Romania

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife BUCHAREST, ROMANIA (BosNewsLife)-- For the first time since communism collapsed in Romania 25 years ago, a former prison commander went on trial Monday, July 14, for crimes against humanity because of his alleged involvement in persecuting opponents of the previously regime. The proceedings follow the death of a close ally of late Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, who persecuted thousands including devoted Christians.

Listen to this BosNewsLife report via Vatican Radio    By BosNewsLife News Center with reporting by BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos BUDAPEST/BUCHAREST (BosNewsLife) Romania's Parliament has sworn in the first ethnic German as president of the former Communist nation, at a time when the country remembers the 25th anniversary of a bloody revolution that ended decades of Communist dictatorship. Former mayor Klaus Iohannis promised a different style from the combative outgoing president Traian Basescu

(Following is a report first published by BosNewsLife September 25, 2009, which prompted many reactions. Amid a fresh discussion on migration in Europe, and whether or not Romania and Bulgaria should join the EU's passport-free Schengen zone, the theme remains very actual). By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife reporting from Budapest BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (BosNewsLife)-- Key non-governmental groups and officials have urged the European Union to urgently tackle the "growing problem" of street children moving from Eastern to Western Europe, by improving cross-border cooperation and child protection.

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife reporting from Budapest BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (BosNewsLife)-- Hungary on Monday, June 20, condemned an attack on a Catholic theological institute in neighboring Romania that left its ethnic Hungarian rector briefly unconsciousness.

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife Download (MP3) BUDAPEST/BUCHAREST/CHISINAU (BosNewsLife)-- Romania is denying Moldovan accusations that it was involved in violent anti-government protests in Moldova, which left at least one woman dead and injured some 100 others. The denial came after Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin ordered the expulsion of Romania's ambassador and the introduction of visa requirements for Moldova's Western neighbor.

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife reporting from Budapest BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (BosNewsLife)-- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has called on America's European allies to step-up their defense efforts, saying they the face growing security threats from outside Europe. Biden made the comments in Bucharest, Romania Thursday, October 22, before ending his Central and Eastern European tour in the Czech Republic.

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife BUCHAREST/BUDAPEST (BosNewsLife)-- Latest official results show that Romanian President Traian Basescu has won the first round of Sunday's presidential ballot with about 32.5 percent of the vote. His main rival Mircea Geoana received about 30.8 percent. However, the poll has been overshadowed by reported election fraud and a political and economic crisis in the country.

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife reporting from Budapest BUDAPEST, HUNGARY (BosNewsLife)-- Romania and Hungary are among several former Communist nations of the European Union facing social and political turmoil, as the EU and other Western institutions demand far reaching political and austerity measures in exchange for multi-billion dollar financial assistance. The resulting tensions have revived a debate over how much sovereignty eastern EU members should give up, more than two decades after freeing themselves from the Soviet Union's sphere of influence.