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© Alex Barbulescu

27. 08. 09. - 12:00

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27. 08. 09. - 12:00

Madonna booed over gipsy speech

Romanian Times

Madonna was booed by fans in Romania after she told them to be nice to gypsies.

The star was in the Romanian capital Bucharest for a concert as part of her Sticky and Sweet tour and spoke to fans during her La Isla Bonita song which was played with a gypsy music rhythm.

She told them: "I've never been to Romania before and I am happy to be here.

"But I found out that there is a lot of discrimination against gypsies in Eastern Europe and that makes me very sad, especially because we believe in acceptance, gypsies, homosexuals, people that are different. Everyone must be treated the same, don't forget that!"

But instead of the applause she expected fans jeered and booed the statement.

There are over 500,000 gypsies officially registered in Romania but the real numbers are expected to be much more as many have not declared their ethnicity in a country where they face widespread discrimination.

They are Romania's most socially and economically disadvantaged minority, with high illiteracy levels.

Madonna was staying at the five-star Radisson SAS Hotel in Bucharest with her two daughters, Lourdes and Mercy, and her close staff.

The star is to leave Bucharest today (Thurs) for her next concert, in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Teo Trandafir resigns over health problems
Former TV star Teo Trandafir announced today (Fri) she was resigning from her position as lawmaker.

Wizz Air fills bankrupt Malev's shoes
Low cost airliner Wizz Air announced today (Fri) it would start a new route Bucharest - Budapest, after Hungarian state-owned company Malev suspended all activity and announced it was on the edge of bankruptcy.

Romania's population down due to migration
Romania's population dropped by 2.6 million persons in the last ten years, the first data of the census performed in October has shown.

Twenty-four dead in cold weather
Another two persons died in the last 24 hours, in Romania, due to hypothermia the Health Ministry said today (Fri).

Schools closed over bad weather
School classes were suspended in 373 institutions in 29 counties all over Romania, due to meteorologists' warnings of heavy snow, blizzards and low temperatures.

More gypsies in Romania census shows
Romania's population is falling but the number of gypsies is increasing despite massive emigration according to new census statistics.

Bosch starts 77 mn Euro investment in Romania with state aid
German automotive components producer Bosch will invest 77 million Euros in a new production facility in Jucu, Cluj county, northwestern Romania, Romanian Prime Minister (PM) Emil Boc was informed today (Thurs).

Army ready to fight snow
The Romanian Army is prepared for the emergency situations provoked by heavy snow and blizzards with 4,000 soldiers and over 1,000 pieces of equipment, the Defence Ministry said today (Thurs).

Boeing aircraft on sale by the tax administration
A Boeing aircrfat is up for auction at the local tax administration in Bacau, northern Romania, for as low as 20,000 Euros.

Twenty-two died in cold weather
There were 22 persons who lost their lives amid the lowest temperatures this winter, which dropped as low as minus 32.5 Celsius.