Radio România Internațional

Tag: blast

September 21, 2023

ACCIDENT A
criminal investigation was initiated with respect to the blast that occurred last
night on a gas pipeline on the Moldova Motorway construction site in eastern
Romania, in which four people died and 5 others were injured. Two men with burn
wounds affecting 30% and 40% of their bodies, respectively, were transferred to hospitals in
Bucharest. Prosecutors are investigating manslaughter and bodily harm offences,
as well as failure to take or observe work safety measures. According to the
Vrancea Emergency Inspectorate, the blast was caused by the construction works
conducted in the vicinity of the pipeline, which was also carrying natural gas
to the neighbouring Republic of Moldova.

TAXES The
Cabinet had a first discussion on the set of measures aimed at the long-term
rebalancing of the state budget and at facilitating the absorption of tens of
billions in EU funding. Apart from cutting down public
spending, the bill focuses on fighting tax evasion, introduces taxes on large
profits and wealth, and eliminates tax privileges. Ahead of the Cabinet meeting,
the measures were discussed in the three-party Social Dialogue Council, which
brings together government officials and representatives of employer
associations and trade unions.

UN The wider
Black Sea area must be protected against the effects of Russia’s war against
Ukraine, the president of Romania Klaus Iohannis said in his address at the UN
General Assembly in New York. The Romanian official added that his country
would not let down its most vulnerable partners, and mentioned the transit of
Ukrainian grain via Romania, a topic he also approached in talks with the
president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of the European
Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Bulgaria’s deputy prime minister, Mariya
Gabriel. President Iohannis also said Romania was concerned with the effects of
climate change, of pollution, of energy insecurity, and is making visible
efforts to fight them. According to him, climate education is a priority for
Romania, and the climate-security interconnection should rank higher on the UN
agenda. Stay tuned for more details on the Romanian president’s address at the
UN after the news.

WHEAT Egypt’s General
Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC) announced having purchased 120,000
tonnes of wheat from Romania in an international purchasing tender, Reuters
reports. GASC also said that since early June Cairo has imported approx. 2.14
million tonnes of wheat, mainly from Russia (1.5 million tonnes) and Romania
(420,000 tonnes). Egypt is the world’s largest wheat buyer, mainly for its
national bread subsidy programme benefiting more than 70 million of its 103
million citizens.

BUCHAREST The
Romanian capital city is celebrating these days 564 years since its first
mention in official documents. Maps, plans, archive images and 3-dimensional
scale models showcasing the 19th Century history of the city are
displayed in an exhibition opened until Sunday at the ARCUB Cultural Centre. On
Saturday, around 200 arts high school students will dance in front of the
National History Museum of Romania, and the music of old-time Bucharest will be
performed in the George Enescu Festival Square in front of the Romanian
Athenaeum. (AMP)

21 September 2023
September 5, 2023 UPDATE

VICTIM Another patient severely
injured in the blasts in Crevedia (southern Romania) died on Tuesday morning,
bringing the number of casualties to 5, the Health Ministry announced. The
victim was of Nepalese origin and had burns on more than 90% of his body. The
powerful explosions followed by a fire took place, 10 days ago, at an LPG
station in Crevedia, south of Bucharest, which was operating illegally.

NATO Together with our Allies, we will continue to
strengthen the NATO structures on Romanian territory, president Klaus Iohannis
said on Tuesday. He added that Romania will continue to support Russia-invaded
Ukraine as long as necessary. Iohannis received the PM of Luxembourg Xavier
Bettel at the military base in Cincu, central Romania, and addressed the NATO
Battle Group in Romania, which comprises around 1,000 French, Dutch, Belgian
and Luxemburgish troops and is spearheaded by France.

WIND POWER On Tuesday, Romania had over 40% of its electricity
demand covered from wind power sources, as the National Meteorology
Administration issued a code yellow alert for strong winds in the south and south-east,
where most of the country’s wind farms are located. According to the National
Energy Regulatory Authority, wind farms have a total installed capacity of over
3,000 MW, and most turbines were in operation on Tuesday. The second most important
electricity source is nuclear power, followed by hydro power and coal.

