Madonna has asked a Malawian court to delay an adoption hearing for a second time - because she is busy promoting new LP Hard Candy in the US.
The singer and her director husband Guy Ritchie are due to attend a hearing in Malawi on 22 April, when a judge at the country's High Court is expected to formally approve the couple's adoption of two-year-old David Banda.
But the 49-year-old's lawyer has reportedly requested the hearing go ahead on 15 May, because Madonna is working in America.
It is the second time the star has asked for a postponement. She was due in the south African nation earlier this month, but was granted a delayed hearing.
Court officials refused to confirm the application.
A spokesman says, "Adoption is a confidential matter and we separate adoption files from the regular case files."