Radio România Internațional

Tag: Madrid tournament

  • May 10, 2018

    May 10, 2018

    DIPLOMACY – The Romanian Foreign Ministry is confident that diplomatic efforts will continue towards a real progress and a final and sustainable solution to the Iranian file, reads a communiqué issued by the Ministry. Also, the document states that Romania will keep collaborating with the international community and the US, its main strategic partner, to properly manage the cases concerning nuclear programmes. Bucharests reaction comes after Washington decided to pull out from the nuclear agreement with Iran, against the background of a negative view of the US Administration regarding the policies promoted by Iran and the lack of real guarantees regarding regional policy and the development of its ballistic programme. The historic agreement was concluded in 2015, after 12 years of crisis and 21 months of negotiations between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (the US, Russia, China France and Great Britain), plus Germany. The document provides for a limitation of the Iranian nuclear programme in exchange for lifting international sanctions. The EU has deeply regretted the USs decision to withdraw from the agreement.



    ROYALTY DAY – May 10th marks three major events in the Romanian history: the beginning of the rule of Carol I, state independence and the coronation of the first king of Romania. The events dedicated to Royalty Day started with a marathon and a military ceremony at the statue of King Carol I, honoring the memory of the founder of the national dynasty and of the Romanian state. Guests from across the country and also from the neighboring Republic of Moldova are expected at the Elisabeta Palace this afternoon to attend the already famous Garden Party. The day will end with the opening of the exhibition titled May 10th, Royalty Day”, organized under the auspices of the Royal House of Romania. The last king of Romania, Michael I, died last year, on December 5th, aged 96. He died in Switzerland, but he was buried on December 16th in Curtea de Arges in Romania, which is also the final resting place for his wife Queen Anne and the other three sovereigns of Romania.



    CONSTITUTIONAL COURT – The Constitutional Court of Romania is today debating the notification filed by Romanias President Klaus Iohannis regarding the law that clears all interdictions applied to MPs in the 2007-2013 period for conflict of interests. The head of state believes that the law lacks clarity and predictability. He has drawn attention to the fact that by removing these interdictions, the stability of the legislative framework is affected with regard to integrity and the law runs counter to the commitments made by Romania under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism. We recall that under this mechanism, the European Commission has been monitoring the Romanian judiciary ever since the countrys EU accession in 2007.



    CORRUPTION – The High Court of Cassation and Justice might rule today on the Rovinari-Turceni case, in which the former prime-minister and Social Democratic leader Victor Ponta has been tried for forgery, accessory to tax evasion and money laundering, committed while he was a lawyer. The National Anticorruption Directorate has called for a sentence of imprisonment, and the High Court has so far postponed five times a ruling. Also on trial in the same case is the former Transport Minister and Social Democratic Senator Dan Sova, for accessory to influence peddling, forgery, aggravated tax evasion and money laundering. Prosecutors say that Victor Ponta, through his private practice, got from another law firm, Sova and Associates, the amount of 39,000 Euros for an alleged cooperation, which has not happened in reality. The aim was apparently to award Victor Ponta for the contracts that Sova and Associates concluded with the state-owned energy companies, says the Anticorruption Directorate.



    EUROVISION – The band The Humans is representing Romania at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest hosted by Lisbon with a song titled Goodbye. This evening the band will perform in the second semi-final of the contest, alongside soloists and bands from another 17 countries. 19 countries were represented in the first semi-final held on Tuesday, of which 10 have qualified for the final. Besides Portugal, which is the host country, the so called Eurovision Big Five (Germany, Italy, France, Great Britain and Spain) have qualified straight into the big final due on Saturday. Last year, Portugal won with a song titled Amar pelos dois, performed by Salvador Sobral.



    TENNIS – The Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, no.1 in the WTA rankings, is today playing against the Czech Karolina Pliskova, no.6 in the WTA classification, in the quarter finals of the WTA tournament in Madrid, with 6.7 million Euro in prize money. The two players have met seven times before, and the Romanian has won six times. Karolinas only success was at the 2016 Fed Cup. Simona Halep has won the latest two editions of the tournament hosted by the Spanish capital.

  • May 9, 2018

    May 9, 2018

    Strike cancelled — The Romanian healthcare trade unions have given up the all-out strike scheduled for Friday after reaching an agreement with the government over salary benefits. The leader of SANITAS, Leonard Bărăscu, pointed out that an agreement with 7 main points was concluded, and all provisions would be applied to salary rights that would be granted starting in May. Also, negotiations will be resumed in relation to the collective bargaining agreement in the healthcare system. In turn, the health minister Sorina Pintea announced that the government would modify the unitary pay law in the public system.



