Romania Ruling Coalition Called An Emergency Meeting Thursday
Romania’s governing coalition USL called an emergency meeting Thursday evening to discuss the controversial amendments to the penal code that stirred harsh criticism from President Traian Basescu.
USL members met to harmonize their position, following divergent statements from their leaders.
While liberal leader Crin Antonescu reconsidered his position regarding the amendment of the penal code, Prime Minister Victor Ponta of the social democrats criticized the US Embassy’s reaction to the amendments. (Adevarul)
Eight PP-DD Deputies, Senators Join Gabriel Oprea’s UNPR
The National Union for Romania’s Progress, or UNPR, has announced four deputies and four senators have left Dan Diaconescu’s PP-DD party to join its ranks.
Following the move, the center-left alliance, comprising the Social Democrat Party and UNPR, has parliamentary majority even without the support of the Liberal Party. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Crin Antonescu To Nominate Gigel Sorinel Stirbu For Culture Minister
Crin Antonescu is likely to nominate on Friday Deputy Gigel Sorinel Stirbu for the position of minister of culture, people in the Liberal Party told Gandul reporters.
Stirbu, 42, currently serves as head of the Culture Committee in the Chamber of Deputies. (Gandul)
One Of Two Romanian Children Is Raised In Poverty
One out of two Romanian children is raised in a poor environment, while one out of 10 lives in a household where neither of the parents has a job, according to a survey from World Vision Romania.
Poverty is one of the main reasons for school abandonment, particularly in the rural areas, where almost 78% of the children do not finish their secondary education, the survey showed.
Moreover, just one out of two children in rural areas goes to high school.
Around 1.7% of the children in rural areas drop out of school due to the social and economic situation of their family. Vaslui and Dolj counties are the main two counties affected by poverty. (Adevarul)
Flu Vaccine For Children Is 50% Effective – Study
The influenza vaccine may reduce the risk of more serious diseases by up to 50%, according to a survey published by New England Journal of Medicine.
It was the first large-scale clinical trial conducted specifically to review the safety and effectiveness of vaccinating children. The trial included 5,168 children aged 3 to 8, half of whom were vaccinated against hepatitis A, while the half received flu shots.
The study was sponsored by UK pharmaceuticals company GlaxoSmithKline, which also provided the vaccines, and was conducted in eight countries, including Bangladesh, Honduras, Lebanon, Thailand and Turkey. (Curentul)
Special Show At Paul Kasmin Gallery In U.S.
U.S. Paul Kasmin Gallery has been host to a special exhibition recently.
As part of Art Basel Miami Beach’s Salon series, the gallery exhibited during December 5-8 works of both influential contemporary artists and masters of modernism, including Constantin Brancusi, Taner Ceylan, David LaChapelle and Deborah Kass.
The gallery exhibited Jeune Fille Sophistiquée, a polished bronze sculpture by Brancusi. The exhibit celebrated the centennial anniversary of Brancusi’s debut at the Armory Show in New York in 1913. (Evenimentul Zilei)
XTrade Brokers Sees 15% Rise In Wheat Prices Next Year
Recent developments in the local wheat market suggest wheat prices may increase by as much as 15% in 2014 compared with 2013, according to brokerage house XTrade Brokers (XTB).
“Local wheat prices are likely to remain rather stable in the immediate period, but they will increase by up to 15% next year, because it is not statistically probable that the next year’s crops will be as good as last year,” XTrade Brokers said in a report. (Adevarul)
Romania Funding Needs Seen Falling To RON65B In 2014
Romania’s financing needs for 2014 are estimated at 65 billion lei (EUR14.6 billion), equal to 9.8% of the gross domestic product, Austrian Erste Group Bank AG said in a report Thursday.
The figure is down from around RON70 billion in gross funding needs forecast for this year.
So far in 2013, Romania sold debt worth RON46.06 billion in leu-denominated notes and EUR1.57 billion at four euro-denominated auctions on the local market.
The finance ministry also tapped international markets for $1.5 billion at a US dollar-bond sale in February and raised another EUR2 billion at two Eurobond sales in September and October, respectively. (Curentul)
Romania CE Oltenia Plans To Export Electricity To CEE Markets
Romania’s state-run energy holding CE Oltenia plans to sell electricity to countries in central and eastern Europe and has started negotiations with potential buyers in six markets in the region, including Germany and Austria.
“We’ve started talks with potential partners from Turkey, Greece, Hungary, Austria, Germania and Moldova,” CE Oltenia told Mediafax reporters.
The holding also wants to expand its business into the hydropower and solar energy sectors. (Gandul)