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Madonna's Gonna Keep Her Malawian Baby

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 29, 2008

A judge on Wednesday approved Madonna's adoption of a Malawian boy she met in an orphanage in 2006.

The 49-year-old pop star wasn't in court for the ruling, which took Justice Andrew Nyirenda an hour to read. Nyirenda said he was satisfied that Madonna and her British filmmaker husband, Guy Ritchie, "are perfect parents" for David Banda, who will be 3 in November.

Madonna and Ritchie have been caring for David in London.

"It's now official, David is Madonna's baby," the singer's Malawian attorney, Alan Chinula, told reporters.

David's mother died when he was a month old. His father, Yohane Banda, has said he believed he could not care for him alone, and that placing him in an orphanage was the best way to ensure David's survival. The father has said he didn't object to the adoption.

Banda said Wednesday he was glad the adoption was successful.

"I am glad David has a new, good home," said the 33-year-old farmer, who ekes out a living growing tomatoes, maize and onions.

Critics had accused Madonna of using her celebrity status to circumvent Malawian adoption laws - allegations she denies.

Madonna and Ritchie also have a son, Rocco, 7, and Madonna has a daughter, Lourdes, 11.

Dourdan Won't Be Jailed Over Drugs

"CSI" co-star Gary Dourdan pleaded guilty to two of three counts of felony drug possession Wednesday but will not face prison after his drug arrest outside of Palm Springs, Calif., last month, his attorney said.

Dourdan could have served up to three years and eight months behind bars.

"Once Gary completes 30 hours of a diversion program, his case will be entirely dismissed," attorney Shawn Chapman Holley told The Associated Press in an e-mail. "There is no jail time involved."

The 41-year-old actor was arrested after police found him asleep in his car outside of Palm Springs on April 28. He was allegedly parked on the wrong side of the street with the car's interior light on. Dourdan was charged with felony possession of heroin, cocaine and ecstasy.

Simpson-Wentz Is Into Tradition

Ashlee Simpson is so over.

The newlywed pop singer will go by Ashlee Wentz in private, and be professionally known as Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, according to a report posted Wednesday on People.com. The heretofore Simpson was married on May 17 to Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz.

"I think that that's something that a woman should do when they're marrying a man," the pop star little sister of Jessica Simpson told the magazine. "It's a tradition that I think is a great tradition."

Simpson-Wentz, 23, and Wentz, 28, exchanged vows this month at her parents' home in Encino, Calif.

Today's Birthdays

Race car driver Al Unser is 69. Singer Rebbie Jackson is 58. Singer LaToya Jackson is 52. Actress Annette Bening is 50. Actor Rupert Everett is 49. Actor Adrian Paul is 49. Singer Melissa Etheridge is 47. Rock musician Noel Gallagher (Oasis) is 41. Cartoonist Aaron McGruder ("The Boondocks") is 34. Singer Melanie Brown (Spice Girls) is 33.

Source: The Associated Press

CORRECTIONS

It is the policy of The Tampa Tribune to correct all errors of fact. To report an error, call (813) 259-7600 or e-mail news@tampatrib.com.

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