Radio România Internațional

Tag: cup

  • RRI Sports Club

    RRI Sports Club

    Romanias womens handball team sees its participation in the European Championship hosted by Denmark at the end. The Romanians came out 12th out of 16 teams, which is the weakest performance for the team in a European championship, with 0 points in the main group stage.



    Romania started out in Group D, with a defeat from Germany 19 – 22. The subsequent win against Poland, 28 – 24, was the only one in this European championship edition, but it was enough to take Romania into the main groups. The last match in Group D ended with a clear defeat, 20 – 28 against Norway.



    In the Main Group II, Romania played 3 matches only to lose all of them: 20 – 25 against Croatia, 24 – 26 against Hungary and 24 – 35 against the Netherlands. In the last match, with nothing left to fight for, the managers of the Romanian team decided to spare their top player Cristina Neagu the effort, so the disastrous score came as no surprise.



    The next matches in the competition are scheduled for Friday. In the match for 5th place, Russia is taking on the Netherlands. The semi-finals will be pitting France against Croatia and Norway against Denmark. The final will be played on Sunday.



    In mens handball, this Sunday CSM Bucharest are playing at home against the Turkish side Spor Toto, in the return match of the EHF European Cups 3rd round. In the first leg in Turkey, CSM won 33 to 27, which gives the Romanian side better chances to move up into the 8th-finals of the competition, in which another Romanian team, Minaur Baia Mare, is already qualified. (tr. A.M. Popescu)

  • Sports roundup

    Sports roundup

    With 2 matches played in the Euro 2022 qualifiers, Romanias mens handball team ranks second in Group 8. Romania was defeated by Sweden in Gothenburg on Thursday night, 30-33, and won the following match, 36-27 against Montenegro in Baia Mare, on Sunday. On the same day, Sweden beat Kosovo, in Prishtina, 30-16. Sweden is top of the group with 4 points, followed by Romania with 2, Montenegro, also 2 points, and Kosovo with 0 points.



    Romanias next game will be on March 10, away from home, against Kosovo. Twenty-four countries will take part in the 2022 European Handball Championship. Defending champions Spain and vice-champions Croatia are already qualified, and so are the host countries Hungary and Slovakia. The top 2 teams in each group and the best 4 teams ranking 3rd in their group will also move on into the final tournament. Romania last took part in a European handball championship in 1996, in Spain, where it came out 9th.



    In womens handball, CSM Bucharest outplayed the Slovenian side RK Krim Ljubljana, 25-23, away from home on Saturday night, in the Champions League Group A. also on Saturday, FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria was, surprisingly, defeated in Budapest by SG BBM Bietigheim, 35-24, while Rostov-on-Don beat Team Esbjerg, 28-24. The game pitting Vipers Kristiansand against Metz Handball was postponed. After Saturdays leg, CSM Bucharest ranks first in the group with 10 points out of 6 games, followed by Rostov-on-Don with 9p in 5 games, Vipers Kristiansand, 7p in 4 games, Metz Handball, 6p in 5 games, FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria, 4p in 5 games, Team Esbjerg and RK Krim Mercator Ljubljana – 3p (6 games), and SG BBM Bietigheim, 2p (7 games). CSM Bucharest is next to take on Krim, at home on November 14.



    The Romanian player Bernadette Szocs left the Table Tennis World Cup in Weihai (China), after she was defeated in the 8th-finals by Chinas Meng Chen, 4 – 0. Bernadette Szocs had to self-isolate for 15 days in order to take part in the tournament. She had come out 2nd in the qualifier groups, after losing a match to Hyo-won Suh (South Korea), 2-4, and winning against Dina Meshref (Egypt), 4 – 3.



    In Romanian football League One, matches were played this weekend, counting for the 10th round. Top of the standings so far as FCSB and Universitatea Craiova, with 24 points each, followed by CFR Cluj with 21 points. (translated by: A.M. Popescu)

  • Sports roundup

    Sports roundup

    With 2 matches played in the Euro 2022 qualifiers, Romanias mens handball team ranks second in Group 8. Romania was defeated by Sweden in Gothenburg on Thursday night, 30-33, and won the following match, 36-27 against Montenegro in Baia Mare, on Sunday. On the same day, Sweden beat Kosovo, in Prishtina, 30-16. Sweden is top of the group with 4 points, followed by Romania with 2, Montenegro, also 2 points, and Kosovo with 0 points.



    Romanias next game will be on March 10, away from home, against Kosovo. Twenty-four countries will take part in the 2022 European Handball Championship. Defending champions Spain and vice-champions Croatia are already qualified, and so are the host countries Hungary and Slovakia. The top 2 teams in each group and the best 4 teams ranking 3rd in their group will also move on into the final tournament. Romania last took part in a European handball championship in 1996, in Spain, where it came out 9th.



    In womens handball, CSM Bucharest outplayed the Slovenian side RK Krim Ljubljana, 25-23, away from home on Saturday night, in the Champions League Group A. also on Saturday, FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria was, surprisingly, defeated in Budapest by SG BBM Bietigheim, 35-24, while Rostov-on-Don beat Team Esbjerg, 28-24. The game pitting Vipers Kristiansand against Metz Handball was postponed. After Saturdays leg, CSM Bucharest ranks first in the group with 10 points out of 6 games, followed by Rostov-on-Don with 9p in 5 games, Vipers Kristiansand, 7p in 4 games, Metz Handball, 6p in 5 games, FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria, 4p in 5 games, Team Esbjerg and RK Krim Mercator Ljubljana – 3p (6 games), and SG BBM Bietigheim, 2p (7 games). CSM Bucharest is next to take on Krim, at home on November 14.



