NATO member Romania pushes to buy US-made F-35 fighter jets
April 11, 2023 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romania’s top defense body approved on Tuesday the acquisition of an unspecified number of American-made F-35 fighter jets, as the NATO-member state pushes to modernize its air force, Romania’s presidential office said.
Romanian prosecutors search devices in Andrew Tate case
April 10, 2023 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Andrew Tate, the divisive internet personality who is under house arrest in Romania on suspicion of organized crime and human trafficking, appeared at prosecutors’ offices on Monday for forensic searches of electronic equipment confiscated during investigations, his lawyer said.
Farmers in Romania, Bulgaria protest Ukrainian grain influx
April 7, 2023 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Farmers in Romania and Bulgaria staged protests Friday to express their anger over the European Union’s response to a glut of agricultural products from Ukraine that they say are flooding local markets and undercutting prices.
Romania: Andrew Tate’s detention replaced with house arrest
March 31, 2023 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Andrew Tate, the divisive internet personality who has spent months in a Romanian jail on suspicion of organized crime and human trafficking, has won an appeal to replace his detention with house arrest, an official said Friday.
EU Council chief vows support, ammunition for Ukraine
March 27, 2023 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — European Council President Charles Michel on Monday pledged to continue supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression “for as long as necessary,” adding that EU leaders will “massively ramp up” ammunition production to send to the war-torn country.
Andrew Tate to remain in Romanian detention for 30 more days
March 22, 2023 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A Romanian court on Wednesday ruled for the fourth time to extend by 30 days the preventative arrest of Andrew Tate, the divisive social media influencer who is held on suspicion of organized crime and human trafficking, an official said.
Romanian court rejects bail request by divisive Andrew Tate
March 14, 2023 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A Romanian court on Tuesday rejected a bail request from the divisive social media influencer and former professional kickboxer Andrew Tate who is detained in the country on suspicion of organized crime and human trafficking, an official said.
Moldova’s new PM visits neighboring Romania to boost ties
March 1, 2023 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca held talks Wednesday with his visiting Moldovan counterpart as the two neighbors seek to boost ties amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Romanian court: Influencer Tate to be held for 3rd month
February 27, 2023 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A Romanian court on Monday upheld a third 30-day detention for the divisive influencer and former professional kickboxer Andrew Tate, who is held on suspicion of organized crime and human trafficking, an official said.
Authorities: Key Hezbollah financier arrested in Bucharest
February 25, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — A Lebanese and Belgian citizen considered a key financier of the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah was arrested Friday in Bucharest, Romania's capital, federal authorities said.
Romanian court rules to hold Andrew Tate for 30 more days
February 21, 2023 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A court in Romania's capital agreed Tuesday to extend social media influencer Andrew Tate's detention on suspicion of organized crime and human trafficking by another 30 days, an official said.
5.7 magnitude earthquake rattles Romania, 2nd in 2 days
February 14, 2023 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.7 rattled Romania Tuesday, the second tremor of similar magnitude to shake the country in 24 hours. No serious damage was reported in either case.
Andrew Tate loses appeal against 30-day detention in Romania
February 1, 2023 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A Romanian court on Wednesday upheld a second 30-day detention for the divisive influencer and former professional kickboxer Andrew Tate who is held on suspicion of organized crime and human trafficking, an official said.
Andrew Tate appears for day two of forensic device searches
January 26, 2023 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Andrew Tate, the influential internet personality who is detained in Romania on suspicion of organized crime and human trafficking, appeared at prosecutors' offices on Thursday for a second day as forensic examinations continue of digital devices that have been confiscated in the case, an official said.
Romanian prosecutors search devices in Andrew Tate case
January 25, 2023 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanian prosecutors on Wednesday carried out forensic searches of mobile phones and laptops as they looked for further evidence in the case of social media personality Andrew Tate, who is detained in the country on suspicion of organized crime and human trafficking, an official said.
Romanian judge grants 30-day extension of Tate detention
January 20, 2023 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A judge in Romania has granted a request to extend by another 30 days the arrest of Andrew Tate, the social media personality who was detained in the country on charges of being part of an organized crime group, human trafficking and rape, an official said Friday.
