Radio România Internațional

Tag: Easter

  • May 6, 2024 UPDATE

    May 6, 2024 UPDATE

    EASTER Orthodox and Eastern-Catholic Christians in Romania are celebrating Bright Week, the first week after Easter. Easter, the most important religious holiday in the Christian world, is also the only one that lasts 3 days.

     

    STATISTICS Romania has the 3rd-lowest life expectancy in the EU, 76.6 years, according to a report released by Eurostat. The only 2 countries in the European bloc with poorer rates in this respect are Bulgaria and Latvia (below 76 years). Spain has the longest life expectancy in the European Union, 84 years, followed closely by Italy and Malta. According to Eurostat data, lower rates are reported in Eastern Europe and in the three Baltic states, whereas in Mediterranean, Scandinavian and Central European countries people live longer. On the other hand, the EU statistics office said, Romania sees the steepest increase in life expectancy, with one year gained between 2019 and 2023.

     

    MILITARY A multinational exercise called Swift Response 24 takes place until May 24 in Romania and other countries. Thousands of troops and hundreds of vehicles and other equipment from 7 Allied and partner states are taking part. The exercise is organised by the US Army Europe and Africa, and according to the Romanian defence ministry it will include one of the largest air assault operations conducted in Europe since WWII, with around 2,000 paratroopers from France, Germany, Romania, Spain, the US and the Netherlands taking part. Romania contributes 2,300 troops, several air bases and 3 firing ranges. The drills on Romanian territory are coordinated by the German Armed Forces jointly with the Romanian Land Forces, with support from the Romanian Air Forces.

     

    COMPANIES The number of companies deregistered in Romania increased by nearly 15% in the first quarter of this year, to over 12,000, according to the National Trade Registry Office. Most of these companies were registered in Bucharest and Ilfov County (south), Constanţa (south-east), Cluj (north-west), Timiş (west) and Iaşi (north-east), and operated in sectors like vehicle repair, wholesale and retail, and constructions.

     

    RUSSIA Russia’s president Vladimir Putin ordered nuclear weapons drills “in the near future,” involving in particular troops deployed close to Ukraine, France Presse and Reuters report. According to the Russian defence ministry, the drills are designed to keep the Army trained, following “provocative statements and threats of certain Western officials regarding the Russian Federation.” Missile units from the Military District South and naval forces will take part in the drills. Russia currently has the largest nuclear arsenal in the world. The 2022 invasion of Ukraine ordered by Vladimir Putin led to the worst deterioration of Russia’s relations with the West since the Cuban missile crisis, both US and Russian diplomats said. While Moscow claims the war is a response to NATO’s attempts to control Ukraine while expanding its military presence eastwards, the West and Ukraine define Putin’s war as intended to occupy new territory and bring Ukraine under Moscow’s control, Reuters says.

     

    UKRAINE Russia’s army announced on Monday having seized another 2 Ukrainian villages, one in Donetsk, in the east, and the other one in Kharkiv, in the north-east. Commentators say Russia has the initiative against an enemy struggling to recruit new troops and facing a slow-down in Western aid. With the US military assistance resumed after a USD 61 bln aid plan for Kyiv approved in late April, Ukraine should be able to strengthen its forces and to try to stabilise the front.

     

    VISIT The war in Ukraine and economic relations between China and the European Union were the main topics on the agenda of Monday’s talks in Paris, held as part of a 2-day state visit by China’s president Xi Jinping to France. The Chinese official called for a consolidated strategic coordination between China and the EU, as major world powers, at the start of a 3-party meeting with president Emmanuel Macron and with the European Commission chief, Ursula von der Leyen. President Macron pleaded in turn for “fair rules for all” in the trade between China and Europe. “The future of our continent will very clearly depend on our ability to continue to develop relations with China in a balanced manner,” Macron said, and added that “coordination” with Beijing on “major crises” including Ukraine and the Middle East was “absolutely decisive.” In turn, the EC president Ursula von der Leyen said that China and the EU have a shared interest in peace and security, and emphasized the determination to end Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to achieve just and long-term peace.

     

    GAZA On Monday the Israeli armed forces started to evacuate Palestinian civilians from Rafah, ahead of a planned military move in this town in the south of Gaza, an Israeli radio station, Army Radio, has announced. The Israeli Army said it “encourages” residents in eastern Rafah to move to an extended humanitarian area close by. Seven months since the start of its attack on Hamas, Israel says Rafah is hosting thousands of Islamist Palestinian fighters and that the town is critical for its victory. But with over one million Palestinian civilians relocated to Rafah, the prospect of a military operation with a large number of victims is a concern for the West and for neighbouring Egypt, Reuters reports. (AMP)

  • May 6, 2024

    May 6, 2024

    EASTER Orthodox and Eastern-Catholic Christians in Romania are celebrating Easter Monday, the second day of Bright Week. Easter Monday is also known as Bright Monday and it is said to be the day when the gates of Heaven and forgiveness are opened. As for specific traditions, on this day young girls and homes are sprinkled with holy water, and people visit their parents and godparents, bringing Easter cake and eggs.

     

    STATISTICS Romania has the 3rd-lowest life expectancy in the EU, 76.6 years, according to a report released by Eurostat. The only 2 countries in the European bloc with poorer rates in this respect are Bulgaria and Latvia (below 76 years). Spain has the longest life expectancy in the European Union, 84 years, followed closely by Italy and Malta. According to Eurostat data, lower rates are reported in Eastern Europe and in the three Baltic states, whereas in Mediterranean, Scandinavian and Central European countries people live longer. On the other hand, the EU statistics office said, Romania sees the steepest increase in life expectancy, with one year gained between 2019 and 2023.

     

    MILITARY A multinational exercise called Swift Response 24 takes place until May 24 in Romania and other countries. Thousands of troops and hundreds of vehicles and other equipment from 7 Allied and partner states are taking part. The exercise is organised by the US Army Europe and Africa, and according to the Romanian defence ministry it will include one of the largest air assault operations conducted in Europe since WWII, with around 2,000 paratroopers from France, Germany, Romania, Spain, the US and the Netherlands taking part. Romania contributes 2,300 troops, several air bases and 3 firing ranges. The drills on Romanian territory are coordinated by the German Armed Forces jointly with the Romanian Land Forces, with support from the Romanian Air Forces.

