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Romania Cited In Amnesty Report Regarding Weapon Sales To Israel

Over 20 countries, including Romania, are mentioned in a report by Amnesty International regarding the export of weapons to Israel, says the online edition of Haaretz.

Romanian Leu Opens Higher Vs Euro In Line With Region

The Romanian leu opened higher against the euro Monday, following the trend of currencies on emerging markets, due to the positive trend of European stock markets.

Romanian Murder Suspect Explains Hitting The Victim

The Romanian woman suspected, together with her husband, of having killed a building administrator in Rome, Itlay, said the victim came on to her, which caused her to fight back, according to Italian media.

Romania’s Raiffeisen Bank Targeted By Phishing Attack

Clients of Romania’s Raiffeisen Bank were targeted by a phishing attack Monday, as they received an e-mail asking them to introduce their user codes on a website, so that the online service can be unlocked.

Two Romanians Hospitalized After Being Shot In Spain

Two Romanian citizens were shot and injured in Spanish town San Sebastian de los Reyes and are currently in serious condition, according to Spanish police quoted by Madridiario online.

Italian Prisons Currently Hold 2,850 Romanians

There are one million Romanians in Italy at the moment and 2,850 of them are currently under arrest, while in the first two weeks of 2009 there were deportation papers signed for 30 Romanians, according to official statistics obtained by MEDIAFAX.

Romanian Econ Min, AVAS To Aid Struggling State-Owned Cos

Romanian privatization authority AVAS and the Ministry of Economy will be able to financially support the struggling companies in the state’s portfolio through loans, subsidy and working capital infusions, as well as the increase of capital with the value of debts.

Romanian Crying Baby Dies After Being Struck By Tired Father

One eight month old baby in eastern Romanian city Galati died Sunday morning when his father, aged 50, struck him over the head to stop him from crying.

Romanian Justice Min Answers Ex PM Statements

The Romanian Ministry of Justice refused to comment the statements made by liberal leader Calin Tariceanu according to which justice minister Catalin Predoiu would resign when the four codes are adopted.

Police Raids Media Co Following Complaints Of Unlicensed Software Use

Police units descended on an office belonging to media company Inform Media, in western Romanian city Timisoara, after receiving a complaint according to which the company was using unlicensed software.

Romanian Rape Suspect Said Confession Was Coerced

Romanian citizen Alexandru Loyos Isztoika, arrested in Rome for raping a teenage girl, said he was forced by investigators to admit guilt, and he withdrew his initial statement.

Romanian, Italian interior Mins To Discuss Citizen Protection

The situation of Romanians in Italy will be discussed in the upcoming days by the Romanian and Italian interior ministers, said Romanian interior minister Dan Nica.

Romania Might Be Removed From NATO Commands, Due To Low Budget – Former Defense Min

Romania’s former defense minister Teodor Atanasiu told a press conference Friday that the Defense Ministry has the lowest budget since the country entered the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which may cause Romania’s elimination from various NATO commands.

Romanian Car Mkr Dacia To Showcase SUV, Compact Concept At Geneva – Sources

The first SUV of Romanian car maker Dacia will be presented in the Geneva Auto Show, alongside a compact concept, whose first design details have already been unveiled, sources close to Dacia told MEDIAFAX.

Romanian Transp Min Announces “New Concept” For Hwy Construction Funding

Romanian Transport Minister Radu Berceanu told a press conference on Friday that there is “a new concept for the funding of highway construction”, which will bring more money to this sector if applied.

No Of Para-Fiscal Taxes Should Be Cut By 30%-35% – Romanian Fin Min

Romanian Finance Minister Gheorghe Pogea said Friday that para-fiscal taxes and fees should be reduced by 30-35% as they are "most of the times” in excess and hinder performances.

Romanian Foreign Affairs Min Prompted To Protect Romanian Citizens In Italy

Several Romanian NGOs sent an open letter to foreign affairs minister Cristian Diaconescu asking him to notify the Council of the European Union on the "serious violations of European legislation committed by the Italian state."

Romanian Parliament OKs 2009 State Budget

Romanian lawmakers approved Friday the 2009 state budget after four days of debates.

Romanian Finance Ministry Won’t Be Involved In Setting Local Taxes

Romania's Finance Ministry will not get involved in setting local taxes, which should be based on the taxpayers’ payment possibilities, finance minister Gheorghe Pogea said Friday.

Romanian Econ Status, “Neither Very Good Nor Very Bad” – WB

Romania’s economic situation is “neither very good nor very bad”, compared with the other European Union new members, while the weight of the financing deficit in the foreign currency reserves is slightly higher than the optimal level, World Bank analysts said Friday.

Romania’s Rompetrol Cuts Gas, Diesel Oil Pump Prices

Romania’s Rompetrol Downstream, the fuel distribution unit of oil group Rompetrol, will cut Saturday its gasoline and diesel oil pump prices by 0.08 lei (EUR1= RON4.2797), and RON0.12 per liter, respectively, the company said in a statement.

WB Revises Dn Romania’s 09 GDP Growth Forecast, To 2% At Most

The World Bank revised downwards its estimation on Romania’s economic growth in 2009, from 3.2% to 0%-2%, as prospects for growth in the region continue to deteriorate, according to World Bank economist Erika Jorgensen.