NATO surveillance planes temporarily deployed to Romania
January 17, 2023 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Two of three NATO surveillance planes deployed temporarily to Romania have arrived at an air base near Bucharest, from where they will fly missions to monitor Russian military activity near the borders of the 30-nation military alliance.
Andrew Tate case: Romania tows luxury cars, other assets
January 14, 2023 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanian authorities descended on a compound near Bucharest on Saturday to tow away a fleet of luxury cars and other assets worth an estimated $3.9 million in the case investigating Andrew Tate, the divisive social media personality who is detained in the country on charges of human trafficking.
NATO planes to be sent to Romania to eye Russian activity
January 13, 2023 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — NATO said Friday it plans to deploy three surveillance planes to Romania next week to perform reconnaissance missions and to “monitor Russian military activity ” within the 30-nation military alliance’s territory.
Romania searches 7 homes in case of influencer Andrew Tate
January 12, 2023 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romania’s anti-organized crime agency has carried out seven additional house searches in its investigation into divisive social media influencer Andrew Tate, an official said Thursday.
Divisive influencer Tate loses appeal against asset seizures
January 11, 2023 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A court in Romania’s capital Bucharest has rejected an appeal by the divisive social media personality Andrew Tate against asset seizures by prosecutors who are investigating him on charges of being part of an organized crime group and human trafficking, an official said Wednesday.
Romanian court upholds arrest of influencer Andrew Tate
January 10, 2023 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A court in Romania's capital Bucharest has upheld the 30-day arrest of divisive social media personality and self-described misogynist Andrew Tate on charges of organized crime, human trafficking and rape, an official said late Tuesday.
Romania seizes more cars in Tate case; court next week
January 6, 2023 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Four more luxury vehicles have been seized in the investigation into Andrew Tate, a divisive social media personality who was detained in Romania last week on charges of human trafficking and rape, an official said Friday.
Divisive social media star Andrew Tate detained in Romania
December 30, 2022 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Andrew Tate, a divisive social media personality and former professional kickboxer, was detained in Romania on charges of human trafficking and rape, an official said Friday.
Turkish strikes on US Kurd allies resonate in Ukraine war
December 3, 2022 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Biden administration officials are toughening their language toward NATO ally Turkey as they try to talk Turkish President Recep Erdogan out of launching a bloody and destabilizing ground offensive against American-allied Kurdish forces in neighboring Syria.
NATO allies vow to back Moldova, Georgia, and Bosnia
November 30, 2022 GMTBUCHAREST (AP) — Apart from Ukraine, Moldova has been hit hardest by Russia’s invasion of its neighbor, the Moldovan foreign minister said Wednesday, as NATO offered fresh support to three countries shaken by the effects of Moscow’s 10-month-old war.
Ukraine welcomes arms offers, no word on Patriot missiles
November 30, 2022 GMTBUCHAREST (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday condemned Russia’s weeks-long assault on Ukraine’s power grid and other infrastructure as an attempt to “freeze and starve” its people, with the war-torn country's foreign minister renewing a call for advanced missile systems.
Turkey: more steps needed for nod to Nordic states’ NATO bid
November 30, 2022 GMTBUCHAREST (AP) — Sweden and Finland have made some progress in meeting Ankara's security concerns but still need to undertake “concrete steps” to win Turkey’s approval for their NATO membership bids, the Turkish foreign minister said Wednesday.
NATO renews membership vow to Ukraine, pledges arms and aid
November 29, 2022 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — NATO doubled down Tuesday on its commitment to one day include Ukraine, a pledge that some officials and analysts believe helped prompt Russia's invasion this year. The world’s largest security alliance also pledged to send more aid to Ukrainian forces locked in battle with Russian troops.
14 years later, NATO is set to renew its vow to Ukraine
November 28, 2022 GMTBUCHAREST (AP) — NATO returns on Tuesday to the scene of one of its most controversial decisions, intent on repeating its vow that Ukraine — now suffering through the 10th month of a war against Russia — will join the world’s biggest military alliance one day.
Samoa back Paia’aua issued 4-week ban for high and late hit
November 17, 2022 GMTDUBLIN (AP) — Samoa midfielder Duncan Paia'aua will miss their last tour match against Romania in Bucharest on Saturday because of his red card against Georgia.