    Iran nuclear deal — American President Donald Trump announced the US would withdraw from the Iranian nuclear deal and reimpose economic sanctions against Iran. The 2015 nuclear deal curbed Irans nuclear activities in return for the lifting of sanctions that had been imposed by the UN, US and EU. President Trump harshly criticized the deal claiming that the agreement did not prevent Iran from funding terrorism and from destabilizing the Middle East. In a joint declaration, France, Germany and Great Britain have expressed regret for Mr. Trump’s decision and announced they remained committed to the deal. The EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said that the EU decided to support the agreement. The Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that Teheran would observe the deal. The American President’s decision was hailed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel while the Russian Foreign Ministry said Russia was deeply disappointed with Donald Trump’s decision.



    May 9 — The Romanian Defense Ministry organizes Wednesday May 9 military ceremonies in Bucharest and across the country to mark May 9, a day with a threefold significance for Romanians. Romania celebrates the State Independence Day proclaimed in 1877. The Romanian soldiers fought in the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878 obtaining independence from the Ottoman Empire. May 9 also marks the victory of the United Nations Coalition in WWII. Thirdly on May 9 Romania marks Europe Day known as Schuman Day, in commemoration of the 1950 Schuman Declaration. The French foreign minister Robert Schuman proposed a plan for economic cooperation between France and Germany to give up historical rivalries between the two states.



    Tennis — The Romanian tennis player, Simona Halep, will take on, today, the Czech Kristyna Pliskova (94 WTA) in the eighth finals of the Madrid tournament which has total prizes up for grabs worth almost 6.7 million Euros. On Tuesday Halep defeated the Belgian Elise Mertens (16 WTA) 6-0, 6-3. The Romanian tennis player is the winner of the last two editions of the Madrid tournament.



    Eurovision — Ten countries (Austria, Estonia, Cyprus, Lithuania, Israel, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Albania, Finland and Ireland) have qualified to the final of the Eurovision 2018 song contest following the first semifinal held on Tuesday night in Lisbon. Romania’s representatives, The Humans band, will sing the piece “Goodbye” on Thursday in the second semifinal. The artists representing the founding members of the contest, namely Germany, Italy, Britain, France and Spain alongside Portugal, last year’s winner, have automatically qualified to Saturday’s final.



    Economy — The governor of the National Bank of Romania, Mugur Isărescu, on Wednesday said, upon the presentation of the quarterly report on inflation, that in March the inflation rate reached 4.95%, which is the highest value reported over the past 5 years. In another development, at the Country Risk Conference hosted today in Bucharest, the national bank governor’s main advisor on monetary policy, Lucian Croitoru, said that the attitude towards inflation and competitiveness was the most important thing Romania should take into account in the process of integration into the Euro zone. He added that integration into the Euro zone had to be made with much care, as this is one of Romania’s most sensitive moves. Eurostat data published in April show that Romania reported the highest inflation rate in March within the EU. (news translated by Lacramioara Simion)

  • May 6, 2018

    May 6, 2018

    HEALTHCARE — A two-hour strike will be staged in hospitals across Romania on Monday, with only emergency medical service being provided. Healthcare protesters are unhappy with the 30% cap on bonuses and say the introduction of the new salary grid has slashed some of the salaries by as much as 215 euros. In addition, the salaries of medical doctors and nurses have gone up, while the salaries of orderlies, stretchers, biologists, pharmacists, radiologists and midwives have remained unchanged. The SANITAS trade federation has gathered over 50,000 signatures which allows them to call an all-out strike on May 11. In recent days, healthcare unionists have had talks with the ministries of Labor, Healthcare and Finance, without reaching consensus. They are scheduled to have a new round of talks with Prime Minister Viorica Dancila.



    EU-NATO RELATIONS — Cooperation between the EU and NATO in the military field will intensify over the coming period. This is the conclusion of an informal meeting of EU defense ministers held in Sofia. The EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security, Federica Mogherini, said by mid-June the EU will submit proposals for the new instrument of peace and stability aimed at contributing to preventing crises. The instrument will also finance the activity of collective defense. Over the last year a total of 17 projects have been created to this end. The EU also plans to increase its investment in military infrastructure. The Union will cooperate with the UN and NATO to prevent conflicts in Africa, the Mediterranean Sea and the Western Balkans. State Secretary for Defense, Planning and International Relations Mircea Dusa represented Romania at the meeting. According to a Defense Ministry release, Romania continues to support the operationalization of the Permanent Structured Cooperation in a pragmatic and result-oriented manner.