    The Romanian player Bernadette Szocs left the Table Tennis World Cup in Weihai (China), after she was defeated in the 8th-finals by Chinas Meng Chen, 4 – 0. Bernadette Szocs had to self-isolate for 15 days in order to take part in the tournament. She had come out 2nd in the qualifier groups, after losing a match to Hyo-won Suh (South Korea), 2-4, and winning against Dina Meshref (Egypt), 4 – 3.



    In Romanian football League One, matches were played this weekend, counting for the 10th round. Top of the standings so far as FCSB and Universitatea Craiova, with 24 points each, followed by CFR Cluj with 21 points. (translated by: A.M. Popescu)

  • July 23, 2020

    July 23, 2020

    COVID-19 The large number of new coronavirus infections over the past few days in Romania prompted authorities to raise the alarm about the healthcare situation. The National Public Health Institute urges citizens to observe basic protection rules, including proper face covering and physical distancing, along with strict hand hygiene. On Thursday the Strategic Communication Group reported a record-high rate of COVID-19 infection in 24 hours, 1.112 new cases out of over 20,000 tests. The total number of cases in 5 months has exceeded 40,000. Over 5,500 patients are hospitalised, with nearly 300 in intensive care. Authorities also reported 25 new deaths, bringing the total death toll to over 2,126.



    NATO The Cincu Training Centre in central Romania is today hosting a ceremony devoted to the establishment of NATOs Headquarters Multinational Division South-East. Attending the event are president Klaus Iohannis, defence minister Nicolae Ciucă, and chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Daniel Petrescu. A drill involving nearly 1,000 troops and 200 vehicles will follow the ceremony. The exercise is designed to improve the integration and performance of complex military actions. The NATO Headquarters Multinational Division South-East has been set up in order to coordinate the structures deployed in this region, security strategy expert Alexandru Grumaz explained for Radio Romania. Over 400 high-ranking officers from various NATO member countries will work in Sibiu starting this autumn. With the establishment of the headquarters, NATOs entire south-east European flank will be coordinated from Sibiu, retired general Alexandru Grumaz said.



    ECONOMY Accessing European funds was the key topic of Wednesday nights Government meeting in Bucharest, which focused on legislation facilitating the countrys economic recovery. The Cabinet also discussed options to grant non-reimbursable loans to SMEs and entrepreneurs, both for investments and working capital. Funds will also be granted to limited liability companies without employees, to self-employed professionals, cultural NGOs and to family physicians who treated COVID-19 patients. Another bill concerns the provision of funds for SMEs to lease equipment and tools. The 80 billion euros earmarked by the EU for Romania will be spent for national reconstruction, president Klaus Iohannis said prior to the Cabinet meeting, after a discussion with PM Ludovic Orban. The money will come from 2 sources, the EU 2021-2027 multiannual budget and the post-COVID-19 recovery fund. The first source will cover ongoing projects, and the money will be accessed under a national plan which is virtually ready, the head of state explained. The EU economic recovery plan provides access to 34 billion euros for Romania, especially in non-reimbursable funds and also in low-interest loans.



    EU The European Parliament convenes today in a special session devoted to the multiannual budget and the economic recovery plan, endorsed on Tuesday by the EU leaders. Attending the session will be the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the Council president Charles Michel. Political groups in the EP have agreed on a resolution to be adopted by Parliament. MEPs will ask for clarifications regarding the connection between accessing EU funds and the rule of law, after this issue was left unanswered by the EU leaders at this weeks summit, the EP president David Sassoli said on Wednesday, quoted by Reuters. He added that the multiannual budget must be able to cover the main challenges facing Europe in the medium run, such as the green deal, digitisation, economic vulnerabilities and fighting inequities. Previously, EU leaders agreed on setting up a European recovery fund worth 750 billion euros and on the Unions budget for 2021-2027, amounting to 1,074 billion euro, but their official statement includes no reference to making access to funds conditional on observing the rule of law.



    FOOTBALL The Bucharest-based club FCSB last night won the Romanian Football Cup, after defeating Sepsi OSK Sfântu Gheorghe 1-0 on neutral ground in Ploieşti. FCSB thus booked its place in the Europa League qualifiers, alongside another Romanian team, FC Botosani. The national football championship is also drawing to an end, after being suspended in March over the coronavirus pandemic and resumed last months. Topping the charts is CSU Craiova, followed by defending champions CFR Cluj. All football matches in Romania are played without public access. (translated by: Ana Maria Popescu)

  • July 21, 2020

    July 21, 2020

    RECOVERY The 27 EU member states this morning in Brussels have reached an agreement on a historic economic recovery plan for the Union. The 750 billion euro post-crisis plan adds to the EUs multi-annual budget of 1,074 billion euro for 2021-2027. Of the 750 billion euros, 390 billion will be granted in subsidies to the countries worst hit by the corona crisis, while 360 billion euro will be available in loans. President Klaus Iohannis announced that Romania will receive 80 billion euros, to build schools and hospitals and upgrade major public systems.



    COVID-19 According to the latest report released by the Strategic Communication Group, the last 24 hours saw 994 new COVID-19 cases in Romania, bringing the total number to 39,133 since late February. 36 people died over the past 24 hours, with the total death toll standing at 2,074. As many as 1.087 patients have been released at their request, while nearly 300 others are still in intensive care. PM Ludovic Orban has once again called on citizens to comply with protection rules and to use face masks indoors. He said the authorities would not like to introduce new restrictions or measures that would impact the economy. The number of checks and inspections in crowded areas, such as markets, outdoor restaurants or public transport, has been increased.



