Delay in Madonna adoption ruling

Madonna must wait another week to find out if human rights groups in Malawi can challenge her adoption of a 14-month-old boy.

A coalition of 67 organisations claims "bending of laws and fast-tracking" allowed the pop star to adopt David Banda.

A first hearing was adjourned today at Malawi's High Court in Lilongwe.

The judge will rule next Monday on whether to allow the legal challenge.

The human rights groups claim Madonna has used her wealth to bypass the usual laws which state adoptive parents must live in the African country for 18 months.

The singer and her husband Guy Ritchie were granted an interim order on October 12 allowing them temporary custody of David.

The little boy was then granted a passport and flown to Madonna's London home.

David's father, peasant farmer Yohane Banda, has claimed he did not know the singer would be taking his son "for good".