EPP The leaders of the
European People’s Party (EPP), the largest group in the European Parliament,
have decided that the National Liberal Party, a member of the ruling coalition
in Romania, will host the EPP congress ahead of the European elections in 2024. Attending
the event in Bucharest will be over 2,000 delegates from over 40 countries, including
all the heads of state and government from EPP member parties, the EC president,
Ursula von der Leyen, the European Parliament president, Roberta Metsola, and
all the European commissioners affiliated to the EPP.

FOOTBALL Romania’s national football team is preparing the home matches
against Israel, scheduled on Saturday, September 9, and Kosovo, on Tuesday,
September 12, in Group I of the qualifiers for next year’s European
Championships hosted by Germany. After 4 group matches, with 2 wins and 2
draws, Romania has 8 points and ranks 2, after Switzerland (10 points). The
group also includes Belarus and Andorra. The top 2 teams in each group qualify
for the final tournament. Romania’s last participation in a European football
championship was in 2016, and it last qualified in a World Championship final
tournament in 1998. (AMP)

5 September 2023
BREAKING NEWS – UPDATE: Authorities react to major blast near Crevedia

We need
to ensure chain of command at the level of the Interior Ministry to keep the developments
in check. We are also considering the activation of the EU Civil Protection
Mechanism. Our priority is to stabilize the patients, Romania’s Prime Minister
Marcel Ciolacu told a private TV station on Saturday evening in the wake of the
series of blasts at a filling station near Crevedia which killed one person and
injured another 30.

Earlier on
Saturday, Health Minister Alexandru Rafila said he is examining the possibility
of transferring patients who suffered critical burns to burn units abroad, in
case the capacity of related wards in Bucharest is exceeded. According to Interior Ministry sources, aicraft are on standby to ensure the transfer of these patients abroad.

Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis has also reacted, expressing his deep regret for the tragedy,
insisting that the number one priority right now is to provide assistance to everyone
affected. The head of state has also called for a special inquiry.

A
special crisis room was set up at the level of the Interior Ministry, which
will coordinate on-site interventions as well as the transport of patients in
cooperation with the relevant state institutions.

26 August 2023
August 10, 2020

COVID-19 In Romania, the total number of COVID-19 infections is now over 62,500, with 779 new cases reported on Monday and with the death toll standing at 2,729, of which 29 in the last 24 hours, according to the Strategic Communication Group. As many as 476 patients are in intensive care units, and over 30,311 have recovered. The largest numbers of SARS-CoV-2 cases are reported in Bucharest and in the counties of Suceava (north-east) and Arges (south). Healthcare experts once again urged citizens to observe protection rules. They warned that private parties or family gatherings do not eliminate infection risks even if they take place outdoors. Today, the National Public Health Institute decided to include Spain in the yellow risk area. As of Tuesday, all those who travel from Spain to Romania must self-isolate for 14 days, and all flights from Spain to Romania are cancelled. Meanwhile, Italy has extended its self-isolation requirement for all people having stayed or transited Romania up to 14 days before arriving in Italy. The measure will be in place until September 7.

PANDEMIC Around the globe, some 20 million cases and 730,000 deaths have been confirmed so far. The US and Latin America are severely affected, in Asia the worst hit country is India, with over 43,000 deaths, while in Africa the worst situation is reported in South Africa. The Gulf region is also severely hit, with over 600,000 cases confirmed in Iran and Saudi Arabia alone.

INVESTIGATION The Bucharest Court of Appeals is today analysing the request of the Directorate Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism Offences (DIICOT) to reopen the investigation against senior gendarme officials with respect to the anti-government protests of August 10, 2018. Last week, the Court of Appeals postponed the request. On Tuesday the chief prosecutor of DIICOT, Giorgiana Hosu, dismissed the decision to close the case and ordered the recommencement of prosecution against the former officials of the Romanian Gendarme Corps. The case had been closed in late June, when the case prosecutor decided that there was neither evidence of an attempted coup, as gendarme officials had claimed at the time, nor evidence that the crackdown on the protests had been planned beforehand. The reopening of the case must be approved by a judge, and then the investigation will be taken over by the Military Prosecutors Office. The former gendarme chiefs will be probed into, among others, for abuse of office and improper participation in misrepresentation, abusive conduct and fraud.

