'Orange Romania lowers 16 GB iPhone 3G price'

Orange Romania offers the 16 GB iPhone 3G for EUR 309, the price of the 8 GB iPhone, via its online shop together with a 24-month subscription of EUR 20 per month (VAT included). The offer is available until 23 June. With this subscription, Orange clients get 180 minutes for calls to all national networks, 50 SMS and 500 MB for browsing the internet.

In Romania, the iPhone occupies the fourth position in the smartphone sales top, with 1,527 units sold in March 2009, overtaken by Nokia N5800, Nokia E71 and Blackberry Bold, reports local marketing research firm GFK. According to local market players cited by Romanian newspaper Business Standard, the only phones that have registered an increase in sales on the local market are the low priced phones and smartphones.

Orange Romania is also set to launch the iPhone 3G 'Speed' smartphone on the local market around 15 August.

Simon Crafar injured in Romania

9th June, 2009. Former world superbike racer New Zealander Simon Crafar has been seriously injured in an accident while riding an enduro bike in Romania.

Racing websites have reported that Crafar, 40, was hit by a car in the accident, fracturing his vertebra and requiring a nine-hour operation to put a metal plate in.

Crafar is reported as able to move his legs and has been transferred to a spinal unit in Barcelona.

The highlight of Crafar's grand prix career was a victory, from pole position, in the 1998 500cc British Grand Prix at Donington Park.

Crafar started 123 World Superbike (WSBK) races over a period of 10 seasons, although he only competed in four full seasons between 1994 and 1997.

He enjoyed his best season in 1997 whilst riding for Kawasaki, scoring seven podiums and a pole position on the way to finishing fifth overall, although he never won a WSBK race.

Romanian President Traian Basescu Visited Romanian Troops In Afghanistan

Romanian President Traian Basescu visited on Saturday the military base in Qalat, Afghanistan, where he decorated the war flag of the 21st Battalion “Vanatori de Munte.” “Decorating the war flag is a sign of the Romanian people’s respect for what you are doing here, for the fight against terrorism and the fight to establish the Romanian military as a powerful force together with its allies,” Basescu said.

He added that he is aware this is not the best moment for the operation in Afghanistan, but assured the Romanian troops that NATO and state leaders have taken the decision to guarantee the necessary strength for NATO to win the war. “This is not a war we are waging in the name of the civilized world, but to defend our freedom and security at home,” Basescu pointed out.The Romanian President promised the Romanian troops stationed in Qalat, capital of the Zabul province that their remaining bonuses would be paid in June and August.Romania’s participation in the war in Afghanistan is currently 962 troops, with 904 taking part in the International Security Assistance Force mission led by NATO. Most of the Romanian troops are stationed in southern Afghanistan, in the Zabul province. Their objective is to ensure the security of the region. Romania’s presence in Afghanistan began in 2002, with eleven soldiers killed in action and 34 wounded so far. 

Cypriot ForMin starts today an official visit to Romania

9th June, 2009. The Foreign minister of Cyprus Markos Kyprianou will pay an official visit to Bucharest on Tuesday, at the invitation of his Romanian counterpart Cristian Diaconescu, the Foreign Affairs Ministry /MAE/ informs.

The two ministers will tackle alongside the bilateral cooperation issues themes of common interest on the European agenda: the economic and financial crisis, the Lisbon Treaty, the European Union's extension, the Western Balkans, the Republic of Moldova, the European Neighborhood Policy, the power security.

The agenda of the talks will also include the international problematic, with an accent on the Middle East situation.

The visit is part of the progressing political dialogue between Romania and the Republic of Cyprus, in the last period, and the intensified cooperation on European matters, stressed by the joint belonging to the EU and the participation of the two countries to the Olive Group reunions. The goal of the Olive Group informal meetings is to ensure a Mediterranean dimension of the EU politics and actions by strengthening cooperation among the Mediterranean states members of the Group: Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain to which Romania and Bulgaria added since 2007, due to their direct link and similarity of projects which could be promoted at the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. 

Romania's GDP declines in Ist quarter

9th June. Romania's gross domestic product or GDP declined a seasonally adjusted 6.2% year-on-year in the first quarter, in contrast to a 2.9% growth in the fourth quarter, the National Institute of Statistics said Tuesday. 

