Romanian Secret Services To Intercept Calls Made Using Prepaid Cards – Bill
Romanian social democrat MP Sebastian Ghita wants to put forward a bill enabling secret services to intercept calls made using prepaid phone cards.
People who buy prepaid calling cards will have to present their personal identification number.
Ghita argues that prepaid calling cards are extensively used in economic frauds and measures are needed to tackle the problem. (Evenimentul Zilei)
IMF Mission Starts Technical Talks With Romanian Authorities
A mission of the International Monetary Fund, headed by Andrea Schaechter, on Wednesday started discussions with authorities in Bucharest on the state of the Romanian economy and macroeconomic reforms.
The IMF mission is visiting Bucharest between July 17 and July 31 to discuss a potential follow up agreement with Romania.
The IMF’s board last month announced Romania successfully concluded its second loan program with the international institution, making an additional amount of EUR520.7 million available for disbursement.
Romania and the IMF have signed a two-year EUR3.6 billion loan agreement in 2011, following the completion of a larger EUR13 billion deal secured in 2009. The agreement was supplemented by a EUR1.4 billion loan from the European Union and another EUR1 billion from the World Bank. The country has not drawn any funds under the second program. (Puterea)
Former MP Olosz Gergely Gets Seven Years In Prison For Influence Peddling
The Bucharest Court on Wednesday sentenced former MP Olosz Gergely to seven years in prison on charges of influence peddling.
Four other people were sentenced to prison in the same case.
The decision is not final and may be appealed at a higher court. (Romania Libera)
Romanian Football Club Owner Dies In Car-Train Collision
FC Stefanesti owner Nae Nicolae died Wednesday after his car collided with a train near Bucharest.
Daniel Vasile, spokesman of the Bucharest Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, said the car was 90% destroyed and the driver was found dead. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Over 180 Romanian University Specialties No longer Meet Accreditation Requirements
Over 180 specialties in the higher education system no longer meet accreditation requirements, Minister-delegate for Higher Education Mihnea Costoiu said Wednesday.
According to Costoiu, four universities will be under special monitoring, while six universities with provisional accreditation are no longer allowed to organize admission exams. (Puterea)