    LAW In Romania, a new law on quarantine and self-isolation has taken effect today. The bill introduced by the Government was drastically amended by Parliament, after the Constitutional Court ruled that such restrictions can only be imposed by law, even in the case of COVID-19 patients. The Cabinet convened this morning to introduce the provisions of the new law in an executive order that extends the state of alert by 30 days, as of July 17. Under the new law, healthcare authorities may decide that patients be hospitalised for 48 hours, for an assessment of their state, after which doctors may either extend the hospitalisation period or send the patient home, if the risk of disease transmission is low. Patients may challenge in court the obligation to self-isolate. The same applies for quarantine measures, which concern people coming from high-risk areas or who have been in contact with infected people. The law also stipulates that doctors and nurses may be transferred to hospitals experiencing staff shortages, but only for 30 days, and they are entitled to bonuses for their work. The law defines the conditions for local or regional lockdowns, a measure that the authorities have been talking about recently.



    PANDEMIC With many restrictions lifted and the holiday season in full swing, the number of COVID-19 cases worldwide has doubled in the past 7 weeks, to 15 million, of which 5.3 million active cases at present. Over 614,000 people died. The most affected countries remain the US, Brazil, India, Russia, South Africa, Peru, Mexico, Chile, and the UK. In Europe, the countries with the highest death tolls are the UK, Italy, France and Spain. Asia also sees large numbers of cases in India, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. The WHO warns that indigenous peoples in the Amazon rainforest and other parts of the world, accounting for nearly half a million people, are highly vulnerable and measures must be taken as soon as possible.



    MILITARY Two Romanian military vessels are taking part in a multinational exercise called “Sea Breeze 20, held between July 20 and 27 in Ukraines territorial sea, in the Black Sea international waters and the port of Odessa. Over 20 military vessels, 19 aircraft and nearly 2,000 troops and officers take part in this NATO exercise.



    SPORT The football sides FCSB from Bucharest and Sepsi OSK from Sfântu Gheorghe will be playing the Romanian Cup final on neutral ground in Ploiesti this Wednesday night. In the semi-finals, Sepsi outplayed CSM Poli Iaşi, and FCSB defeated Dinamo Bucharest. Last month, the domestic championship was resumed, after being suspended in March over the COVID-19 epidemic. Topping the standings is CSU Craiova, followed by defending champions CFR Cluj. All football matches in Romania are played without public access.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • July 9, 2020

    July 9, 2020

    COVID-19 Romania ranks 1st in the EU by number of new coronavirus cases confirmed in 24 hours, with 555, which is more than during the state of emergency. The death toll is over 1,800. The number of patients in intensive care is also close to the highest number reported during the state of emergency. The number of cases has grown lately due to failure to comply with containment rules, an attitude reinforced by fake news and by peoples distrust of the authorities, says dr. Virgil Musta, head of the COVID ward at the Victor Babeş Hospital in Timişoara (west). He explained that unless measures are taken immediately, the virus may spread at alarming rates and the healthcare system might become unable to handle the situation. The health minister Nelu Tătaru said he is not considering a new state of emergency at this point, but a decision in this respect will be based on further assessments. Tǎtaru also mentioned that new relaxation measures are also out of the question until the number of new cases is steady.



    BILL A bill on self-isolation and quarantine drafted by the Government is on the agenda of the Chamber of Deputies as of today. The Government passed the bill on Monday, after the Constitutional Court dismissed previous bills on compulsory isolation and quarantine as unconstitutional, on grounds that they are lacking in clarity and predictability, and do not guarantee that certain fundamental rights and freedoms are complied with. The Constitutional Court also found that introducing quarantine under a government order is a violation of fundamental rights. The Social Democrats in opposition announced they would substantially alter the text of the bill, because it comes against citizen rights and freedoms. On the other hand, the Government accuses the Social Democratic Party of irresponsibility over postponing debates on this bill, which according to the Cabinet enhances the efficiency of COVID-19 containment measures while at the same time complying with the Constitutional Court ruling. The Senate will cast the decisive vote on this bill early next week.



    EU The German Chancellor Angela Merkel presented the European Parliament with the programme of the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, which Berlin will be holding for the next 6 months. The German official once again called for solidarity and unity among member states, so that they may emerge stronger from the coronavirus crisis. Merkel described this health crisis as the biggest challenge for the EU and explained that the future multi-annual budget as well as the post COVID-19 recovery fund must not only help in the short run, but also lead to a long-term reform of the Union. In turn, the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen warned politicians and institutions not to disregard the multi-annual budget in favour of the economic recovery instrument, dubbed “Next Generation EU. Member states must overcome divergences over a number of issues, such as the funds earmarked for the recovery plan, its duration, the loan-to-grant ratio or the criteria for fund allotment to member countries.



    DEFENCE The Romanian Army Chief of Staff, lieutenant-general Daniel Petrescu, takes part in a meeting of the EU Military Committee in Brussels. According to the Defence Ministry, the agenda includes topics like the EU-NATO cooperation, assessments of security threats, and the prospects of military training missions in the Central African Republic, Mali and Somalia. Participants will also discuss the security issues related to migration flows and the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic for command and control structures.



    PANDEMIC The total number of COVID-19 cases worldwide is over 12.1 million, with the death toll reaching 552,000, according to worldometers.info. One-quarter of the total number of cases were confirmed in the US, while Brazil, the second hardest hit country, has more than 1.7 million infection cases. The US secretary of state Mike Pompeo says progress has been made in the talks with the EU on reopening borders to travellers from the US, France Presse reports. EU countries agreed to reopen EU and Schengen borders as of July 1 to passengers from 15 countries, in a list that includes China, under certain conditions, but not the USA. The list, based on epidemiologic criteria, was approved by EU member states following difficult negotiations, at the start of the summer tourist season. The US had in turn introduced travel restrictions for EU citizens during the pandemic. The US president Donald Trump said at that time that the large number of infections in the US was owing to the travellers coming from Europe, because, he claimed, the EU failed to ban travel to and from China in due time.



