Radio România Internațional

Tag: Madrid Open

May 1, 2022 UPDATE

WAR IN UKRAINE – Over 50 civilians,
including children, were evacuated from the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol,
after the venue was sieged for weeks on end by Russian forces. The group of
people was transferred to a location commonly agreed upon with the Russian
side, in the hope of reaching Kyiv-controlled territory, Ukrainian soldiers
trapped inside claim. Moscow faced immense international pressure to allow
civilians to evacuate, although all previous attempts to do so were
unsuccessful. The full occupation of the port-city is one of the Russian army’s
strategic objectives. Holding Mariupol would help Russia occupy the entire
Ukrainian southern coast, and would link the separatist region of Donbas to the
Crimean Peninsula, annexed by Russia in 2014. At the same time, Russia presses
on its offense in Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of
seeking to wipe the entire region off the map. Meanwhile, French president
Emmanuel Macron has confirmed his willingness to provide certain security guarantees
to Ukraine. Macron talked to his Ukrainian counterpart over the phone on
Saturday. The French president expressed his readiness to work hard to restore
Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Poland too announced it would
be willing to guarantee Ukraine’s security as part of a possible peace treaty
with Russia. Also on Sunday, president Zelensky met in Kyiv with the the US
House of Representatives Speaker, Nancy Pelosi. We believe that we are
visiting you to say thank you for your fight for freedom… Our commitment is
to be there for you until the fight is done, Pelosi told Zelensky,
according to a video tweeted by the Ukrainian presidency.

CYBER
ATTACKS – The
Romanian Intelligence Service warns against possible ransomware attacks on a large
scale, targeting the email addresses of institutions in Romania. The Service
recommended people not to click on links or attachments that are not usually
addressed to them or were sent by unknown sources. The same precautionary
measures are recommended in the case of text, WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram
messages. A wave of cyber-attacks started in Romania on Friday, hackers
targeting the website of the National Cyber Security Directorate, as well as
other public institutions and private organizations. The Romanian Service for
Special Telecommunications managed to block a few thousand attacks. Claimed by
the Killnet network of hackers, the operation came in response to Romania’s
support for Ukraine. This month Killnet hackers attacked the websites of institutions
in a number of states as well as the EU and NATO.

PARLIAMENT – The Senate and the Chamber of Deputies are
expected to convene on May 3 in a joint plenary sitting. The agenda of the
meeting includes a letter of president Klaus Iohannis, notifying Parliament he
approved NATO’s request to deploy armed forces in Romania. The two chambers of
Parliament will also discuss a proposal to disband friendship groups with the
Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus at Parliament level. Next week,
Parliament is also expected to appoint new Constitutional Court judges.

CONFERENCE – The Conference for
the future of Europe, a broad citizen initiative launched a year ago, resulted
in over 300 proposals being tabled for the reform of the European Union. The
proposals were adopted on Saturday during a plenary sitting in the European
Parliament. Drafted by over 50,000 participants, the proposals were uploaded on
an online platform available in 24 languages, which remains open until May 9.
Despite a late start in negotiations between the three European institutions -
the European Union, the Council of the European Union and the European
Parliament, as well as due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Conference completed
its activity before the end of France’s term at the helm of the Council of the
European Union. Nearly a year since the launch ceremony hosted by Strasbourg,
the Conference will officially end on May 9 in an event at the European
Parliament, marking Europe Day The final report, which is expected to undergo
certain changes in addition to the recommendations adopted on Saturday, will be
submitted to the presidents of the three European institutions, as well as to
French president, Emmanuel Macron.

EUROSTAT – The pandemic has reduced
life expectancy in most EU member states, the Eurostat reports. Compared to the
levels of 2019, life expectancy in 2020 dropped by at least one year in nine EU
Member States – Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, Lithuania,
Poland, Romania and Slovenia, and went up by a month in Denmark and Cyprus. In
Romania, life expectancy dropped by 1 year and 4 months. According to Eurostat
data, Romanian men live on average until the age of 70, while women until the
age of 78.

