Natural gas consumption in Romania reached 78.7 million Mwh in the first six months of the year, which was an increase of 10 percent compared to the same period of last year, according to data from the Energy regulation National Agency (ANRE).

Glasses made of recycled carton, created by a young Romanian living in Germany have stirred a fashion wave in Berlin. The carton glasses, Die Pappbrille, don't have lenses and their design is reminiscent of the 60s and 70s.

Car maker Ford will start production of a new car in its factory in Romania next year. It will be a small-size car which is not yet in Ford's portfolio, according to John Fleming, head of global manufacturing and labor affairs. 150,000 units of the new car will be produced each year, according to Fleming. Production should start towards September next year.

The debut feature length movie 'Europolis', directed and produced by Romanian Cornel Gheorghita, has been selected for the International Film fetsival in Montreal, Festival des Films du Monde. The festival will take place between August 26 and September 6

The initial public offering (IPO) started by the iFond Financial investment fund has been oversubscribed by 3.5 times, according to preliminary data. The fund has raised RON 7 million- the equivalent of around EUR 1.6 million. The fund will invest half of its assets in Fondul Proprietatea shares.

The National Authority for Management and Regulation in Communication of Romania (ANCOM) will organize a bid for telecom equipments in October. The regulation body is looking to buy equipments to modernize networks, Internet connection nodes and internal LAN equipments. The value of the contract will reach EUR 1.1 million.

The name of this band speaks of a tradition in Romania, back from the time the territory of the

Romanian language number eight- currency exchange

You might have listened to a Suie Paparude song recently, maybe without knowing the name of the band. Its recent song Soundcheck has quickly spread across Romania as it is broadcast on most radio stations.

The name of the alternative rock band Omul cu Sobolani, translated as 'The Man with Rats' has its roots in Freud's book, Rat-man.
The band was set up in 1997 in Constanta. OCS is made of Dan Amariei (vocals) Nicolae Arama (quitar), Cezar Panait (bass) and Mihnea Drobota (drums). The band has launched five albums so far, an EP and a single.

Rompetrol Rafinare, part of the Rompetrol Group, posted a net loss of USD 119 million in the first half of this year, the company has announced. At the same time, the operational result (EBITDA) was negative, amounting to USD 24,7 million. The company's consolidated turnover was of USD 1.76 billion, up 24 percent compared to the same period of last year.

Israeli president Shimon Peres will start his first official visit to Romania today as part of his official tour in the region. Bulgaria was also included in his tour. Peres will meet Romanian president Traian Basescu and will take part in a commemorative ceremony for the six Israeli military who died in July after a helicopter crash in Bucegi mountains.