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Another 26 Romanian Nationals Denied Access To Republic Of Moldova

Another 26 Romanian nationals were denied access to the Republic of Moldova on Saturday and the number of Romanians facing this situation rose to 250 since Thursday night, chief commissioner Vasilica Tataru, spokesperson for Iasi Border Police Department, eastern Romania, said Saturday.

Romania Officially Joins Earth Hour 2009 Global Campaign

Romania officially joined this year the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming, within the Earth Hour international event organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and held on the last Saturday of March each year.

Romanian President Attends Reunion Of Local, County Council Heads

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Saturday reached Busteni, in southern Prahova County, to attend the reunion of mayors and heads of local and county councils countrywide and was welcomed by Romania's IBF super-middleweight champion Lucian Bute.

U.S. Constructor Bechtel Resumes Works On Transylvania Highway

U.S. constructor Bechtel employees will resume work on Transylvania Highway as of Monday, March 30, after a three-month technical unemployment period, union leader Mihai Lup said Friday.

Romanian Overdue Loans Up 20.5% M-M In Feb

Romanian non-performing loans rose 20.5% on the month in February to 4.25 billion lei (EUR1=RON4.2484), according to central bank data released Friday.

No Of Romanians Working Abroad Seen Dn On Intl Fincl Crisis – KPMG

The number of Romanians working abroad, as well as of foreign employees in Romania, is expected to fall in the light of the international financial crisis, but on medium and long term, multinational companies will continue to depend on labor mobility, according to financial consultancy firm KPMG.

Romania’s Tarom To Launch 10 New Flights In June

Romanian state-run airliner Tarom will operate six new external flights and four internal ones starting June, the air carrier said in a statement Friday.

Romanian President Wants Tadic To Leave Romania-Serbia Match Upset

Romanian President Traian Basescu said Friday he hopes Romania beats Serbia in Saturday’s football match in the southeastern Romanian city of Constanta, while Serbian President Boris Tadic said traditions can sometimes be broken, referring to the fact that Romania has never lost a match in Constanta.

Lukoil Romania Hikes Pump Prices By RON0.06 Per Liter

Lukoil Romania, a unit of Russian oil company Lukoil Holdings, hiked Friday its gasoline and diesel oil pump prices by 0.06 lei (EUR1=RON4.2484) per liter and kept the LPG price unchanged, the company said in a statement.

Over 30% Of Automotive Services In Romania Could Go Bankrupt In ‘09 –Official

The economic crisis and the problems insurance companies face these days might put nearly one third of automotive service centers in Romania out of business, Ion Vasile, head of the Association of Independent Automotive Service Companies (ASSAI), said Friday.

Romanian Constructors Threaten To Sue Govt Over Unpaid Debts

Romanian constructors might sue the government for overdue payments unless the authorities pay their debts to suppliers by the end of the month, officials of the country’s council for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) said Friday.

Romanian Leu Indicative Rate Hits 7-Week High At RON4.2484 Vs Euro

The National Bank of Romania computed Friday an indicative of RON4.2484 to the euro, the leu's strongest level in seven weeks, following the currency's appreciation on the inter-bank market.

Romanian Education Union Sues Govt Over Decree Regulating Public Sector Wages

The Romanian Federation of National Education sued the government and required the annulment of an emergency decree regulating salaries in the public sector, which the government refused to repeal.

Cigarettes In Romania To Cost RON0.4 More Per Pack As Of April 1

Cigarette prices in Romania will increase by 0.4 lei (EUR1=RON4.2723) per pack as of April 1, as the Romanian Government decided to increase excise duties on tobacco products as of April 1, to EUR57 per 1,000 cigarettes from EUR50.

Romanian FM Concerned About Tourists Stopped At Moldovan Border

Romanian Foreign Minister Cristian Diaconescu said Friday he is “concerned and worried” with respect to the situation of Romanian nationals, who are “systematically” denied access to the Republic of Moldova.

Serbian President On Official Visit To Romania

Serbian President Boris Tadic began his official visit to Romania Friday and was received at the Cotroceni Palace by Romanian President Traian Basescu.

Romanian Tourists Denied Access To Republic Of Moldova

Sixteen Romanian tourists riding the international train on the route Bucharest - Chisinau said they were halted in Ungheni customs Thursday night and Moldovan customs officers denied them access to the Republic of Moldova.

Foreign Bks To Continue Financing Romanian Branches – IMF

The International Monetary Fund obtained the written agreement of all the nine parent-banks of the main Romanian lenders present at discussions in Vienna Thursday, who committed not to withdraw their capital and to continue to finance Romanian economy.

Presidency Rejects Business Ties Btw Romanian Pres, Interior Min Scandal Protagonist

Romanian President’s spokesperson Valeriu Turcan on Thursday dismissed media allegations regarding potential ties between acting President Traian Basescu, at the time when he was Bucharest mayor, and businessman Puiu Popoviciu, who was recently detained by anticorruption prosecutors.

Italy Expels 77 Romanian Nationals

Local authorities in Bologna, northern Italy, ordered the expulsion of 77 Romanian nationals within maximum 30 days, arguing they do not comply with the minimum residence requirements on Italy’s territory, according to IlSole24Ore.

Romanian Students Drink, Smoke And Use Drugs Less Than Other Europeans – Survey

Romanian students under the age of 16 drink, smoke and use drugs quite a lot for their age, but less than students from the rest of Europe, according to the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD).

