okebet com Russia's Update on Nuclear Doctrine Can Be Considered Signal to West - KremlinThirteen candidates are vying for the presidency in the European Union and Nato member country, with the vote expected to go to a second round on December 8. Polls opened at 7am local time and will close at 9pm, with Romanians abroad able to vote since Friday. By 2pm, 4.8 million people – about 27% of eligible voters – had cast their ballots, according to the Central Election Bureau. The final vote could see George Simion, the leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), face off against incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, who is backed by Romania’s largest party, the Social Democratic Party (PSD). The presidential role carries a five-year term and has significant decision-making powers in areas such as national security, foreign policy, and judicial appointments. Romania will also hold parliamentary elections on December 1 that will determine the country’s next government and prime minister. Mr Simion, 38, is a vocal supporter of US President-elect Donald Trump and has long been a figure of controversy. He campaigned for reunification with Moldova, which this year renewed a five-year ban on him from entering the country over security concerns, and he is banned for the same reason from entering neighbouring Ukraine. “I would like that in the next five to 10 years, for Romanians to be really proud to be Romanians, to promote Romanian culture, Romanian products,” he told reporters in the capital, Bucharest. “As a Romanian president, I will promote Romanian interests. In most cases, Romanian interests coincide with partner interests.” Mr Ciolacu said one of his biggest goals is “to convince Romanians that it is worth staying at home or returning” to Romania, which has a massive diaspora spread throughout EU countries. “Romania has a huge chance to become a developed economy in the next 10 years, where honest work is fairly rewarded and people have the security of a better life,” he said. “But for this, we need balance and responsibility... I am running for the Presidency of Romania because we need a change.” Other key candidates include Elena Lasconi of the Save Romania Union party, former Nato deputy general secretary Mircea Geoana, who is running independently, and Nicolae Ciuca, a former army general and head of the centre-right National Liberal Party, which is in a tense coalition with the PSD. Romania has been a staunch ally of Ukraine since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022. But Mr Simion of the AUR party said he opposes Romania — which has sent a Patriot missile system to Ukraine — contributing further military aid and that he hopes Mr Trump can “stop the war.” In 2020, the AUR party went from relative obscurity to gaining 9% in a parliamentary vote, allowing it to enter parliament. Opponents have long accused Mr Imion and AUR of being extremists, charges he denies. “We are sort of a Trumpist party in this new wave of patriotic political parties in Europe,” Simion said.U.S. stocks close mixed

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I was surprised by the response to my previous column touching on my chat with entrepreneur Arjun Vaidya on the mental health issues that founders face. Several readers wanted to know more and hence I am sharing a few more thoughts on this. Starting a new business can be exhilarating but for the founders it can also bring significant mental health challenges. The pressures of building a company from scratch, dealing with financial uncertainty and navigating competition can be overwhelming, affecting emotional and psychological well-being. One of the most prevalent issues is stress. Founders are often responsible for everything from product development to marketing and fundraising. The heavy workload and demanding hours can lead to burnout, with many founders sacrificing sleep, exercise and social time to meet the high demands of the business. Unlike in traditional roles where work-life boundaries are more defined, a founder’s responsibilities often feel unending, with no clear distinction between personal and professional life, leading to “founder fatigue”, where mental exhaustion becomes as problematic as physical tiredness. For an entrepreneur, work-life balance is actually work-work balance. Financial insecurity compounds this stress. Many founders pour their savings into the startup and face the constant fear of running out of funds. This anxiety can be intense, especially when there’s a need to impress investors and attract customers to achieve stability. The pressure to secure revenue quickly, often with limited resources, can make founders feel isolated, fearing they’ll lose everything if their company doesn’t succeed. The heightened anxiety can negatively impact decision-making and relationships. Startup culture celebrates resilience and toughness. Founders hesitate to admit to feelings of depression or anxiety, believing they must always appear confident to their teams and stakeholders. This discourages open conversations and founders find themselves unable to reach out for help. Getting the gig economy to care for its backbone The last thing business founders need is a wasteful public spat The pros and cons of spouses teaming up as co-founders To navigate these challenges, it’s critical for founders to build mental health support into their routines. Taking breaks, delegating responsibilities, and setting realistic goals can help reduce stress. Peer support is equally vital as talking to other founders who understand the unique pressures of startups can provide reassurance and practical advice. Therapy and counselling, as well as mindfulness practices are increasingly recognised as essential tools for managing the emotional rollercoaster of start-up life. A healthy founder is more likely to lead effectively, make better decisions and sustain the energy needed to grow the start-up. Prioritising mental health is essential for achieving sustainable success in the high-stakes world of start-ups. (The writer is a serial entrepreneur and best-selling author of the book ‘Failing to Succeed’; posts on X @vaitheek) CommentsNew food production methods needed