June 30, 2017

The new government in Bucharet meets for the first time; Estonia takes over from Malta the presidency of Europe

Corina Cristea, 30.06.2017, 13:52

GOVERNMENT — The new government in Bucharest, led by Social Democrat Mihai Tudose, meets today for the first time. It was endorsed by Parliament on Thursday. On its agenda are emergency executive orders on increasing social assistance for pensioners and doubling aid for the severely disabled, also setting up the Sovereign Fund for Development and Investment. Not achieving these aims was one of the reasons for which the former government put in place by the Social Democrat — Liberal Democrat alliance failed, and PM Sorin Grindeanu was removed by censure motion.

BRUSSELS — On June 30, Estonia takes over from Malta the rotating presidency of the European Union Council. The agenda is focused on the economy, especially the digital market. This is the first time Estonia leads the union, and will seek to find common ground on various topics, from migration to the Brexit. European Commission President Jean-Claude Junker, and European Council President Donald Tuks are in Tallin since Thursday, attending ceremonies.

WEATHER — The weather is hot and getting hotter in most of the country, with the heat index surpassing 80 in the west, south, and east of the country. Skies are clear, with mild winds in most areas. Maximums are between 30 and 39 degrees Celsius. The extreme heat is expected to last until the end of the week. The National Meteorology Agency announced it is possible for this to be the hottest early July on Record. They have issued a code orange alert for the southern part of the country, with a code yellow alert in effect for the rest of the country, with the exception of seven counties in the center and northwest. For Saturday, the code orange alert extends to several more counties, where temperatures are expected to be above 40 degrees. The noon reading in Bucharest was 33 degrees centigrade.

BACCALAUREATE — Students graduating high school in Romania have taken the optional test of the baccalaureate exam. 135,000 students have registered for the test. Statistics indicate that in the 2016-2017 school year, the total number of students at all levels of education was 3.6 million, 45,000 fewer than last year.

WASHINGTON — People from six predominantly Muslim countries and refugees overall are facing stricter hurdles for entering the US after the application tonight of a controversial ban issued by US President Donald Trump. The ban applies to Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, as well as refugees of all kinds. The president explained that the ban was motivated by national security needs, pointing to the terror attacks in Paris, London, Brussels and Berlin.