    FOOTBALL FCSB is the first team to qualify into the Romanian Cup final, after defeating another Bucharest-based club, Dinamo, 3-0 and 1-0 respectively. The other semi-final, due tonight, is pitting CSM Poli Iasi against Sepsi OSK Sfântu Gheorghe. In the first leg, Sepsi won 5-1 on home turf. The games are played without public. the final is scheduled on July 22 in Ploiesti. (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • Sports Weekend

    Sports Weekend

    Bucharests FCSB football club Thursday went up to the second place in the Romanian League One ranking. They beat FC Voluntari, away from home, 2-1, in a postponed match counting for the 18th leg of the championship. Darius Olaru from the defending vice-champion team scored first, 8 minutes into the game, for the first time since playing for the club. The hosts equalizer came in minute 32, with the winning goal coming only 10 minutes later from Florinel Coman. The hosts played the entire second half with only 10 players, after defender Igor Armas was sent out of the pitch one minute before the break for a foul.



    Games counting for the 24th leg of the football championship are scheduled this weekend. On Saturday Gaz Metan Medias play at home against CFR Cluj. On Sunday, Sepsi Sfantu Gheorghe take on Politehnica Iasi, FC Voluntari play at home against Dinamo Bucharest, and the legs derby pitches Universitatea Craiova against Viitorul Constanta, in the village of Ovidiu. Monday sees the last 2 matches of this leg: FC Botosani vs FC Hermannstadt, and FCSB vs Academica Clinceni.



    Top ranking are CFR Cluj with 47 points, followed by FCSB with 42 points.



    Games in the womens handball European championships are also scheduled this weekend. In the Champions League, main group 1, CSM Bucharest play away from home against the Norwegian team Vipers Kristiansand. In main group 2, SCM Ramnicu Valcea take on the defending European champions, the Hungarian team Gyor on home court. Both games take place on Saturday. The 2 Romanian teams in the EHF Cup are pitted against Hungarian sides. In Group B, Magura Cisnadie play against Siofok, while in Group C Gloria Bistrita-Nasaud is meeting ERD, on Sunday.



    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • Sports Weekend

    Sports Weekend

    Bucharests FCSB football club Thursday went up to the second place in the Romanian League One ranking. They beat FC Voluntari, away from home, 2-1, in a postponed match counting for the 18th leg of the championship. Darius Olaru from the defending vice-champion team scored first, 8 minutes into the game, for the first time since playing for the club. The hosts equalizer came in minute 32, with the winning goal coming only 10 minutes later from Florinel Coman. The hosts played the entire second half with only 10 players, after defender Igor Armas was sent out of the pitch one minute before the break for a foul.



    Games counting for the 24th leg of the football championship are scheduled this weekend. On Saturday Gaz Metan Medias play at home against CFR Cluj. On Sunday, Sepsi Sfantu Gheorghe take on Politehnica Iasi, FC Voluntari play at home against Dinamo Bucharest, and the legs derby pitches Universitatea Craiova against Viitorul Constanta, in the village of Ovidiu. Monday sees the last 2 matches of this leg: FC Botosani vs FC Hermannstadt, and FCSB vs Academica Clinceni.



    Top ranking are CFR Cluj with 47 points, followed by FCSB with 42 points.



    Games in the womens handball European championships are also scheduled this weekend. In the Champions League, main group 1, CSM Bucharest play away from home against the Norwegian team Vipers Kristiansand. In main group 2, SCM Ramnicu Valcea take on the defending European champions, the Hungarian team Gyor on home court. Both games take place on Saturday. The 2 Romanian teams in the EHF Cup are pitted against Hungarian sides. In Group B, Magura Cisnadie play against Siofok, while in Group C Gloria Bistrita-Nasaud is meeting ERD, on Sunday.



    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • May 18, 2019 UPDATE

    May 18, 2019 UPDATE

    NATO The North-Atlantic Alliances largest communications exercise Steadfast Cobalt 2019 begins on Sunday in Otopeni, near Bucharest. Taking part are over 1,200 Romanian and foreign military from 35 NATO IT&C structures, the Romanian Defence Ministry announces in a news release. Scheduled to conclude on June 2, Steadfast Cobalt 2019 is aimed at the joint training of troops in the provision of multinational support in NATO operations and at practicing the standard procedures required in order to ensure the interoperability of NATO human and technical resources.




    CYBER-CRIME The EU member states have adopted a mechanism enabling them to punish individuals or entities from outside the bloc that commit cyber attacks. It is for the first time that the EU responds to cyber attacks in this form. Under the new mechanism, Brussels will be able to introduce travel restrictions and to freeze the assets and accounts of suspected offenders.





    JOBS Rome is hosting until Sunday a job fair for the Romanians who seek to return to their home country. The executive president of the organising association, Casa România, Dorin Coman, explains that the project took shape after the organisation found out that Romania lacks 250,000 workers in constructions alone. According to him, an objective is to help Romanians come back home, to find accurate information about the developments in the country, about the jobs available and the salary level. Taking part in the fair are many Romanian companies, operating especially in the field of constructions. According to the Italian Statistical Institute, nearly 1.2 million Romanians were living in Italy in 2018.




    TRADE FAIR Romanian furniture producers are taking part for the 2nd consecutive year in the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York – ICFF, an American global design platform. Between May 19 and 22, Romanian companies will president their products alongside more than 900 other participants from 72 countries. The Romanian pavilion is organised by the Ministry for the business environment, trade and entrepreneurship, jointly with the Romanian Furniture Producer Association. According to the Ministry, in last years edition the quality, the environment-friendly raw materials used, the innovative finishing and diversity of styles brought Romanian producers contracts of around 1 million UDS.




