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19. 03. 10. - 12:00

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19. 03. 10. - 12:00

Holender gets Vienna gong

Romanian Times

Outgoing State Opera director Ioan Holender received the Golden Honorary Medal of the City of Vienna yesterday (Thurs).

Nikolaus Bachler, head of the Bavarian State Opera and former Burgtheater Vienna director, praised the Romanian for having been outspoken on all kinds of topics throughout the 18 years he headed the opera, according to Austrian Times.

Holender, 74, told his successor Dominique Meyer: "Be clever and wise and don’t believe all the good things about this city you heard today."

The Frenchman will take over as State Opera director later this year.

It emerged recently that Holender, who moved to Vienna at the age of 24, will host his own talk show on private broadcaster ATV. Company bosses said there would be 12 editions of "Termin bei Holender" (Appointment with Holender) a year, with the first one airing on 29 March.

Holender has caused controversy over the years by opposing the media hype around the Opera Ball. He tried to keep the number of days the opera house needed to stop performing because of the event as few as possible, and criticised TV coverage of the high society get-together.

"It’s a mystery to me why so many people watch it [national broadcaster ORF’s coverage] as it lasts hours and is boring," he said ahead of this year’s ball which was attended by British TV starlet Katie Price, German talent show juror Dieter Bohlen and Catherine Ashton, the European Union’s (EU) new High Representative.

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
Minister of Economy Daniel Chitoiu announced today (Weds) that the government is working on a piece of legislation on introducing a supplementary tax on the exceptional incomes of the oil companies that should be passed by the year end and implemented as of 2013.

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).

Romania back in recession, growth to resume in H2
Romania officially entered recession today, following the figures published by the National Statistics Institute (NSI) that show a decrease of the GDP for two consecutive quarters (Q).

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
The UK Ambassaodr in Romania, Martin Harris says Victor Ponta’s new government got off on the right foot by making clear that its economic policy will continue to be framed within the programme agreed between Romania and the EU, World Bank, and IMF.

Carmen Sylvas x-rayed hand to be auctioned
A x-ray of the left hand of Romanian Queen Elisabeta will be auctioned in Bucharest by Artmark auction house, Libertatea newspaper informs today (Tue).