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11. 03. 10. - 16:00

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11. 03. 10. - 16:00

Three Romanians on Forbes´s list of world´s billionaires

Romanian Times

Three Romanians are among the world's richest people, according to US business magazine Forbes’ rankings made public yesterday (Weds).

Dinu Patriciu is the highest ranked, 457th, with wealth estimated to be 2.2 billion Euros. Patriciu, 59, made his money in the refineries sector after selling the oil company Rompetro to Kazakhstan's state-owned energy operator, KazMunaiGaz, Forbes says.

Patriciu is also investing in real estate, media and energy deals. He owns Adevarul Holding media trust, which publishes Forbes Romania under license from Forbes Media LLC.

Ioan Niculae is 880th, with wealth estimated to be 1.1 billion dollars. Niculae, 55, has made his wealth from agriculture and is also a major stakeholder in the five biggest chemical plants in Romania. He owns InterAgro, the largest domestic agricultural producer.

Niculae invested more than 100 million dollars in a bio-ethanol plant in Zimnicea in September 2009. His diverse portfolio includes interests in refineries, four-star hotels, consulting firms, restaurants, slaughter-houses, soccer teams and real estate.

Former tennis legend Ion Tiriac is 937th, with wealth estimated to be one billion dollars. Tiriac, 70, has businesses in banking, insurance, auto-leasing and retail. Last year, he sold 49 per cent of the Romanian importer of Mercedes Benz.

Forbes also reminds that he was an "outstanding athlete, competing in the 1960 Olympics as an ice-hockey player. He later switched to tennis, eventually coaching several tennis greats including Boris Becker, Steffi Graf and Goran Ivanisevic. He is patron of the Madrid Masters tournament today."

Mexican mogul Carlo Slim Helu tops the Forbes rankings with an estimated fortune of 53.5 billion dollars.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates comes in second with 53 billion dollars, followed by investor Warren Buffet with 47 billion dollars.

Health minister considers taxing fast food and beer
The new Health Minister Vasile Cepoi said today (Thurs) that the next Health Care Law might include a new tax on fast food and beer, local press informs.

Romania wont ratify ACTA
Romania will not ratify the highly controversial (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement)ACTA until the agreement won't be altered as to comply with demands recently formulated by the European Court of Justice, the minister of Communication Dan Nica told a press conference today (Thurs).

Romania wont ratify ACTA
Romania will not ratify the highly controversial (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement)ACTA until the agreement won't be altered as to comply with demands recently formulated by the European Court of Justice, the minister of Communication Dan Nica told a press conference today (Thurs).

Government to introduce ‘Robin Hood’ tax on oil companies
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Education Minister stepps down amid plagiarism accusations
Ioan Mang, the education minister appointed only two weeks ago together with the new cabinet of Social Liberal Union (USL) leader Victor Ponta, resigned Tuesday (yesterday) night.

Brancusi’s son doesn’t want his father remains to be moved to Romania
John Moore, the only child of sculpture Constantin Brancusi, reacted to Romania’s intention to repatriate the remains of his father, saying his last will was to be buried in Paris at Montparnasse, Libertatea newspaper informs today (Weds).

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Police head sacked over underground boss runaway row
The head of the Romanian Police Liviu Popa (picture) was sacked today (Tues) by Home Affairs Minister Ioan Rus, the ministry informs.

UK Ambassador Harris says new Cabinet took right decisions so far
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Carmen Sylvas x-rayed hand to be auctioned
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