     

    RUSSIA Russia’s president Vladimir Putin ordered nuclear weapons drills “in the near future,” involving in particular troops deployed close to Ukraine, France Presse and Reuters report. According to the Russian defence ministry, the drills are designed to keep the Army trained, following “provocative statements and threats of certain Western officials regarding the Russian Federation.” Missile units from the Military District South and naval forces will take part in the drills. Russia currently has the largest nuclear arsenal in the world. The 2022 invasion of Ukraine ordered by Vladimir Putin led to the worst deterioration of Russia’s relations with the West since the Cuban missile crisis, both US and Russian diplomats said. While Moscow claims the war is a response to NATO’s attempts to control Ukraine while expanding its military presence eastwards, the West and Ukraine define Putin’s war as intended to occupy new territory and bring Ukraine under Moscow’s control, Reuters says.

     

    VISIT The war in Ukraine and economic relations between China and the European Union are the main topics on the agenda of today’s talks in Paris, held as part of a 2-day state visit by China’s president Xi Jinping to France. The Chinese official called for a consolidated strategic coordination between China and the EU, as major world powers, at the start of a 3-party meeting with president Emmanuel Macron and with the European Commission chief, Ursula von der Leyen. President Macron pleaded in turn for “fair rules for all” in the trade between China and Europe. “The future of our continent will very clearly depend on our ability to continue to develop relations with China in a balanced manner,” Macron said, and added that “coordination” with Beijing on “major crises” including Ukraine and the Middle East was “absolutely decisive.” In turn, the EC president Ursula von der Leyen said that China and the EU have a shared interest in peace and security, and emphasized the determination to end Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and to achieve just and long-term peace.

     

    GAZA On Monday the Israeli armed forces started to evacuate Palestinian civilians from Rafah, ahead of a planned military move in this town in the south of Gaza, an Israeli radio station, Army Radio, has announced. The Israeli Army said it “encourages” residents in eastern Rafah to move to an extended humanitarian area close by. Seven months since the start of its attack on Hamas, Israel says Rafah is hosting thousands of Islamist Palestinian fighters and that the town is critical for its victory. But with over one million Palestinian civilians relocated to Rafah, the prospect of a military operation with a large number of victims is a concern for the West and for neighbouring Egypt, Reuters reports. (AMP)

  • THE WEEK IN REVIEW

    THE WEEK IN REVIEW

    The mini-holiday of May 1 and Orthodox Easter

    Orthodox believers, a majority faith in Romania, along with Greek Catholics, celebrated Passion Week before Easter, which they celebrate on Sunday, May 5. The Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Daniel, sent a message on Wednesday stating that the Resurrection of the Lord is the celebration of the merciful love of Christ, the one who defeated hatred, violence and death, giving people eternal life. That is why Easter is the celebration of forgiveness, peace and joy, Daniel said. He urged the sharing of Christ’s love, peace and joy with those around, by word and deed, especially to orphaned children, the sick and the elderly, as well as Romanians among foreigners. We remind you that, this year, the Catholic faithful celebrated Easter on March 31. The Easter holidays will end the mini-holiday that started on Wednesday, May 1, on Labor Day. Tens of thousands of Romanians spent time at the seaside, where the summer season officially opened, and in mountain resorts.

    Voting abroad in the European Parliament election

    12 parties or alliances and four independent candidates registered for the European Parliament elections that will take place on June 9 in Romania. The Central Electoral Bureau validated the final list this week,and established by drawing lots the order in which the formations will be entered on the ballot. The printing of ballot papers for polling stations abroad has already begun. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminiţa Odobescu, declared that there will be a record number of polling stations outside the country, over 900, almost double those organized at the 2019 European Parliament elections. It is also the largest number of voting stations ever organized abroad. Along with the elections for the European Parliament, local elections will also take place in Romania on June 9. The political formations that wanted to enter the race for mayors, local, municipal, and county councils only had Tuesday to submit their candidacies.

    Help for TAROM

    The European Commission has given its consent for TAROM, the national airline, to receive state aid worth over 95 million euros in order to restructure. According to the Community Executive, the subsidies will allow the company to restore its long-term viability. In order to limit the possible distortions of competition generated by public support, TAROM will significantly reduce the number of routes and aircraft. The measures in the restructuring plan provide for the cancellation of a debt of over 49 million euros, and a capital injection of almost 46 million euros. The European Transport Commissioner, Adina Vălean, stated that the approval of the aid for TAROM represents a health certificate for the company, and an advantage in finding investors for the national airline operator. The Minister of Transport, Sorin Grindeanu, stated that the aid will be used mainly for renewing the aircraft fleet, optimizing destinations and commercial policy, streamlining aircraft maintenance activities, and digitizing the company.

    New evacuations from Gaza

    Nine Romanian citizens and their family members were evacuated from the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, and reached the territory of Republic of Egypt, where they were taken over by the mobile consular team of the Romanian Embassy in Cairo. 323 Romanian citizens and their family members have been evacuated from the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas.

    Romanian cinematography awards

    The film ‘Liberty’, directed by Tudor Giurgiu, received the Gopo Trophy for the best feature film at the Gopo Awards Gala, which took place on Monday. The film won the most Gopo statuettes, including those for best director, Tudor Giurgiu, best actor in a leading role, Alex Calangiu and best actor in a secondary role, Iulian Postelnicu. Inspired by real events, the film tells a story that happened in Sibiu (center) during the Revolution of 1989. “Freedom” and “Don’t expect too much from the end of the world”, by Radu Jude, were rewarded, ex aequo, with the prize for best script. The distinction for best actress in a leading role went to Ilinca Manolache for her role in the film ‘Don’t expect too much from the end of the world’. ‘Anatomie D’une Chute’ / ‘Anatomy of a Fall’, directed by Justine Triet (France) received the award for best European film. The actress Rodica Mandache received the award for her entire career, and the actor Dan Nuţu was honored with the award his entire activity.

    A new soccer champion

    The domestic football competition has not yet reached the end, but the team FCSB from Bucharest has mathematically secured the title of champion, since the seventh stage of the play-off, by winning against the current title holder, Farul Constanţa (southeast ). It is the first title won by FCSB in the current competitive system, with play-off and play-out, and comes after a 9-year break for the Bucharest team. In handball, the Romanian men’s champion, CS Dinamo Bucharest, qualified for the semifinals of the EHF European League continental competition, after a double victory against the Danes from Skjern Handbold. The Final Four tournament of the EHF European League will take place on May 25 and 26, in Hamburg, Germany.