TENNIS – Romanian tennis
player Simona Halep has advanced to the round of 16 at the Mutua Madrid Open,
totaling some $6.5 million in total prizes, after ousting Paula Badosa of Spain,
world no. 2, in the round of 32. In the next round, Halep will take on Cori
Gauff of the USA. A former world no. 1, Halep won the Madrid Open in 2016 and
2017 and played the final in 2014 and 2019. (VP)

1 May 2022
May 1, 2022

WAR IN UKRAINE – Over 20 civilians,
including six children, were evacuated from the Azovstal steelworks in
Mariupol, after the venue was sieged for weeks on end by Russian forces. The group
of people was transferred to a location commonly agreed upon with the Russian
side, in the hope of reaching Kyiv-controlled territory, Ukrainian soldiers
trapped inside claim. Moscow faced immense international pressure to allow
civilians to evacuate, although all previous attempts to do so were
unsuccessful. The full occupation of the port-city is one of the Russian army’s
strategic objectives. Holding Mariupol would help Russia occupy the entire
Ukrainian southern coast, and would link the separatist region of Donbas to the
Crimean Peninsula, annexed by Russia in 2014. At the same time, Russia presses
on its offense in Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of
seeking to wipe the entire region off the map. Meanwhile, French president
Emmanuel Macron has confirmed his willingness to provide certain security guarantees
to Ukraine. Macron talked to his Ukrainian counterpart over the phone on
Saturday. The French president expressed his readiness to work hard to restore
Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Also on Sunday, president
Zelensky met in Kyiv with the the US House of Representatives Speaker, Nancy
Pelosi. We believe that we are visiting you to say thank you for your fight
for freedom… Our commitment is to be there for you until the fight is
done, Pelosi told Zelensky, according to a video tweeted by the Ukrainian
presidency.

CYBER
ATTACKS – The
Romanian Intelligence Service warns against possible ransomware attacks on a
large scale, targeting the email addresses of institutions in Romania. The
Service recommended people not to click on links or attachments that are not
usually addressed to them or were sent by unknown sources. The same
precautionary measures are recommended in the case of text, WhatsApp, Signal or
Telegram messages. A wave of cyber-attacks started in Romania on Friday,
hackers targeting the website of the National Cyber Security Directorate, as
well as other public institutions and private organizations. Claimed by the
Killnet network of hackers, the operation came in response to Romania’s support
for Ukraine. This month Killnet hackers attacked the websites of institutions
in a number of states as well as NATO.

MAY
DAY – In
Romania, May Day on Sunday marked the International Workers’ Day, when people
usually go out on mini-holidays or choose to spend time out with their
families. Some 30,000 tourists traded the traditional day out barbequing or
camping for a trip to the seacoast, on what the authorities call the start the
summer season. The most crowded seacoast resorts were Vama Veche, Mamaia and Costinești,
which hosted music festivals and parties. Some Romanians went to mountain
resorts on Prahova Valley, while in Bucharest the authorities closed down
streets to road traffic, turning them into pedestrian areas. In France, the
International Workers’ Day was the first test of the reelected president,
Emmanuel Macron, a day when trade unionists traditionally take to the streets
to voice their demands. Some 300 such events were announced on Sunday.

CONFERENCE – The Conference for the
future of Europe, a broad citizen initiative launched a year ago, resulted in
over 300 proposals being tabled for the reform of the European Union. The
proposals were adopted on Saturday during a plenary sitting in the European
Parliament. Drafted by over 50,000 participants, the proposals were
uploaded on an online platform available in 24 languages, which remains open
until May 9. Despite a late start in negotiations between the three European
institutions – the European Union, the Council of the European Union and the
European Parliament, as well as due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Conference
completed its activity before the end of France’s term at the helm of the
Council of the European Union. Nearly a year since the launch ceremony hosted
by Strasbourg, the Conference will officially end on May 9 in an event at the
European Parliament, marking Europe Day The final report, which is expected to
undergo certain changes in addition to the recommendations adopted on Saturday,
will be submitted to the presidents of the three European institutions, as well
as to French president, Emmanuel Macron.

