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Amnesty International Report Notes CIA Flights Allegations, Discriminated Minorities In Romania

Romania continues to have problems observing human rights and fighting discrimination against minorities, Amnesty International said in its annual report released Thursday, which also mentions further allegations that Romania was involved in secret CIA flights.

Romania’s Govt Extends SMEs Guarantee Fund’s Object Of Activity For „First Home” Proj

Romania’s Government extended object of activity for the National Fund Guaranteeing Loans of Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises’ by emergency ordinance, so that it may also guarantee mortgage loans for the “First Home” project, Prime Minister Emil Boc said Wednesday.

Romanian Pres Cancels Trip To Moldovan Hosted SEECP Summit

The Romanian presidency announced Wednesday evening that president Traian Basescu’s attendance in the Summit for the Southeastern Europe Cooperation Process (SEECP), confirmed in march, is no longer of actuality, due to the events marking the post-electoral interval in Moldova.

Another Two Cases Of Swine Flu Confirmed In Romania

Another two cases of contamination with the new flu virus AH1N1 were confirmed Wednesday evening in Bucharest, in initial testing, but the test will be redone, and the final result will be known Thursday, after which the samples will be sent to London, said health minister adviser Geza Molnar.

Bucharest Could Hold An Acknowledged FIA GT Circuit

The Bucharest City Council empowered the general mayor to start negotiations for the organization in Bucharest of a FIA GT circuit on the main roads near the Parliament Palace.

Romanians Highly Interested In EP Elections – EU Poll

Romanians are among European citizens most interested in the 4-7 June European elections, according to a TNS Opinion survey commissioned by the European Parliament.

Romanian Govt OKs 15% Higher Guaranteed Min Income

Romania will increase by 15% the guaranteed minimum income starting with July, as part of a World Bank agreement to better protect underprivileged citizens during crisis, according to a government decision adopted Wednesday.

Romanian Energy, Chemical Plants To Use Only Local Gas For 6 Mos – Draft

Romanian electricity and thermal power producers and chemical plants will receive, in the May 1-September 30 period, only natural gas from local producers, which is cheaper compared with the imported gas, in order to better deal with the economic crisis and avoid laying off 9,000 employees.

IMF To Publish Agreement With Romania Next Days – Senate Chairman

Romanian Upper House Speaker and Social Democratic Party president Mircea Geoana stated Wednesday that the International Monetary Fund would publish the entire text of its agreement with Romania in the next days in Washington.

Several Hundred Million People To Watch Ad Promoting Romania In Roland Garros Final – Tourism Min

Several hundred million people worldwide will watch the ad promoting Romania as a tourist destination in the Roland Garros tennis tournament finals broadcast by Eurosport, according to the Romanian Tourism Ministry.

Risk Of Famine In Romania – Liberal Party VP

Romanian Liberal Party first vice-president Ludovic Orban complained Wednesday in a press conference in Targu Mures about the state of Romanian agriculture, saying there is a risk of a food crisis and “famine.”

Romania Readies Extra RON100M For Irrigation To Fight Drought

The Romanian government is prepared to allocate additional 100 million lei (EUR1=RON4.1830) to the Agriculture Ministry’s budget to cover irrigation costs over summer, which meteorologists warned might be extremely dry.

Legal Conflict Between Romanian High Court And Parliament & Govt Recognized By CC

The Romanian Constitutional Court has taken notice of a Constitutional conflict between the High Court of Justice and the Parliament and Government, regarding the judicial power overstepping its duties by ruling on wage bonuses for magistrates and court staff.

Romanian Landmark Peles Castle Blown Up In “Brothers Bloom” Movie

Romanian landmark Peles Castle, one of the shooting locations for the movie "The Brothers Bloom" (directed by Rian Johnson), is blown up in the movie that will premier Friday in Romanian movie theaters, MediaPro Distribution informed.

Romanian Woman Treated For Swine Flu Infection Released From Hospital

Romanian medical authorities on Wednesday decided to release a 30-year-old woman and her two children who were treated for the new H1N1 flu virus after the woman arrived from New York last week.

Some Pensions May Be Lower Under New Romanian Public Pension System – PM

Every Romanian will receive a pension computed according to their personal contribution to the public system, with no privileges and on the basis of a principle of equality and balance before law, which could leave some pensions lower than they are now, Prime Minister Emil Boc said Wednesday.

Romania Buys IT Applications Worth EUR340,000 For EP Elections

Romania’s elections authority AEP on Wednesday said it paid EUR340,000 (VAT exclusive) to Siveco Romania for software applications to be utilized at the European Parliament elections on June 7.

Head Of Romanian Bk Assoc Sees „First Home” Program As First Step To Lending Revival

The “First Home” program is a first step to lending revival and will also support housing constructions and re-launch the activity of hundreds of real estate agencies, Romanian Banks Association ARB president Radu Ghetea said Wednesday.

South Stream Proj, A “Bluff” With No Chances To Succeed – Analyst

Gas pipeline project South Stream, promoted by Gazprom, is a "bluff" with no chances to succeed, as it lacks funds and gas resources, unlike Nabucco project, which has better perspectives, Vladimir Socor, analyst of US Foundation Jamestown, said Wednesday at the Europe-Russia economic forum.

Romanian Car Services Accuse Insurer Omniasig Of Illegal Contract Clauses

Romania’s Association of Independent Car Services (ASSAI) notified the country’s insurance watchdog, competition authority and financial guard Wednesday over allegedly illegal contract clauses used by insurer Omniasig.