  • May 3, 2024 UPDATE

    May 3, 2024 UPDATE

     

    EASTER        The Holy Fire for Orthodox Easter will be brought from Jerusalem on Saturday night and sent out to every parish in Romania. The Holy Fire is believed to be an Orthodox miracle, taking place every year on Holy Saturday in Jerusalem, at the end of Holy Week, a period of prayer when the faithful revisit the events of the last day in the life of Jesus Christ. On Friday night believers attend the Vespers of the Taking-Down from the Cross, when an epitaphios is carried to a low table in the church nave which represents the Tomb of Christ, with the epitaphios itself representing the body of Jesus wrapped in a burial shroud.

     

    JOURNALISTS According to the latest annual World Press Freedom Index, released on Friday by Reporters without Borders organisation (RSF), Romania ranks 49th out of 180 countries, up from 53rd last year. RSF says Romania “boasts a diverse and relatively pluralistic media landscape, providing fertile ground for hard-hitting public interest investigations. But a lack of transparency surrounding media financing, especially by the state, as well as market difficulties undermine the reliability of information and trust in the media.” “The market is diversified but fragmented, with many TV channels whose sustainability is fragile. Editorial decisions are often subordinated to the interests of owners, transforming the media into a propaganda tool,” the Index also reads. In Romania, RSF also says, the media lack independence and suffer from attempts at interference, especially regarding the appointments of the heads of public radio and television, and the National Audiovisual Council. Political parties can obtain favourable media coverage in return for opaque media funding. Populist politicians have adopted an aggressive political discourse towards journalists, the organisation also finds.

     

    GAZA Negotiations continue for a ceasefire and a new prisoner exchange in Gaza. The talks take place amid threats that Israel would strike the border town of Rafah, where the last Hamas units are located. But Rafah also hosts half of the population of the Gaza Strip, and the international community has warned that a land offensive there would cause a humanitarian disaster. A high-level UN official said the funds for the reconstruction of war-hit Gaza may reach as much as USD 40 bln. The UN Assistant Secretary-General Abdallah al-Dardari told a press conference that the scope of the destruction is unprecedented. Meanwhile, Gaza-related protests carry on in universities in the US. The police cleared a pro-Palestinian protest camp at UCLA in Los Angeles, with at least 200 people arrested. In Washington, president Joe Biden said that while he would always uphold the right to free speech, order must prevail.

     

    FARMERS The European Commission has extended the temporary framework enabling member states to provide state aid more easily to the farmers affected by the impact of the war in Ukraine. The mechanism was introduced in March 2022, after Russia attacked Ukraine, which triggered skyrocketing energy and fertilizer costs. The temporary crisis framework allowed member states to earmark up to EUR 280,000 in aid to affected farms until June 2024, and up to EUR 335,000 to fishery and aquaculture enterprises, as a derogation from the EU’s strict state aid rules. The agriculture ministers in 15 member countries also demanded an increase from EUR 20,000 to EUR 50,000 of the ceiling for the aid granted to an enterprise without consulting Brussels, but the request was dismissed.

     

    DISTINCTION Romanians have received the Grand Cross of the Order of the Second of May from the Community of Madrid, for their integration and for representing a cultural and economic asset for the region. “Apart from being hard-working, Romanians with their effort and courage help us create jobs and opportunities for others,” said the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Diaz Ayuos. “The Romanian community in Madrid is not only the largest foreign community here, but also the one that contributes the most to the social and economic development of the local society,” the charge d’affaires with the Romanian embassy in Madrid, Raluca Mihăilă, said in turn. More than one million Romanians are currently living in Spain.

     

    SPORTS The Romanian women’s handball champions CSM Bucharest Saturday take on the French side Metz, away from home, in the decisive leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. In the first leg, the French team won 27-24. Playing in the other quarter-finals are Gyor (Hungary) vs Kristiansand (Norway), Odense (Denmark) vs Bietigheim (Germany) and Esbjerg (Denmark) vs Ferencvaros (Hungary). In the men’s competition, Romania’s champions, Dinamo Bucharest, are up against the German side SG Flensburg-Handewitt in the semis of the EHF European League final tournament. The other semi-final is pitting defending champions Fuchse Berlin against another German team, Rhein-Neckar Loewen. In the quarterfinals, Dinamo outplayed the Danish side Skjern Handbold, after 28-27 in Bucharest and 38-34 away from home. (AMP)

  • May 3, 2024

    May 3, 2024

     

    EASTER        Orthodox and Eastern-Catholic Christians mark Great and Holy Friday, when they commemorate the Crucifixion and burial of Christ. Tonight believers attend the Vespers of the Taking-Down from the Cross, when an epitaphios is carried in procession to a low table in the church nave which represents the Tomb of Christ, with the epitaphios itself representing the body of Jesus wrapped in a burial shroud. The holy light from Jerusalem is to be brought to Romania on Saturday night and distributed to all parishes. The light is believed to be an Orthodox miracle, taking place every year on Holy Saturday in Jerusalem, at the end of Holy Week, a period of prayer when the faithful revisit the events of the last day in the life of Jesus Christ.

     

    GAZA Negotiations continue for a ceasefire and a new prisoner exchange in Gaza. The talks take place amid threats that Israel would strike the border town of Rafah, where the last Hamas units are located. But Rafah also hosts half of the population of the Gaza Strip, and the international community has warned that a land offensive there would cause a humanitarian disaster. A high-level UN official said the funds for the reconstruction of war-hit Gaza may reach as much as USD 40 bln. The UN Assistant Secretary-General Abdallah al-Dardari told a press conference that the scope of the destruction is unprecedented. Meanwhile, Gaza-related protests carry on in universities in the US. The police cleared a pro-Palestinian protest camp at UCLA in Los Angeles, with at least 200 people arrested. In Washington, president Joe Biden said that while he would always uphold the right to free speech, order must prevail.

     

    FARMERS The European Commission has extended the temporary framework enabling member states to provide state aid more easily to the farmers affected by the impact of the war in Ukraine. The mechanism was introduced in March 2022, after Russia attacked Ukraine, which triggered skyrocketing energy and fertilizer costs. The temporary crisis framework allowed member states to earmark up to EUR 280,000 in aid to affected farms until June 2024, and up to EUR 335,000 to fishery and aquaculture enterprises, as a derogation from the EU’s strict state aid rules. The agriculture ministers in 15 member countries also demanded an increase from EUR 20,000 to EUR 50,000 of the ceiling for the aid granted to an enterprise without consulting Brussels, but the request was dismissed.

