Madonna thinks she knows what led to the downfall of Britney Spears.

“It’s a little bit awkward,” she said. “You don’t really know them and you feel a little bit nervous and intimidated.”

The hearing for Madonnas legal adoption of Malawian toddler David Banda has been deferred.The new date has been set for May 15, a month later than planned, reports the Sun.

The pop star was scheduled to appear in a Malawian court this month for a final hearing on whether she could adopt the child from the southern African country.

According to a court clerk, the case was tentatively scheduled for 22 to 25 April.

But now the 49-year-old singer would have to wait until the middle of next month before she can formally adopt the two-year-old.

Madonna began adoption proceedings in 2006 and the little tot has been living with the pop star and her film director husband Guy Ritchie in their London home since then.

U2 have inked a 12-year deal with Live Nation, the concert promoters who recently signed a groundbreaking touring and recording contract with Madonna.

The contract, signed for an undisclosed fee, will cover the Irish rockers’ merchandising, digital and branding rights, with the band continuing to release records through Universal.

“We’ve been dating for over 20 years now,” singer Bono told BBC News. “It’s about time we tied the knot.”

“U2 has created some of the greatest rock music of all time,” added Live NationMichael Cohl. “It has long been our intention to consolidate and extend our relationship.”

chairman

Madonna signed a groundbreaking $120m (£60m) ‘360 degree deal’ with Live Nation

last year - a contract that combined her recording, publishing and touring revenues.

They insist their marriage is strong, but they’re on the verge of a break-up

After months of speculation that their 7-year marriage is on the rocks, Madonna and Guy Ritchie put on a united front last week.

The Material Girl issued a strong statement to the world’s press via her PR Liz Rosenberg, saying: ‘I’m delighted to confirm that Mr and Mrs Guy Ritchie remain happily married. Though they were in different countries recently the family are joyfully back together at home in London. All is well and wonderful in the Ritchie household.’

But Now can reveal that Madonna, 49, and Guy, 39, are leading totally separate lives. According to various sources that we spoke to during the last week, their contrasting lifestyles mean they’re virtual strangers, as their lives head in different directions.

Britney Spears got the thumbs up from former duet partner Madonna on Thursday.

In an interview on New York’s Z100, Madonna told host JJ that she is a fan of Spears’ “Blackout.”

“I actually love Britney Spears’ new album. I listen to that a lot,” Madonna said.

 In fact, she does more than just listen. “I usually work out to her record,” Madonna said. “I do a combination of Pilates and dance aerobics.”

Madonna also got candid about Britney’s ex, Justin Timberlake, who contributed to her new album “Hard Candy,” which comes out April 29.

Earlier this month it was revealed that Madonna had given Timberlake a Vitamin B shot. It wasn’t so she could see his bottom, as Z100’s JJ suggested.

“I mean, I’ve seen enough butt so that’s OK,” she sighed. “The reason I gave him a B12 shot is cause we only had a certain amount of days in the studio and I didn’t want him using that as a lame a– excuse not to come to work, OK? It’s got nothing to do with butt, I promise you. Listen, I don’t need to give him a shot to see his butt.”

Madonna also revealed that she has no plans to sing some of her classic songs ever again.

“I’m not sure I can sing ‘Holiday’ or ‘Like A Virgin’ ever again. I just can’t,” she said. “Unless somebody paid me like $30 million or something.”