On an unadjusted basis, the GDP dropped 5.7% annually in the first quarter compared to a 2.3% rise in the preceding quarter. 

Sequentially, the GDP dropped 4.6% in the first quarter compared to a 2.8% decline in the previous quarter. 

Romania's trade gap narrows 61.6% y/y in April to EUR 835.1m

Imports were slashed by 40 percent in April and exports fell 23 percent on the similar month of the previous year, shrinking Romania's commercial deficit for the seventh consecutive month to 835.1 million euros, preliminary data of the country's statistics body INS show. In the national currency, Romania's trade gap lost 55.77 percent in April year-on-year, to 3.529 billion lei. Imports reduced to 2.97 billion euros and exports compressed 23 percent to 2.14 billion euros. On the imports side, the largest decline was seen in the trade with states outside the European Union (EU), where Romania imported merchandise worth 834.7 million euros, 40.8 percent less than the similar month of 2008. Imports from the other 26 EU members slided 39.6 percent in April to 2.14 billion euros. As to exports, Romania shipped merchandise worth 580.9 million euros to countries outside the EU, 31 percent less than in April last year, while exports with EU members only reduced 19.4 percent to almost 1.56 billion euros. Exports dropped 16.8 percent and imports slipped 5.77 percent in April on the previous month. Imports also dropped a total 36.4 percent in the first four months of the year to 11.56 billion euros and exports reduced 20.3 percent to 8.7 billion euros in the similar period, leading Romania's trade gap to narrow 60.68 percent to 2.86 billion euros in the period January – April. Machines and transportation equipments continued to have the largest weight in Romania's exports, with 40.8 percent, followed by fuels (6.4 percent), food stuff, beverages and tobacco (5.8 percent), raw materials (5.6 percent) and chemical products (4.2 percent). Other manufactured products accounted for 37.2 percent of the total exports. Romania imported mostly machines and transportation equipments (32.5 percent), followed by chemical products (14.8 percent), food stuff, beverages and tobacco (9.5 percent), fuels (8.4 percent) and raw materials (2.7 percent). Other manufactured products accounted for 32.1 percent of the total imports.

09 iunie 2009 11:17

Romania Ends Mission in Iraq

 Romania officially recognized the end of its troop deployment to Iraq in a ceremony here June 4.

The President of Romania, Traian Basescu, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Christopher Hill, Multi-National Forces-Iraq commander Gen. Raymond Odierno, Multi-National Corps – Iraq commander, Lt. Gen. Charles Jacoby Jr., and the Iraqi Army's chief of staff and the Iraqi Ground Forces commanders were among the distinguished attendees at the ceremony which was facilitated by the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division "Long Knives" and the 4th BCT, 1st Armored Division "Highlanders."

Following Romania's end of mission ceremony, the two U.S. brigade combat teams conducted a transfer of authority ceremony to officially recognize the end of the 4 BCT, 1st Cav Div.'s year-long deployment to Iraq. The Highlanders assumed the coalition forces' mission from the Long Knives in the tri-province area of Muthanna, Dhi Qar and Maysan.

"Romania has stood firm against terrorism across the world," Jacoby said.

The Romanian 26th Infantry Battalion "Red Scorpions" has been under the operational control of the Long Knife Brigade and will depart Iraq in early July. The Red Scorpion Battalion was the first Romanian battalion to deploy to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"All three Romanian units with whom we have worked have been extremely effective, professional organizations," Col. Philip Battaglia, the Long Knife Brigade commander, said following the ceremony. "The Romanians have been great partners in Iraq."

The two U.S. BCTs and the Romanian battalion thoroughly coordinated the enhanced security for the throngs of distinguished guests and media on hand to witness the ceremony.

The ceremony included the Romanian, U.S. and Iraqi national anthems, Romanian awards presentations to U.S. military leaders, U.S. military awards to Romanian leaders and gift presentations between the countries' representatives.

Romania set ups joint venture with Gazprom

Romania's Romgaz has set up a joint venture with Russia's Gazprom for underground gas storage facilities that will boost the country's ability to build gas stocks and could improve supplies to the European Union, the economy minister said Monday.

Romgaz and Gazprom each own 50 percent of the joint venture, which will store natural gas and sell it directly, said minister Adriean Videanu. Romania signed a memorandum on Friday and sent it to Moscow on Monday, he said.