     

    DISTINCTION Romanians have received the Grand Cross of the Order of the Second of May from the Community of Madrid, for their integration and for representing a cultural and economic asset for the region. “Apart from being hard-working, Romanians with their effort and courage help us create jobs and opportunities for others,” said the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Diaz Ayuos. “The Romanian community in Madrid is not only the largest foreign community here, but also the one that contributes the most to the social and economic development of the local society,” the charge d’affaires with the Romanian embassy in Madrid, Raluca Mihăilă, said in turn. More than one million Romanians are currently living in Spain.

     

    SPORTS Romania came out 4th at the qualifiers for the European artistic gymnastics championships in Rimini (Italy), with Sabrina Voinea ranking 4th at the all-around event. Romania’s team, comprising Sabrina Voinea, Ana Maria Bărbosu, Lilia Cosman, and Amalia Ghigoarţă, was outperformed by Italy, the UK and France. On Sunday the Romanians take part in 4 apparatus finals—Ana Bărbosu in the vault final, Lilia Cosman in the beam final and Sabrina Voinea in the beam and floor finals. Maria Ceplinschi did not attend the qualifiers for health-related reasons. (AMP)

  • May 2, 2024 UPDATE

    May 2, 2024 UPDATE

     

    HOLY THURSDAY Orthodox and Eastern-Catholic Christians in Romania celebrated Holy Thursday, which commemorates the Washing of the Feet and the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles. A mass devoted to the 12 Gospels was held during the evening, while the Lamentation at the Tomb, a unique religious service, will be held on Friday night. On Wednesday, the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Daniel, conveyed a special Easter message, saying that the Resurrection of Christ is a celebration of the pious and merciful love of Christ, who overcame hatred, violence and death and gave people eternal life. This makes Easter a celebration of forgiveness, peace and joy, the Patriarch said, urging people to share the news of the Lord’s Resurrection with everyone around through good deeds, love and peace.

     

    PUBLIC ORDER Over 150,000 Romanians will take part in hundreds of events around the country during Easter break. To ensure public order, the interior ministry has increased the number of staff on duty, including gendarmes, police and fire-fighters. The National Cyber Security Directorate also warns that on holidays people are less careful with e-commerce platforms and they may become victims of online scams.

     

    YOUTH DAY Lawmakers will know their actions were well-inspired when young Romanians at home and abroad choose Romania to build their future, the PM Marcel Ciolacu said on Youth Day. We must provide everyone with equal opportunities and development prospects, including at institutional level, the PM added. Marcel Ciolacu says he believes in young people, with whom he has been in constant dialogue since taking office, via representative associations or through government internship programmes, aimed at familiarising young people with decision-making processes at the level of the Romanian government and subordinated institutions.

     

    AWARD Romania’s president, Klaus Iohannis, has been designated as one of the recipients of the 2024 Atlantic Council Distinguished Leadership Awards, which will be handed in a special gala held on May 8 in Washington. The Romanian president will be honoured for his remarkable career, exemplary leadership of Romania, and his transatlantic and European leadership role. The other recipients of the award are the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Christopher G. Cavoli, and the Academy Award-winning actress and producer Michelle Yeoh. Each year, the Distinguished Leadership Awards brings together more than six hundred policy, business, military, artistic, and civil-society leaders to celebrate individuals, including policy leaders, business executives, military staff and artistic and humanitarian champions. Past recipients include the US presidents George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and then-Vice President Joe Biden, the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, the current and former International Monetary Fund managing directors Kristalina Georgieva and Christine Lagarde. Set up in 1961, the Atlantic Council is a non-profit organisation whose staff must observe high standards of personal and professional integrity, openness and honesty in communications and interactions with one another as well as with other organisations, government officials, the media and the public.

     

    TRANSPLANT Two Romanians have a chance for a new life after having received organs from a Bulgarian donor on Thursday. According to the National Transplant Agency, the organs were sent to Romania because there were no compatible beneficiaries in Bulgaria, and the 2 countries have a cooperation protocol in this field. The surgeries were performed in Iaşi (eastern Romania), and the 2 patients’ condition is good.

     

    GAZA The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on the Palestinian organisation Hamas to accept a truce in Gaza, reiterating the United States’ opposition towards an Israeli offensive on Rafah (south). During his 7th mission to the Middle East since the conflict broke out, Antony Blinken visited Israel, expressing determination to reach a consensus “right now” to free the hostages held by Hamas for the last seven months. The US official met with a number of Israeli officials, including the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to Radio Romania’s correspondent in Israel, Antony Blinken argued that, while Washington firmly supports Israel’s right to self-defence, it opposes the idea of an all-out attack on Rafah, insisting on continuing to expand humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian population in Gaza. (AMP, VP)

  • Romania in mini-holiday

    Romania in mini-holiday

    The Orthodox Easter, celebrated on May 5th, this year happens to be very close to Labour Day and that has offered the Romanians a spring mini-holiday, which ends on Monday, May 6th. Almost two thirds of the Romanians choose to spend this holiday at home, mainly people over 60 years of age and those with small incomes – says a recent survey.

    13.5% of the respondents say they don’t celebrate at all this day, while those who chose to take a trip on this day account for 12.5 %. As Labour Day is considered the beginning of the summer holiday very few of the respondents, 3.4%, say they go to the seaside for this holiday.

    However, over 50 thousand tourists are going to be in the seaside resorts on the Romanian Black Sea coast. In the sunny resorts of the south, like Vama Veche and Costinesti, parties have already kicked off. Thousands of young people from Romania and abroad have arrived at Mamaia North for the electronic music festival Sunwaves.

    According to organizers, 100 Romanian and foreign artists are to attend the aforementioned festival, which is to last for seven nights on the beach. Anti-drug enforcers have also arrived in the area in an attempt to convince the participants to stay away from banned substances. The participants are encouraged to be able to identify first-aid centers, refrain from drinking to excess and be cautious regarding strangers who may offer them drugs concealed as food, drinks, medicine or cigarettes. In case of special situations they are encouraged to directly contact anti-drug experts or call the emergency number 112 in case of health-related issues. A spokeswoman for the Interior Ministry, Monica Dajbog, has told Radio Romania that measures have been taken to ensure public order and for intervention in emergency situations. Around 25 thousand policemen, gendarmes, border police, firefighters and troops from other structures of the Interior Ministry have been deployed to enforce law and order during this mini-holiday in Romania, with emphasis on travel resorts, churches and other crowded places, such as rail stations and airports.

    Over 200 public events are to be staged in this period, which are expected to bring together roughly 167 thousand people. 2.6 million believers are expected to attend religious services at 12,200 churches on the Holy Night of Easter.

