by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | flights, immigration, migrants, news, venezuela
A plane with 199 Venezuelan immigrants arrived in Maiquetía early Monday morning, according to Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, who reported this information via state-owned Venezuelan television.
After being expelled from the United States, the team came in via an airplane from Honduras.
“199 fellow countrymen and 199 Venezuelan colleagues returning to their home nation,” were aboard according to Cabello’s statement to VTV.
This flight marks the first one since Venezuelan and U.S. officials reached an agreement to restart repatriation services on Saturday. This move comes after a two-week standoff initiated when Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro halted these flights.
Maduro declined to accept planes from the U.S. transporting deportees following President Donald Trump’s declaration that he intended to revoke Chevron’s permit for exporting Venezuelan petroleum.
The Venezuelan president stated that the move impacted flights heading to Venezuela, which led officials from the Trump administration to warn about potential additional sanctions against the nation.
On Saturday, Venezuelan authorities verified that an agreement between them had been finalized.
President Jorge Rodríguez of Venezuela’s Assembly announced via social media that they have reached an agreement with the U.S. government to restart the deportation of Venezuelan immigrants, starting with a flight scheduled for this coming Sunday, March 23rd.
In his statement, Rodríguez mentioned that under the Trump administration, approximately 250 Venezuelans were deported to a maximum-security facility in El Salvador.
Trump has accused, without providing evidence, those migrants of being members of the Tren de Aragua gang — a designated US foreign terrorist organisation.
“Migration is not an offense, and we won’t stop until we ensure the return of everyone who needs it and save our brothers held captive in El Salvador,” Rodríguez stated.
The leader of Venezuela stated that President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador bears responsibility for the welfare of the Venezuelans who were deported to his nation.
“You ensure their well-being, but before long, you must surrender and set them free, as they are being held captive,” Maduro stated.
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | foreign policy, gaza israel conflict, international relations, news, politics
CAIRO –
The European Union’s top diplomat called Sunday for an end to the renewed fighting in Gaza during a stop in Egypt, before setting off for Israel and the Palestinian territories to press for resumption of a Gaza truce.
On Tuesday, Israel renewed heavy aerial bombardments in the Gaza Strip, which were then accompanied by ground incursions, following the breakdown of talks with Hamas fighters regarding the subsequent phase of the truce.
“We firmly reject Israel’s renewed military actions, leading to a horrifying number of casualties in Gaza. The violence needs to cease immediately. In a new conflict, everyone emerges as a loser,” stated the European Union’s Kaja Kallas at a press conference in Cairo alongside Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.
On the European front, it is evident that Hamas needs to free all hostages, Israel should completely restore humanitarian aid to Gaza, and negotiations have to be restarted.
Kallas’ group subsequently verified that she had left Egypt and reached Israel.
In discussions there and in the Palestinian territories on Monday, she is anticipated to “urge for a swift return to complete adherence to the ceasefire-hostage release agreement,” according to her office.
Kallas will additionally highlight “the significance of unrestricted access and consistent delivery of large-scale humanitarian aid into and across Gaza.”
The United Nations stated on Friday that Gaza has been experiencing a “nightmarish situation” following Israel’s resumption of military activities after a six-week truce.
Humanitarian personnel cautioned about a dire condition that has intensified due to Israel’s choice at the beginning of this month to halt assistance and power supply to Gaza amid stalled talks regarding the subsequent stage of the truce.
Kallas was scheduled to meet with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, and opposition leader Yair Lapid.
She won’t be meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as he has an outstanding international arrest warrant from the ICC “for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes.”
Kallas will meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas and Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa in the occupied West Bank, according to her office.
In recent weeks, both Israel and the United States have attempted to alter the conditions of the ceasefire agreement.
Hamas, the group controlling Gaza, has dismissed this as a breach of the accord that all involved parties endorsed.
The initial stage of the ceasefire facilitated the delivery of crucial supplies such as food, shelter, and medical aid, along with an exchange involving Israeli hostages being released in return for Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons.
On October 7, 2023, militants from Hamas initiated an assault across the border into Israel, leading to over 1,200 fatalities, primarily among civilian populations, as reported by Israeli sources.
Israel’s subsequent bombing campaign and land operation in Gaza have resulted in at least 50,021 fatalities according to the Gaza health ministry on Sunday.
The United Nations deems its statistics to be trustworthy.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
Syndigate.info
).