Videanu said that under the deal some 5-6 billion square meters of natural gas could be stored in Romania. Two billion square meters alone will be stored at the deposit in Roman Margineni in northeast Romania, he said.

"This will bring (Russian) gas closer to the European Union which is of special value in winter," he said. The EU relies on about 25 percent of its needs from Russia.

East European countries suffered during a gas dispute in January, when Russia halted supplies through Ukraine over 2009 gas prices and alleged Ukraine was stealing Russian gas destined for Europe.

More than 15 countries in the Balkans and Eastern Europe were left scrambling for alternative energy sources; factories shut and millions of people shivered in unheated homes.

Romania is less reliant than some of its neighbors on Russian gas. It produces about 65 percent of its own needs and imports about 30 percent from Russia. However, during the gas crisis, there was concern that underground storage facilities do not have a large enough capacity for prolonged disruption in supplies.

Romania was importing gas from Russia through the German company Wintershall AG.

It is the first direct joint initiative in natural gas between the countries since the 1989 anti-communist revolt.

UPC digital boost for Romania

UPC has significantly boosted its digital offer in Romania.

According to Media Expres, it has added four new channels – Music Channel, Balkanika MTV, Brava TV and Fishing and Hunting – as well as a Hungarian package, known as UPC Panonia, featuring 10 channels.

UPC Panonia is operated by IKO Romania, a member of the IKO Media Group, and costs subscribers RON4 (€0.95) a month.

The additions make UPC the most comprehensive digital cable service in Romania, offering viewers a total of 114 TV channels.

Romanian leader to boycott Moldova conference next month

Bucharest - In a protest move, Romanian President Traian Basescu Wednesday said he would boycott a conference next month in neighbouring Moldova because of political developments there after elections-related unrest in April.

Basescu was to have attended a south-east European conference in the Moldovan capital Chisinau on June 5.

“Because of the events in the post election period in the Republic of Moldova (the trip) would no longer be realized,” the president’s representatives declared Wednesday evening in Bucharest.

The move is likely to worsen relations between the neighbouring countries. Moldova’s President Vladimir Voronin has blamed Romania for provoking unrest in his country, and continued his sharp criticism of Basescu.

Romanians may no longer travel without a visa to Moldova, and the documents are now hard to come by. About 60 per cent of Moldovans are ethnic Romanians.

Last month, tensions mounted after Basescu suggested that Bucharest should offer citizenship to 1 million Moldovans. Senior Romanian officials including Basescu sided publicly with Moldova’s opposition in an electoral dispute, accusing Moldova’s ruling Communist Party of fixing the results of a national vote April 5 to select a new parliament.

The June 5 conference is to include 11 countries which belong to the South East European Cooperation Process initiative founded in 1996. In addition to Romania and Moldova, the group includes Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey.

Romania President Cancels Trip to Moldova

Romania's president has canceled a planned trip to Moldova's capital Chisinau where he was due to take part in the South East European Cooperation Process, SEECP, on 5 June.

In a statement late Wednesday, the president's office said his participation is "no longer current," due to the events following the violent riots that erupted after the opposition claimed Moldova's elections on 5 April were rigged.

''Following events marking the post-electoral period in the Republic of Moldova, Romania's President Traian Basescu participation in the SEECP Summit, confirmed in March, is no longer possible,'' reads a statement from the president's cabinet.  

It said Romania's representation in this summit will be decided and announced at a subsequent date.

Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin has accused Romania of trying to overthrow his government in organising the protests in which at least two people died, and threw Romania's ambassador to Chisinau out of the country.  

Romania has denied the accusations. Almost 80 per cent of Moldovans are ethnic Romanians.

Vestas to supply wind turbines in Romania, Italy

2 April 2009 - Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas Wind Systems has received an order for a total of 76 units of the V90-3MW turbine for two projects in Romania.

The order has been placed by EDP Renovaveis.

The contract comprises supply, installation, a VestasOnline Business supervisory control and data acquisition solution, as well as a five-year service agreement. The first turbines are expected to be installed by the end of 2009.

The total annual production of the two wind power plants will save the environment from more than 195 500 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

Meanwhile, Vestas s has received an order from EDF Energies Nouvelles for delivery of 37 V90-2MW wind turbines for installation in Sardinia, Italy.