    According to surveys, though, the number of those willing to travel on Easter holidays is around 16%, five percentages higher than last year. However, most of the Romanians, roughly 80%, intend to spend Easter with their families at home, while three quarters of them want to attend religious services on the Holy Night of Easter.

    (bill)

  • April 1, 2024

    April 1, 2024

     

    STRIKE The Romanian Postal Workers Union went on all-out strike as of today, but the management promises there will be no delays in public pension payments and other services. The protesters demand pay raises of EUR 80 after tax and increased loyalty bonuses, and argue that as of this summer 90% of the staff will be gaining minimum wages. According to the authorities, national minimum wages will be around EUR 740 as of July 1. The post company claims on the other hand that only 20% of the workers have given written consent for the strike initiated by a union which has been rejecting all the offers made by the management since the start of negotiations late last year. The Romanian Post Corporation is the national postal service and is owned by the Romanian state.

     

    BANKING The consumer credit reference index (IRCC) dropped to 5.90% per annum, from 5.97% 3 months ago, the National Bak announced. This is the first significant decrease of the index in the past 12 months, and will lead to smaller interest rates as of this month. In June the IRCC is expected to decrease further, to 5.84%. The downward trend will help bring down interest rates for mortgage loans for nearly half a million Romanians. Meanwhile, the 3-month ROBOR index which influences the costs of variable-rate loans in the national currency has reached 6.06% per annum, as opposed to 6.05%. IRCC is the index used for setting the interest rates for variable-rate loans in the national currency since May 2019, when it stood at 2.36%. It was designed by the government as a solution to offset the effects of the ROBOR index, which had been rising from one month to the next at the end of 2018.

     

    PARLIAMENT The Parliament of Romania convenes on Tuesday in a joint meeting to mark 20 years since the country joined the North Atlantic Alliance and 75 years since the establishment of NATO. Parliament will adopt a declaration on this occasion. Also this week, the Chamber of Deputies is scheduled to give its final vote on a government bill introducing penalties for breaches of the EU regulation on the use of fluorinated greenhouse gases in appliances such as refrigerators or AC systems. The penalties may reach EUR 20,000 in fines, and 6-month to 3-year prison sentences. Deputies in the specialist committees are also to discuss as of this week new draft regulations on the compulsory motor insurance, stipulating fines 15 times higher than in the past for uninsured drivers and a ceiling of EUR 400 on self-paid car repairs. Also this week, the Senate is to discuss the merger of local elections with the European Parliament elections, scheduled for June 9th.

     

    DEEPFAKE The Romanian Cyber Security Directorate published a “Guideline for Identifying Deepfake”, aimed at protecting and educating the general public on cyber security risks. The Guideline provides detailed information on deepfake production and identification. The authors are confident that by understanding these concepts, users are more aware of the related risks and may take adequate protection measures. Deepfake is a form of digital manipulation using advanced AI techniques to create false images or audio-video materials. According to the institution, this may have a severe impact on society, as it erodes public confidence in online information.

     

    EASTER Roman-Catholic and Protestant Christians around the world, including around 1.3 million believers in mostly Orthodox Romania, celebrate Easter Monday. This year, Easter for Roman Catholics and Protestants is 5 weeks before the corresponding Orthodox, Greek Catholic and Neo-Protestant celebration on May 5. In his peace message from Vatican’s St. Peter Basilica, Pope Francis urged people not to “yield to the logic of weapons,” for war is always an absurdity and a defeat. As new negotiations are scheduled for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Pope Francis appealed once again for the prompt release of the Israeli hostages and for an immediate cease-fire in the Strip.

  • March 31, 2024 UPDATE

    March 31, 2024 UPDATE

     

    SCHENGEN Romanian seaports and international airports officially joined the Schengen Area on Sunday, March 31. At sea, controls are not eliminated, but they are simplified. Passengers flying to or from Schengen member states will go directly to their respective boarding gate after security checks, without having their travel documents checked by the border police. Currently, 27 European states are full members of the Schengen Agreement, and Romania and Bulgaria become members with partial rights on March 31. Border checks remain in place at land checkpoints, after Austria vetoed Romania’s and Bulgaria’s full Schengen membership. The EC president, Ursula von der Leyen, welcomed and congratulated the 2 countries on their accomplishment, and promised talks would be carried on this year to complete the process.

     

    EASTER Roman-Catholic and Protestant Christians, including around 1.3 million believers in mostly Orthodox Romania, celebrated Easter Sunday. At midnight, at the Vatican, Pope Francis presided over the Easter Vigil service at St. Peter’s Basilica. Enmity and wars, self-absorption and indifference, the fears that hold us back from accomplishing the good we mean to do, are our own stone blocks, the tombstones in our hearts, that rob us of enthusiasm and of the strength to persevere, the Pope said in his Homily. In a pastoral letter, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Bucharest, Aurel Percă, said that unfortunately, the song of joy proclaimed by the church on Easter comes in contrast with the cries coming from so many painful situations, such as wars, injustice, inequality and poverty. In turn, the president of Romania Klaus Iohannis said in a message that “Easter gives us an opportunity to be together with our loved ones and reminds us that we are always accompanied by the divine love and strength.” This year, Easter for Roman Catholics and Protestants is 5 weeks before the corresponding Orthodox, Greek Catholic and Neo-Protestant celebration on May 5.

     

    NATO The Parliament of Romania convenes on Tuesday in a joint meeting to mark 20 years since the country joined the North Atlantic Alliance and 75 years since the establishment of NATO. On April 2, exactly 2 decades ago, Romania’s colours were first flown at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, after the ratification documents had been received by the US Department of State on March 29.

     

    DST Saturday night Romania switched to daylight saving time, with clocks going forward one hour. Sunday was the shortest day this year. With the transition to summer time, the difference between the official time in Romania and UTC is three hours. Daylight saving time is observed until October 27. EU member states were supposed to decide by 2021 whether they wanted to permanently adopt summer time or winter time. However, the discussion is still open.

     

    AGRICULTURE Last year Romania came 2nd in the EU, after France, in terms of the sunflower seed yield, thus losing the top EU position held in 2022, the National Statistics Institute announced. In 2023 the yield was 3.7% below the figures reported the previous year, although the surface area under sunflower crops was the same. Romania remains the 6th in Europe in terms of the area under potato crops, and the 9th-largest producer in Europe in 2023, after countries like Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Poland.

