IN BRIEF (Page 4)

Romania

President names new premier

Romania's president has nominated a regional politician as the next prime minister, after turning down an economist who could have become the country's first female Muslim premier. President Klaus Iohannis on Friday endorsed Sorin Grindeanu, 43, to become premier. Grindeanu is a member of the Social Democratic Party that won Dec 11 elections, and chairman of the Timis county council. Parliament needs to approve him. The nomination came after Iohannis declined to endorse Sevil Shhaideh.