    HANDBALL The mens handball team CSM Bucharest Saturday won the Challenge Cup, defeating the Portuguese side Madeira Andebol SAD in the decisive leg of the finals, 26-20. In the first leg, in Portugal, the 2 teams had drawn, 22-22. Challenge Cup is the 3rd-tier inter-club competition in Europe. The current Cup holders are Potaissa Turda, from north-western Romania. Another 3 Romanian teams have also won the trophy so far: CSA Steaua Bucharest (in 2006), CS UCM Reşiţa (in 2007, 2008, 2009) and HC Odorheiu Secuiesc (in 2015), while CSU Bucovina Suceava was a finalist in 2009. In womens handball, CSM Bucureşti was kicked out from the Champions League quarter-finals by the French team Metz, after having qualified into the so-called Final Four for the past 3 years, and after having won the trophy in 2016.



    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • March 5, 2019 UPDATE

    March 5, 2019 UPDATE

    JUDICIARY The Government of Romania Tuesday passed changes to the controversial Emergency Order 7 on the justice laws, which had triggered protests across the country. Under the changes announced by Justice Minister Tudorel Toader, only prosecutors with at least 15 years of seniority may hold top positions in the Public Ministry, and only the prosecutors division of the Higher Council of Magistrates, instead of the entire body, is required to give an advisory opinion on appointments. Also, good reputation will no longer be a criterion in dismissing magistrates, and the salaries of IT experts in the judicial system remain unchanged. Tudorel Toader made no comments on the controversial provisions regarding the new division investigating magistrates, which stay in place. The new changes have been operated despite the negative opinion of the Higher Council of Magistrates. Last Sunday in Bucharest and other major cities nearly 8,000 people protested against Emergency Order 7 modifying the justice laws. The prosecutors and judges in some 80 courts and prosecutors offices in half the country have also protested these days, by suspending work or by picketing court buildings.




    VISIT The Romanian PM Viorica Dăncilă announced a working visit to Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday, when she will attend 2 events devoted to equal opportunity and promoting womens rights and will have meetings with senior EU officials, including the European Commission first vice-president Frans Timmermans and the Brexit chief negotiator Michel Barnier. This years edition of the Womens European Council is held in a partnership with the Romanian presidency of the Council of the EU, and will focus on better representation of women in politics and on promoting women into leadership positions, Viorica Dăncilă said. The second event will be organised by Romanias permanent representation to the EU, and will also be devoted to gender equality. The Romanian PM also added that on Thursday and Friday in Brussels, the Justice and Home Affairs Council will convene, chaired by Interior Minister Carmen Dan and Justice Minister Tudorel Toader. The agenda includes EU-wide cooperation in the field of the judiciary and border security, the Common European Asylum System and the Unions response to migration and terrorism.




    FLU Two more people died in Romania because of the flu, the National Centre for Infectious Disease Monitoring and Control confirmed on Tuesday. The 2 women were over 80 and also suffered from other, chronic conditions, and only one of them had been immunised against the flu. The total number of deaths caused this season by the flu has reached 165. According to the latest data, over 1.3 million people have been vaccinated so far.




    VOLLEYBALL The Romanian womens volleyball team CSM Alba Blaj Tuesday defeated Ştiinţa Bacău 3-0, in the return leg of the Romanian semi-final of the CEV Cup, the second top official competition in Europe. Alba Blaj had also won the first leg, in Bacau, 3-0, a week ago. Last year, Alba also played the Champions League final, which they lost in Bucharest to the Turkish club VakifBank Istanbul. The other semi-final of the CEV Cup pits Hungarian team Swietelsky Bekescsaba against Yamamay e-work Busto Arsizio of Italy.



    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • The Athlete of the Week

    The Athlete of the Week

    The Italian town of Marcianese last week was the capital of European fencing. Located in the province of Caserta, close to Napoli, the little town played host to the European Epee Cup. The competition brought together Europes top fencing teams. Representing Romania was the fencing team of Steaua Army Club in Bucharest, made of Ana-Maria Popescu, Alexandra Predescu, Greta Vereş and Raluca Sbârcia.



    The Romanians had an auspicious start in the competition, winning two group matches, the one against the English team Plymouth and the second against the Italian team Caserta. Then in the quarterfinals the Romanians outclassed Spains Club Esgrima Lazaro Cardenas. However, Steaua were defeated by Fiamme Oro, the team of the Italian Police. In the fight for the bronze medal, Steaua outperformed Aeronautica Militare, the team of the Italian air forces.



    This week, Radio Romania International has designated Ana-Maria Popescu the Athlete of the Week.



    Better known as Ana-Maria Branza to fencing lovers, our top epee fencer was born on November 26, 1984. She first compelled recognition in international competitions in 2001 when she emerged as world champion at the World Cadet Championships in Poland. In 2002, Ana-Maria Branza became a juniors world champion in Turkey. 2002 was an auspicious year for Ana-Maria, who amazed everybody coming in 3rd at the World Championships in Lisbon.



    At the Athens Olympics in 2004, when all hopes were pinned on Ana-Maria Branza, the Romanian fencer only came in 16th. Ana Maria then took her revenge in Beijing in 2008, where she walked away with silver, which was Romanian fencings best result at the Beijing Olympics. In 2010 and 2011, Ana-Maria Popescu was a member of the Romanian team that won the world epee title. In 2013, at the European Championships in Poland, Ana-Maria won the gold medal in the individual event and silver in the nations competition. At the European championship held in Strasbourg in 2014, and in Montreux, in 2015, Ana-Maria once again stepped onto the first step of the podium, with the Romanian team.