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | business, economics, equities, finance news, investing company news
Approximately 12% of businesses in South Korea faced insolvency last year because of the decline in the construction and property sectors, which represents the highest rate since 2019. These enterprises, weighed down by greater debts than their asset values, confront total loss of capital and fiscal insecurity.
Based on data from the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) dated March 23, approximately 4,466 businesses—representing 11.9% of the total 37,510 externally audited enterprises (financial institutions excluded)—are projected to face complete bankruptcy. This figure shows an uptick of 116 companies (+2.7%) compared to the previous count of 4,350 in 2023, marking the highest point within this span over the past six years since records started being kept in 2019. Additionally, the likelihood of these companies going bankrupt hit a new peak at 8.2% last year.
In terms of industries, those involved in real estate and rentals experienced the greatest vulnerability at 24.1%, directly affected by the decline in construction activities. Following closely were utility companies (15.7%), sectors related to healthcare and social assistance (14.2%), as well as entertainment and recreation services (14.0%). Construction saw the most significant rise; its insolvency risk climbed to 6.1%—almost double what it was five years earlier when it stood at 3.3%. This surge can be attributed primarily to reduced project orders amidst elevated interest rates and inflation levels.
A representative from FKI cautioned, “The swift rise of bankrupt firms intensifies ambiguity by deteriorating the actual economy and amplifying hazards within the financial sector,” further stating that “these threats can be mitigated via decreased borrowing expenses and enhanced liquidly assistance.”
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | cargo, commerce, exports, international trade, romania
The amount of cargo handled at Romania’s seaports decreased by 14% year-over-year to 59.55 million tons in 2024, as reported by the statistical agency INS and cited by various sources.
Bursa.ro
.
The decrease in total handling volume can be attributed to a 26.3% drop in the amount of loaded cargo, whereas the quantity of unloaded goods saw a rise of 3.8%.
Specifically, the amount of grain loaded saw a decline of 31.6% year-over-year (dropping to 19.9 million tons, which represents one-third of the overall throughput). This drop was mainly due to reduced exports from Ukraine being managed through Romania’s Constanta port, causing volumes to revert nearer to pre-war norms.
The handling of ore (mainly for exports) also decreased considerably, by 39%, totaling 2.5 million tonnes.
On the contrary, the management of petroleum products saw an increase of 12.3% year-over-year to reach 7.4 million tonnes in 2024, with 6.0 million tonnes being offloaded during this period.
iulian@romania-insider.com
(Photo source:
Prasit Rodphan/Dreamstime.com
)
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | business, employment, equities, job, news
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Kenyans are still coming across fraudulent job postings circulating on various social media platforms.
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In March 2025, Equity Bank Kenya identified a fraudulent announcement claiming there were more than 400 available teller roles for jobseekers.
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The job posting encouraged applicants to send their application information through email addresses that were not associated with the bank’s official website domain.
The LIFEHACK.co.ke correspondent Wycliffe Musalia boasts more than six years of expertise in areas such as finance, commerce, tech, and environmental issues, providing significant understanding of both Kenya’s and worldwide economic patterns.
Equity Bank Kenya has identified a fraudulent job posting circulating on social media platforms.
The lender cautioned job seekers about the advertisement claiming there were 412 open bank teller roles.
What Equity Bank commented regarding the fraudulent job posting?
The bank labeled the advertisement as fraudulent, alerting Kenyans that the ad was neither authentic nor valid.
The equity warned against disclosing sensitive personal details, such as banking information, to fraudsters in this way.
The lender cautioned, ‘Stay alert and refrain from disclosing personal or financial details to scammers.’
The bank stated that it exclusively promotes employment opportunities through its officially sanctioned social media platforms and website.
In early March, Equity Bank announced multiple job openings, encouraging eligible Kenyan citizens to submit their applications.
The financial institution, employing over 8,000 staff members, aimed to attract potential applicants for roles as senior executives and analytical professionals.
The bank encouraged potential applicants to visit the institution’s career website to review the job criteria and apply online.
Ways to spot fraudulent employment listings
The advertisement encouraged applicants to send their information through email addresses using Outlook or Gmail domains, which do not correspond to the bank’s official web address.
As per career development expert Simon Ingari, job seekers should initially confirm the authenticity of the job posting through the organization’s website or verified social media channels prior to submitting their application.
“Job applicants ought to investigate the organization by visiting their official site for professional insights and recent developments, examining their social media profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as perusing feedback from current and former employees on sites such as Glassdoor,” stated Ingari during an exclusive talk with LIFEHACK.co.ke.
