Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

Ethan Hawke BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Actor Ethan Hawke has praised Madonna's words of support for Gypsies during her concert in Romania.

Hawke says that Madonna "transcended being a pop star." He says she "drew international attention and shone the spotlight on a level of racism and the need for greater education."

At an August stop in Bucharest on her "Sticky & Sweet'" tour Madonna said that widespread discrimination against Eastern Europe's Gypsies, also known as Roma, should end. Thousands of fans responded by booing her.

Hawke commented Saturday in Romania where he is promoting the Ovidiu Rom charity run by his mother, Leslie Hawke. The charity supports education for gypsy children.