MEASURES The
government in Bucharest has today tackled a series of measures to overcome the
energy crisis announced by the European Commission. According to Prime Minister
Nicolae Ciuca all the measures taken by its cabinet to cap prices for
electricity and gas have been tailored to meet the recommendations made by
Ursula von der Leyen and are aimed at protecting household consumers, the
Romanian economy and curbing consumption. The European Commission wants to
reduce the price paid for Russian gas as part of a plan to diminish energy
costs. According to the head of the EU Commission, the money Putin uses to fund
his war campaign in Ukraine must be limited. The Commission wants to also curb
demand by reducing energy consumption at peak hours. In Moscow, president Putin
says that Russia will completely stop energy deliveries if the EU caps the
Russian exports adding the Europeans will freeze in winter. The European Energy
Ministers are to discuss the Commission’s proposals on Friday.
BLUE AIR Romanian discount carrier Blue Air is expected
to resume its flights shortly. Company officials are to announce today what
flights the company is going to resume. On Tuesday the airline announced the
suspension of its flights until September 12th after its bank
accounts were frozen by the state amid concerns over unpaid debt. According to
the Romanian Foreign Ministry, Romanian nationals abroad affected by the
measure can contact the nearest diplomatic mission or consular office. The
Romanian passengers stranded at airports across Europe and beyond are being
repatriated by means of the planes of the national airline Tarom after the
government has allotted money from the reserve funds.
EXPULSION The Foreign Ministry in
Moscow has declared ‘persona non grata’ a member of the Romanian Embassy in
Moscow, the RIA agency announced on Thursday. Reuters recalls that Romania,
like other EU members, has been designated an ‘unfriendly country’ by Moscow in
response to sanctions imposed after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Earlier
this year Russia and EU countries expelled hundreds of each other’s diplomats
in the wake of the Russian invasion on February 24th.
FOOTBALL Romania’s football champions CFR Cluj today takes on FC Ballkani of
Pristina in their first Group G game of the Europa Conference League. In the
other match of this group Turkish side Sivasspor will be taking on Slavia Praga
while in Group B, Romania’s vice-champions FCSB will be playing English side
West Ham United in London. Also in this group Belgian side Anderlecht Brussels
will be up against the Danish from Silkeborg.
DAY Christians in
Romania are today celebrating the Birth of Jesus’s Mother, St. Mary. According
to the Christian belief, the Virgin Mary was born out of a miracle. Her parents
Joachim and Ana were very old and could not have babies. In response to their
prayers God made a miracle and Ana got pregnant at an old age. They named their
daughter Mary and she would give birth to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Christians believe the Holy Virgin reached the highest degree in holiness and
unlike the other saints, she is celebrated four times a year, on her birthday, Her
entry into the Temple, the Annunciation and the Ascension.
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