January 23, 2016

An update of domestic and international news

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Newsroom, 23.01.2016, 12:00

The code yellow alert for frost continues in Romania until Tuesday, except for 5 counties in the west and northwest. The lowest temperatures will range from minus 20 degree C to minus 15 degrees C. On isolated areas temperatures will drop down to minus 28 degrees C. Fog and white frost have been reported on small areas in the south and west. The noon reading in Bucharest was minus 10 degrees C.

The Fitch rating agency has reconfirmed the ratings for Romania’s long-term debts in hard currency and local currency at “BBB minus” and “BBB” respectively, the outlook for both ratings being stable, Reuters reports. The issue ratings on Romanias senior unsecured foreign and local currency bonds have been affirmed at BBB-and BBB, respectively. The Country Ceiling has been affirmed at BBB+. Romania’s ratings are supported by the more robust economic prospects, the current better fiscal position and the more favorable governance indicators in comparison with other states with a “BBB” rating. However, for 2016, Fitch is concerned about the fiscal sustainability on medium term. The agency estimates that tax cuts will lead to a drop in governmental incomes by 2% of the GDP this year, which will put pressure on the fiscal structural deficit. Fitch also estimates that Romania’s economic growth in 2016 will stand at almost 4%.

Romanian MP Mircea Dolha, the head of the parliamentary delegation that visited Norway this past week, said Saturday that the Bodnariu family, who lost custody of their 5 children for having physically hit them, might recover their children. Dolha pointed out that during the talks with the Norwegian government and the child protection ministry they have been given clear signals in this regard. He said the Norwegian authorities promised to issue an internal order so as to make the authorities involved in such cases be more careful when making decisions. The MPs have called on the governor of the city where the Romanian-Norwegian family resides to look again into the order of placing the children into foster care, because the measure was disproportionate, being an abusive interpretation of the principle of best interest of the child. Further protests will take place Saturday to support the Bodnariu family.

A massive blizzard bringing snow and powerful winds is advancing up the US East Coast, the BBC reports. More than 50 million people from more than 10 states have been warned to stay at home as the blizzard moves north. In the capital Washington, the snow layer might reach a record level of 76 centimeters. At least 8 people have been killed, 6 states have declared states of emergency and thousands of flights have been cancelled. The weather system affects a huge swathe of the country, from Arkansas in the south to Massachusetts in the northeast. Supermarkets ran out of food because people rushed for supplies before the first snowfall on Friday.

(News translated by Lacramioara Simion)