COVID-19 – Chinese
authorities are tightening anti-COVID restrictions in the capital Beijing,
where citizens must present a negative test for COVID-19 in order to access
public spaces. Proof of COVID testing is also required to use public
transportation starting May 5. The new restrictions will remain in place
indefinitely, at a time when the Chinese capital city was entering a five-day
holiday period. China is facing a resurge of COVID infection and remains
committed to fully eradicating the virus. The harshest measures were introduced
in Shanghai, which is currently on lockdown. Confined to their homes, citizens
face great difficulties in getting supplies.

TENNIS – Romanian tennis
player Simona Halep has advanced to the round of 16 at the Mutua Madrid Open,
totaling some $6.5 million in total prizes, after ousting Paula Badosa, world
no. 2, in the round of 32. In the next round, Halep will take on Cori Gauff of
the USA. A former world no. 1, Halep won the Madrid Open in 2016 and 2017 and
played the final in 2014 and 2019. (VP)

1 May 2022
May 6, 2019

WEATHER -
The National Meteorological Administration on Monday issued a code yellow alert
against extreme weather phenomena in place until Tuesday evening for most of
the country. The south, east and the mountainous regions today will see
thunderstorms, hailstorms, heavy rain and wind. Heavy rain will also be
reported in the center, northwest and the southeast. Hail and strong wind will
be reported locally. Snowfalls are expected in the mountains. Tuesday
temperatures will drop nationwide.

SUMMIT IN SIBIU – The Romania-EU 2019 inter-ministry security
committee has decided to start implementing security measures gradually as of
today ahead of the EU Summit to be hosted by Sibiu on May 9. Security measures
are very strict, given the scope and importance of the event. The summit will
bring together heads of state and government from the EU27 group, 36 official
delegations, 400 high-ranking guests, some 900 journalists and 100
interpreters, a record high number. We recall Romania is currently holding the
rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.

MOTION -
The Senate is today debating and voting the simple motion the right-wing
opposition has filed against Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici. The National
Liberal Party and Save Romania Union claim Teodorovici should step down as he
has proven unfit for the job and is thus jeopardizing the economy of the
country and weakening Romania’s relations with its Euro-Atlantic partners. The
opposition also criticized the tax on banking assets, as well as the additional
taxes implemented in the energy and telecom sectors.

POPE
FRANCIS – Pope Francis is today continuing his visit to
Bulgaria. During his meeting with President Rumen Radev, the Pope tackled the
delicate issue of migration, with nearly half of Bulgaria’s working-age
population leaving the country in recent years. The Pope warned that
demographic winter is coming and called on the Government to create conditions
allowing for young people to stay in the country. Pope Francis also referred to
refugees, calling on the authorities to let them in. In Sofia, the Pope prayed
together with Christians. Analysts say that, despite festivities, Bulgaria’s
relations with the Vatican remain docile. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church is a
close ally of the Russian Orthodox Church, thus opposing close relations with
the Vatican. The Pope will next visit North Macedonia and at the end of the
month he will visit Romania, the second visit of a Pope after John Paul II’s
visit 20 years ago.

MULTINATIONALS -
Germany, France and Italy were the top three countries that controlled
multinational branches in Romania in 2017. Over 13 thousand of these were
controlled by foreign enterprises, while 62 thousand were controlled by foreign
natural persons, the National Statistics Institute reports. Most multinational
companies in Romania were operating in the trade sector, with a 35% share. 11%
of them were active in constructions and the manufacturing industry, 9% were
performing scientific and technical activities while 8% were involved in real
estate.