    NAVALNY — The European Union and Amnesty International have condemned the use of violence to disperse the crowd of protesters in Moscow, where the Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was arrested at a rally protesting against Vladimir Putin, who is due to be sworn in for his fourth consecutive term in office. Over 1,500 people were arrested in protests held in Moscow and other large cities across the Russian Federation. According to Radio Romania’s correspondent on the ground, the City Hall did not sanction the protest action in central Moscow, authorizing a different place and urging the population not to join an unauthorized protest. Alexei Navalny’s supporters rallied in the city center and the police charged the crowd with the truncheons and smoke grenades. At the same time, pro-Kremlin nationalist actions were staged in Moscow, some of their activists allegedly trying to attack some of Navalny’s supporters.



    EUROPE DAY — Celebrated on May 9, Europe Day is being marked this weekend in Romania and other countries in Europe. Bucharest is hosting the fifth edition of the European Member States Market, consisting of workshops, concerts and culinary events specific to each member of the EU. Attending the event, Romanian Minister Delegate for European Affairs, Victor Negrescu, spoke about Romania preparing to take over the presidency of the European Council in early 2019. Minister Negrescu believes the EU has overcome the Brexit shock and is looking towards the future. Referring to the European Union Members Market, Victor Negrescu said the project is aimed at showcasing what Romania has to offer: traditions, values and particular strengths, which in turn contribute to what Europe today means. British Ambassador to Bucharest Paul Brummel recalled the EU and the UK have reached an agreement to protect the rights of British and EU citizens after Brexit.



    VOLLEYBALL — CSM Volei Alba Blaj is the first Romanian women’s volley club to ever qualify to the Champions League final. On Saturday, CSM Alba Blaj defeated Galatasaray Istanbul of Turkey 3-1 in Bucharest. CSM will today play the final against the defending champions VakiBank Istanbul, which on Saturday defeated Imoco Volley Conegliano of Italy 3-2.



    TENNIS — Romanian tennis player Irina Begu, 36 WTA, on Saturday ousted Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 6-3 in the first round of the WTA tournament in Madrid, totaling some 6.7 million euros in prize money. In the second round Begu will go up against Maria Sharapova of Russia, who knocked out Romanian Mihaela Buzarnescu in the first round. Another two Romanians are have qualified to the second round: Simona Halep, WTA no. 1, who ousted Ekaterina Makarova of Russia, 6-1, 6-nil while Sorana Cirstea defeated Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. In the doubles competition, Simona Halep and Irina Begu will play Nicole Melichar of the United States and Kveta Peschke of the Czech Republic. Mihaela Buzarnescu and Alize Cornet of France will take on Andreja Klepac of Slovenia and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez of Spain. Finaly, Sorana Cirstea and Sara Sorribes Tormo of Spain will play Julia Georges of Germany and Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic.


    (Translated by V. Palcu)

  • May 14, 2017

    May 14, 2017

    USR — Nicuşor Dan is the president elect of the Save Romania Union, after having won a majority of votes at the first congress of the party which was held between May 12- 14 in the city of Cluj-Napoca, northwest. The party has also drafted its statute, its most important provision referring to the organization of internal referendums on important decision that are to be taken at party level. The document also writes that the new leadership will make public their wealth statements and statements of purpose on the party’s website. The opposition Save Romania Union, the newest party on the Romanian political scene, and the third party in Parliament in terms of seats held, intends to become, in two years’ time, the second most important party of Romania, to be able to appoint the prime minister at the 2020 elections. At the same time, the Save Romania Union party wants to have equal chances in the 2020 elections for mayors in Romania’s big cities.



    Eurovision — Romania has been ranked 7th in this year’s Eurovision contest held in Kiev, Ukraine. Romania was represented by Ilinca and Alex Florea with the piece “Yodel it!” Many sites wrote about the Romanian artists that they were the most beloved pair at the 2017 edition of the contest. The Eurovision contest, which reached its 65th edition this year, took place under the motto “Celebrate Diversity”. The winner was Portugal’s representative, Salvator Sobral, with the song “Amar Pelos Dois”.



    Madrid Tennis Tournament — The best-ranked Romanian tennis player, Simona Halep, (8th WTA) has won the Madrid tennis tournament for the second consecutive year. The contest had prizes up for grabs worth more than 5 million dollars. on Saturday evening she defeated the French player Kristina Mladenovici in 3 sets, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-2. Simona Halep also made it to the final of the Madrid tournament in 2012.



    Paris Inauguration— One week after the landslide victory he obtained in the second round of the presidential ballot against the far right candidate Marine Le Pen, Emmanuel Macron was inaugurated Sunday as France’s youngest ever president, as part of a ceremony held in Paris. Aged 39, Macron wants to boost the French economy, to reform the country’s political life and curb the unemployment rate. A former banker, Emmanuel Macron has never before run for president. He set up his centrist political movement only one year ago.



