Real estate projects worth around EUR 500 million are expected to go bankrupt in 2011, according to Coldwell Banker Affiliates of Romania. The volume of projects which will end up bankrupt will thus double on this year's, according to Valentin Ilie, CEO Coldwell Banker Affiliates of Romania.

Romanian President Traian Basescu (in picture) said he will refuse to sign into law a bill renaming the country’s Roma minority internally as “gypsies”, the Financial Times reported online Monday. "I believe it's a big mistake, I'll never promulgate such a law. I'll send the law back," Basescu told the Financial Times in an interview. He added that the bill would be a "gesture of rejection".

Sinaia is more than a mountain resort where travelers flock during winter time. It's a place filled with history and stories, a week-end destination all year round. Discover some of these stories below. You can read more in the recent Bucharest, Romania and Beyond Guide published by City Compass - how to get the guide, here.

'tis is the season to be outdoorsy! Choose one of the Bucharest ice skating rinks listed below. Most of them provide ice skates for rent. The cost of an entry ticket is usually RON 10, while renting the ice skates will cost an extra RON 10 or RON 15. Enjoy your winter holiday in Bucharest!

German do-it-yourself retailer Hornbach, which has opened its fourth store in Romania on the former Prisma location near Bucharest, plans to further invest EUR 30 million in the fourth store of the chain in the capital city.

*New highway segment out for bid between Lugoj and Deva: EUR 260 million for 27 km of roads – in Ziarul Financiar
*Vienna trams will have body carriages made in Romania – in Ziarul Financiar
*Lindab expects EUR 25 million in sales for next year, similarly to 2009 – in Ziarul Financiar
*Hornbach expects EUR 93 million from the new Prisma store in 2011 – in Ziarul Financiar

Andy Fletcher, one of the founding members of Depeche Mode, will throw a show in Bucharest on January 29 at The Ark Underground, 150 Uranus St – formerly 196A Calea Rahovei, from 21,00 hours. Tickets for the event cost RON 50. The event is organized by The Ark and supported by Emagic.

Rolang, the Romanian language school, will organize a free Romanian language test and a course for foreigners on January 12, from 18,30 hours. The evening will start with a hone-hour test which will allow participants find out their level of proficiency in Romanian.

Romanian Senate Chairman Mircea Geoana (in picture) has been suspended for six months from the Social Democratic Party, through a decision by the party's Standing National Bureau, party leader Victor Ponta said Monday. Ponta made it clear that Geoana would still have the Social Democratic Party's endorsement as head of the Parliament's upper house.

Romanian firm Visual Fan has started to sell its own mobile phone, under the Allview brand. The phone, called Allview Q1 G3T, can connect to 3G and Wi-Fi networks and costs RON 519 (EUR 120), according to the company.

Real estate projects worth around EUR 500 million are expected to go bankrupt in 2011, according to Coldwell Banker Affiliates of Romania. The volume of projects which will end up bankrupt will thus double on this year's, according to Valentin Ilie, CEO Coldwell Banker Affiliates of Romania.

Romanian President Traian Basescu (in picture) said he will refuse to sign into law a bill renaming the country’s Roma minority internally as “gypsies”, the Financial Times reported online Monday. "I believe it's a big mistake, I'll never promulgate such a law. I'll send the law back," Basescu told the Financial Times in an interview. He added that the bill would be a "gesture of rejection".

Sinaia is more than a mountain resort where travelers flock during winter time. It's a place filled with history and stories, a week-end destination all year round. Discover some of these stories below. You can read more in the recent Bucharest, Romania and Beyond Guide published by City Compass - how to get the guide, here.

'tis is the season to be outdoorsy! Choose one of the Bucharest ice skating rinks listed below. Most of them provide ice skates for rent. The cost of an entry ticket is usually RON 10, while renting the ice skates will cost an extra RON 10 or RON 15. Enjoy your winter holiday in Bucharest!

German do-it-yourself retailer Hornbach, which has opened its fourth store in Romania on the former Prisma location near Bucharest, plans to further invest EUR 30 million in the fourth store of the chain in the capital city.

*New highway segment out for bid between Lugoj and Deva: EUR 260 million for 27 km of roads – in Ziarul Financiar
*Vienna trams will have body carriages made in Romania – in Ziarul Financiar
*Lindab expects EUR 25 million in sales for next year, similarly to 2009 – in Ziarul Financiar
*Hornbach expects EUR 93 million from the new Prisma store in 2011 – in Ziarul Financiar

Andy Fletcher, one of the founding members of Depeche Mode, will throw a show in Bucharest on January 29 at The Ark Underground, 150 Uranus St – formerly 196A Calea Rahovei, from 21,00 hours. Tickets for the event cost RON 50. The event is organized by The Ark and supported by Emagic.

Rolang, the Romanian language school, will organize a free Romanian language test and a course for foreigners on January 12, from 18,30 hours. The evening will start with a hone-hour test which will allow participants find out their level of proficiency in Romanian.

Romanian Senate Chairman Mircea Geoana (in picture) has been suspended for six months from the Social Democratic Party, through a decision by the party's Standing National Bureau, party leader Victor Ponta said Monday. Ponta made it clear that Geoana would still have the Social Democratic Party's endorsement as head of the Parliament's upper house.

Romanian firm Visual Fan has started to sell its own mobile phone, under the Allview brand. The phone, called Allview Q1 G3T, can connect to 3G and Wi-Fi networks and costs RON 519 (EUR 120), according to the company.