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© Alex Barbulescu

26. 08. 09. - 12:00

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26. 08. 09. - 12:00

Madonna´s bullet proof tour

Romanian Times

Safety fears threatened the start of Madonna's concert in Bucharest yesterday (Weds) after health and safety officials discovered problems with the stage.

The firm commissioned to put up the stage was fined 1,600 GBP after labour inspectors found workers hadn't been instructed to take proper safety measures. Official organisers of the concert were fined as well.

Two workers died and eight were injured last month in Marseille after the roof of the stage where Madonna was about to perform collapsed.

Around 70,000 spectators were expected at Madonna's concert at Parcul Izvor in Bucharest and the 5,000 square metre stage was built in five days.

The star herself meanwhile has been keeping a low profile after reports of death threats. She hired more than 400 specially trained personal bodyguards and travelled to her hotel in a bullet-proof Mercedes Vito where she was taken straight to the largest five star hotel in Bucharest, the Radisson SAS - and entered through the back door.

At an earlier concert in Serbia she arrived in disguise just three hours before the concert after rescheduling to minimise her stay in the country because of the death threats.

Madonna's request for specially trained security guards follows earlier demands that the ceilings of the backstage rooms be covered with white silk and filled with 500 white and red roses prior to her performance in Bucharest.

The diva's 34 close staff include two personal fitness coaches, a therapist, an interior decorator and an Italian chef. The star has asked for a massage room, a hydro-massage shower stall and a gym. All fitness equipment and interior-decoration items are being sent to Bucharest.

Tickets for her first concert in Bucharest today (Weds), cost between 30 and 200 Euros.

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).