DEFICIT Romanias trade deficit for the first 6 months of the year stands at 8.665 billion euros, up 935.7 million euros since the level reported for the first half of 2019, the National Statistics Institute announced on Monday. Between January 1 and June 30, Romanias exports totaled 28.590 billion euros, and imports 37.255 billion euros. During the same period, exports dropped by 18.1%, while imports went down 12.6%, compared to the corresponding period of 2019.

LEBANON Nearly one week after the devastating blast in Beirut, which killed 158 people and injured 6,000, the international community put together an emergency aid package of nearly 253 million euros for Lebanon, and promised it would reach the Lebanese people directly. The money was pledged at a virtual donor conference hosted by France. An investigation is underway to clarify the causes of the disaster, and leaders around the world have asked for a transparent inquiry. Meanwhile, in Beirut, protests are growing, having already led to the resignation of 2 cabinet ministers. For 2 days in a row, protesters demanded the government should step down, and accused politicians of incompetence and corruption. Clashes have been reported between the protesters and the police, with 250 people wounded and 65 hospitalised according to the Lebanese Red Cross. One policeman was killed.

ELECTION The incumbent president of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, won a new term in office with 80.23% of the votes cast in Sundays election, according to preliminary results. Viewed as Europes last dictator, Lukashenko has ruled Belarus since 1994. Svetlana Tihanovskaia, a former English teacher turned Lukashenkos main challenger in the presidential election, got 9.9% of the votes. The results were challenged by protesters who took to the streets on Sunday. Clashes with the police were reported, with at least one person dead and scores of others injured. (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

10 August 2020
August 9, 2020 UPDATE

COVID-19 In Romania, another 1,145 coronavirus infections were reported, taking the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic up to 61,768. More than 30,000 patients have recovered. The Strategic Communication Group announced that 458 patients are still in intensive care. The death toll of the pandemic in Romania is 2,700. Romania requested 10 million vaccine doses, when one is available, the health minister Nelu Tătaru announced. He added the vaccine will primarily be given to healthcare staff, to the elderly and people with previous conditions. Tǎtaru also warned that many cases are confirmed among tourists returning from their holidays, and reminded that the number of cases depends to a great extent on peoples compliance with face covering and distancing requirements. Apart from tourism, the health minister added, a number of other major risks have been identified, including business activities and regional commuting and transport. Tǎtaru expects a steady number of new cases rather than an increase, but warned that the situation depends entirely on people observing protection rules. Meanwhile, Italian authorities extended the self-isolation requirement for all people having stayed or transited Romania up to 14 days before arriving in Italy. The measure will be in place until September 7.

PANDEMIC Meanwhile, in spite of international and local efforts, the covonavirus continues to spread. worldometers.info reports some 20 million cases worldwide, over 729,000 deaths, and at least 12.7 million patients recovered since the first case was reported in China 7 months ago. The worst hit country is the USA. Many countries are stepping up efforts to create a vaccine. Singapore is starting trials on 100 patients next week, in a first stage that would take until October. In Israel human trials will also begin soon. The US has recently increased investments to support a potential vaccine currently in the final stage of clinical trials. Pharmaceutical companies around the world have signed contracts with countries like Canada, Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands for experimental COVID-19 vaccines.

GOVERNMENT The interim Senate speaker Robert Cazanciuc presented in a press conference on Sunday the “black book of the Liberal government, which will be the foundation for a no-confidence motion announced by the Social Democratic Party against Ludovic Orbans cabinet. The largest opposition party in Romania says that under the Liberal government the healthcare situation is out of control, and the number of COVID-19 cases in recent weeks proves that the government has failed to properly handle the epidemic. The Social Democrats also believe the Liberal government backed by the President of Romania has fumbled all economic recovery attempts, failing to properly implement any measure. According to the Social Democrats, these are the results of a government only interested in elections and in quick gains for party clients.

ECONOMY Romania will avoid technical recession and its economy will shrink by less than predicted by rating agencies, the European Commission, the IMF and the banking sector, thanks to a prompt and efficient package of economic policies, the Romanian finance minister Florin Cîţu says. In a Facebook post, he says the countrys economic recovery will begin in the 3rd quarter, which means positive economic growth in 2021. Florin Cîţu argues that the fiscal policy gave an “immediate, strong and, more importantly, targeted response to the challenges entailed by the pandemic.

