Former SRI Head George Maior Appointed Romanian Ambassador To Washington
Former head of the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI), George Maior, will be appointed Romanian ambassador to Washington, official sources told “Adevarul” newspaper.
Asked Monday if he had proposed George Maior as ambassador to Washington, PM Victor Ponta said that President Klaus Iohannis should make an announcement in this respect, according to the Constitution.
George Maior (aged 47) has been SRI head for ten years (2006-2015). He was previously a PSD senator for two years (2004-2006). Between 1997 and 1999, he was chargé d’affaires of the Romanian Embassy to Ireland. (Adevarul)
PNL To Convene National Council Of The Party On May 23
The leadership of the National Liberal Party (PNL) on Monday decided to convene the National Council of the party on May 23, in order to approve the final version of the liberals’ governing program and have talks on a censure motion, PNL co-chair Vasile Blaga stated.
Blaga stated they underwent all the stages of establishing the program and the document should be ”properly” approved in the National Council of the party. The liberals also plan to approve the calendar for the preparation and organization of local elections in 2016. (Romania Libera)
Macroeconomic Confidence Index Up To 68.1 Points In March
The macroeconomic confidence index recorded a 5.8 points increase in March, to 68.1,points, an all-time high, according to a CFA Romania press release.
The macroeconomic confidence index is calculated on a scale ranging from zero (no confidence) to 100 points (full confidence in the Romanian economy), based on six questions concerning the current conditions in the business environment and the labor market, and one-year ahead expectations for the business environment, the labor market, the evolution of personal income related to the economy and the evolution of personal wealth.
CFA Romania is the association of professionals in financial investments sector, who hold the Chartered Financial Analyst’s title, a qualification managed by U.S.-based CFA Institute. CFA Romania has over 140 members. (Adevarul)
Senate Mulls Removing Fuel Excise Duty Cut From Tax Code Draft
Senate decided to eliminate the measure on the fuel excise duty cut from the Tax Code draft, which was scheduled to come into effect in 2016, thus, the state budget would save over RON3 billion, Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici told a TV station on Sunday.
“It’s a proposal of the Budget Committee. Let’s see how it leaves the plenum of the Senate and especially the Chamber of Deputies, which will decide on the final version of the Tax Code,” Teodorovici said.
According to the draft law, the excise duty on fuel was to be cut as follows: diesel fuel – by 20%, unleaded gasoline – 19%, leaded gasoline – 18%.
Teodorovici added that the Senate also proposed the cut to 5% of the tax on dividends, instead of its elimination from the Tax Code. (Jurnalul National)
Long-Time Exposure To Polluted Air Has Negative Effects On The Brain – Study
A recent research of Boston medical specialists, published in Stroke magazine, shows that long-time exposure to air pollution can have negative effects on the brains.
The study analyzed more than 900 participants over 10 years and used satellite imagery to assess prolonged exposure to ambient fine particulate matter. Thus, specialists found out that air pollution can shrink brains, lead to cognitive problems and even cause silent stokes. (Jurnalul National)