The contract includes supply, installation and commissioning of the turbines and a five-year service agreement. The wind turbines will be delivered to a project in the municipality of Bonorva in Sardinia during 2009 and 2010.

With a total installed capacity of 74 MW, the wind power plant is expected to annually save the environment from approximately 48 500 tonnes of CO2 emissions and will cover the yearly electricity consumption of almost 50 000 Italian households.

Austria hand coach Constantini winning start

Wednesday 01 April 2009, 21:16

KLAGENFURT - Austria beat Romania 2-1 in a World Cup Group Seven qualifier on Wednesday to give their new coach Didi Constantini a winning start.

Rapid Vienna forward Erwin Hoffer struck twice before halftime to secure Austria's first win in five matches.

Romanian midfielder Cristian Tanase opened the scoring when he lobbed a long-distance shot over Austria goalkeeper Michael Gspurnig on 26 minutes but Hoffer equalised immediately and scored again just before the interval.

Austria next play group leaders Serbia in Belgrade in June.

Romanian Phisher to Spend 50 Months in a U.S. Prison

A federal judge has sentenced Ovidiu-Ionut Nicola-Roman, a Romanian citizen arrested in 2007 on phishing charges, to 50 months in a federal prison, according to Wired. In July 2008, the phisher pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit fraud.

Ovidiu-Ionut Nicola-Roman, 23, originally from Craiova, Romania, was apprehended by authorities in June 2007 in Bulgaria, following an international arrest warrant issued on his name by the Interpol. He was wanted by the authorities for taking part in a cyber-fraud operation that involved cloning the websites of various U.S. banks and stealing financial information.

The Romanian was extradited to the United States in November that same year to face trial. He subsequently pleaded guilty in July 2008 and asked for leniency through a letter sent to the judge. After he serves the prison sentence, Mr. Nicola-Roman will be placed under supervision for another three years.

According to a May 2008, FBI press release, Ovidiu-Ionut Nicola-Roman was a member of a larger international cyber-crime gang that operated out of the United States, Canada, Pakistan, Portugal and Romania. Ciprian Dumitru Tudor, Mihai Cristian Dumitru, Petru Bogdan Belbita, all residents of Craiova, Romania, as well as Radu Mihai Dobrica, Cornel Ionut Tonita and Cristian Navodaru, all residents of Galati, Romania, are also wanted in connection with the same operation.

The cyber-crooks cloned the websites of various financial institutions, including Citibank, Capital One, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Comerica Bank, Wells Fargo & Co., eBay and PayPal. They then sent e-mails to many customers of those institutions, claiming various technical difficulties within their online systems.

In order to trick the users into providing their banking details on the fake websites they set up, the phishers also launched denial of service attacks against the legit ones. One important aspect of this scheme was that significant effort was put into making the e-mails and cloned pages look genuine. For example, the poor spelling that characterizes many phishing schemes was not present.

The siphoned bank details were employed to forge fake credit cards and extract money from ATMs or buy goods online. Ovidiu-Ionut Nicola-Roman says that he did it in order to help his ill mother. "During the time of my criminal conduct, my family was going through some troubles. I was living with my mother who is on long term disability and received a monthly benefit in the amount of $100-120. This money was not enough for her to support herself, given that she spent it all on medication she needed. We needed money to pay the bills and to buy food and other necessary goods," the Romanian wrote in his letter to the judge.

"The defendant, Ovidiu-Ionut Nicola-Roman, is the first foreign defendant ever convicted in the United States for phishing. The Court is therefore presented with a unique opportunity, to demonstrate that criminals overseas cannot conduct their phishing schemes with impunity, by imposing a Guidelines sentence on the defendant," the U.S. prosecutors mentioned in the indictment.

We recently reported that the Romanian organized crime police arrested between 15 and 20 persons in connection with another phishing and cyber-fraud operation that targeted banks in Italy and other European countries. A Romanian hacker was also recently apprehended for compromising a computer network belonging to the U.S. Department of Defense back in 2006.

Romania is not affected by the Moldova Gas Pipeline blast

BUCHAREST, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Romania is not affected by the explosion of the gas pipeline in the neighbouring Republic of Moldova and the gas supplies are at normal parameters, declared on Wednesday Ioan Rusu, general director of state-run national gas transporter Transgaz.