Paia'aua was suspended for four weeks on Thursday and will also miss three games for his Toulon club.
French soldier on NATO mission found dead in Romanian hotel
November 6, 2022 GMTPARIS (AP) — A French soldier serving with NATO forces in Romania was found dead in a Bucharest hotel room Sunday, authorities said.
Romanian police are investigating the death, a French military spokesperson, Col.
Romanians protest cost of living in latest European action
October 20, 2022 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Several thousand protesters in Romania joined an anti-poverty march Thursday in the capital to express dismay over the rising cost of living, marking the latest protest in Europe over high prices and pay that workers say has not kept pace with inflation.
Romania investigates leaks from Russian-owned company
October 4, 2022 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Authorities in Romania have opened a criminal investigation into suspected data leaks against four employees of the local branch of neighboring Serbia's NIS Petrol, which is majority-owned by Russia's Gazprom Neft.
US candidate to lead UN telecoms agency after US-Russia race
September 29, 2022 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Doreen Bogdan-Martin of the United States was elected Thursday to head the U.N.’s telecommunications agency, winning a U.S.-Russia face-off for the leadership of a global agency that sets guideposts for radio, internet, satellite and television communications.
Moldova gets support from partners amid series of hardships
July 15, 2022 GMTSIGHISOARA, Romania (AP) — Moldova received about 600 million euros in pledges at a donors conference Friday, an official said, to help the tiny country overcome rising inflation and the impact of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Romania flanker banned for 4 weeks for red card vs Italy
July 4, 2022 GMTDUBLIN (AP) — Romania flanker Vlad Neculau was suspended for four weeks on Monday for his red card in the loss to Italy last week.
Neculau was sent off in the 71st minute for a high tackle on Italy back-rower Renato Giammarioli.
NATO’s eastern nations want better protection from alliance
June 10, 2022 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Nine NATO nations on the alliance's eastern flank held talks Friday in Romania ahead of a key NATO summit later this month, with some leaders urging NATO to step up protections for them in light of Russia's protracted war against Ukraine.
A woman abroad feels an unwelcome gaze in new film ‘Watcher’
June 3, 2022 GMTIn the haunting and sophisticated new thriller “ Watcher, ” Maika Monroe plays an American woman who is feeling uneasy in her new hometown of Bucharest.
UK’s Prince Charles visits Ukrainian refugees in Romania
May 25, 2022 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Britain's Prince Charles traveled to Romania's capital Wednesday to visit refugees, mostly women and children, from Russia’s war in Ukraine who have found safety in the neighboring Eastern European country.
‘This has to end’: Jill Biden sees Ukraine moms’ heartbreak
May 7, 2022 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Jill Biden heard heartbreaking stories Saturday from Ukrainian women and children who fled Russia’s war and found safe haven in Romania, with one mother telling the U.S. first lady of a harrowing escape after being holed up in a cramped, cold basement with her traumatized 8-year-old daughter.
Look for the orange vest: Ukrainians in Romania help others
May 1, 2022 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Elena Trofimchuk fled Ukraine to Romania more than a month ago. She now sees Bucharest’s North Railway Station as a second home.
She doesn’t live there, but it’s where she spends most of her day welcoming fellow Ukrainian refugees escaping from Russia's war and helping them sort out tickets, accommodation and onward destinations.
Car rams Russian Embassy gate in Romania, driver dead
April 6, 2022 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A car carrying containers of flammable materials crashed into the gate of the Russian Embassy in the Romanian capital early Wednesday, bursting into flames and killing the driver, police said.
US to seek Russia’s suspension from Human Rights Council
April 5, 2022 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — The United States plans to seek a vote this week to suspend Russia from its seat on the U.N.’s top human rights body, pointing to increasing signs that Russian troops may have committed war crimes in Ukraine, U.S.
Harris: US dedication to collective NATO defense ‘ironclad’
March 11, 2022 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris said Friday that Washington’s dedication to the collective defense of NATO is “ironclad” as she visited allied Romania, which has experienced a flood of refugees from neighboring Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion there.
