Lilongwe  - A Malawian court is expected to rule today on a controversial bid by US popstar Madonna to adopt a second child from the impoverished southern African country.

Madonna's application to adopt four-year-old Chifundo (Mercy) James from the orphanage where she took custody of her son David Banda at 13 months in 2006 was heard in Malawi High Court in the capital Lilongwe on Monday.

Judge Esimy Chombo had reserved his ruling until Friday.