"We were informed of the explosion. Gas flow to our country is normal, we continue to import the same quantity and Romania is not affected. The flow was reduced to half only for the pipelines transiting our country, one that goes to Bulgaria and other two that transport gas to Turkey," Ioan Rusu was quoted as saying by local media News In.

The pipeline exploded Wednesday morning around 5.30 a.m. local time (GMT 03:30) in southeastern Moldova.

AP: Romania's Central Bank Keeps Rates Unchanged At 10%

NEW YORK -- Romania's central bank decided to keep its monetary policy rate unchanged at 10% on Tuesday despite the sharp economic downturn.



The decision to stay on hold "reflects ongoing concerns about the currency," said Neil Shearing, Emerging Europe economist at Capital Economics. "Our forecast for rates to hit 8% by the end of the year is now in doubt, but we still expect gradual cuts in interest rates from the second half of this year." Romania will receive a financial support package totaling about $27 billion from several multinational institutions, including the International Monetary Fund and the European Union. "An IMF rescue package does not alter the fact that the leu remains fundamentally overvalued," Shearing said.

Romanian phisher stuck casting behind bars for four years

Judge Janet Half of the US District Court for the District of Connecticut made history on March 31 when she sentenced Ovidiu-Ionut Nicola-Roman, a 23-year-old native of Romania to 50 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. This is the first time a foreign national has been tried and convicted as a phisher in the United States, which may be why Judge Half chose the sentence that she did. The intended message is quite clear—if we catch you at this, you're going to pay for it.

We weren't able to confirm that Ovidiu-Ionut's guilty plea and sentencing came out of the international, trans-Atlantic phishing bust we covered almost a year ago—sections of the PACER database were offline as of this writing—but the dates roughly match up. That takedown was the result of a joint FBI/Romanian endeavor; the phishers were charged under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). The group's normal business operations and the actual phishing process were handled by the Romanian side of the business while the Americans were responsible for encoding and verifying the stolen credit card/debit card data.

The Register reports that this same group was also responsible for an October 2006 attack against the Brattleboro Savings & Loan Association. In that attack, the phishers sent out an e-mail advising Brattleboro S&L members that the bank's website was unavailable while service upgrades were being performed. Users were ordered to confirm their e-mail addresses under penalty of account deletion. In a nifty twist, the phishers than launched an actual DDoS attack against the bank to make the "service upgrades" appeared legitimate.

Nicola-Roman was captured in Bulgaria on an Interpol warrant and extradited to the US sometime later. Romania's decision to cooperate with US law enforcement on cracking down on phishers as well as allowing one or more of their nationals to be tried here speaks to the spirit of international cooperation that's needed at all levels if we, the Internet-using public, ever want to see a reduction in the sheer amount of malicious and illegal sewage flowing across the system.

Romania: Pension point to increase to 718 lei

Bucharest, March 31 /Agerpres/ - Starting on Wednesday, the pension point will increase to 718 lei, this increase being stipulated in the draft budget for 2009.

On Wednesday too they will introduce the minimum guaranteed social pension amounting to 300 lei (1 euro=4.23 lei)

The next increase in the pension point is scheduled for October 1, when it increases to 732 lei. On that date too the social pension is to grow to 350 lei.

As for the salaries, a possible rise will be discussed after April 15 and will depend on the economic progress in the first quarter.

The minimum salary is currently 600 lei and Minister of Labour Maria Sarbu estimated two weeks ago that it would probably stay the same all this year

Romania's Oltchim to invest 500 mln euros by 2012

BUCHAREST, March 27 (Reuters) - Romanian state-owned chemical plant Oltchim OLTC.BX will invest roughly 500 million euros ($670 million) by 2012, mainly on acquisitions, upgrades and boosting production, the economy ministry said on Friday.

The company, which plans to borrow the cash, has asked the government to guarantee 80 percent of the loans. European Union state Romania will wait for EU approval before issuing guarantees, the ministry said.

Oltchim had long-term debt of 637 million lei ($201 million) at the end of 2008.

Its investment plans includes buying the Arpechim petrochemical refinery from the country's top oil and gas group Petrom SNPP.BX, owned by Austria's OMV (OMVV.VI).

