New cases of swine flu in Romania

4 new cases of swine flu have been registered in Romania in the past week. The overall number of infected there has thus risen to 343 people. About 4 mln Romanians are likely to get infected with swine flu in the entire period of the pandemics, according to local health experts. They predict the peak to be February – April 2010. The first case of swine flu infection in Romania was registered in May.

Fashion show of world brands in Istanbul

Leading global fashion brands, among them Cavalli, Fere, Westwood, Fergamo and others, will participate in a fashion show in Istanbul to be held from 23^rd to 25^th October. The aim of this initiative is to turn the city into a fashion centre. The organizers emphasize that personal contacts have played major part in enticing global brands to participate in “Fashion Istanbul”.

Bulgarian exhibitions in Belgrade

The exhibition “Bulgarian animation – yesterday, today, tomorrow” and another one of Anri Kulev’s caricatures were unveiled in the Culture House in the student city of Belgrade. The initiative is part of the 6^th European caricature festival of animation films “Balkananima 09”. By 10 October some 77 films from 32 countries will be screened. There will be a review of European animation films.

Physical and psychological violence in Macedonia

Macedonian children are submitted to more violence then children of the same age in Albania, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. 68% of children from 2 to 14 years of age in Macedonia have been subject to physical and psychological punishments, claims latest UNICEF report on rights of children across the globe. Beating remains one of the main “educational methods” in Macedonia. Every second child from 2 to 14 years of age in the country has been physically punished although only 7% of parents have responded positively to beating being a useful method for upbringing of children.

Romanian folklore ballad in UNESCO protection list

A Romanian folklore ballad known under the title “doina” has been included in UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage of mankind alongside tango. On UNESCO’s website, doina has been described as a lyrical song which can be performed by an orchestra or solo.

11% of Albanian kids do not attend school

11% of children in school age in Albania do not attend school at all while 8% work full-time to help their families. UNICEF survey shows this and it has been carried out in schools in several regions in the country including major towns such as Tirana, Shkodra and Fieri. Data published by Albanian Education Ministry shows that illiteracy in the country goes as high as 2% while independent sources run that figure to about 10%.

From Belgrade to Vienna for only 29 euro

Austrian low-cost carrier “Fly Nikki” has received a provisional permission to fly the destination Belgrade-Vienna from 1 February 2010. The cheapest one-way ticket, including airport taxes, will cost 29 euro. The company, owned by former F1 champion Nikki Lauda, has been trying to get a direct flight to the Serbian capital from Vienna for a long time.

English version: Delian Zahariev