Malawi’s highest court heard arguments today on Madonna’s bid to adopt a three-year-old girl from the southern African country, as a dispute erupted over whether a man trying to stop the proceedings is the girl’s father.

As Malawi’s highest court prepares to decide on Madonna’s bid to adopt a second child from the country, a dispute has erupted over whether a man trying to stop the proceedings is the three-year-old girl’s father.

The father of a girl from Malawi whom Madonna hopes to adopt has said he is capable of taking care of his daughter.

Madonna is hitting back at reports she failed to tell police of the paparazzi's involvement in her weekend horse accident, insisting she was "barely conscious" and was "never asked" about how the incident happened.

Madonna is fighting fit and headed back to the gym yesterday - just three days after she was hospitalised for falling off a horse.

Police who helped Madonna after she fell from a horse on Saturday insist photographers weren't to blame for the accident.

Madonna's appeal of a court ruling denying her request to adopt a three-year-old girl from Malawi will be heard next month, a court official said.

A photographer who says he captured images of Madonna after she fell off a horse denied today that the paparazzi were to blame.

MADONNA blamed paparazzi photographers yesterday after she was thrown from a horse, suffering “minor injuries” and bruises.

Madonna blamed paparazzi photographers today after she was thrown from a horse, suffering “minor injuries” and bruises.

Madonna is coming to the aid of earthquake victims in central Italy.

Madonna has defended her decision to adopt a second Malawian child, insisting she is "committed" to maintaining a connection to adopted son David Banda's homeland.

Madonna toured an impoverished village today in Malawi, the central African nation where officials said she was expected to begin proceedings this week to adopt a young girl.

Madonna is expected in Malawi today as the star’s plans to adopt a girl as her second child from the poor African country begin to draw criticism.

Madonna was facing growing opposition today to her plan to adopt another child from Malawi.

MADONNA has filed papers in advance of adopting a second child from the impoverished African republic of Malawi.

Madonna and Guy Ritchie issued a joint statement today insisting that they are both happy with their divorce agreement.

Guy Ritchie will receive at least £49m (€54.6m) in his divorce settlement with Madonna, a spokeswoman for the singer confirmed.

Madonna soldiered on with her US tour this week, appearing onstage in Boston, Massachusetts just hours after news of her divorce was confirmed by her publicist.

Madonna's spokeswoman confirmed today the singer and her husband, Guy Ritchie, will divorce.

Cher was forced to pull out of her Las Vegas residency at the weekend after suffering from bronchitis.

Madonna's brother Christopher Ciccone has denied reports his sister helped write his tell-all book about her.

Madonna's publicist has shot down reports the pop star and husband Guy Ritchie are planning to renew their wedding vows.

Producers of two of America's leading TV shows have denied rumours they received threats from Madonna's representative after booking her brother Christopher Ciccone as a guest.

Canadian Michael Buble has split from his actress girlfriend Emily Blunt.

Madonna's estranged brother Christopher Ciccone claims the singer's ex-lover Warren Beatty went through her garbage to check up on her during their relationship.

Madonna has recruited Britney Spears for a virtual appearance on her forthcoming tour.

Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie have put on a show of unity with a rare public appearance together in New York.

Madonna has dismissed reports she is set to divorce husband Guy Ritchie.

Madonna has laughed off reports she and husband Guy Ritchie have invested $5m (€3.26m) in their own London pub.

Pop superstar Madonna has hit back after being accused of duping fashion house Gucci into raising money for Kabbalah causes under the guise of helping Malawian orphans.

Madonna's longtime publicist has hit back at reports the pop superstar's adoption dreams have hit a roadblock following a decision to replace the Malawian welfare official overseeing the case.

Madonna flew into Malawi on a silver jet today to continue her charity work in the impoverished southern African country, bringing along the Malawian boy she is in the process of adopting.

Madonna arrived in Malawi today with the child she is in the process of adopting, apparently planning to visit orphanages and care centres she is involved in.

Pop star Madonna, whose plans to adopt Malawian toddler David Banda last autumn sparked an international controversy, was expected to fly back to the African country today.

Reports that Madonna jetted off to Malawi on Wednesday night appear premature - she's hard at work on her new album with Justin Timberlake.

Madonna reportedly flew back to Africa with her adopted son David to meet with the boy's biological father last night, according to US news reports.

Madonna's longtime representative Liz Rosenberg insists there is no tension between the pop star and Angelina Jolie because of comments the actress made about the singer to a French magazine.

Pop star Madonna has slammed reports she plans to adopt a baby girl from Malawi.

Madonna spoke of her joy at bringing an African baby boy home to Britain and defended her adoption of him.

Madonna welcomed a tiny African boy she wants to adopt into her UK home today.

The Malawian baby Madonna and her husband, Guy Ritchie, are trying to adopt arrived in Britain today on an overnight flight from Johannesburg.

Madonna and her husband Guy Ritchie have jetted out of Malawi after gaining preliminary custody of a one-year-old boy they want to adopt in an apparently streamlined procedure that sparked criticism from a child protection organisation.

MADONNA has adopted a one-year-old Malawian boy from a poverty-stricken background whose mother died after childbirth, his father has claimed.