MADONNA ADOPTION RULING IS DUE

Malawi's highest court will announce on Friday morning whether pop star Madonna can adopt a second child from the country, her lawyer has said.

She is appealing against an earlier decision that she could not adopt Chifundo “Mercy” James, four.

In April, adoption was ruled out by a judge who said prospective parents must be resident in Malawi for 18 months.

The rule was waived in 2006 when Madonna adopted a boy, David, from the southern African state.

The singer's lawyer, Alan Chinula, said the ruling would be issued at 0900 local time (1000 BST).

The child has been living in an orphanage since her 18-year-old mother died shortly after giving birth.

Madonna's appeal proceedings began on 4 May and were adjourned on the same day.

The 50-year-old entertainer also has two biological children – Lourdes, now 12, and Rocco, aged eight.