    However, Ana-Maria Popescus career best occurred in 2016. In the Rio Olympics, Ana-Maria was a member of the epee team that won the Olympic gold.



    (translated by: Eugen Nasta)

  • The Athlete of the Week

    The Athlete of the Week

    The Italian town of Marcianese last week was the capital of European fencing. Located in the province of Caserta, close to Napoli, the little town played host to the European Epee Cup. The competition brought together Europes top fencing teams. Representing Romania was the fencing team of Steaua Army Club in Bucharest, made of Ana-Maria Popescu, Alexandra Predescu, Greta Vereş and Raluca Sbârcia.



    The Romanians had an auspicious start in the competition, winning two group matches, the one against the English team Plymouth and the second against the Italian team Caserta. Then in the quarterfinals the Romanians outclassed Spains Club Esgrima Lazaro Cardenas. However, Steaua were defeated by Fiamme Oro, the team of the Italian Police. In the fight for the bronze medal, Steaua outperformed Aeronautica Militare, the team of the Italian air forces.



    This week, Radio Romania International has designated Ana-Maria Popescu the Athlete of the Week.



    Better known as Ana-Maria Branza to fencing lovers, our top epee fencer was born on November 26, 1984. She first compelled recognition in international competitions in 2001 when she emerged as world champion at the World Cadet Championships in Poland. In 2002, Ana-Maria Branza became a juniors world champion in Turkey. 2002 was an auspicious year for Ana-Maria, who amazed everybody coming in 3rd at the World Championships in Lisbon.



    At the Athens Olympics in 2004, when all hopes were pinned on Ana-Maria Branza, the Romanian fencer only came in 16th. Ana Maria then took her revenge in Beijing in 2008, where she walked away with silver, which was Romanian fencings best result at the Beijing Olympics. In 2010 and 2011, Ana-Maria Popescu was a member of the Romanian team that won the world epee title. In 2013, at the European Championships in Poland, Ana-Maria won the gold medal in the individual event and silver in the nations competition. At the European championship held in Strasbourg in 2014, and in Montreux, in 2015, Ana-Maria once again stepped onto the first step of the podium, with the Romanian team.



    However, Ana-Maria Popescus career best occurred in 2016. In the Rio Olympics, Ana-Maria was a member of the epee team that won the Olympic gold.



    (translated by: Eugen Nasta)

  • 10.02.2017

    10.02.2017

    Ministre – Le président roumain Klaus Iohannis doit se prononcer aujourd’hui sur la proposition avancée par le premier ministre Sorin Grindeanu, de nommer au poste de ministre par intérim de la Justice, Ana Birchall, ministre déléguée aux Affaires européennes. Le titulaire du portefeuille, Florin Iordache, a annoncé, jeudi, sa démission, même s’il estime que toutes les initiatives assumées ont été légales et constitutionnelles. Une décision saluée par l’opposition de Bucarest. Le départ de Iordache a été réclamé y compris par des élus de la coalition gouvernementale, après qu’il eut promu, par décret d’urgence, certaines modifications de la loi pénale. Cette démarche avait suscité les plus amples manifestations de rue que la Roumanie ait connues ces 27 dernières années. Même si le décret, critiqué tant par les principales institutions judiciaires du pays, mais aussi par les partenaires étrangers de l’UE et de l’OTAN, a été abrogé par le gouvernement, les protestations ont continué à Bucarest et dans d’autres villes du pays.

    Economie – Le gouverneur de la Banque Nationale de Roumanie, Mugur Isarescu, attire l’attention sur le fait que l’instabilité et les tensions politiques auxquelles le pays est confronté actuellement peuvent affecter la stabilité monétaire, financière, voire macroéconomique de la Roumanie. Les protestations des 10 derniers jours, engendrées par l’initiative de l’Exécutif de modifier la législation pénale par décret d’urgence – ont un impact sur la stabilité monétaire et financière du pays qui sera ressenti dans la croissance économique de cette année, a mis en garde le chef de la Banque Centrale. Il a précisé que son institution tablait sur une croissance entre 4 et 5% pour l’économie roumaine cette année. Récemment, la Commission nationale des prévisions a estimé une croissance économique plus optimiste pour 2017, à savoir de 5,2%

    Investissements – Le gouvernement de gauche de Bucarest a adopté, jeudi, un mémorandum concernant la création du Fonds souverain de développement et d’investissement (FSDI), a annoncé le ministre de l’Economie, Alexandru Petrescu. Il a expliqué que le Fonds est un instrument de financement dans des secteurs compétitifs, rentables et soutenables, à effet multiplicatif dans l’économie, après avoir attiré du capital et des sources sur le marché financier. Selon ministre de l’Economie, le FSDI représentera « un partenaire » pour les investisseurs institutionnels, la BERD, la BEI, la Banque Mondiale, les fonds d’investissements, ainsi que pour d’autres investisseurs privés.

    Frontex – Les gardes-frontières roumains ont sauvé cette semaine une cinquantaine de personnes dans la Mer Egée, dans le cadre d’une mission de Frontex. Il s’agit de 18 hommes, 13 femmes et 21 enfants provenant de Syrie, d’Irak, d’Algérie et du Koweït qui se trouvaient sur une embarcation à moteur surchargée qui risquait de couler. Quatre mois durant depuis le 1er janvier, un équipage de 23 gardes-frontières roumains déroule en Mer Egée des missions de surveillance des frontières maritimes extérieures de l’UE, dans le cadre de l’opération conjointe EPN POSEIDON SEA coordonnée par l’agence Frontex. Jusqu’ici l’équipage roumain a aidé au sauvetage de plus de 300 personnes.