TENNIS – Romanian tennis
player Mihaela Buzarnescu (29 WTA) is today playing twelve seed Anastasija
Sevastova of Latvia in the second round of the Mutua Madrid Open, totaling 7
million dollars in prize money. Another two Romanians have advanced to the
second round. On Tuesday, third-seed Simona Halep will play Johanna Konta of
Great Britain (47 WTA) while Sorana Cirstea will take on Caroline Garcia of
France. Halep won the Madrid Open twice, in 2016 and 2017. In 2018 she reached
the quarterfinals.

(Translated by V. Palcu)

6 May 2019
9 May, 2017

Celebrations.
Romania celebrates three important public holidays today: the proclamation of
its state independence in 1877, World War II Victory Day and Europe Day. The
defence ministry organised military and religious ceremonies in Bucharest and
garrisons across the country in memory of the heroes fallen on the battlefield.
The Romanian Academy hosted a solemn meeting to celebrate the 140th
anniversary of the proclamation of Romania’s independence. The Romanian
soldiers fought in the Russo-Turkish war of 1877-1878 and obtained their country’s
independence from the Ottoman Empire.

Klaus Iohannis address. A
country project requires the clear-sightedness of the political class and the
cohesion between the latter and society, Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis
told Parliament on Tuesday on the 140th anniversary of Romania’s
state independence and the celebration of Europe Day. The president explained
that authentic democracy cannot do without a strong Parliament, and a modern
Romania cannot develop without a coherent legislative framework. Also, the
president said the lessons of the past clearly showed that Romania only
developed when it joined European progressive political processes and when
visionary politicians put national projects above party interests. The
president thus believes that there is no other option for Romania but to
develop as part of a united and strong Europe, while pointing out that Romania
is not a second-rank state in the European Union and that this prejudice must
be overcome.

Europe Day. The European Commissioner for regional policy
Corina Cretu celebrates Europe Day in Bucharest, where she is attending a
series of events held by the EU Representation in Romania. These include
debates on the Union’s future, photography exhibitions, arts and crafts demonstrations
and dance performances by members of the Greek ethnic community. The head of
the European Commission Jean Claude Juncker is also expected to travel to
Bucharest, at a time when Romania celebrates its ten-year EU membership. He
will address Parliament on Thursday and meet Romanian citizens.

Austria trip. The Romanian prime minister Sorin Grindeanu is today
having talks with the Austrian chancellor Christian Kern in Vienna. The two
also met in March at a meeting of the Party of European Socialists held in
Brussels. Also today, Sorin Grindeanu will attend the opening of the
Romanian-Austrian business forum and will have talks with representatives of
Austrian companies. Austria is one of Romania’s biggest economic and trade
partners and its second largest in terms of foreign investment. Trade exchanges
between the two countries stand at more than 1.8 billion euros. Grindeanu’s
trip to Vienna will end with a meeting with the governor of the Lower Austria
land, Johanna Mikl-Leitner.

Vaccine shortage. The European Commission
has approved a request by the Romanian health minister Florian Bodog to
temporarily suspend intra-community exports of combined vaccines against
measles, mumps and rubella. According to a ministry press release, the
Commission viewed the measure as justified, given that Romania is facing a
measles epidemic that broke out a year ago. There is a shortage of vaccines,
especially in the west of the country, where the largest number of cases has
been reported. 24 persons have died because of measles over the last year.

Madrid Open. Romania has
as many players in the Madrid Tennis Open as the host country Spain. In the
second round, Romania’s highest ranked player Simona Halep, no. 8 in the world,
will face world no. 34 Roberta Vinci of Italy, world no. 36 Irina Begu will
face world no. 54 Johanna
Larsson of Sweden, while world no. 83 Sorana Cirstea will face world no. 55 Catherine Bellis of the US. In the men’s tournament,
Romania’s Marius Copil, who has just entered top 100 after defeating Spain’s Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in the first round, will have a difficult match against world no. 1 Andy Murray. Halep and Begu are also playing the doubles and will face the Japanese-polish pair Nao
Hibino and Alicja Rosolska. The Romanian-American pair Monica Niculescu and Christina McHale will be facing
fourth-seed pair Sania Mirza of
India and Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan.

