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Geopolitics

Romania's Constitutional Court Delays Referendum Ruling

ROMANIA LIBERA, REVISTA 22 (Romania)

Worldcrunch

BUCHAREST - The political crisis in Romania worsens, threatening the country's already fragile economy.

On Thursday, the Constitutional Court was expected to invalidate the results of July 29's referendum on the impeachment of President Traian Basescu, Romania. Eighty-eight percent of those who participated in the referendum voted to dismiss President Basescu.

But, "Huge Surprise," titles the Bucharest daily Romania Libera on Friday: The Constitutional Court has delayed ruling on the referendum until September 12.

The July 29 poll was deemed invalid because of low voter turnout: only 46% of the electorate voted, while Romanian legislation demands a 50% participation for a ballot to count.

However, Romania's Prime Minister Victor Ponta, instigator of the impeachment vote, says the 50% threshold might have actually been reached. He says that according to 2011 census figures, the Romanian total population decreased significantly, from 22 millions to 19, as explains the weekly publication Revista 22.

Using the new numbers, believes Ponta, the 50% limit was indeed met.

The nine judges from the Romanian Constitutional Court were not able to reach a unanimous decision on whether or not to uphold the referendum's result.

Until the September ruling, President Basescu remains suspended and is replaced by interim president, Crin Antonescu.

The political stalemate has a strong impact on the economy of the seventh largest EU member state. According to the national publication Romania Libera, the local currency (LEU) was at its lowest rate after the delay announced by the Constitutional Court yesterday.

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Society

Tales From A Blushing Nation: Exploring India's 'Issues' With Love And Sex

Why is it that this nation of a billion-plus has such problems with intimacy and romance?

Photo of Indian romance statues

Indian romance statues

Sreemanti Sengupta

KOLKATA — To a foreigner, India may seem to be a country obsessed with romance. What with the booming Bollywood film industry which tirelessly churns out tales of love and glory clothed in brilliant dance and action sequences, a history etched with ideal romantics like Laila-Majnu or the fact that the Taj Mahal has immortalised the love between king Shahjahan and queen Mumtaz.

It is difficult to fathom how this country with a billion-plus population routinely gets red in the face at the slightest hint or mention of sex.

It therefore may have come as a shock to many when the ‘couple-friendly’ hospitality brand OYO announced that they are “extremely humbled to share that we observed a record 90.57% increase in Valentine’s Day bookings across India.”

What does that say about India’s romantic culture?

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