Book aims to shine light on Romanian role in the Holocaust
February 6, 2022 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Maksim Goldenshteyn recounts a story his grandmother once told him about how, as a 4-year-old child, she snuck out of a Jewish ghetto during World War II to retrieve her favorite dolls that had been left behind when her family was forcibly evicted from their home in occupied Soviet Ukraine.
In Romania, French defense minister pledges support
January 27, 2022 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romania’s defense minister held an official meeting in the capital Bucharest Thursday with his French counterpart, who pledged to stand by Romania through “difficult times” as tensions soar between Russia and Ukraine.
In ‘Watcher,’ a stalker thriller with a female gaze
January 22, 2022 GMTAn American woman moves to Bucharest with her partner and begins to suspect she’s being stalked in “Watcher,” a stylish, unnerving thriller that premiered Friday at the Sundance Film Festival.
Starring Maika Monroe (“The Guest”), Karl Glusman (“Devs”) and Burn Gorman (“The Dark Knight Rises”), the film is one of the big acquisition titles at the festival.
Romania hits pandemic record of nearly 20,000 infections
January 21, 2022 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romania on Friday hit a new pandemic record of 19,649 COVID-19 infections amid a rapid rise of cases, but hospitalizations and deaths remain significantly lower compared to the previous wave, official data shows.
Correction: Romania-Climate-Education story
January 15, 2022 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — In a story published January 11, 2022, about education on climate change in Romania, The Associated Press misspelled the surname of the prime minister. It should be Ciuca.
Bulgaria, Romania see benefits and snags since joining EU
January 5, 2022 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Fifteen years after Romania and Bulgaria joined the European Union, many residents say the former communist nations certainly are better for it.
But the two countries still have a way to go to deliver on ending endemic corruption and generating the kind of economic growth that would keep their citizens from leaving to seek financial opportunities elsewhere.
Romania: Far-right protesters oppose COVID workplace passes
December 21, 2021 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Hundreds of far-right protesters gathered in Romania’s capital, Bucharest, on Tuesday to oppose a bill that would introduce “green certificates” in workplaces, which authorities hope will limit the spread of coronavirus infections and prevent another collapse of the country's health care system.
US condemns suspension of Romanian judge over TikTok posts
December 14, 2021 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A well-known judge in Romania has been suspended from his position over videos he posted on the social media platform TikTok, a move that has drawn widespread criticism and condemnation from the U.S.
Romania enforces new travel measures over omicron concerns
December 10, 2021 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romania on Friday introduced new travel restrictions and isolation measures for people entering the country as officials seek to avert another health care crisis following the emergence of the omicron variant of the coronavirus.
Romanian media say arms plant blast kills 4, injures 4 more
November 18, 2021 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — An explosion Thursday at a weapons factory in a small southern town in Romania killed four people and injured another four, local media said.
The afternoon blast occurred in the town of Babeni in Valcea County about 200 kilometers (125 miles) from the capital, Bucharest, and was caused by an anti-personnel mine, Romania's National Press Agency said.
4th fatal hospital fire of pandemic kills 2 in Romania
November 11, 2021 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A fire at a COVID-19 hospital in Romania killed two people Thursday, authorities said. It was the fourth fatal fire at a Romanian COVID-19 hospital during the pandemic.
The blaze broke out in the infectious disease wing of the hospital in the city of Ploiesti as 21 patients were receiving care, authorities said.
Morgues, hospitals struggle with COVID-19 deaths in Romania
November 9, 2021 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — The morgue in Romania's main hospital has no space for the dead any more. In a stark illustration of the human cost of the coronavirus surge sweeping the nation, bodies of COVID-19 victims, wrapped in black plastic bags, line a hallway of the hospital in the capital, Bucharest.
Romanian police recover bikes stolen from Italian team
October 29, 2021 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romania’s anti-crime agency said Friday that four people have been detained on suspicion of stealing 22 high-performance bicycles belonging to the Italian national cycling team, worth an estimated 600,000 euros ($697,000).
Romania revives restrictions as hospitals struggle, jabs lag
October 22, 2021 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Doctor Petruta Filip is working 100-hour weeks at a Bucharest hospital which, like hospitals throughout Romania, is struggling under an onslaught of COVID-19 patients in a country with worryingly low vaccination rates.