Ingari pointed out that it’s essential for every job seeker to look up the official recruitment email and domain names prior to submitting their application.
What are some other organizations that have identified fraudulent job postings?
In March 2025, the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) alerted Kenyans and the broader public about avoiding fraudulent activities initiated by criminals who were disseminating a bogus job posting on the internet.
The authorities mentioned they have not promoted these opportunities publicly; however, information regarding open job positions can be accessed through their official webpage.
The Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) debunked a false job announcement that claimed over 200 positions were available.
KPLC stated that the job announcement was fraudulent, emphasizing that they exclusively post vacancy notices on their official website.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) likewise issued a warning, cautioning job seekers about tactics employed by scammers who promise employment opportunities within the government sector for Kenyan citizens.
The PSC stated that it does not impose charges for job shortlisting, recruitment, promotions, or appeals and urged citizens to report any instances of fraud.
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | military, russia ukraine conflict, russian armed forces, ukraine, ukraine politics
From the beginning of the conflict, Ukraine has consistently employed creativity to disrupt Russian tactics, or at least to hinder the progress of the Kremlin’s military forces.
On March 22nd, which was a Saturday, the
General Staff of the Ukrainian Military Forces
verified that its air force had, once again, struck true.
The Ukrainian Air Force effectively targeted and hit a Russian border outpost’s command and control center located in Glotovo within the Belgorod region.
reported the news agency
RBC-Ukraine
.
The enemy, considerably weakened
Even though the Russian soldiers made significant attempts to safeguard and defend this crucial position, multiple items of equipment and devices were damaged and entirely obliterated.
Removing this command post substantially diminishes the enemy’s capacity to launch assaults against Ukrainian defense forces in the Sumy and Kharkiv areas,
stated the Ukrainian command.
(MH featuring Manon Pierre – Source: L’Indépendant – Illustration: ©Unsplash)
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | cryptocurrency, cryptocurrency investing, financial markets, future of cryptocurrencies, investors
Over 600,000 Romanians invest in cryptocurrencies, according to Horia Gustă, president of the Association of Fund Administrators (AAF), quoted by
Economica.net
For comparison, the stock exchange counts merely 220,000 investors.
According to Horia Gustă, the primary barriers to attracting additional investors to regulated markets like BVB are the regulatory rules and insufficient financial literacy.
As traditional financial markets face extensive regulation from the European Union, cryptocurrency firms have operated with minimal oversight up until now, as he points out.
“The European market is highly regulated, making it impossible to see any advertisements for investment funds. These numerous regulations do not seem beneficial. In contrast, crypto operated without such rules and progressed significantly within just a few years,” stated the AAF president.
iulian@romania-insider.com
(Photo source:
Loft39studio/Dreamstime.com
)
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | agriculture, commerce, fruit, italy, romania
Yami Fruits, a company specializing in strawberries and blueberries owned by four Romanian entrepreneurs, is constructing a facility for fruit processing and packaging in the commune of Şoimuș, located in Hunedoara County. The funding comes from the Just Transition scheme, which supports areas affected by decarbonization, as reported.
Ziarul Financiar
.
The cultivation of blueberries and other forest fruits in Romania has rapidly expanded in recent years; however, the statistical offices’ obsolete classification systems do not account for these newer crops. As a result, the National Institute of Statistics (INS) cannot supply accurate nationwide production figures, even though specialized agricultural departments are furnishing local data at the county level. It is reported that more than 6,000 tons of berries are gathered each year in Romania, with approximately 85% being exported.
Greennews.ro
.
Ciprian Virgil Munteanu, who works as an economist and is associated with Yami Fruits, stated, “We aim to construct a facility for sorting, processing, and packing fruits into containers weighing either 250 grams or 500 grams. Since our products are perishable, it’s essential that we sort the fruit prior to packaging.”
The firm is under the control of Ciprian Virgil Munteanu, holding 60% of the shares, followed by Graţian Lupu with 15%, Marius Florin Pădure contributing another 15%, and Răzvan Nita owning the remaining 10%.
