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Romanian Ex General Chitac In Coma; Receives Medical Care For Brain Tumors, Cardiac Problems

Romania’s former high-ranking General Mihai Citac is in a coma and is receiving medical care for his longtime cardiac problems and for several brain tumors doctors detected two weeks ago.

Romania’s OMV Petrom Hikes Pump Prices By Up To RON0.06/Liter

Romania’s largest oil company OMV Petrom (SNP.RO) on Monday raised its gasoline and diesel oil pump prices by 0.06 lei (EUR1=RON4.2523) and RON0.03 per liter, respectively, the company said in a statement.

Romania Registers 41 Cases Of West Nile Virus Infections

Romania has reported three new cases of infection with the West Nile virus and the total number of people affected by the virus reached 41, the Health Ministry said Monday.

Romanian Police Officers Countrywide Set Off Protests, Reduced Activity Over Wage Cuts

Romanian police officers countrywide set off protests Monday and reduced their activity over the 25% wage cut imposed by the Government in July.

Romanian Actor Horia Serbanescu Dies At 86

Romanian actor Horia Serbanescu, 86, died Sunday, at the Bucharest University Emergency Hospital, hospital spokesperson Bogdan Oprita told MEDIAFAX.

More Than Half Of Romanians Have Lower Income Compared To 2009 – Survey

More than half of Romanians have lower income in 2010 compared to 2009, and this is the case of both people aged over 35, with low education, and younger people with higher education and average income, according to a survey conducted by market research company 360insights.

Many Hotels In Romania Could Be Closed In 2011; Owners Unable To Sustain Loss-Making Businesses

Many hotels in Romania might be closed in 2011 because hotel owners no longer have financial resources to sustain loss-making businesses, Tinu Sebesanu, manager of consulting company Trend Hospitality, told MEDIAFAX.

Romanian Railway Co CFR Calatori To Hike Tariffs By 8% Starting September 20

Romanian state-owned passenger railway company CFR Calatori will raise railway transport tariffs by 8% starting September 20 and it will maintain discounts for commuters, school pupils and university students, the company said.

Giulesti Maternity Hospital In Bucharest Reopens Monday

Bucharest general mayor Sorin Oprescu on Sunday said renovation works at the intensive care unit for premature babies of the Giulesti maternity hospital in Bucharest were finished and the hospital will reopen Monday.

Romanian Govt Remains Open For Dialogue With Unions; Budget Constraints To Be Further Considered

The Romanian Government remains open for dialogue with unions in order to find the best solutions for their problems, but, at the same time, it will also consider the current budget constraints, the Government said in a press release issued at the end of talks with unionists on Saturday.

Romanian PM, Unionists Fail To Reach Common Ground; Protests To Go On

Talks held Saturday between Romanian unionists and Prime Minister Emil Boc failed, and unionists said they would continue protests, arguing talks brought them nothing but empty promises.

EU To Hold Conference On Roma Issue In Romania’s Capital Bucharest In October

The European Union will organize a conference in Romania’s capital Bucharest, sometime in October, to discuss programs assisting Roma people, Laszlo Andor, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, said in an interview.

Talks Btw Romanian Labor Min, Unionists Fail; Protests To Go On

Talks held Friday between representatives of Romanian union confederations and Labor Minister Ioan Botis have failed, with unionists saying they will continue protests, as no concrete decision regarding their demands was made.

Romanian Subway Co Metrorex To Hike Tariffs By Around 8% Starting September 18

Romanian state-run subway company Metrorex will raise tariffs by around 8% starting September 18 and it will also introduce three new types of subway cards, the company said Friday.

Romanian Airline Blue Air Renounces Five Planes, Sacks 300 Employees

Romanian low-cost airline operator Blue Air gave up five of its 11 planes and sacked 300 of its 800 employees, within a restructuring process that is due to end on November 1, said Gheorghe Racaru, strategy and development manager of the group Blue Air is part of.

One Queue To File All Romanian Social Security Contribution Statements

Employers in Romania will be able to file statements on contributions to the unemployment aid fund and social pension fund either with the local Pension House or Employment Agency, and won’t have to wait in line twice, Bucharest Pension House Cristiana Dumitrache said Friday.

EIU Cuts Romania GDP Forecast To -1.2% In 2010

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has revised down its forecast on Romanian economy to minus 1.2% this year, from a decline of 0.6% previously, according to an EIU report.

EC: EU Member States Must Publish Flood Risk Maps By End-2013

The European Commission said, answering a query by Romanian social democrat MEP Daciana Sarbu, that Romania and the other member states must prepare and publish, by the end of 2013, maps on areas threatened by flooding.

Romanian Ex General Mihai Chitac Released From Prison For 4 Mos On Medical Grounds

A Bucharest court ruled to release former high-ranking General Mihai Citac from prison for four months, on medical grounds, people close to the matter said.

Bucharest Shopping Center Evacuated After Drop Ceiling Collapsed

A shopping center in Romania’s capital Bucharest was evacuated Thursday after a drop ceiling collapsed, with officials saying there were no victims.

Romania 1H Exports Rise At 2nd Fastest Pace In EU

Romanian exports rose 26% on the year to EUR17.2 billion in the January-June period, the second biggest increase in the European Union, official data showed Thursday.