     

    OIL SECTOR In 2023, Romania remained the main supplier of oil products for the Republic of Moldova, the National Energy Regulatory Agency in Chişinău announced. Last year, Moldova imported around 1 mln tonnes of diesel, petrol and LPG, accounting for a 6.6% rise since 2022 and for a complete recovery of the oil market after the successive crises entailed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, Radio Chişinău said, quoting energy sector experts. Russia, which used to be one of the largest oil product suppliers for Moldova, only exported insignificant amounts to Moldova last year.

     

    HANDBALL The western Romanian handball team CS Minaur Baia Mare qualified for the semi-finals of the EHF European Cup, although they were defeated by the Austrian side Bregenz Handball 30-28 on Saturday night, in an away game in the second leg of the quarter-finals. The Romanian vice-champions had won the first leg at home, 37-31. In the semis, Minaur takes on Valur Reykjavik (Iceland), which outplayed CSA Steaua Bucharest in the previous round. On April 2, Romanian champions CS Dinamo Bucharest play away from home against the Danish side Bjerringbro Silkeborg, in the second leg of the EHF European League play-offs. Dinamo won the home game 37-34. The quarter-final winners are to play in the Final Four round. (AMP)

  • March 31, 2024

    March 31, 2024

     

    SCHENGEN Romanian seaports and international airports officially joined the Schengen Area on Sunday, March 31. At sea, controls are not eliminated, but they are simplified. Passengers flying to or from Schengen member states will go directly to their respective boarding gate after security checks, without having their travel documents checked by the border police. Currently, 27 European states are full members of the Schengen Agreement, and Romania and Bulgaria become members with partial rights on March 31. Border checks remain in place at land checkpoints, after Austria vetoed Romania’s and Bulgaria’s full Schengen membership. The EC president, Ursula von der Leyen, welcomed and congratulated the 2 countries on their accomplishment, and promised talks would be carried on this year to complete the process.

     

    EASTER Roman-Catholic and Protestant Christians celebrate Easter today. In mostly Orthodox Romania, around 1.3 million people are celebrating Easter Sunday today. At midnight, at the Vatican, Pope Francis presided over the Easter Vigil service at the St. Peter’s Basilica. Enmity and wars, self-absorption and indifference, the fears that hold us back from accomplishing the good we mean to do, are our own stone blocks, the tombstones in our hearts, that rob us of enthusiasm and of the strength to persevere, the Pope said in his Homily. In a pastoral letter, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Bucharest, Aurel Percă, says that unfortunately, the song of joy proclaimed by the church on Easter comes in contrast with the cries coming from so many painful situations, such as wars, injustice, inequality and poverty. In turn, the president of Romania Klaus Iohannis says in a message that “Easter gives us an opportunity to be together with our loved ones and reminds us that we are always accompanied by the divine love and strength.” This year, Easter for Roman Catholics and Protestants is 5 weeks before the corresponding Orthodox, Greek Catholic and Neo-Protestant celebration on May 5. In 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2017, the Resurrection was celebrated on the same day by all Christians, regardless of denomination. Next year, all Christians will celebrate Easter on the same day again.

     

    NATO The Parliament of Romania convenes on Tuesday in a joint meeting to mark 20 years since the country joined the North Atlantic Alliance and 75 years since the establishment of NATO. On April 2, exactly decades ago, Romania’s colours were first flown at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, after the ratification documents had been received by the US Department of State on March 29.

     

    DST Last night Romania switched to daylight saving time, with clocks going forward one hour. Sunday is the shortest day this year. With the transition to summer time, the difference between the official time in Romania and UTC is three hours. Daylight saving time is observed until October 27. EU member states were supposed to decide by 2021 whether they wanted to permanently adopt summer time or winter time. However, the discussion is still open.

     

    AGRICULTURE Last year Romania came 2nd in the EU, after France, in terms of the sunflower seed yield, thus losing the top EU position held in 2022, the National Statistics Institutte announced. In 2023 the yield was 3.7% below the figures reported the previous year, although the surface area under sunflower crops was the same. Romania remains the 6th in Europe in terms of the area under potato crops, and the 9th-largest producer in Europe in 2023, after countries like Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Poland.

     

    OIL SECTOR In 2023, Romania remained the main supplier of oil products for the Republic of Moldova, the National Energy Regulatory Agency in Chişinău announced. Last year, Moldova imported around 1 mln tonnes of diesel, petrol and LPG, accounting for a 6.6% rise since 2022 and for a complete recovery of the oil market after the successive crises entailed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, Radio Chişinău said, quoting energy sector experts. Russia, which used to be one of the largest oil product suppliers for Moldova, only exported insignificant amounts to Moldova last year. (AMP)

  • March 30, 2024

    March 30, 2024

    Schengen. Romanian seaports and international airports join the Schengen Area on Sunday, March 31. At sea, the controls are not eliminated, but they are simplified. At the airports, people who choose to fly to or from Schengen member states, after undergoing the security control, will go directly to the boarding gate, without stopping at the Border Police counters to have their travel documents checked. However, police checks are possible to establish the legal status of some passengers, in order to prevent cross-border crimes and illegal migration. To symbolically mark the moment of Romania’s entry into Schengen by air and sea, new departure terminals were inaugurated, on Friday, at the airports of Iasi (east) and Timisoara (west). Present at the event in Timişoara, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu expressed his confidence that, by the end of the year, Romania would have also joined Schengen area on land, the most important component of the area of ​​free movement of people and goods. Austria is the only country in the EU that still opposes this approach. Currently, 27 European states are full members of the Schengen Agreement, and Romania and Bulgaria become, as of March 31, members with partial rights.

    Central Bank. The reference index for consumer loans in Romania has dropped to 5.9% per year, from 5.97%, the level published three months ago, according to data provided by the National Bank of Romania. It is the first important drop in this index in the last 12 months, which will lead, starting April, to lower rates for mortgage loans contracted on the basis of this index for almost 500,000 Romanians. A second decrease will occur in July, down to 5.84%. Also, the Central Bank has announced, the three-month ROBOR index, according to which the cost of consumer loans in national currency with variable interest is calculated, had slightly increased on Friday from 6.05% to 6.06% per year.

    Summer time. Tonight, Romania will start observing the daylight saving time, so clocks will go forward one hour, 3 am becoming 4 am. Sunday will be the shortest day this year. With the transition to summer time, the difference between the official time of Romania and UTC will be of three hours. Daylight saving time is observed until October 27. The member states of the European Union were supposed to decide by 2021 whether they wanted to permanently adopt summer time or winter time. However, the discussion is still open.