LEBANON The French president Emmanuel Macron has called for quick and effective action to ensure the international aid reaches the Lebanese people, in the wake of the massive explosion that ravaged Beirut. In a virtual international donor conference on Sunday, Macron also called on the Lebanese authorities to respond to the demands legitimately voiced by people in the streets with adequate political and economic reforms. The French official pleaded for an impartial, credible and independent inquiry into the causes of the disaster on August 4. Fifteen heads of state and government, including the US president Donald Trump, took part in the conference co-hosted by France and the UN and attended by representatives of some 30 countries and international organisations. Romania has already joined the international relief effort. Nearly 8 tonnes of medical materials and pharmaceuticals were donated and shipped on Saturday from Romania to Lebanon. At least 158 people died, 6,000 were injured and 300,000 lost their homes in Beirut when a warehouse storing more than 2,000 tonnes of amonium nitrate caught fire. The blast came amid the already unfolding COVID-19 crisis, a deep economic crisis and anti-governmental discontent among the Lebanese people. (Translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

9 August 2020
August 9, 2020

COVID-19 In Romania, another 1,145 coronavirus infections were reported in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic up to 61,768. More than 30,000 patients have recovered. The Strategic Communication Group announced that 458 patients are still in intensive care. The death toll of the pandemic in Romania is 2,700, with 41 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. The first COVID-19 case in the country was confirmed on February 26. The authorities urge citizens to get information from official sources only. Romania requested 10 million vaccine doses, when one is available, the health minister Nelu Tătaru announced. He added the vaccine will primarily be given to healthcare staff, to the elderly and people with previous conditions. Tǎtaru also warned that many cases are confirmed among tourists returning from their holidays, and reminded that the number of cases depends to a great extent on peoples compliance with face covering and distancing requirements. Apart from tourism, the health minister added, a number of other major risks have been identified, including business activities and regional commuting and transport. Tǎtaru expects a steady number of new cases next week, rather than an increase, but warned that the situation depends entirely on people observing protection rules.

PANDEMIC Meanwhile, in spite of international and local efforts, the covonavirus continues to spread. worldometers.info reports at least 19.8 million cases worldwide, over 729,000 deaths, and at least 12.7 million patients recovered since the first case was reported in China 7 months ago. The worst hit country is the USA, which currently has over 5.1 million cases and over 165,000 deaths. Problems are still reported in Europe, with Britain still the worst affected (46,000 deaths), followed by Italy (35,000), France (30,000) and Spain (28,000). Many countries are stepping up efforts to create a vaccine. Singapore is starting human trials next week, in a first stage that would take until October. In Israel trials will also begin soon, while Russia announced it was producing 2 vaccines to be distributed this month—an announcement received with reserve by the World Health Organisation. The US has recently increased investments to support a potential vaccine currently in the last stage of clinical trials. Pharmaceutical companies around the world have signed contracts with countries like Canada, Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands for experimental COVID-19 vaccines.

TIFF Today brings the last screenings as part of the Transylvania International Film Festival in Cluj-Napoca. On Saturday night, the winners of this years edition were announced, in an event where the director Cristi Puiu caused a stir when he urged people to take off their protection masks. At the opening of his latest movie, “Malmkrog, Puiu argued that it is “inhuman to have people watch a 200-minute long film with their faces covered. The Transilvania trophy went to ”Babyteeth, the debut feature of the Australian director Shannon Murphy. The award gala was held for the first time outdoors, in the Union Square in Cluj-Napoca, as were all the around 140 film screenings this year.

LEBANON The leaders of the worlds most powerful states are discussing today, in a conference call initiated by France and the UN, means to raise aid for Lebanon, after the massive explosion that ravaged Beirut. The US president Donald Trump said he planned to join the call. Several countries promised millions of US dollars in aid and sent vessels, healthcare workers and materials to help. Romania has joined the international relief effort. Nearly 8 tonnes of medical materials and pharmaceuticals were donated and shipped on Saturday from Romania to Lebanon. Authorities estimate the blast caused losses of up to 15 billion dollars. At least 158 people died, 5,000 were injured and 300 lost their homes. On Saturday several thousand people took to the streets, and clashes with the police were reported. Lebanons PM Hassan Diab said he would push for early elections. Lebanon was already in a major economic crisis and struggling with the coronavirus pandemic.