    North Korea –North Korea on Sunday launched a ballistic missile in new test, which has been condemned by the international community. Japanese officials said the missile, which was launched from the northwestern city of Kusong, reached an altitude of 2,000 kms. The new South Korean president called the test a “reckless provocation” while the Japanese PM said Pyongyang’s repeated tests represented a threat to the Japanese people. The American President has called for tougher sanctions against North Korea while a Kremlin spokesperson said President Vladimir Putin was concerned by the test. China, North Korea’s sole major ally, has called for restraint by “all relevant parties” following the latest test by North Korea. (news translated by L. Simion)

  • May 8, 2017 UPDATE

    May 8, 2017 UPDATE

    EUROZONE – Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis on Monday said joining the Eurozone is a strategic objective for Romania, and the decision-making factors, including the Government and the National Bank, must decide on a clear roadmap for accession, which should also reflect the impact on fiscal policies. We need many years of preparations to join the Eurozone, although Romania has fulfilled technical requirements for some time, the president added.



    FRENCH ELECTION — The pro-EU centrist Emmanuel Macron has won the French presidency in a decisive victory over the far-right Front National leader, Marine Le Pen. Macron, aged 39, a former economy minister, took 66.1% to Le Pen’s 33.9%. In his first speech after the result was announced Macron vowed to unite a divided and fractured France. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis and PM Sorin Grindeanu hailed Macron’s election as president.



    MEETING — Romanian PM Sorin Grindeanu on Monday met with the head of the Council of Representatives from Iraq, Salim Abdullah al-Jubouri. The main topic on the agenda for talks was bilateral cooperation, with Romania possibly taking part in the economic reconstruction of this country. On this occasion, the Romanian official said two-way trade have not yet reached their full potential. In turn, the Iraqi official said there are safe zones in his country where Romanian businesses can find opportunities in such fields as transport and the oil industry.



    VISIT — European Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu is as of Monday on a two-day visit to Romania. She will have talks with Deputy PM Sevil Shhaideh and will take part in a series of conferences and public events. Commissioner Cretu will also visit a project financed with EU funds at the Romanian Patriarchy and will take part in the Caravan of Structural Funds, a project that includes a series of regional conferences on European funds management. Corina Cretu’s visit to Romania coincides with the celebration of Europe’s Day, 10 years after Romania’s accession to the EU.



    EU FUNDS — EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu on Monday attended the opening press conference for the second edition of the campaign “Success is contagious!”, organized by the European Commission Representative Office in Romania. Corina Cretu said that 2017 is a crucial year for Romania with respect to structural funds, unless payments start coming in for the 2014-2020 period. The problems Romania is facing right now in terms of absorbing EU funds include its limited administrative capacity, the absence of quality projects and the lacking transport infrastructure. According to Commissioner Cretu, Romania must ‘fight’ for regional policy.



    LAW — The Senate on Monday sent back the draft law on pardoning some criminal sentences to Parliament’s judicial committee. The decision had 61 votes in favour, 41 against and 7 abstentions. On Sunday evening several hundred people protested in front of the Government and Parliament offices against the adoption of this law. Senators with the legal committee have brought several changes to the draft law, such as pardoning sentences of up to three years, reducing by 3 years the sentences that do not exceed 10 years and halving sentences in the case of pregnant women. The Senates legal committee, however, gave up the amendments pardoning corruption deeds. Social Democratic leader and Chamber of Deputies Speaker Liviu Dragnea has given assurances that the draft law passed by Parliament will not stipulate pardons for corruption deeds.



    REPORT – Romanias food sector will be a regional leader over the next five years, driven by an improving labour market, real wage growth and low levels of inflation, according to a report made public recently by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Economic growth is expected to maintain its upward trend, which anticipates an increase in disposable incomes and the confidence of consumers in the economy and the future, the report also reads. Sales in retailing are also expected to continue to grow over the forecast period, although at a slower pace compared with the review period’s average growth. The report also shows that Romania has a remarkable tourist potential due to two main components, namely, the beautiful natural environment and its rich history.



    LITERATURE — A Masterclass in Romanian-British Literary Translation will be held at the Romanian Cultural Institute in Bucharest, between May 8 and 13. As many as six British writers have been invited to work on translations from Romanian contemporary works of fiction. The Radio Romania Culture channel is one of the partners in the event.



    TENNIS – Romania’s best tennis player, Simona Halep, no. 8 in the world, defeated Krystina Pliskova of the Czech Republic, 6-1, 6-2 and will be up against Italian Roberta Vinci in the second round of the Madrid tournament. Another Romanian, Sorana Cirstea, no. 38 in the world, beat Russian Anastasia Pavliucenkova and will next play against American Catherine Bellis. Irina Begu also grabbed a win, defeating Russian Elena Vesnina (14 WTA), 6-4, 6-4. (Translated by V. Palcu & E. Enache)