Florin Catanescu, who experienced the harsh conditions of a Romanian orphanage as a child, has established a shelter in Brasov to support young individuals transitioning out of state care. The shelter offers shared accommodation, meals, camaraderie, and guidance from Catanescu, emphasizing the importance of contributing to the community.

Romanians are preparing to elect a new president amidst a political crisis, with incumbent President Klaus Iohannis leading the polls. The election follows the recent ousting of Viorica Dancila's government due to corruption scandals. A minority government has been formed by the National Liberal Party, led by Prime Minister Ludovic Orban. If no candidate secures over 50% in the election, a second round will be held on November 24. Romania faces economic challenges, including a high poverty rate and labor shortages exacerbated by emigration. The election, costing $35 million, is the most expensive in Romanian history.

A Romanian Senate committee withdrew a proposed amendment that would have pardoned officials convicted of corruption after public protests. Approximately 2,000 people demonstrated in Bucharest and other cities against the amendment, which was part of a draft bill. The protests followed a larger movement that occurred two months prior when the Social Democratic government attempted to decriminalize some corruption offences through an emergency decree, which was also retracted due to mass demonstrations. Opposition parties and anti-corruption campaigners have criticized the amendment, and both the Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu and the President Klaus Iohannis have expressed opposition to it. The leader of the ruling Social Democrats, Liviu Dragnea, who could have benefited from the decree, also opposed the amendment after the protests.

Romania is experiencing its largest mass protests since the end of the dictatorship, with hundreds of thousands demonstrating against the new social democratic government's attempt to weaken anti-corruption laws. The government's proposed changes would exonerate high-ranking politicians from corruption charges and set a high threshold for prosecuting abuse of office. The protests have had some impact, with Trade Minister Florin Jianu resigning. Despite international and domestic criticism, including from President Klaus Johannis and the Romanian Anti-Corruption Directorate, led by Laura Codruta Kövesi, the government has not indicated any plans to reverse the decree. The situation remains tense, with ongoing protests and potential for further unrest.

Romania witnessed its largest protests since 1989, with around 250,000 people demonstrating against an emergency government decree that could free officials jailed for corruption. The decree, which decriminalizes certain corruption offenses, has sparked outrage as it could lead to the pardon of many politicians, including the chairman of the ruling Social-Democratic party (PSD), Liviu Dragnea, who has been convicted of voter fraud. The PSD passed the decree late at night without public announcement, prompting chants of 'at night like thieves' from protestors. The European Commission and six key partners of Romania, including the U.S. and Germany, have expressed concern that the decree undermines EU and NATO principles. The protests are seen as a defense of the rule of law and a fight for a fair future in Romania.