Madonna has announced the dates for her latest world tour, which will start in Israel in May.

The 53-year-old will play two dates in the UK, while the tour will also visit South America and Australia, where she has not performed in 20 years.

The announcement comes days after the Like A Prayer singer performed during half time at the US Super Bowl.

A record 111.3 million people tuned in for the game. Madonna's 12 minute performance received mixed reviews.

According to Nielsen, the company that tracks TV viewing figures, the football game was the most watched show in US history.

Rude gesture

However, TV network NBC and the National Football League (NFL) apologised on behalf of rapper M.I.A, who appeared as a featured artist during Madonna's set.

The British hip hop musician raised her middle finger whilst facing the camera during the performance. The picture was temporarily scrambled, but it came too late to avoid the gesture being shown.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said there had been a "failure in NBC's delay system".

He added: "The gesture in the performance was completely inappropriate, very disappointing, and we apologise to our fans."

NBC spokesman Christopher McCloskey blamed NFL, saying the organisation "hired the talent and produced the halftime show".

He added: "Our system was late to obscure the inappropriate gesture and we apologise to our viewers."

Some news outlets in the US have reported that M.I.A. will have to personally pay any fines imposed on NBC as a result of her gesture.

High earner