NAGASAKI The mayor of the Japanese city of Nagasaki urged the government to take more steps to eradicate atomic bombs in the world. Tomihisa Taue gave an address during the commemoration of the 1945 American attack on the city, which killed over 80,000 people, and said that as the only country in the world to experience the devastating effects of nuclear weapons, Japan should sign and ratify as soon as possible the agreement prohibiting nuclear weapons. On August 9, 1945, an atomic bomb nearly obliterated Japans fourth-largest city, after on August 6 another bomb had killed over 140,000 in Hiroshima. (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

9 August 2020
April 3, 2017 UPDATE

MESSAGE – The Romanian Foreign Ministry conveyed a message of condolences to the families of the people killed in the blast on the St. Petersburg metro on Monday. The message was posted on the Ministry’s Twitter page. An explosion tore through a train as it was travelling between two stations in Russias second-biggest city, killing over ten people and injuring dozens more. A second device was found and defused at another station. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.

MEMORANDUM – The Republic of Moldodva has signed a controversial memorandum of cooperation with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union. Moldova’s President, the pro-Russian Igor Dodon, signed the document on behalf of his country, saying it was the first step towards strengthening economic cooperation with the East. Dodon also said the memorandum did not contradict previous accords signed by his country, such as the Association Agreement with the EU. On the other hand, Moldova’s PM, Pavel Filip, has recently said that the memorandum will have no legal value as it lacks the approval of the Foreign Ministry and has not been ratified by Parliament.

MINISTERS — Two new ministers, namely the Environment Minister and the Minister for the Liaison with Parliament, were sworn in on Monday. The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, a junior coalition partner in the Government led by Social-Democrat Sorin Grindeanu, nominated Gratiela Gavrilescu for the position of Environment Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. Replacing Gavrilescu as the new Minister for Liaison with Parliament will be Viorel Ilie, also nominated by the Liberals and Democrats. One week ago the party leadership decided to withdraw political support for the party co-president, Daniel Constantin, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment, amidst tensions between him and the other co-president, Senate Speaker Calin Popescu-Tarcieanu.

BORDER POLICE — The Romanian border police announced it would strengthen border control checks starting Friday. The documents of all people crossing the border will be cross-checked in national and international databases, therefore the authorities expect waiting times to spike. According to a press release, on April 7 the authorities will implement an amendment brought to the Schengen Borders Code, adopted by the European Parliament and the European Council, aimed at improving the security of the EU and its citizens. The Romanian border police says all measures have been taken to reduce waiting times and ensure functional border checks and is making efforts to ensure a balance between the security of citizens and border crossing flows.

ELECTION IN SERBIA — The acting Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic on Sunday won the presidential election in Serbia. According to the Serbian Election Commission, Vucic grabbed over 55% of the vote, while the runner-up, current Ombudsman Sasa Jankovic, won only 15% of the vote. Seen as the new strongman of Serbian politics, Vucic is an ultranationalist turned pro-European Democrat. He pledged to support Serbia’s efforts to join the EU as well as maintain privileged relations with Russia. EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, has congratulated the president elect, whom he called a partner and a friend.

MILITARY DRILL — Three Romanian warships carrying 200 military onboard and three Turkish warships are taking part in the “Starfish” bilateral military exercise. The exercise is aimed at increasing interoperability between Romanian and Turkish naval forces. While docking in the port of Constanta, the Turkish military will also bring floral tributes to the Cemetery of Turkish War Heroes in Slobozia, southern Romania, and will visit the Museum of the Romanian Navy.

PROTESTS — The Moscow Police on Sunday arrested 30 people taking part in an anticorruption rally, the latest after last week’s large-scale protests. Radio Romania’s correspondent reports that opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, the organizer of last week’s protests, who was already placed under 15-day arrest for resisting arrest, says he is in no way connected to the latest protest. According to the Police, a thousand people protested on Sunday as compared to the nearly 100,000 people who protested on March 26. On Friday, several dozen Romanians protested before the Russian Embassy building in Bucharest, as a token of solidarity with the anticorruption protests in Russia.

(Translated by Elena Enache)

3 April 2017