On Friday, Oltchim shares traded 2.4 percent up on the day at 0.1720 lei, compared with a year low of 0.1090 hit on March 2.

Two Romanian interior ministry officials arrested for corruption

BUCHAREST, Romania -- Police arrested four people on Wednesday (March 25th), including two Interior Ministry officials and a wealthy businessman, for alleged participation in shadowy real estate deals in 2000, anti-corruption prosecutors announced. The two ministry officials are charged with trying to block an investigation into these deals, which involved businessman Gabriel Popoviciu and former rector of Bucharest's Agronomy University, Ioan Alecu. The land in question is 220 hectares in Baneasa, a wealthy suburb of Bucharest. The land is worth hundreds of millions of euros, but the buyers only paid 82,000 euros. One of the most ambitious projects in Romania's real estate market is built on the plot. The project, initiated by Popoviciu, is worth 1.5 billion euros. (Curierul National, BusinessStandart, Gandul - 26/03/09; AFP - 25/03/09)

Romania, Latvia and Estonia could get new EU funding

Romania, Latvia and Estonia could all be in for extra funding after the EU agreed a package aimed at supporting non-eurozone countries.

Under the terms of a deal thrashed out by political leaders in Brussels, member states who have not adopted the single currency will be able to draw on a pool worth €50 million (£47 million) if they appear to be close to defaulting on their public debt.

As well as this, the politicians agreed to increase the amount of cash offered to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

British prime minister Gordon Brown said: "We've agreed the balance of payment support of €50 billion, we've agreed to support the IMF with loans of up to around $100 billion (£69 billion) as well as agreeing our own €5 billion fiscal package."

Recently, Reuters reported that Romanian president Trainan Basescu has revealed that the country is looking to take a €20 million loan from the IMF and EU in order to help it through the economic downturn.

Time Warner Goes Euro, Buys CME Stake

Time Warner has gone old-school of sorts--buying a stake in CME, the 15-year old broadcasting company with interests in Central and Eastern Europe. Time Warner's investment comes to $241.5 million--or a 31% interest in CME, Central European Media Enterprises. For that investment, Time Warner also gets to place two members on CME's board of directors.


As part of the deal, Warner Bros. and CME have also announced a partnership to launch more TV channels in the region. Time Warner has said for some time that it wants to expand its international TV channel business.

The good news for Time Warner is that it is buying the company at near its historically low stock price--$7.50--around eight times cash flow (earnings before interest taxes, depreciation, and amortization). CME, like most other broadcasters around the world, has been hurt by slowing ad revenues.

CME broadcasters go to 22 countries, including stations in Bulgaria (TV2 and Ring TV), Croatia (Nova TV); Czech TV (TV Nova, Nova Cinema and NovaSport); Romania (Pro TV and Pro TV International, Acasa, Pro Cinema, Sport.ro and MTV Romania); Slovakia (Markiza), Slovenia (Pop TV, Kanal A) and Ukraine (Studio 1+1 International and Kino).

CMEs's European footprint covers 97 million people. CME was started in 1994 by Ronald Lauder, its chairman.

Teenage girl offers her virginity in online auction

Equating to little more than the seedy flicking on of a red light in a virtual window or loitering with intent at an online street corner, a young Romanian girl is offering her medically certified virginity to anyone willing to pay for her college education.


More pointedly, student-in-waiting Alina Percea (18) from Caracal in Olt county has posted a controversial advert to German-language adult site gesext.de, in which she states she is willing to provide a weekend of unprotected sex in return for a winning bid of €50,000.

As incentive to hopefully reach the amount required to help pay her through college, the attractive brunette is also keen to stress that she has an official gynaecologist’s certificate that proves she has not yet lost her virginity.

“I want my first time to be special and not very abrupt,” says Miss Percea in the advert. “The winning bidder can spend a whole weekend with me provided he will cover all the expenses in case I need to travel or stay in a hotel.”

Outlining that she wants “to meet a gentle, respectful and generous man,” the winning bidder will also have to provide documented proof that he’s clear of disease if he wants to sidestep the use of contraception.

Somewhat surprisingly, the advert also indicates that Miss Percea is looking beyond the gains associated with higher education and is even harbouring hopes that her weekend rendezvous might eventually lead to marriage.