Corruption Case Involving Constanta Mayor Radu Mazare Reopened; Constitutional Court Notified

The case in which Constanta mayor Radu Mazare and other public servants are tried in connection with the illegal retrocession of several land plots was reopened after prosecutors provided more information and evidence in the case.

Romanian Opposition To Challenge Pension Law At Constitutional Court

Romania’s opposition Social Democratic Party is looking at ways to challenge the IMF-required pension law, adopted by lawmakers Wednesday, at the Constitutional Court, party leader Victor Ponta said Thursday.

EXCLUSIVE: Romanian Environment Ministry’s Expenses To Increase By 2013

The Romanian Environment Ministry’s total expenses are seen to increase in the next three years, according to estimates in the country’s three-year fiscal strategy approved by the Government Wednesday.

Romania’s Auto Market Saw 4th Biggest Decline In EU In Jan-Aug

Romania’s car market registered the fourth largest decline in the European Union in the January-August interval, of 32.2%, as the number of new car registrations across the EU dropped 3.5%, according to the Association of European Carmakers (ACEA).

EXCLUSIVE: Romania To Reduce Social Aid Spending In Next Two Years

The Romanian Labor Ministry is to lower its spending on social welfare over the next two years, from 2.74% of gross domestic product this year, to 2.30% of GDP in 2012, according to the Government’s three-year fiscal strategy, approved Wednesday.

EXCLUSIVE: Romanian Education Ministry’s Total Expenses To Increase By 2013

The Romanian Education Ministry’s total expenses are seen to increase in the upcoming three years and might reach 8,480 million (EUR1=RON4.2394) in 2013, from RON5,536 million in 2010, according to estimates in the country’s three-year fiscal strategy approved by the Government Wednesday.

EXCLUSIVE: Romania Plans Drastic Cut In Healthcare Spending By 2013

The Romanian Government’s three-year fiscal strategy, approved Wednesday, estimates drastic cuts in the Health Ministry’s spending, from 5,081 million lei (EUR1=RON4.2394) in 2010 to as little as RON1,842 million in 2013.

EXCLUSIVE: Romanian Interior Ministry’s Expenses May Decrease To 1.17% Of GDP In ‘13

The Romanian Interior Ministry’s total expenditure might decrease to 1.17% of the gross domestic product in 2013, from 1.7% of GDP in 2010, according to estimates in the country’s three-year fiscal strategy approved by the Government Wednesday.

EXCLUSIVE: Romania Might Lower Defense Ministry’s Total Expenses By 2013

The Romanian Defense Ministry’s total expenditure might decrease to 0.73% of the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2013, from 1.29% of GDP in 2010, according to estimates in the country’s three-year fiscal strategy approved by the Government Wednesday.

Romanian Parliament Adopts Pension Bill

The Romanian Chamber of Deputies Wednesday evening adopted with 170 to two votes and three abstentions the country’s new pension law.

Romanian Real Wages Estimated To Drop 3.3% In 2010, To Increase Again No Sooner Than 2013

Romanian real wages are estimated to drop by 3.3% this year, after a 1.5% decrease in 2009, and they will increase again no sooner than 2013, according to the country’s three-year fiscal strategy approved by the Government Wednesday.

Romania To Leave Flat Tax Rate Unchanged At 16% Until 2013

Romanian government plans to keep the flat tax rate unchanged at 16% at least until 2013, according to the country’s three-year fiscal strategy approved Wednesday.

Romania GDP Seen Growing 1.5% In 2011

Romanian government estimates the economy will grow a modest 1.5% in 2011, following two years of recession, according to the country’s three-year fiscal strategy approved Wednesday.

Romanian Deputies Decide Freelancers Must Pay Pension Insurance Contributions

The Romanian Chamber of Deputies Wednesday adopted an amendment to the pension bill whereby people who gain income from freelance activities, other than salary income, must pay contributions to the public pension system.

Romanian Deputies Include Military Staff, Police Officers In Unitary Pension System

The Romanian Chamber of Deputies Wednesday decided to include military staff, police officers and public servants with special status, who work in penitentiary administration, national defense, public order and national safety, in the unitary pension system.

EXCLUSIVE: Romanian Govt Strategy For 2011-2013: Wage Raises Tied To Layoffs

Pay raises in the Romanian public sector will be conditioned on staff cuts and social-economic indicators, while ministers and other officials will be forbidden from granting deductions or new bonuses without special exemption provided by law.

Number Of Romanian Heating Subsidy Beneficiaries Might Be Cut By Over 400,000 – Draft

Romanian heating subsidies will be granted according to the income categories provided by Law 416/2001 regarding minimum income for social benefits, says a draft act drawn up by the Labor Ministry, which will cut the number of heating subsidy beneficiaries by over 400,000.

Bucharest Ranks 69th Out Of 73 Cities Worldwide By Price Level –Survey

Romania’s capital city Bucharest ranks 69th among 73 cities worldwide according to the price levels, says a survey conducted by financial services firm UBS.

Romanian Real Retirement Age Lower Than That Set By Law – PM

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc said Wednesday, during a plenary meeting of the Chamber of Deputies, that, in reality, the retirement age for both men and women is lower than the standard one set by law.