Madonna earns praise for defending Gypsies

Madonna earns praise for defending Gypsies

BUCHAREST, Romania — Romania’s self-styled King of the Gypsies praised Madonna on Wednesday for using her “Sticky & Sweet” world tour to speak out on behalf of Gypsies. Last week, Madonna drew international attention by saying during a concert in Bucharest that widespread discrimination against eastern Europe’s Gypsies, also known as Roma, should end. Thousands of fans responded by booing her.

“Madonna is the only international personality to have raised the problem of discrimination against the Roma in Europe,” Florin Cioaba said. Cioaba is one of the nation’s best-known Gypsy public figures. He gained the unofficial title King of all Gypsies from his father, Ion Cioaba, when he died in 1997.

Jon Gosselin: ‘I took a lot of abuse from Kate’

NEW YORK — Jon Gosselin is fighting with his wife, Kate, again — this time through an intermediary.

The reality TV star told ABC News’ Chris Cuomo on “Good Morning America” that he “took a lot of abuse” from Kate and he’s looking to move on. The two stars of TLC’s “Jon & Kate Plus 8” have become better known for their imploding marriage than their parenting skills in recent months.

He says police were recently called to the couple’s Pennsylvania home because he wouldn’t let Kate in the house and she tried to “cry it up with cops.”

The 32-year-old father of eight is now dating the 22-year-old daughter of a surgeon who performed a tummy tuck on Kate. It was his first television interview since divorce papers were filed. A longer version will air Tuesday on “Primetime: Family Secrets.”

Tony Blair on ‘Late Show’

NEW YORK — Tony Blair is set for his first appearance on David Letterman’s “Late Show.”

CBS says the former British prime minister will visit the late-night host Tuesday for his first appearance on the show.

He’s likely to talk about his current projects, including pushing for peace with Palestinians and seeking a climate change agreement.

Today’s birthdays

“Beetle Bailey” creator Mort Walker is 86. Singer-guitarist Al Jardine (Beach Boys) is 67. Actor Steve Schirripa (“The Sopranos”) is 52. Actor Charlie Sheen is 44.