    Tennis – L’équipe de Fed Cup de la Roumanie doit rencontrer en cette fin de semaine, à Bucarest, l’équipe belge, au premier tour du Groupe Mondial II. Les deux premiers matchs de simple auront lieu samedi, alors que le match de double est prévu dimanche. En l’absence de Simona Halep, en raions d’un probème de santé, l’équipe roumaine est formée des joueuses Irina Begu (29 WTA), Monica Niculescu (36 WTA), Sorana Cîrstea (62WTA) et Patricia-Maria Ţig (106 WTA). Précisons que la Fed Cup est la variante féminine de la Coupe Davis.

    Météo – Une vague de froid extrême sévira jusqu’à mardi en Roumanie, avertissent les météorologues. Après la neige tombée ces derniers jours, les températures baisseront considérablement, notamment dans le sud et l’est, où les températures maximales seront négatives. C’est à partir de mercredi que les températures commenceront à augmenter sans pour autant dépasser la normale saisonnière. Ce vendredi, le ciel est couvert sur le sud où l’on signale quelques flocons de neige. Les températures maximales de la journée iront de -10 à 8 degré. Nous avions du soleil et -3 degrés à midi à Bucarest.

  • 18 May, 2016

    18 May, 2016

    PRESIDENT – Romanian President Klaus Iohannis holds talks today in Vilnius with his Lithuanian counterpart, Dalia Grybauskaite, on regional security and the common position their two countries will have at the upcoming NATO summit in Warsaw. The head of state said that a balanced approach was needed to consolidate both the northern and the eastern flank of NATO. Speaking about the refugee crisis, the Romanian head of state said that sanctions against EU states who oppose refugee relocation did not solve anything. As an alternative, Klaus Iohannis proposed strengthening the EUs external borders, referring mainly to the FRONTEX agency, in charge of controlling the outer borders of the union, to which Romania is the second largest contributor after Germany. In turn, the Lithuanian leader said that Romania and Lithuania had similar positions on this issue.



    PROTEST – Romanian trade unions in education are holding on June 1 a march, as announced by union leadership. Employees in education are angry at the draft government order on the structuring of state wages, which went under public debate. PM Dacian Ciolos said that this order would only partially correct the dysfunctionality in the system.



    FOOTBALL – CFR Cluj won the 78th Romanias Cup in football on Tuesday on the National Arena. On the National Arena in Bucharest defeated Dinamo Bucharest 5-4 in the penalty shootout. This is CFRs fourth cup, while Dinamo had gathered 13 of them. The game was particularly important for Dinamo, being its first days since the death 10 days ago of its player Patrick Ekeng, who collapsed on the pitch because of heart problems, expiring shortly after. Romanias Cup is the second trophy this season, after Astra Giurgiu won the title of champion. Steaua Bucharest and Concordia Chiajna contend for the League Cup, the third domestic competition this season.



    DISINFECTANTS – The Romanian Defense Ministry announced today that it has been using subpar disinfectants sold by the Hexi Pharma company, which is at the center of the scandal around diluted disinfectants used for years in Romanian hospitals. The ministry said that it had used the products both within the country and in its theaters of deployment, but that it is now using different disinfectants. According to their press release, the ministry obtained the Hexi Pharma products by centralized public tender.



    COUNCIL – Undersecretary for Strategic Affairs Daniel Ionita, with the Foreign Ministry, leads the Romanian delegation attending the EC Council of Ministers, taking place today in Sofia. The topics under debate are democratic security for all citizens on the continent, human rights in conflict areas, and Europes response to the migrant crisis. The meeting in Sofia also marks the handover of the rotating presidency of the Committee from Bulgaria to Estonia for the next six months.



    TENNIS – Two Romanian players are today in the second qualifying round in Roland Garros, the years second Grand Slam. Marius Copil (190th seeded) plays against Belgian Kimmer Coppejans, 196th seeded, while Adrian Ungur, 204th seeded, plays against Hungarian Marton Fucsovics, 205th seeded. In the womens games, two Romanian female players won games in the inaugural round of the qualifiers. Sorana Carstea, 99th seeded, easily overcame in two sets Chinese player Yuxuan Zhang, 167th seeded, while Andreea Mitu, 114th seeded, defeated in three sets Polish player Paula Kania, 148th seeded.



    FILM – Romanian director Cristian Mungius latest film, Baccalaureate, will have its Romanian premiere on Thursday, the same day it has its world premiere as part of the official selection for the Cannes film festival. A part of the film crew will be at the premiere in Bucharest, with the red carpet ceremony being broadcast live. Cristian Mungiu is at his third nomination at Cannes. He won the Palme dOr in 2007, as well as awards for script and female lead in 2012. Other Romanian films nominated at this edition are Cristi Puius Sieranevada, and Dogs by Bogdan Mirica, both of them critically acclaimed by the French press.

  • Nachrichten 08.02.2016

    Nachrichten 08.02.2016

    Bukarest: Das rumänische Au‎ßenministerium hat den nordkoreanischen Raketentest scharf verurteilt und an die Behörden in Pjöngjang appelliert, die international gültigen Vorschriften zu beachten und jede Aktion zu vermeiden, die die Sicherheit der koreanischen Halbinsel und der ganzen Welt gefährden könnte. Der Sicherheitsrat der Vereinten Nationen ist angesichts des nordkoreanischen Raketentests zu einer Sondersitzung zusammengekommen und hat die Aktion Pjöngjangs scharf verurteilt. In einer gemeinsamen Erklärung hat sich der UN-Sicherheitsrat verpflichtet, eine neue Resolution zu verabschieden, die demnächst die Sanktionen gegen Pjöngjang verschärfen soll. Nordkorea verwende die Technologie der ballistischen Langstreckenraketen und entwickele nukleare Interkontinentalraketen, die das US-amerikanische Territorium erreichen könnten, hei‎ßt es in der Erklärung des UN-Sicherheitsrates.



