New Liberal Party Resumes Merger Process With Democrat Liberals
The leading members of the new Liberal Party meet Monday to discuss the steps of the merger with the Democratic Liberal Party and political strategies.
Negotiation teams will meet to debate the criteria to unify the two parties’ local branches into a new Liberal Party.
Besides the continuation of the merger process, the negotiation teams will also discuss political strategy and the coordination of the parties’ parliamentary groups for the beginning of 2015. (Puterea)
Transgaz Estimates Demand At 16.715 million MWh In January 2015
Total natural gas demand in January 2015 is estimated at 16.715 million MWh, according to a report by Transgaz sent to the energy regulator ANRE, Agerpres reported.
Transgaz estimates demand on the regulated market at 5.556 million MWh, of which 16,212 MWh for non-household consumers and 5.54 million MWh for household consumers. (Adevarul)
One In Five Romanians Faces Poverty
Although on paper Romania ended 2014 with positive economic results and forecasts for 2015 point to sustained economic growth, people’s real living standard is much lower.
This is apparent in government data, as a bill drafted by the Labor Ministry reveals one in five Romanians, meaning nearly five million people, are confronted with poverty.
Moreover, 75% of poor people have been in this situation for at least three years. According to a recent poll, at the beginning of 2015, more than 40% of Romanians have unpaid debts and more than 50% expect they will have to continue making financial sacrifices. (Puterea)
Tourist Accommodation Units Had 80% Occupancy Over Winter Holidays
Nearly 140,000 Romanians, 5% more than last year, spent around RON100 million (EUR22 million) over Christmas and New Year’s break in inns, tourist villas and motels in the country.
On New Year’s, inns and tourist villas throughout the country had an occupancy rate of 80%, while over Christmas the occupancy rate stood at 60-65%.
Tourists spent an average four days in countryside accommodation units over Christmas and five days over New Year’s. (Puterea)
New Skin Cancer Drug Set For Clinical Trials
A drug that scientists believe could revolutionize treatment for advanced skin cancer is to go into clinical trials.
Laboratory tests suggest that the drug, known as a pan-RAF inhibitor, is likely to be effective in melanoma patients who are no longer responding to existing treatments. It might also help people with a strain of cancer that cannot be treated with standard drugs. (Romania Libera)