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Weapons, Ammo Found While Tearing Down A House In W Romania

Seven pistols and almost three hundred bullets were discovered while tearing down a building in Galsa, in the western Romanian county of Arad. The arms were hidden inside the wall.

Santana To Play Romanian Festival B’estfest On July 4

Legendary guitarist Carlos Santana will have a concert in the Romanian capital city of Bucharest on July 4, during this year’s edition of B'estfest festival.

Romania Might Introduce Annual Tax On Motorcycles, Depending On Emissions

The law which will replace the Romanian car pollution tax will go through Parliament this year and will provide for the annual taxation of motorcycles, according to the quantity of emissions, Romanian environment minister Nicolae Nemirschi said Tuesday.

Major Smuggling Catch At Romanian Customs House

Romanian border police with the western customs house of Nadlac discovered Monday night about 370,000 packs of contraband cigarettes, hidden in a truck carrying hamburger buns on its way to Germany.

Romania Should Borrow Over EUR10 Billion – Analysts

Romania could conclude a deal with the International Monetary Fund by the end of April. The deal should be valid through 2010 and the financing package from the European Union and the other international financial institutions should be larger than EUR10 billion, analysts said Monday.

Romanians Pay The Consequences Of A ‘Bad Government’ – President

Romanian citizens are paying the consequences of the former “bad governing”, President Traian Basescu told a parliament meeting Monday.

“Memories From The Golden Age” By Cristian Mungiu To Open TIFF

The film “Memories from the Golden Age” by Cristian Mungiu will open the Transylvania International Film Festival (TIFF), which will take place between May 29 and June 7 in the northwestern Romanian city of Cluj-Napoca.

IMF Mission Visits Romania For Discussions On Potential Program

An International Monetary Fund mission will visit Romania later this month to hold discussions on a potential IMF program for Romania, the institution said Monday in a statement.

Romanian President Urges Government To Help Business Environment

Romanian President Traian Basescu noted Monday that citizens and companies pay 200 taxes to the state budget and called the Government’s attention to the chance to help the business environment, saying that the coming revision of the Fiscal Code could be a good opportunity to do this.

Romania Needs External Loan As „Safety Belt” – President

Romania needs a foreign loan as a “safety belt” for the private sector and the current account deficit, not to finance its public debt and budget deficit, Romanian President Traian Basescu said Monday in the Parliament.

Romania Banca Carpatica Clients Targeted By Phishing Scam

Romanian bank Banca Comerciala Carpatica Sibiu (BCC.RO) on Monday said its clients were targeted by a phishing attack on the Internet, via email messages.

Romanian Former PM Believes Romania Does Not Need IMF Deal

Former Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu said Monday that debating the agreement with the International Monetary Fund in Parliament is unnecessary and that the Parliament may not give the Government carte blanche, but that the official request for a loan must come from the Government.

Romanian President Expected To Address Parliament Mo Afternoon

Romanian President Traian Basescu said he will address a parliament meeting on Monday afternoon regarding a potential foreign loan to aid Romania during the economic crisis.

Romania Faces Shortage Of Places For Methadone Treatment

A non-governmental organization warns that, in Bucharest, there is a shortage of places for methadone treatment, as the demand is twice as high as the about one thousand spots available in the six centers which provide drug addicts with this substitute.

IMF Comes To Romania For Periodical Information – Deputy PM

Romanian deputy prime minister Dan Nica said Monday that the delegation of the International Monetary Fund is coming to Romania to assess the economic situation and the effects of the crisis, as well as the steps to be taken for better regulations in the financial-banking system.

Romanian Gov Coalition Discussed Decentralizing Measures In Education, Police, Healthcare, Culture, Sports

Romanian deputy prime minister Dan Nica said Monday leaders of the governing coalition discussed decentralization measures and set a calendar for sectors such as education, police, healthcare, agriculture, culture and sports.

Bucharest Hotels ’08 Occupancy Rate Dn 19.6% To 57% – Deloitte

Bucharest experienced one of Europe’s largest declines in hotel occupancy rates in 2008, down 19.6% to 57%, on the backdrop of the dwindling consumer confidence, lack of credit and a declining business spend in the hotel industry worldwide, according to an annual report of Deloitte Touche.

Both Ruling Parties Know Romania Needs Foreign Financing – PDL Official

Theodor Stolojan, prime vice-president of Social Democratic Party, or PDL, stated Monday that both parties in the ruling coalition, PSD and PDL, "know very well that Romania needs foreign financing," and the choice has been known for some time.

Romania’s Jan Net Salary Dn 9% M-M To RON1.355

Romania's net average salary was down 9% on the month in January to 1.355lei (EUR1=RON4.2903), the National Institute for Statistics, or INS, said Monday.

