LILONGWE, Malawi (AP) – The father of the 13-month-old Malawian boy Madonna is trying to adopt said he is afraid criticism of her plans would persuade the pop star to drop her efforts.

“I am afraid Madonna may get angry and frustrated and decide to dump my son because of these people,” said Yohane Banda, referring to criticism from human rights activists in Malawi that officials had bent the law to speed David Banda’s adoption.

“These so-called human rights activists are harassing me every day, threatening me that I am not aware of what I am doing,” Banda said Thursday. “I’m afraid David may be sent back and the orphanage may not even accept him back. So where will he end up? Here? He will certainly die.”

The Human Rights Consultative Committee, a group of human rights groups in Malawi, has asked Judge Andrew Nyirenda to review the adoption process to make sure all the laws have been followed. A hearing was scheduled Friday.

Banda said activists tried to visit him Wednesday.

“I hid from them. I didn’t want to see them. They want me to support their court case, a thing I cannot do for I know what I agreed with Madonna and her husband,” Banda said.

Banda was reacting to Madonna’s appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” on Wednesday, in which the 48-year-old singer said she had done nothing wrong, had not used her celebrity to influence Malawian officials and wanted to give David, who had been in an orphanage, a better life.

In an interview with The Associated Press on Sunday, Banda said authorities had not made it clear to him that he was giving up his son “for good” when he signed adoption papers earlier this month. But Thursday, he shifted the blame to human rights groups.

“I was telling these rights groups that I wasn’t selling my son. I said I wouldn’t … sell my son for anything but I had agreed with Madonna before a judge so my comments were taken out of context and I hope Madonna is not angry,” he said.

Banda said he was not angry with journalists, but added he was spending more time with reporters than tending “to my onions and tomatoes.”

Justin Dzonzi, chairman of the human rights group, said the coalition of 67 groups would go ahead with its court petition Friday to protect the rights of any child up for adoption in Malawi.

LOS ANGELES (AP) – The Black Sabbath boys are back, as the new band Heaven and Hell.

Guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, drummer Bill Ward and singer Ronnie James Dio – former members of British metal supergroup Black Sabbath – are forming the band named after their 1980 hit, according to their publicist. They plan to launch an international tour next year.

“The fans have been wanting to see this for years and years. Now was just the time,” publicist Maureen O’Connor said Wednesday.

Original Sabbath vocalist Ozzy Osbourne said in a statement that he wished Iommi and Dio well, and he made it clear there was still only one Black Sabbath.

“Tony Iommi and Ronnie Dio are working on a project together which has nothing to do with Black Sabbath. There is only one Black Sabbath,” Osbourne said in the statement released by publicist Lathum Nelson.

“Ozzy, Tony, Geezer and Bill will be touring late next year along with a new Black Sabbath album,” Nelson said. “However, Ozzy wishes Tony and Ronnie much success in their project together.”

Since its formation in 1969, Black Sabbath has undergone numerous member changes and reunions.

Dio, who replaced Osbourne as part of the band’s early ’80s lineup, has been recording new songs with Iommi in England, O’Connor said.

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Chip Davis has some Halloween ear candy.

The creator of the New Age band Mannheim Steamroller usually comes to mind at Christmastime with the onslaught of holiday airplay.

But over the years he’s turned Mannheim’s uplifting instrumentals into music for all seasons: romantic tunes for Valentine’s Day, patriotic selections for the Fourth of July and, now, another album for All Hallow’s Eve.

Davis, who defines Mannheim’s music as 18th-century rock ‘n’ roll, said it only took him 20 years to realize there was another holiday besides Christmas.

“Mannheim Steamroller Halloween, Monster Mix,” advertised as “deranged by Chip Davis,” is Mannheim’s second Halloween-themed album.

“It’s trick-or-treat for the ears. It’s ear candy,” Davis said Tuesday, noting selections include his twist on TV theme songs from “The Addams Family,” “The X-Files,” “The Munsters” and others.

“They aren’t spooky as much as Halloween party stuff,” Davis said.

“Mannheim Steamroller Halloween, Monster Mix” is part of Saturday afternoon’s 90-minute NBC-TV special “Glade Halloween on Ice Starring Nancy Kerrigan.”

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On the Net:

Mannheim Steamroller: http://www.mannheimsteamroller.com