Southern Romania Is Being Swallowed By Desert

In Oltenia, Romania's driest region, increasing temperatures and prolonged droughts are leading to severe desertification, affecting agriculture and local livelihoods. Historical actions by the communist regime, such as draining natural water bodies, have exacerbated the situation. Efforts by local activists like Dan Popescu and organizations like WWF Romania aim to combat desertification through reforestation and ecological reconstruction. However, challenges persist due to polluted underground water and lack of government support. Climate predictions indicate worsening conditions, making these efforts crucial for the region's future.

Inside Romania’s Booming Sexcam Business

Romania's sexcam industry is thriving, generating over €300 million annually and employing around 100,000 models across 5,000 studios. Despite its profitability, the industry operates in a legal grey area due to the Romanian government's refusal to recognize it officially, forcing studios to use alternative business codes. Key factors driving the industry's success include high unemployment, a large pool of English-speaking women, and high-speed internet. The industry faces challenges such as exploitation and high turnover, but successful models like Vera Renczi and Dylan Green highlight the potential for significant earnings. The article also discusses the emotional connections formed between models and clients, and the industry's expansion into the male model market.

Prisoners Describe What It's Like to Get a Tattoo Behind Bars

Inmates across Romanian prisons share their experiences of getting tattoos while incarcerated, detailing the process, significance as a coping mechanism, and their feelings of regret or pride. Methods have evolved from using makeshift ink from warden's boot heels to more advanced improvised tattoo machines. Tattoos often symbolize personal relationships, milestones, or self-expression, but also come with risks such as infection and identification by authorities. Some inmates plan to remove or redo their tattoos after release, while others reflect on their tattoos as reminders of their past.

What It's Like to Grow Up in a Nature Reserve

Bucharest's Vacarești Natural Park, also known as the Bucharest Delta, emerged from a failed waterworks project initiated by former communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu. The area, now a lush wetland, hosts diverse wildlife and several Roma families who partly live off the land. Despite being declared a nature reserve, the park faces challenges from property developers and forest fires. A documentary project involving local Roma children aims to raise awareness and funds for their education.

An Exhibition of Seats Taken From Deadly Car Crashes

The Romanian police launched an awareness campaign in Bucharest to highlight the life-saving importance of seat belts. The exhibition features 15 car seats from fatal accidents where victims were not wearing seat belts, accompanied by survivor stories. Romania has the second highest number of deadly traffic accidents in the EU, with about eight lives lost daily due to non-compliance with seat belt regulations.

A Massive Protest Brought Down Romania’s Government Tuesday Night

Romania is in mourning following the Colectiv nightclub fire that killed 32 people and injured 134. The tragedy has exposed severe safety law deficiencies and government negligence. A massive protest in Bucharest, involving 25,000 people, led to the resignation of Prime Minister Victor Ponta and other officials. The protest highlighted public outrage over corruption and inadequate safety measures, with demonstrators demanding justice and safer conditions. Despite the resignations, the protesters remain committed to their cause, as replacements from the same political parties have not addressed the underlying issues.

Photos of Romanians Showing Off Their Tattoos by the Pool

Public pools in Bucharest, once a popular summer destination during the communist era, have fallen into disrepair and are now mainly frequented by low-income, working-class Romanians. The article features a project called P'afară, which explores these pools through the lens of local artists and photographers, focusing on the personal expression of tattoos. The tattoos, ranging from crosses to portraits of loved ones, reflect period-specific inking techniques and personal stories.

Sînziana Velicescu Loves Cities So Much She'd Like to Escape Them

Sînziana Velicescu, a 24-year-old LA-based photographer and director, explores the intersection of human intervention and nature in urban environments through her photography. Her work focuses on the aesthetic and utilitarian aspects of architecture, including elements like murals and abstract shapes that influence urban life. Velicescu is drawn to minimalist scenes and geometric shapes, expressing a love for the rhythm of the city while critiquing the impact of advertisements and urban expansion. Her series serves as a homage to urban life, tinged with a desire to escape to different places or times.