Elena Udrea Not Considering Running For President
Democrat liberal MP Elena Udrea said in a televised interview Thursday evening she is not considering running for president.
Udrea said a necessary condition for any candidate of the party would be for polls to show the respective candidate has the biggest chance at winning the election.
She added the Democratic Liberal Party currently lacks a candidate who would make it into the second round of presidential elections. (Gandul)
President Traian Basescu Attends Eastern Partnership Summit In Vilnius
Romanian President Traian Basescu is attending the Eastern Partnership Summit taking place Thursday and Friday in Vilnius, Lithuania, where the Republic of Moldova and Georgia will initial an Association Agreement with the EU, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area.
European leaders appear to have made no progress on reviving a trade pact with Ukraine. Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich abruptly froze plans to sign the trade and reform deal last week, under pressure from Russia.
EU leaders have been trying to persuade him to change his mind. (Evenimentul Zilei)”
Romania Executives See Decline In Constructions In Nov ’13- Jan ‘14
Romanian executives estimate the activity in the construction sector will decline between November 2013 and January 2014 compared with the previous three months, while the other sectors will see a constant activity, according to the statistics institute INS.
The polled managers estimate the manufacturing industry, the retail and services sectors will see a relative stability during the November-January interval.
The number of employees will moderately increase in retail, but the workforce in the construction sector will decline in the analyzed period. Executived do not expect large variations in the number of employees in the service sector and the manufacturing industry.
Prices are expected to grow in retail and services, but managers expect flat prices in the other sectors. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Romgaz Cuts 2013 Profit, Revenue Estimates Amid Faltering Demand
State-run natural gas producer Romgaz Medias has revised down its full-year revenue and profit projections, due to weak market demand and lower gas prices, the company said in a call to its shareholders
Romgaz revised down by 10% its forecast on the 2013 revenues to 4.43 billion lei (roughly EUR1 billion), from RON4.92 billion.
“The lower revenue is largely due to fewer deliveries of natural gas to both local and foreign consumers, as well as to a decline in gas price following a structural change in the company’s consumer portfolio,” Romgaz said. (Adevarul)
Antifraud Department Targets Bringing EUR800M-EUR1B In Six Months
Finance Minister Daniel Chitoiu told parliamentary commissions the heads of the Antifraud Department target bringing between EUR800 million and EUR1 billion to the state budget within six months.
The heads of the Antifraud Department have temporary management contracts.
“Our commitment is for this new structure to bring in at least EUR800 million – EUR1 billion in the first six months. This is the target and if the heads of the department, appointed temporarily, fail to meet it, they will leave,” said Chitoiu. (Gandul)
Salt In Everyday Painkillers Boosts Risk Of Heart Attacks
People who regularly take soluble painkillers such as ibuprofen, paracetamol and aspirin are risking heart attacks or strokes.
Many contain so much salt that users are seven times more likely to develop high blood pressure, and 22% higher risk of a stroke.
Any effervescent and soluble drugs – including calcium, zinc and vitamin C – lead to a 28% greater risk of dying prematurely of any illness, concludes a major survey by the British Medical Journal.
Researchers examined data from almost 1.3 million people, monitoring their health for seven years. (Curentul)