    Easter. Roman Catholic and Protestant Christians celebrate Easter on Sunday. In Romania, approximately 1,300,000 people are preparing for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, three days after crucifixion. In a pastoral letter, the Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archbishop of Bucharest, Aurel Percă, states that, unfortunately, the song of Easter joy proclaimed by the Church contrasts with the cries that come from so many painful situations, increasingly frequent in the world, such as wars , injustice, inequality and poverty. The President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, also posted a message reading that in the spirit of solidarity and compassion, we should direct our thoughts and prayers to those who are suffering. This year, Easter for Roman Catholics and Protestants is five weeks before that for Orthodox, Greek Catholics and Neo-Protestants, who will celebrate it on May 5. In 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2017, the Resurrection was celebrated on the same day by all Christians, regardless of denomination. Next time that all Christians will celebrate Easter on the same day is 2025.

    Moldova. An employee of the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in Moscow was declared persona non grata on the territory of the Russian Federation and is to return home. Moscow’s decision comes as a response to a similar measure taken last week by the Chisinau authorities. The Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to Russia, Lilian Darii, was summoned to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he was handed a note of protest and was informed of the decision taken. The Moldovan authorities have announced that they will continue to take all the necessary measures to prevent Russia’s attempts to interfere in the state’s internal affairs.

    Drugs. In the last two weeks, Romanian police officers specialized in fighting organized crime have carried out almost 300 searches and discovered and seized, among other things, approximately 28 kg of cannabis, over 5 kg of cocaine and over 13 kg of other drugs. According to a press release of the Romanian Police, 132 arrest warrants and 78 preventive arrest warrants were issued. In the case of 21 people, the measure of judicial control was taken. (MI)

  • April 17, 2023 UPDATE

    April 17, 2023 UPDATE

    Easter — The majority Orthodox Christians along the Greek-Catholics in Romania started the Bright Week on Monday, following Sunday’s Resurrection of the Lord Jesus. The Monday of the Bright Week is also called White Monday and is said to be the day when the Gates of Heaven and forgiveness open. This week everything is under the sign of light, the symbol of Christs Resurrection. The usual greeting has been replaced since Sunday with a greeting-confession “Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!” which expresses faith in the Resurrection. The Resurrection of Christ is the greatest celebration in the Christian world, being celebrated for three days.



    Cereals — Poland’s and Hungary’s decision to temporarily ban Ukrainian grain imports, accused of destabilizing agricultural markets, is “unacceptable”, the European Commission said, while adding that it is “considering” a second aid package for farmers in the affected countries. Meanwhile, the Slovakian government also approved the establishment of a ban on imports of some agricultural products from Ukraine. In May 2022 the EU suspended for a year the customs duties on all imports from Ukraine and allowed it to export its grain stocks after the closure of maritime routes as a result of the war launched by Russia. The neighboring European states have seen increased arrivals of corn, wheat or sunflowers from Ukraine, which led to the filling of granaries due to logistical problems and to the fall of local prices. The situation has generated protests by farmers and led to the resignation of the Polish Agriculture Minister. On March 20, Brussels offered to draw 56.3 million Euros from the EUs agricultural crisis reserve to support affected farmers in Poland, Romania and Bulgaria. But at the end of March, five countries (Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria) requested additional aid to support farmers who have suffered losses.



    Speed – The traffic police from all over Europe are carrying out, by the end of the week, a large-scale operation to verify compliance with the legal speed and to prevent accidents caused by excessive speed. As part of the European action called “Speed”, the Romanian traffic policemen will carry out, on Friday, a control operation in which they will focus on detecting those who exceed the legal speed. All the traffic surveillance and speed measurement equipment of the police will be used. The General Police Inspectorate in Bucharest announces that in Romania, since the beginning of the year, exceeding the legal speed has caused almost 200 serious road accidents, resulting in over 80 deaths and approximately 150 seriously injured people. Moreover, speeding caused almost 20% of all serious accidents at the national level, according to the data presented by the General Police Inspectorate.



    Education – The Romanian Parliament will resume these days the debates on the new education laws, which bring changes to the higher and pre-university education systems. Some of the changes refer to establishing a high school entrance examination, separate from the National Assessment, and to the introduction of an additional test, different from the subjects studied for the Baccalaureate exam. At the debates held so far in the specialized committees, the representatives of students, parents and teachers have criticized these changes, as well as the absence of clear provisions for combating violence in schools. The law package should be adopted by the beginning of next month at the latest by the Chamber of Deputies, as a first body notified.



    Motion – On Tuesday, the Romanian Chamber of Deputies debates the simple motion initiated by opposition MPs against the Agriculture Minister, considered responsible for the fact that Romania did not obtain sufficient European funds to support the farmers affected by the imports from Ukraine. The Agriculture Minister Petre Daea was convinced that the European funds for compensating the losses suffered by farmers would be supplemented. The 10 million Euros initially allocated were doubled by a contribution from the state budget. The money will be given strictly to those farmers who had grains in stock on February 1, and not to merchants, the minister said. (LS)

  • Lamb dishes

    Lamb dishes

    At this time of the year Romanian Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter, the week beginning with the Christian feasts of Easter and culminating with Easter Sunday. On this occasion households are filled with the smell of painted eggs, freshly baked pound cake and most of all lamb-based dishes.



    Alongside lamb dishes and pound cake, the “Pasca”, a sweet cheese Easter cake is a ubiquitous dessert at the Easter table, once Eastern Lent is broken and eating cheese and eggs is once again allowed by the faithful. For most Romanians it is the smell and taste of Easter.



    There are various traditional recipes for cooking lamb, whether with tarragon and lemon in the Caransebes region, with rosemary and tomato sauce in Bihor, seasoned with thyme in Cluj, baked with cheese gravy like in Mehedinti county, or wrapped in pastry as in Cisnadie. Other Romanian householders choose to cook sour lamb soup with vegetables, spring onion lamb stew or minced lamb pie and entrails.



    For our lamb recipe today, we picked, however, a dish from Eastern Romania: lamb in yogurt sauce. Aside from lamb, you will need half a kilo of full-fat yogurt, one tablespoon of flour, 80 g of butter, one bunch of fresh cut dill, salt and pepper. Wash the lamb chops or fillets and portion them. Brown them in butter until they gain a deep golden brown crust. Add hot water or meat stock and let it simmer over low heat until the meat is nearly cooked. Meanwhile, expand the flour in yogurt and stir briskly, adding some of the melted fat from the pot and an extra two tablespoons of stock as an option. Add the dill, season with salt and pepper and pour the resulting mix over the lamb chops. Leave it to boil until the sauce reduces to the desired thickness. Serve with homemade bread, lettuce, radishes, spring onion or spring garlic. Enjoy! Poftă bună!