Main Suspects In Murder Of Romanian Handball Player, Extradited To Hungary

Romania’s interior affairs attaché to Budapest, Ioan Bente, told MEDIAFAX that two suspects in the murder of Romanian handball player Marian Cozma will be extradited to Hungary Friday from Austria.

Snow, Gusty Wind Expected Throughout Romania Friday

The code yellow warning remains in effect Friday, as the Romanian National Meteorology Authority (ANM) forecasts snowfall all over the country, except the northwest, with especially strong wind in the south, northeast and southeast.

Romania’s Govt Had To Adopt Fiscal Restrictions On Fincl Crisis – WB

The Governments of Romania, Hungary, Lithuania and Estonia had no other option than to resort to rigorous fiscal restrictions, as the economic slowdown in these countries will be more severe compared with other states, the World Bank stated Friday.

Romania’s Local Car Production Dn 62% On Yr In Jan, Car Exports Dn 30%

Romania’s local vehicle production, the bulk of which is contributed by Dacia, the local unit of France’s Renault, declined a sharp 62% on the year in January, to 9,482 units, while exports were down 30.7% to 8,943 units, the Automotive Manufacturers and Importers Association, or APIA, said Friday.

Romania’s Fin Min, World Bank Talk About Renewing Some Loans

Romania’s Minister of Public Finance Gheorghe Pogea discussed Thursday with Orsalia Kalantzopoulos, World Bank representative for Central and South-Central Europe and the Baltic States, about renewing some loans granted to Romania by the international institution.

Romania’s New Car Tax Effective As Of Thursday

Romania’s new car tax, one third lower than the value tripled at the end of last year and double compared to the level set initially in July 2008, became effective Thursday, Fen 19, when the government decree lowering the tax was published in Romania’s Official Journal.

USA To Introduce 3% Threshold On Visa Waiver Program

The US Embassy in Romania receives between 150 and 350 visa requests every day in Romania, and the rejection rate for fiscal year 2008 was 25%, US General Consul James Gray told MEDIAFAX, adding that starting with July 1 the 3% refusal threshold will be reintroduced for the Visa Waiver program.

Tobacco Prod Not Consulted On Excise Duty Hike – JTI Romania

Romanian cigarette producers were not consulted on the EUR14 increase of tobacco excise duty this year, and the implementation of this measure would trigger 30%-40% higher costs and would encourage smuggling, according to Japan Tobacco International (JTI).

Romanian Cos To Sack Over 43,000 People By Oct

A total of 475 Romanian companies countrywide announced they would layoff 43,658 employees by October, most of them in the capital city, Bucharest.

First Tobacco, Alcohol Excise Duties Hikes On Apr 1 – Romanian Fin Min

The first tobacco and alcohol excise duty hikes will take place on April 1, by EUR7/1,000 cigarettes, EUR11/ hl for fermented beverages and EUR13.96/hl for the rest of alcoholic beverages, Romanian Finance Minister Gheorghe Pogea said Thursday.

Romanian Businessman, Former Dacia Felix VP Acquitted In Fraud Case

The court of law in Constanta, southern Romania, decided Wednesday evening to acquit businessman Sever Muresan and former vice-president of Dacia Felix bank, Mircea Hossu, in the case of Dacia Felix bank, in which they were charged with fraud and abuse in office.

Blaze Kills Four Romanians In Spain

The mayor’s office in Spanish locality Miranda de Ebro (Burgos province) decreed three days of mourning when a fire occurring Thursday in a home resulted in the death of four Romanians, Europa Press informed online.

Dacia To Step Up Production On Demand From Germany – Union

Romanian carmaker Dacia, owned by France's Renault, will up production to 1,200 units a day from currently 1,085 units, following an order wave from Germany, union official Ion Iordache said Thursday.

Romanian Tourism Ministry To Assign EUR20M To Investments In Spa Sector

Romania’s Tourism Ministry will assign in the coming years some EUR20 million to participate together with local public authorities to the development of two spa projects, in Tusnad and Praid, central Romania, minister Elena Udrea said Thursday.

Imran Sentenced To 6 Years In Prison For Negligent Homicide Of Romanian Director Cristian Nemescu

The Bucharest court ruled Thursday that British citizen Ali Imran will serve six years in prison after he was found guilty of negligent homicide in the case of the killing of Romanian director Cristian Nemescu.

Romanian Authorities Place Two Tents Outside Chinese Embassy

The Bucharest Fire Department set up two tents in front of the Chinese Embassy in Bucharest, to shelter the Chinese citizens that have been requesting, for several weeks now, help for repatriation.

Romanian Minister Strives To Lower Prices In Tourism Sector

Romanian hotel owners refuse to lower prices, saying they still rejoice plenty of tourists despite high prices, tourism minister Elena Udrea said Thursday at the 2009 International Tourism Bourse in Milan, Italy.

Romanian Cards Mkt Up 30% Y-Y, To 11.5M Units In ’08 – BCR

Romanian cards market reported the biggest real growth in 2008, of almost 30%, reaching 11.5 million cards, and will register at least the same increase in 2009, according to Igor Zganjer, executive director of BCR's cards department.