9 May 2017
May 7, 2015

CEREMONIES-Romanias President, Klaus Iohannis, is today attending in Poland the ceremonies marking 70 years since the end of WWII. Alongside Polish President, Bronislaw Komorowski, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, the EC President Donald Tusk and other political leaders, Klaus Iohannis will attend an overnight ceremony in Gdansk, the place where the Solidarity Movement took shape. The event organised in Poland is regarded as a gesture of disconsideration for the Victory Day parade, which will be organised in Moscows Red Square on Saturday, the BBC reports. Several western leaders have announced they will not attend the events in Moscow, because of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

VISIT- Romanian foreign minister, Bogdan Aurescu, is today having talks in Budapest with his Hungarian counterpart, Peter Szijjarto, on issues related to national minorities, the situation in Ukraine and cooperation within NATO. Aurescu has underlined that one of the focal points on the agenda of the visit is the Protocol of the Specialised Romanian-Hungarian Committee on Cooperation in the field of national minorities. He has expressed concern about the situation of the Romanians living in Hungary, whose “cultural identity is threatened, AGERPRES news agency reports. Bogdan Aurescu had a similar meeting with Peter Szijjarto in December, on the sidelines of the OSCE Ministerial Council Meeting held in Basel. On that occasion, Peter Szijjarto said that boosting relations with Romania is of strategic significance to Hungary, taking into consideration the large Hungarian community living in Romania and the fact that Romania is Hungarys second largest export market. On the sidelines of the visit, Aurescu is also due to have talks with representatives of the Romanian community in Hungary.

SPECIAL OPERATION FORCES– Romanian defence minister Mircea Dusa has today held talks in Bucharest with the Commander of NATO Special Operations Headquarters, lieutenant general Marshall Webb. The Romanian minister has hailed the good cooperation between Romanias special operation forces and similar NATO structures, during drills and particularly on missions on theatres of operation. In turn, general Webb has underlined the excellent cooperation relation with the special operation forces, saying that Romania is a regional leader in the field. General Webb, who is currently on an official visit to Romania, has taken part in a planning exercise in the field of special operations.

ELECTION– Polling stations opened in the United Kingdom this morning, for a legislative vote held under the sign of suspense, as polls show the Conservatives of Prime Minister David Cameron and Ed Milibands Labourites stand equal chances to win the vote, FP reports, adding that the election campaign has been intense and rather dull. The Conservatives have been in power for five years, in a coalition with the Liberal-Democrats. David Cameron has said during the election campaign that his government has re-launched the economy, which has faced problems because of the previous Labour governance. Labour Party leader, Ed Miliband, rejects the idea that his party would be responsible for the economic crisis, as this is a global phenomenon. According to Radio Romanias correspondent, immigration and EU membership have been two other important issues debated during the election campaign. Over 45 million voters are called to the polls, to elect their 650 MPs.

CYBER SECURITY SUMMIT– Representatives of 17 Central and South-East European countries, both EU and NATO member and non-member states on Monday and Tuesday will attend the Regional Cyber Security Summit in Bucharest. The event, organised by the Ministry for the IT Society, jointly with the US Trade Department will bring together companies and government officials, cyber security experts from both the public and private sector from Central and South-Eastern Europe, the USA and Romania. The participants will present the cyber security policies pursued in their countries and will approach such issues as cyber threats and vulnerabilities, in an attempt to identify international and regional cooperation opportunities and to exchange good practices in the field.

TENNIS– Romanian tennis player Irina Begu is today playing against 4th seed Czech Petra Kvitova, in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open, with 4.2 million Euros in prize money. Begu, 37th WTA, defeated Czech Barbora Strycova in the previous tour, whereas Kvitova defeated Russian Anastasia Pavliucenkova. This is the first match between Irina Begu and Petra Kvitova. In the mens double, Romanian Florin Mergea and Indian Rohan Bopanna have qualified for the quarters, after defeating the pair made up of French Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin.

7 May 2015