has finally left the UK chart, whilst "Break The Ice" also leaves after 11 weeks; "Blackout" also leaves the album chart, having spent 30 weeks in the top 75.

Electronica producer, Guy Sigsworth, who produced Britney's #1 single, "Everytime," "Someday (I Will Understand)" and "Over To You Now," and who is behind the recently released "Flavours Of Entanglement" by Alanis Morissette, has revealed he is working with Britney on material for her 6th studio album. Guy, who is also working on material for Jonathan Davies, the lead singer of Korn, said, "It's weird to think I'm doing him and Britney at the same time. I don't know if I'll try to persuade them to do a duet together. That might be pushing it too far."

SonyBMG UK have confirmed that there will be no further releases from "Blackout," and that "Radar" has been cancelled as a single worldwide, with no plans to record a video, as Britney is working on a new studio album. Jive Records had previously added 24th June 2008 as the 'add date' for the single at USA radio, but this has been removed.

Britney Spears, who has been a longtime friend of Robin Antin, the creator of The Pussycat Dolls, is to film a guest spot for their new music video, "When I Grow Up." A source confirmed to "Access Hollywood" that Britney is too shoot a 'small cameo performance' in the video, which is being shot in Burbank. Britney performed with the original outfit, alongside Carmen Elektra, at a special birthday party performance for her older brother, Bryan, in 2004.

The third single from "Blackout," "Break The Ice" falls to #58 in this week's official UK top 75 singles chart, with "Piece Of Me" falling out of the top 75 this week. "Blackout" falls to #67 in the official albums chart this week; "Radar" is due to be sent to radio stations across the UK in the next few weeks, for a release in late July 2008.