Romania Health Min Says Novel Influenza Virus Cannot Be Treated In Outpatient Setting

Romania’s health minister Ion Bazac said Wednesday the novel influenza virus AH1N1 cannot be treated in outpatient setting and stressed that people with symptoms of influenza must go to an infectious diseases hospital immediately.

Analyst: Romania’s Margineni Gas Storage Unit More Likely To Be Built, In Line With Russian Strategy

The construction of the gas storage facility in Margineni, eastern Romania, has now more chances to be realized than in the past, as the project is in line with Russia’s strategy of developing such units abroad, Wednesday said analyst Vladimir Socor during the Europe-Russia economic forum.

Light Road Accidents In Romania May Be Solved Amicably As Of July

The amicable resolution of light road accidents will be enforced as of July 1, as an alternative to the current procedure, which compels drivers to go to Police headquarters and be issued a report, Romanian Insurance Supervision Commission (CSA) president Angela Toncescu said Wednesday.

Romania’s Interior Ministry Avg Pension At RON1,775, Only One Pension Tops RON10,000

Romania’s Interior Ministry average pension amounts to 1,775 lei (EUR1=RON4.1811) and only one pension, set through court ruling, exceeds RON10,000.

Romania Confirms First Swine Flu Case

Romania confirmed Wednesday the first case of the novel influenza virus at a woman who recently returned from the United States and is now committed to the infectious diseases hospital ‘Matei Bals’ in capital city Bucharest.

Earthquake With 4 Richter Magnitude Felt Wednesday Morning In E Romania

An earthquake of a 4 degrees magnitude on the Richter scale occurred Wednesday morning, at 06:13 local time, in the eastern Romanian region of Vrancea and was also felt in capital city Bucharest, according to the Romanian Earth Physics Research Institute.

Romanian Anticorruption Prosecutors Search Newsrooms Of Arges Ftbl Club Owner’s Paper, TV Network

Romanian anticorruption prosecutors search Wednesday morning the newsrooms of "Top" newspaper and Arges TV network, owned by Arges football club financer Cornel Penescu, under arrest in the football refereeing scandal.

Partial Loan Guarantee In „First House” Proj To Trigger Lower Interest Rates – Bker

The partial guaranteeing of the loan through the "First House" project will lead to lower interest rates, but it depends on each bank, while the biggest impact as regards lending will be seen at euro-denominated loans, Alpha Bank president Sergiu Oprescu said Tuesday.

Brazilian Police Arrests Four Romanians Holding 5 Kg Of Cocaine – Media

Brazilian federal police discovered the Brazilian connection of an international network used by Romanians for cocaine and ecstasy traffic, according to Brazilian daily Globo, who writes four Romanians were arrested in May, found to hold 4.8 kilograms of cocaine and 21,000 ecstasy pills.

Romanian Court Can’t Afford DNA Tests, Murder Suspect Goes Free For 5 Months

Local authorities in Romanian southern county of Olt had to release the main suspect in a murder case, because prosecutors could not afford to pay for the DNA tests.

Romanian Agr, Constructions Seen Vital For Econ Recovery

Romania’s strongest points toward economic recovery might be the agriculture and constructions sectors, Senate chairman Mircea Geoana said Tuesday.

ECHR Rules Against Romania On Two Counts Of Police Brutality, Unlawful Inquiry

The European Court for Human Rights (ECHR) ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in a case where two Romanian citizens were detained by police and arrested illegally.

Romania Mulls Recalculating Special Pensions – Official

Some 200,000 Romanians who collect special pensions will see their pensions recalculated once the new law in the field is enforced, Mihai Seitan, adviser to Prime Minister Emil Boc said Tuesday.

Romania’s „First House” Proj To Include 50,000 Dwellings In 4 Yrs – SMEs Min

The "First House" project will be applied for a four-year period and will support the construction of around 50,000 dwellings, the Minister for Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises Constantin Nita said Tuesday.

Former Romanian PM Under Investigation In Two Corruption Cases

Former Romanian prime minister Adrian Nastase is under investigation by prosecutors with the National Anticorruption Department (DNA) in the “Aunt Tamara” case and the case regarding purchases of objects from China, which received a green light from the Chamber of Deputies on March 4.

Disney To Turn Jetix Romania Into The Disney Channel

World children’s television leader Walt Disney announced that Jetix Romania will become the Disney Channel, according to a press release issued by the company.

Romanian Businessman Ion Tiriac Gives Up Balc Hunting Grounds

Romanian businessman Ion Tiriac gave up the hunting grounds at Balc, Bihor County (NW Romania), but kept the hunting complex in the locality, while the Romanian Ministry of Agriculture initiated procedures for the direct attribution of the grounds.

Romania Risks EC Infringement Over Waste Management

Romania risks infringement procedures by the European Commission this fall because it failed to meet environmental commitments and shut down substandard landfills, Romanian environment minister Nicolae Nemirschi said Tuesday.

Romanian Govt To Increase Taxes On Gambling, Almost Four Times For Casinos

The Romanian Government plans to significantly increase taxes on gambling, by up to four times in the case of casinos, and will make having a license and a minimum share capital mandatory, according to a draft emergency ordinance developed by the Finance Ministry and obtained by MEDIAFAX.

Romania To Build 2nd Nuclear Pwr Plant In Transylvania, Works To Start In Autumn

Romania’s second nuclear power plant will be located in the central part of the country, in Transylvania, and construction works will start in autumn, economy minister Adriean Videanu said Tuesday.