An official thumbs up for Madge; ADOPTION.

Byline: ADRIAN SHAW

MADONNA'S bid to adopt a second African orphan got a huge boost yesterday when she won the approval of the country's government.

Madonna, 50, is expected in Malawi High Court today, to hear their ruling on her application to adopt four-year-old Mercy James.

In 2006 she adopted baby David Banda from the same orphanage that Mercy has spent her life in.

Critics say Madonna's plans amount to child trafficking.

But information minister Patricia Kaliati said: "Madonna has been good to us. Very few rich and famous people take time to fly all the way to Malawi to support our children. We support her adoption process." Yesterday, Madonna abandoned a trip to an orphanage in Salima after hurting herself in the gym at Kumbali Lodge, where she has been staying since arriving on Monday.

But she was well enough to throw a party for her Raising Malawi Academy staff..

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BACKING Madonna