Modonna's Brother, Christopher Ciccone, tells all in New Book

Madonna's marriage to director Guy Ritchie is hanging by the thin thread of their religion, reveals her brother Christopher Ciccone in his new autobiography. Christopher's tome 'Life With My Sister Madonna', he reveals that one of the only things that's keeping the couple together is Kabbalah, a cross between Judaism, Catholicism and Buddhism, reports the Daily Star.

"The Press may report that Guy isn't as involved in Kabbalah as Madonna, but that isn't true," Christopher says in the book. "Guy's world and his conversations nowadays revolve around Kabbalah. According to our sister Melanie, who still sees Madonna and Guy, they often come over for dinner but will only talk about Kabbalah. "If the conversation strays to any other topic they lose interest."

In the explosive new book, Christopher also reveals about how Madge treated him when she invited him to attend the lavish five-day ceremony at Castle Skibo, Scotland, in 2000. When he told her he could not afford to attend, Christopher reveals that Madonna sent him a first class air ticket and paid his accommodation.

However, it was only after he had settled in that he discovered that Madonna had deducted the cost from cash she owed him for work he did on one of her houses. As a result, he writes, he was only left with a few dollars. What's worse is that the openly gay Christopher then has to listen to Guys pals making jokes about homosexuals.

"I glance at my sister, hoping to see a look of outrage on her face, but there is none," he writes. "I am sad that Madonna, whose early success was built on her legions of gay fans, can listen to these comments without protest." The book goes on sale on July 15.

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Madonna's brother Christopher Ciccone reveals in his new autobiography that the singer literally 'blackmailed' him into joining Kabbalah. In Life With My Sister Madonna, which goes on sale July 15, Christopher reveals how Madge compelled him to join her religion, reports Contactmusic.

"I did (follow Kabbalah) for quite some time, although I was blackmailed into it. I finished a house for Madonna, and she owed me a final payment and she said, ''I''ll only pay you your final payment if you come to a Kabbalah class.'' I was like, ''If this is what it takes to get paid, fine, I''ll go,''" he writes in the tome.

"And as it turns out, it was a perfect time for me to take another look at myself at the time. It was about 2001. "And while I resented her for forcing me into it, I actually got some good stuff from it." Christopher also reveals that it is Kabbalah that is keeping Madonna and Guy Ritchie together.

Alex Rodriguez link in Madonna Guy Ritchie Divorce

Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez and his wife have split less than three months after the birth of the couple's second daughter, according to a report in the New York Daily News.

The story on the newspaper's Web site comes amid reports linking Rodriguez to Madonna. Rodriguez refused to address the topic on three occasions Tuesday, once saying "no" when asked if he had any comment.

Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner also criticized the team's lack of hitting before an 18-7 win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night, suggesting "a little less outside distractions and a little more concentrating" might help the team at the plate.

The Daily News reported Wednesday night, citing an anonymous source, that Rodriguez and wife, Cynthia, have separated after having "problems" for about three months.

Cynthia Rodriguez's mother, Evangeline Scurtis, also denied a gossip Web site report that her daughter had gone on a romantic getaway with rocker Lenny Kravitz to Paris.

"She is not! I know that," Scurtis told The Daily News.

Scurtis repeatedly declined comment when asked about her daughter's relationship with Rodriguez.

The couple was married in November 2002 and has two children, Natasha Alexander and Ella Alexander, who was born April 21.

Rodriguez went 2-for-3 Wednesday night with his 17th homer of the season and also scored four times. It also was Rodriguez's 535th homer, moving him past Jimmie Foxx for 14th on the career list.