  • April 17, 2023

    April 17, 2023

    Easter – The majority Orthodox Christians and the Greek Catholics in Romania are today celebrating the second Easter day, which marks the beginning of the Bright Week. The celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the biggest celebration of the Christian world, is the only one to which three days are dedicated. This week everything is under the sign of light, the symbol of Christs Resurrection. The usual greeting has been replaced since Sunday with a greeting-confession “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!” which expresses faith in the Resurrection.



    Budget – The Romanian government will analyze during this weeks meeting the ministries’ proposals to reduce expenses from the state budget. Cuts in goods and services, trips and purchases are expected. The measures were requested by the Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă, as the budget deficit in the first months of the year is higher than anticipated. The PM emphasized, however, that there will be no reductions in salaries and investments. In his turn, President Klaus Iohannis has given assurances that there is no hole in the budget and that salaries will not be cut.



    Refugees – More than four million Ukrainians have entered Romania since the beginning of the war, according to data from the General Border Police Inspectorate. The vast majority of Ukrainian citizens left Romania for other destinations. Around 4,400 Ukrainians applied for asylum in Romania. They benefit from all the rights provided by the national legislation.



    Weightlifting — The Romanian athlete Andreea Cotruţa won three gold medals in the 55 kg category on Sunday at the European Weightlifting Championships in Yerevan. Cotruţa won gold in the snatch event with 91 kg, also won the gold in the clean and jerk with 110 kg, and in the overall she won gold with 201 kg. Romania thus won 11 medals after two days of competition, six gold, of which three obtained by Mihaela Cambei (49 kg category) and three by Andreea Cotruţa (55 kg category), three silver and two bronze. Romanias target is to win four medals and six rankings on places 4-6.



    Ukraine – Kyiv will seek to obtain the reopening of transit for its food products and grains via Poland during the discussions taking place today in Warsaw, the Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Mikola Solski announced after Poland and Hungary announced bans on some imports from Ukraine, Reuters reports. The Polish farmers have denounced the fact that a large part of Ukrainian grain and other products is not distributed to the rest of the European Union, but remains in the country, causing a reduction in grain prices. The president of Polands ruling Law and Justice party, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, announced on Saturday, at a government meeting, that he had made the decision to stop imports of Ukrainian products to avoid a crisis on the domestic agricultural market. Minister Solski said that the transit of food products through Hungary and Slovakia was not affected. He also stated that he would have additional discussions in Romania on Wednesday and in Slovakia on Thursday.



    Rescue — The Romanian border policemen participating, on the Coast Guard ships, in a mission within the Joint Maritime Operation THEMIS 2023 under the auspices of the Frontex Agency, have rescued, together with their colleagues from the Coast Guard in Italy, in several missions carried out in the Mediterranean Sea, 181 foreign citizens in danger. On March 23, the Romanian border police took 150 migrants, all men, on board the Coast Guards maritime patrol boat, from a ship belonging to their colleagues from the Italian Coast Guard. The men were given medical assistance and were later taken over by the authorities of the Italian Republic. On April 8, the Romanian border policemen rescued 31 people in danger, including minors, and provided them with medical assistance. (LS)

  • April 16, 2023 UPDATE

    April 16, 2023 UPDATE

    Easter. In Romania, Orthodox (majority) and Greek-Catholic Christians celebrated on Sunday the Resurrection of Jesus, the biggest holiday in the Christian calendar. On Saturday, at midnight, believers received the holy light from the priests and listened to the evangelical account of the Resurrection in front of churches. In his sermon, Patriarch Daniel of the Orthodox Church explained how the Resurrection of the Lord gave a new orientation to the Christians life and a new meaning to death. “The source of joy and peace in a Christians life is their connection with the Crucified and Resurrected Christ, that is why on Easter we should not be sad, but rejoice”, said Patriarch Daniel.



    Protests. Thousands of Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv again on Saturday evening to protest against the justice reform desired by the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which the demonstrators consider an attack on democracy, FP reports. Smaller demonstrations also took place in other Israeli cities. Since the announcement of the controversial reform project in early January, tens of thousands of Israelis have gathered every week to protest it. Prime Minister Netanyahu announced on March 27 a break to give a chance to dialogue, after the start of a general strike and the emergence of tensions within the government majority. The government claims that the reform aims, among other things, to rebalance the powers by reducing the prerogatives of the Supreme Court, which the executive considers politicized, for the benefit of Parliament. Critics of the reform believe, on the contrary, that it risks opening the way to an authoritarian drift, AFP also reports.



    Electricity. Romanians consumed less electricity in the first two months of this year compared to the same period in 2022, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics. The decrease was more than 18%. Businesses also consumed less, by 3%, and public lighting was reduced by more than a quarter. INS reports that in January and February the production in hydropower plants increased by almost a third compared to the beginning of last year. Wind energy production increased, but the production of nuclear energy slightly decreased. The National Institute of Statistics has also announced that Romanias oil production dropped by almost 4% in the first two months of the year, as compared to the similar period of 2022. Oil imports, on the other hand, went up by 5%.



    G7. The G7 Energy and Environment Ministers set on Sunday the goal of reducing the C02 emissions of motor vehicles by at least 50% by 2035, compared to the levels of 2000. The goal appears in a Joint Declaration adopted at the end of the two-day meeting that took place in Sapporo (northern Japan), and which focused on accelerating efforts to combat climate change. The measure is part of the global goal of reaching net zero emissions in the automotive sector by 2050. This will require key industry actions in all countries, including measures already implemented by the G7 members to achieve 100% electric vehicle sales by 2035.



    Gymnastics. On Sunday, the Romanian athlete Sabrina Maneca-Voinea won the bronze medal in the floor final of the European Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antalya (Turkey). The Romanian was overtaken by the British Jessica Gadirova, who won gold, and Alice Kinsella, silver medalist. Romania has achieved its goals at the European Championships in Antalya, including team qualification for the World Championships.



    Weightlifting. Romanian athlete Valentin Ionadi Iancu won one silver and two bronze medals, on Sunday, in the 55 kg category of the European Weightlifting Championships in Erevan, Armenia. Iancu won the bronze in the snatch event, lifting 109 kg. In the throw, he won the silver, with 136 kg, just like the Georgian bronze medalist Ramini Shamilishvili. Iancu took the bronze overall, with 245 kg. Romania aims to win four medals at the European Championships in Yerevan, which is a qualifier for the Olympic Games due in Paris in 2024. (MI)