    Bukarest: Das korrekte Organisieren der Kommunal- und Parlamentswahlen in Rumänien ist eine Priorität des jetzigen Regierungskabinetts, und der Vorgang wird gemä‎ß der geltenden Gesetzgebung stattfinden. Dies erklärte am Montag der rumänische Ministerpräsident Premier Dacian Cioloş, der an der Debatte ”Die Stunde des Premierministers” teilgenommen hat. Es handelte sich um die von den Liberalen geforderten Gespräche zum Thema Wahlgesetz. Die Liberalen plädieren nach wie vor dafür, dass bei den Kommunalwahlen, die dieses Jahr stattfinden sollen, das Zwei-Wahlrunden-System wiedereingeführt wird. Bei dem Treffen sagte Ministerpräsident Ciolos, die Parteien, die das Wiedereinführen des Zwei-Wahlrunden-Systems bei der Kommunalwahl dieses Jahr wünschen, die Debatte darüber führen sollten, anstatt die Schuld auf das Regierungskabinett zu schieben, weil es keine Eilverordnung in diesem Sinne erlassen hat. Eine Eilverordnung dazu zu erlassen sei nicht demokratisch und die entsprechende Entscheidung sollte im Parlament getroffen werden, bekräftigte Regierungschef Cioloş. Nach den jüngsten Beratungen mit den Parlamentsparteien gab es keine feste Position über die Kommunalwahl im Zwei-Wahlgang-System, so Ciolos. In punkto Briefwahl sei die Exekutive darum bemüht, den Wahlgang für die im Ausland lebenden Rumänen gemä‎ß der neuen Gesetzgebung zu organiseren. Die Regierung bereite ein Paket mit Sekundärgesetzgebung vor, das in nächster Zeit verabschiedet werden sollte, sagte noch der rumänische Ministerpräsident. Bei der Präsidentenwahl im Jahr 2014 konnten die im Ausland lebenden Rumänen wegen der schlechten Organisation der Wahlgänge ihr Wahlrecht nicht ausüben.



    Brüssel: Die Verteidigungsminister der NATO-Länder treffen sich am Mittwoch und Donnerstag in Brüssel, um die wichtigsten Fragen der NATO-Verteidigungspolitik zu besprechen. Rumänien wird bei dem Treffen vom Verteidigungsminister Mihnea Motoc vertreten. Neulich hatte NATO-Generalsekretär Jens Stoltenberg bekanntgegeben, dass die Vereinigten Staaten die Unterstützung der Nordatlantischen Allianz für die Bemühungen der internationalen Gemeinschaft im Kampf gegen die Terror-Organisation Islamischer Staat gefordert hätten. Ferner äu‎ßerte Stoltenberg seine Besorgnis betreffend die Luftangriffe Russlands gegen Syrien. Besagte Luftangriffe würden die Bemühungen um eine politische Lösung des syrischen Konflikts unterminieren, so Stoltenberg. Beim Treffen der NATO-Verteidigungsminister diese Woche werden die Teilnehmer auch über die Situation der militärischen Missionen der Nordatlantischen Allianz in Afghanistan, über den politisch-militärischen Konflikt in Libyen und über das Organisieren des NATO-Gipfeltreffens in Warschau diskutieren.



    Bukarest: Dezember 2015 sei der durchschnittliche Bruttolohn nominell um 10% gegenüber dem Vormonat gestiegen und belief sich somit auf 2.930 Lei (umgerechnet rund 650 Euro), teilt das Nationale Statistikamt mit. Einen ähnlichen Anstieg verzeichnete auch der durchschnittliche Nettolohn, der somit im Monat Dezember bei 2.114 lei (rund 470 Euro) lag. Die grö‎ßte Lohnsteigerung gab es bei Erdölverarbeitung und bei der Erzeugung von Koks, während niedrigere Durchschnittslöhne im Hotel-und Gastronomieindustrie verzeichnet wurden. Der durschnittliche Nettolohn sei gegenüber Monat Dezember des Vorjahres nominell um mehr als 13% gestiegen, so das Nationale Statistikamt.



    Sport: Die rumänische Nationalmannschaft im Damentennis hat in der ersten Runde des Fed Cups gegen Tschechien verloren. Im letzten Spiel hat sich das Paar Karolina Pliskova (Nummer 13 in der WTA-Rangliste) / Barbora Strycova (Platz 41 WTA) mit 6-2, 6-3 gegen die Rumäninnen Andreea Mitu (96 WTA) / Raluca Olaru durchgesetzt. In den ersten zwei Spielen hatte auch die Weltranglistendritte Simona Halep gegen Karolina Pliskova mit 6-7, 6-4, 6-2 verloren, während Monica Niculescu (Platz 37 in der WTA-Rangliste) mit 6-3, 6-4 Petra Kvitova bezwungen hatte. Am Sonntag setzte sich Halep gegen Kvitova (Platz 37 in der WTA-Rangliste) mit 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 durch, während Monica Niculescu im Spiel gegen die Tschechin Karolina Pliskova mit 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 verlor. Somit verpasste die rumänische Nationalmannschaft den Einzug ins Halbfinale. Der amtierende Meister Tschechien, der in den letzten fünf Jahren den Wettbewerb vier Mal erobert hatte, trifft im Halbfinale des Fed Cups auf die Schweiz.