Press Review - January 7, 2015

01.07.2016 By Gabriela Stan

World Bank Lifts Romania's 2016 Growth Forecast To 3.9%

 The World Bank upgraded Romania’s economic growth forecast to 3.9% in 2016, from 3.2% seen previously, according to the latest World Economic Prospects report released Wednesday.

For 2017, the World Bank gross domestic product growth is estimated at 4.1%, from 3.5% previously. The World Bank also upgraded Romania’s economic growth forecast for last year, to 3.6% from 3% previously. 

Thus, the World Bank forecasts are currently in line with the estimations of other international institutions such as the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund.

Alina Gorghiu Does Not Exclude Collaboration With Other Political Parties Except For PSD

PNL co-chair Alina Gorghiu stated that she does not exclude collaboration with other political parties except for PSD.

Gorghiu refused to provide an electoral score that the party targets for the upcoming elections and also refused to talk about a potential resignation unless PNL reaches its targets.

In 2014, former PNL president Crin Antonescu resigned as the party failed to reach the 20% threshold targeted at the elections for the European Parliament. (Evenimentul Zilei)

Crude Oil Prices Hit 11-Year Low Of $35.58 Per Barrel

Crude oil prices on Wednesday fell by $1.31, or 3.55%, to $35.58 per barrel for the first time since 2004.

Investors say the tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran are extinguishing any chance of major producers cooperating to cut production, according to Reuters.

"Shale production and increasing capacity from countries like Russia who need to protect revenue, combined with expectations of further Iranian supply, mean actual production as well as expectations of future production are rising," Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets, told Reuters. (Puterea)

Bucharest-Ilfov Ambulance Service Registered 1,299 Emergency Calls In Last 24 Hours

Alis Grasu, manager of Bucharest-Ilfov Ambulance Service (SABIF) stated that SABIF registered 1,299 emergency calls in the last 24 hours, of which 697 were red or yellow code emergencies.

Over 100 of the emergencies were reported in a public place, of which 38 were suspicions of fractures. Grasu added that the number of persons with fractures, disjoints and wricks was expected to increase these days given the weather conditions, as many of the older persons who have to leave the house on difficult weather conditions have osteoporosis.  (Puterea)

Parliamentary Delegation Mulls Travelling To Norway For Talks Over Bodnariu Case

A parliamentary delegation formed of members of the Commission for Romanian communities abroad wants to travel to Norway on January 18 – 22 for talks over Bodnariu case, according to PNL deputy Mircea Dolha.

Dolha added that the members of the commission are trying to schedule meetings with Norwegian counterparts, members of the Norwegian government and the representatives of child services agency (Barnevernet), but they are still pending confirmation of the meetings.

Norway's child services agency seized the five children of Bodnariu family in November on charges of Christian indoctrination and has begun the adoption process. (Adevarul)