Romanian Society Not Ready To Legalize Prostitution – PM

Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc on Sunday said legalizing prostitution is an issue to be discussed with the Orthodox Church, mentioning, however, that the society might not be ready for such a decision and an “unhealthy thing” should not be encouraged “for the sake of money.”

Romania Feb Inflation Seen At +0.5% MM – Poll

Romanian consumer price index is seen up by 0.5% in February against the month before, while the yearly inflation is expected to slow down to 6.5% from 6.71% on the backdrop of a stable exchange rate and tempered internal demand, analysts said Sunday.

Romanian Govt To Cut Accommodation Spending For High-Officials – Sources

Romanian government plans to limit accommodation spending for secretaries and undersecretaries of state, as well for heads of public agencies and to stop discounting plane tickets for high-ranking dignitaries, official sources said Sunday.

Romanian Interior Min Calls For Increased Street Police Presence

Romanian Interior Minister Dan Nica on Sunday called for a firmer presence of police forces to ensure public safety.

Romania One Point Behind Russia In Davis Cup 1st Round

Romania’s Marius Copil and Horia Tecau managed to get back on saddle after their win against Russian Marat Safin and Dmitri Tursunov in the Davis Cup doubles on Saturday.

Romanian Govt To Finish Draft Laws On Decentralization By May 4 – PM

Romanian government will finalize the draft laws on decentralization of the public administration by May 4, Prime Minister Emil Boc said Saturday.

Romanian Govt OKs Amendments To Public Procurement Law

Romanian government on Saturday approved an emergency Ordinance aimed at simplifying public procurement proceedings.

Romanian Social Democrat Head Sees IMF’ Presence In Bucharest Next Wk

Social democrat leader Mircea Geoana said on Saturday he has information regarding the International Monetary Fund’s “presence in Bucharest” next week for “exploratory” talks in the light of an agreement.

Tens Of Tenants In Bucharest Protest Against Huge Utility Bills

Tens of tenants in Bucharest’s district "Constantin Brancusi" protested on Saturday against triple utility bills they paid in January, saying they had to cover network losses.

Romanian Family Of Four Dies In Apparent Murder-Suicide In Switzerland – Paper

A Romanian family of four living in Switzerland died in a seemingly murder-suicide two days ago, Swiss paper Tribune de Geneve reported Saturday.

Romanian President Calls For Stepping Up Decentralization

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Saturday urged the ministers to speed up decentralization procedures and weed out bureaucracy, mentioning that the first three months since the new government took the helm showed that structural reforms seem more like a wish than a daily commitment.

Rompetrol Group Fully Takes Over Vega Refinery, Increases Stake In Rompetrol Rafinare

Romania’s second-largest oil company Rompetrol Group NV fully took over Rompetrol SA Bucuresti, operator of Vega refinery, thus increasing its stake in its refining unit Rompetrol Rafinare from 73.27% to 75.32%.

Romanian Beaches To Be Leased To Hotel Owners

Romania seaside beaches will be leased to hotel owners this year during the summer season.

Romanian Constr Mkt Won’t Collapse, Invest Continue – Ctrl Bker

The Romanian constructions sector will not collapse, as the private investments will continue and new ones will be launched, central bank governor Mugur Isarescu said Friday.

Bucharest Citizens Are Displeased With Public Transportation – Poll

More than one third of Bucharest citizens are displeased with the quality of public transportation and want single lanes for traffic and more means of transportation at rush hours.

At Least 3,000 Romanian Public Servants Might Rally Saturday

Romanian public servants might start protests Saturday, "Sed Lex" union leader Vasile Marica said Friday, adding that public servants will go on general strike unless their demands are heard.

Romanian-Ukrainian Espionage Scandal Is Economically Motivated, Says Analyst

The espionage scandal involving Romania and Ukraine is connected to economic interests in the Danube area, Ukraine’s wish to join NATO and maybe even territorial claims, says analyst Vitali Kulik.

Romania’s Jobless Rate At 5.3% In Feb Vs 4.9% In Jan

Romania’s unemployment rate went up to 5.3% in February, compared with 4.9% in the previous month, the employment agency ANOFM said Friday.

Two Romanian Officials, Expelled From Ukraine Says Ukrainian Press

Iustinian Focsa, secretary with the Romanian General Consulate in Chernivtsi, and Radu Filip, military attaché with the Romanian Embassy in Kiev, are to be expelled from the country for alleged actions which jeopardize Ukraine’s national security, said sources quoted by the Ukrainskaia Prada.

Parliament, Romanians Must Agree To Foreign Loan – President

Romanian President Traian Basescu will touch the issue of a foreign loan for Romania in his speech in Parliament Monday and said one cannot impose austerity if the population and the Parliament disagree.

Romanian Proprietatea Fund’s Manager Selection Deferred By A Month At Least – Sources

The selection committee of Proprietatea Fund’s manager intends to defer by at least one month the suspension period of the selection process, official sources told MEDIAFAX.