Nearly A Quarter Of Romanians Do Not Earn Enough To Cover Their Expenses
Nearly a quarter (19%) of Romanian employees do not earn enough money to cover their day-to-day expenses, which is the highest percentage in the European Union, according to a report of the European Commission.
Romania (19%), Greece (15%), Italy and Spain (12% each) register the highest percentage of employed adults that live under the poverty line, compared to the European average of 9%, according to a report conducted by the Commission’s Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion. (Evenimentul Zilei)
DDT Pesticide Exposure May Increase Alzheimer’s Disease Risk, Study Finds
The DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) pesticide that has been banned in the United States since 1972, may be contributing to Alzheimer’s disease risk in elderly adults.
Researchers reported in the January 27 issue of JAMA Neurology that people with the degenerative brain disease had levels of a DDT metabolite in their blood, called DDE (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene), that was on average four times higher than in people without Alzheimer’s.
DDT was used initially to control malaria at the end of World War Two, and subsequently to protect crops in commercial agriculture. (Curentul)
Antitrust Watchdog Looks Into Local Car Insurance Market
Romania’s antitrust watchdog has started an investigation into the local car insurance market.
The watchdog will analyze mandatory civil liability car insurance (RCA) policies and voluntary policies (CASCO) and will assess the collaboration between insurers and auto repair shops.
“We have set out to take a closer look at the insurance market, as it is one of the key sectors of the Romanian economy and plays an essential role in risk management. At the same time, a better understanding of this sector will allow us to have a solid point of view in terms of legislation amendment propositions and quicker decisions on potential transactions in this sector,” said Competition Council president Bogdan Chiritoiu.(Curentul)
President Basescu Summons Defense Council Meeting On February 2
Romanian President Traian Basescu has called for a meeting of the country’s defense council on February 2, following a request of Prime Minister Victor Ponta and of five ministers.
People close to the matter previously said that Ponta would call for a meeting of the country’s top defense body for talks on the actions of the Special Telecommunications Service (STS) after a plane crash incident in the Apuseni Mountains early last week and the dismissal of STS’s general manager Marcel Opris. (Adevarul)
Eight Out Of 18 Advisers To President Basescu Dismissed
Eight of the 18 advisers to Romanian President Traian Basescu were dismissed and will no longer serve Basescu starting February 1.
The presidential advisers in question are Gabriel Berca, Adrian Radulescu, Sebastian Lazaroiu, Virgil Paunescu, Daniel Funeriu, Mariana Bitang, Raluca Boboc and Daniel Andrei Moldoveanu.
The eight advisers will be joining the People’s Movement Party, which is pending registration. (Gandul)