The public records indicate that the firm declared a revenue of RON 31 million (approximately EUR 6.2 million) for the year 2023, marking an increase of 66% from the prior year, along with a net income of RON 724,000.
iulian@romania-insider.com
(Photo source:
Jack Kunnen
/
Dreamstime.com
)
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | business, commerce, europe, european union, news
Liberty Galati, the only fully integrated steel manufacturer in the area, aims to restart operations at full capacity, targeting 2 million tons annually. This figure represents roughly two-thirds of its designed capacity as outlined in the pre-insolvency proposal sanctioned by the court earlier this month. Additionally, adjustments in the EU’s plans for defense and energy might provide support crucial for its survival.
Liberty Galati needs to develop a recovery strategy within two months, aiming for production levels exceeding 172,000 tons monthly, as indicated in the pre-insolvency document reviewed by Profit.ro. The European Union’s initiatives to enhance defense manufacturing, tackle inexpensive steel imports, and establish more feasible carbon reduction goals might arrive suitably timed to aid the firm during this critical period where its existence hangs in the balance.
The preliminary insolvency process enables the firm to utilize the RON 750 million loan provided by Exim Banka Românească exclusively for operational funding.
Moreover, Liberty Steel was assured of RON 350 million worth of contracts from firms in the defense sector – however, this hinges upon how swiftly these companies can formulate their production plans.
The Romanian steel manufacturer will additionally gain advantages from the extension of the favorable policy designed for energy-heavy businesses regarding the payment of “green certificates.” For the last decade, these energy-consuming firms were permitted to buy reduced numbers of green certificates—a method used to support wind and solar initiatives—though this program is scheduled to conclude at the end of this year.
Nevertheless, the elevated energy costs in Romania relative to many other European nations pose significant challenges for Romanian businesses, such as Liberty Steel.
Ultimately, the European Union’s decision to restrict the imports of cheap steel might assist Liberty Steel in achieving profitability.
The European Union plans to impose stricter steel import quotas, aiming to decrease imports by an additional 15% starting from April. This announcement was made last week by Stefan Sejourne, the Executive Vice President of the European Commission, according to reports.
G4media.ro
The move aims to stop the European market from becoming saturated with inexpensive steel, in response to the 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports introduced by President Donald Trump.
iulian@romania-insider.com
(Photo source: Liberty Galati)
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | bars & restaurants, french, hotels, luxury hotels, restaurants
The Grand Hôtel du Boulevard, the latest five-star establishment in Bucharest, will open its doors on Monday, March 24, as part of the global luxury Corinthia chain. This prime spot has been among the city’s most prestigious locations for approximately 150 years.
The hotel, emblematic of the city, has undergone complete renovation and now adheres to the global standards set by an international hotel group while still maintaining the historical essence of the structure. Originally inaugurated in 1873 as Hotel Herdan, named for its owner at the time, Jacques Herdan, it adopted the title Grand Hôtel du Boulevard just six years later, a designation which persists even today.
Currently, the hotel provides guests with 30 suites along with two dining establishments, a Heritage cafe, a grand ballroom, a wellness center, and a gymnasium. Even after the refurbishment, it preserves several original design features like marble accents, woodwork, and ornate ceilings from its inception.
The primary dining venue at this hotel will be branded as SASS’ Restaurant & Lounge, known for its high-end status in Monaco. Established in 1993 by Salvador Treves “Sassa” along with his spouse Yolande, the place has become one of the premier destinations within the tiny, elite nation. Currently, the business is venturing beyond Monaco’s borders; they have launched a temporary eatery in Saudi Arabia and secured a fixed site in Bucharest.
The eatery, designed for 45 guests, expands to include an additional 20 seats in the lounge space. It will be open every day from 7:00 PM until 2:00 AM, featuring live acts by musicians. Post-midnight, specifically after 11:00 PM, the venue transitions to DJ-led entertainment.
The restaurant management has stated that the location is open to guests who are not staying at the hotel, including walk-ins, subject to table availability. Additionally, the venue reserves the right to select its clientele.
The other eatery, Boulevard 73, fuses French and Romanian culinary traditions and adheres to the farm-to-table concept.
Throughout its history, the Grand Hôtel du Boulevard has welcomed notable visitors including Austria-Hungary’s Emperor Franz Joseph, renowned Romanian poet Tudor Arghezi, prominent politician Octavian Goga, celebrated sculptor Constantin Brâncuși, and many more distinguished individuals.
The hotel will cater primarily to international visitors, offering rooms priced from €580 per night for a 31-32 square meter Junior Suite and reaching as high as €2,570 nightly for an expansive 115-116 square meter Signature Suite, which is the top-tier option available.
radu@romania-insider.com
(Photo source: the hotel)