Claims of thinly veiled prostitution aside, current bids have so far fallen some way short of the €50,000 winning (bed) post, with €5,000 presently the leading bid with less than two days left before the auction closes.

For those interested in learning a little more about Miss Percea, the online ad describes her as 108lbs, 5’7” tall, brown-eyed, and a non-smoker – it makes no mention of her self-esteem.

New Romania Opposition Chief Vows Victory

The new leader of Romania's main opposition party, Crin Antonescu, has said his main task is to rally his centre-right Liberal Party (PNL) to take on Traian Basescu who is expected to run in the presidential election later this year.

"My mission is to represent liberal values in the future presidential elections. Whoever will be PNL candidate, he or she has to beat the current President, who is a real strong competitor," Crin Antonescu said after he was elected as the new president of Liberal Party.

Antonescu, 50, replaced former Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu, who had led the Liberal Party since 2004 and was prime minister for four years until 2008 when the party lost the general elections.

After winning the party leadership during the weekend, Crin Antonescu will be designated as the party’s candidate in the presidential election later this year, reports said.

Traian Basescu, 58, is the current President of Romania, after winning office in the 2004 presidential election.

Romania: Labor Minister: Jobless number might hit 800,000 by year-end

Bucharest, March 23 /Agerpres/ - The number of Romania's unemployed might hit 800,000 by the end of the current year, by 200,000 - 300,000 more than estimations, Minister of Labor, Family and Social Protection Marian Sabu said on Monday.

'I hope for negotiations with the International Monetary Fund to carry on well for us to be able to handle the most vulnerable categories of the population with special attention,' said Marian Sarbu.

The Labor Ministry's budget will be supplemented by RON 500 million, said Minister Sarbu. The extra amount will be spent for unemployment benefits.

Crin Antonescu elected new leader of Romania's PNL

BUCHAREST, Romania -- Former Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu lost the leadership of the National Liberal Party (PNL) at an extraordinary party congress held on Friday (March 20th). PNL deputy leader Crin Antonescu was elected as new leader and will be designated PNL's candidate in the presidential elections later this year. Tariceanu had led the party since 2004.

Delhaize Group's Mega Image subsidiary to acquire four supermarkets in Romania

Belgian food retailer Delhaize Group has entered into an agreement to acquire four stores operated under the banner Prodas Holding Supermarket in Bucharest, through its fully owned subsidiary Mega Image.

According to Delhaize Group, for 2008, it is estimated that the revenues of the four acquired stores amounted to more than E12m. The four stores, which have a size of 400 to 750 square meters, will be converted to Mega Image supermarkets.

The acquisition of the four Prodas Holding Supermarket stores is subject to the customary conditions, including the approval by the Romanian antitrust authorities. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2009.

Xavier Piesvaux, general manager of Mega Image, said: "This transaction fits perfectly into Mega Image's strategy of growing via well-located stores in urban areas. The four Prodas Holding Supermarket stores will strengthen our store network. We also expect sales opportunities and buying synergies from this acquisition."

Delhaize Group is a Belgian food retailer with operations in seven countries on three continents. Delhaize Group acquired a 51% stake in Mega Image in 2000. In 2004, Mega Image became fully-owned by Delhaize Group.

IMF “insists” on 4% contraction of Romanian economy

International Monetary Fund “insists” on a 4% contraction of Romanian economy, at a 2-6% budget deficit assumption, most likely to hover around 3.5% and 4% of GDP, said the chairman of BNS, Dumitru Costin at the end of the meeting with IMF officials.
IMF “insists” on 4% contraction of Romanian economy “IMF ‘insists’ on -4% economic growth, as the economy still has much to suffer from crisis. The current situation is unprecedented and the solutions will not be the classical ones”, said Dumitru Costin

n their -4% economic growth assumption, the representative of the international institution considered the international gloomy context, which led to sharp fall in exports, and poor infrastructure, but also the resilience of the Romanian banking system, unlike in other crisis-hit countries.

BNS president said “there will be no traditional measures like we were used to so far, as the context is different. They will be more flexible”.

“When we asked about the monetary policy, IMF representatives said they would leave more room for maneuver to the National Bank of Romania and to the government. Policies will not be as tight as before”, Dumitru Costin added.