WHO: Under-Five Obesity In Developing Countries Increased At An Alarming Rate
A recent report of the World Health Organization shows that childhood obesity has doubled since 1990.
Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. The problem is global and is steadily affecting many low- and middle-income countries, particularly in urban settings. The prevalence has increased at an alarming rate. Globally, in 2013 the number of overweight children under the age of five, is estimated to be over 42 million. Close to 31 million of these are living in developing countries.
Overweight and obese children are likely to stay obese into adulthood and more likely to develop non-communicable diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at a younger age. Overweight and obesity, as well as their related diseases, are largely preventable. Prevention of childhood obesity therefore needs high priority. (Adevarul)
Romania In Talks With EC Over Restructuring Plan For CE Hunedoara
Bogdan Chiritoiu, head of the Competition Council, said Romania and the European Commission are working on a restructuring plan for state-run energy holding Complexul Energetic Hunedoara.
“Energy holding Complexul Energetic Hunedoara has received an emergency aid. In exchange for the aid, the Romanian Government must submit a restructuring plan to the European Commission,” said Chiritoiu, adding the plan will substantially reduce the energy holding’s activity or it will make it smaller. Chiritoiu pointed out, however, that CE Hunedoara will remain operational and will be able to stand on its own feet on the market.
Early January 2016, Hunedoara Court admitted the insolvency request filed by CE Hunedoara and appointed GMC SPRL Craiova as judicial administrator. On December 28, 2015, CE Hunedoara Board of Directors decided to file for voluntary insolvency of the company, in an attempt to avoid bankruptcy. CE Hunedoara’s debts currently total RON1.2 billion. (Adevarul)
Carpatica Asig To Keep Selling Insurance Policies
Insurance company Carpatica Asig will be able to still sell insurance policies, unlike insurer Astra which, once under bankruptcy, halted operations.
Carpatica Asig is the second insurance company in Romania to be placed under special procedure, due to financial difficulties, after Astra Asigurari. While Astra is facing bankruptcy, which actually translates into closing down the business, for Carpatica Asig competent authorities are trying to cap losses, according to sources on the insurance market.
Romania’s Financial Supervisory Authority ASF will apply resolution measures at Carpatica Asig in order to avoid any potential negative effects on the financial stability of the insurance market, and appointed the guarantee fund of the insured (FGA) as temporary administrator.
ASF will draft a resolution plan in six months at most and an independent evaluator is going to make a fair, prudent and realistic assessment of the insurer’s assets, debts and equity, as a preliminary step towards applying the resolution measures. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Competition Council Keeps Track Of Fuel Prices In Filling Stations In Romania
Romania’s Competition Council is looking into the way pump prices were reduced in Romania considering the plunge in global oil prices.
Depending on its findings, the Council is to decide whether or not to start an inquiry. Council head Bogdan Chiritoiu recently said the antitrust watchdog wants to make the fuel market transparent and a first step towards achieving this goal is to propose oil companies to publish gas and diesel prices on a website which will be called the „Price Monitor.”
Moreover, the Competition Council will propose the Transport Ministry to display gas and diesel prices at the end of each highway. (Puterea)
Liberals Are Not Yet Prepared For Local Mayoral Elections
The National Liberal Party (PNL) stands a chance of winning the local mayoral elections only in one district in capital Bucharest because it has not yet nominated its candidates for the remaining districts.
An INSCOP poll ordered by liberals and conducted in October and November 2015 shows that 34.3% of respondents were planning to vote for liberals at the level of the Bucharest General Council. (Adevarul)