Malawi Court Allows Madonna to Adopt Girl

Malawi’s highest court ruled today that Madonna can adopt orphan Mercy James, the AP reports. The court, overturning a lower court’s rejection of the adoption bid, stated “every child has the right to love” and made the case that though the singer does not live in Malawi, “in this global village a man can have more than one place at which he resides.”

Madonna, who learned of the ruling at home in New York, “is excited at the news,” said her lawyer, who is arranging transport for Mercy. The girl’s family is similarly pleased: “We hope Mercy will be joining Madonna soon,” an uncle said. James Kambewa, the security guard who claimed to be Mercy’s father and tried to stop the adoption, could not be reached. (More Madonna stories.)