Ex-Gymnast Nadia Comaneci To Promote Romanian Tourism Internationally

The Romanian Ministry of Tourism plans to start a campaign to promote Romanian tourism internationally with the help of former football player Gheorghe Hagi, former tennis player Ilie Nastase and former gymnast Nadia Comaneci, the latter of which already accepted to help.

Michelin To Resume Production At NW Romanian Unit On April 1

Michelin Romania, the local division of French tire maker Michelin Group, will resume production, on April 1, at Silvania plant in Zalau, northwestern Romania, which was previously halted for 18 days in March, the company’s PR manager, Irina Septilici, said Thursday.

Romania’s Fin Min To Annul 71 Fiscal, Parafiscal Taxes

Romania’s Finance Ministry plans to reduce the number of fiscal and parafiscal taxes by 71, in order to lower the administrative burden that affects businesses, minister Gheorghe Pogea said Thursday.

Romanian Govt Estimates EUR2.3M Income From Privatizations In Tourism This Year

The Romanian Government estimates it will earn EUR2.3 million this year by privatizing companies under the management of the Tourism Ministry, while spending RON250,000 (EUR1=RON4.2723) on the fees of privatization agents or law firms.

Romania Pres Calls For Partnership Btw Secret Service, Police To Crack Down On Crime

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Thursday urged the country’s Intelligence Service, or SRI, at its 2008 activity report meeting, to team up with the country’s police force and provide investigators with thorough information, which is vital in the fight against local crimes.

Romanian Lawmakers Argue Over Draft Civil Code Provision On Marriage Between People Under 16

Members of the Parliament sub-commission debating Romania’s draft new Civil Code failed to agree Thursday on the provision that states marriages between minors younger than 16 would no longer be declared null if the wife is pregnant or the couple has children.

Rail Co Employees To Stage Protests Against Personnel Cuts In Apr – Unionists

More than 10,000 employees of Romanian state-run rail company CFR SA are expected to attend a series of protests in April, in response to the company’s plans to fire 12,139 staff, trade union officials said Thursday.

Moldovan Band Zdob şi Zdub Drop Suit Against Reckless Driver, Claim Damages

Members of Moldovan hardcore band Zdob si Zdub dropped a criminal lawsuit against the driver who injured them in a car accident last summer, but will claim damages in a civil suit, Pro TV Chisinau reported.

Romania Sports Min Woos Bute To A Homeland Fight

Romanian Sports Minister Monica Iacob-Ridzi on Thursday said she will try to organize a fight for IBF super-middleweight champion Lucian Bute in his homeland this year.

Romania ’09 FDI Seen Halved At EUR4.5B – Ctrl Bk Head

Foreign direct investments in Romania are seen halved in 2009, between EUR4 billion and EUR4.5 billion, compared with EUR8 billion in 2008, central bank governor Mugur Isarescu said Thursday.

Most Romanian Internet Users Read Two To Five Blogs Daily – Survey

Most Romanian internet users read tow to five blogs every day, and only 2.9% of them read over 50 blogs daily, according to a survey on the most accessed 40 blogs in Romania.

Romania Not To Change Main Taxes In 2009 – Fin Min

The Romanian Finance Ministry plans no changes in the main taxes, namely the flat tax, the value added tax or social security contributions for 2009, finance minister Gheorghe Pogea said Thursday.

Romanian TV Star Mihaela Radulescu Files Criminal Complaint Against Ex Over Alimony

Romanian TV star Mihaela Radulescu filed a criminal complaint against her former husband Elan Schwartzenberg, whom she accuses of not having paid alimony for two months in a row.

Romanian Ctrl Bk May Cut Min Required Reserves Ratio Before IMF 1st Loan Tranche

The National Bank of Romania BNR may reduce the minimum required reserves ratio before IMF disburses the first loan tranche to the country, a decision being expected based on the talks in Vienna, Radu Ghetea, president of CEC Bank and Romanian Banks Association said Thursday.

Nearly 200 Romanian Pensioners Picket Government HQ

Nearly 200 pensioners picket Thursday the headquarters of the Romanian government protesting to the fact that the pension point will no longer be 45% of the gross average wage as of April.

Romanian Rock Star Cristi Minculescu To Undergo Two More Surgeries In Upcoming Days

Cristi Minculescu, the frontman of Romanian rock band Iris, who had a liver transplant Tuesday morning in Germany, will undergo two more surgeries in the upcoming days, officials of the Regensburg hospital said Wednesday evening.

Romanian Govt Ups Tobacco Excise To EUR57/1000 Cigarettes

Romanian government on Wednesday decided to hike tobacco excises by EUR7/1000 cigarettes to EUR57/1000 cigarettes as of April 1.

Romanian Govt OKs Letter Of Intent Agreed With IMF

Romanian government approved in a meeting Wednesday the letter of intent for the EUR20 billion external loan from the International Monetary Fund and the European Union, Prime Minister Emil Boc said.

Bucharest Appeals Court Ruled Interior Ministry Scandal Protagonists To Be Tried At Large

The Bucharest Court of Appeals decided Wednesday night that former Interior Ministry secret service head Cornel Serban, head of operations with the ministry’s General Anticorruption Department Petre Pitcovici and businessman Gabriel Puiu Popoviciu will be tried at large but can’t leave the country.