Radio România Internațional

Tag: Navy Day

August 15, 2021

Covid Romania – On Sunday Romania registered 323 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours, a smaller number than in the previous day, but the number of patients in ICUs is on the rise, reaching 112 at present. Six Covid-related deaths have been registered in the last 24 hours. On the other hand, interest in vaccination remains low. All in all, about 5 million Romanians have been fully vaccinated.

Navy Day — Navy Day was marked on Sunday in Constanta, the largest Black Sea port in Romania, through a restricted ceremony, due to the pandemic. Attending the ceremony, alongside high-ranking state officials, the President Klaus Iohannis congratulated the Romanian seafarers and highlighted that the spirit of sacrifice, devotion and professionalism are their most important qualities. According to President Iohannis, the strategic relevance of the Black Sea area for Euro-Atlantic security is a certainty today. However, the region is still facing security challenges, both military and non-military, conventional, as well as hybrid and cyber, which is why an increased commitment is required to strengthen security and increase national resilience, the President added. A formation of fighter planes consisting of Puma Naval helicopters, a Puma IAR helicopter, Romanian Air Force MIG-21 and F-16 aircraft, British Typhoon aircraft and a US P-8 research aircraft flew over the Military Port at the end of the official ceremony. A parade of military ships took place at sea, which was led by the frigate Marasesti, the largest warship ever built in Romania.

Assumption of the Virgin Mary — Christians on Sunday celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which commemorates the moment of the Virgin’s departure from this world. The Virgin Mary is the person who enjoys the greatest honor in the Christian religion, after to the persons of the Holy Trinity. The Virgin Mary is the patron saint of most monasteries in Romania, the celebration of the Assumption of the Virgin being considered the feast of pilgrimages. Crowds of pilgrims visit the monasteries dedicated to the Virgin, to pray before her miracle-working icons. The religious events will also mark the 150th anniversary of the first gathering of the Romanians abroad and the first Congress of Romanian students, which took place from August 15-16, 1871 at the Putna Monastery (northeast). It was then that the ideals of unity of all Romanians were affirmed. Among the pilgrims present in Putna there are 650 students from the country and abroad, who will participate in a congress on Monday.

Afghanistan — A peaceful transfer of power to a transitional government will take place in Afghanistan, where the Taliban are close to taking full control of the country, Afghan Interior Minister Abdul Sattar Mirzakwal said on Sunday, according to AFP and Reuters. He said there would be no attack on the capital Kabul. Previously, the Taliban said they had been ordered to remain at the city gates and not enter the Afghan capital. In the last ten days, insurgents have taken control of most of Afghanistans provincial capitals. The crisis in Afghanistan and Belarus actions point to the need to reshape EU rules on migration and asylum, European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas said on Sunday. Many member states fear that events in Afghanistan could lead to a new migrant crisis similar to that which Europe faced in 2015-2016, when the chaotic arrival of more than 500,000 people from the Middle East tested the European countries’ security and social welfare systems.

Pandemic — Sunday saw the coming into effect of the updated list of countries with an epidemiological risk. As of August 15 inlcuded on the red list are Turkey, Israel and the USA, a list which also includes Spain, Greece, Great Britain and Portugal. Instead, the Netherlands and Malta returned to the yellow zone, following a decrease in the Covid incidence. Bulgaria remains in the green zone. Since August 13, for crossing state borders within the EU, only digital certificates have been recognized as documents proving vaccination, recovery from the disease and a negative Covid test result. The obligation to present the digital certificate is valid only for those countries that require such documents as a vaccination certificate, negative test results or vaccination proof, as well as upon return to Romania from countries on the yellow and red lists. Tourists returning from a country on the green list do not have to present the digital certificate and are not quarantined. (LS)

15 August 2021
August 15, 2020 UPDATE

Navy Day. The Black Sea
region is an area of strategic interest not only to Romania, but also to NATO
and the European Union, so it must be a safe and predictable space, said the
President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, in the speech delivered on the occasion
of Navy Day on Saturday. According to the head of state, the objectives in the
Black Sea area remain the consolidation, in the eastern proximity, of a stable,
democratic and prosperous place, by connecting the Black Sea area to the values
and processes of European and Euro-Atlantic cooperation, and rendering
regional cooperation more dynamic. The Romanian Naval Forces, established 160
years ago, are an important part of the Romanian Army and work with their NATO
allies to make the seas and oceans safer, the president said. In his turn,
Prime Minister Ludovic Orban promised the sailors, in a message, that the
government would support them to continue the restructuring on a modern basis
of the Romanian navy, both civilian and military, and the tradition of
training new generations of navy top level professionals. Due to the
pandemic, this year, the Navy Day ceremonies were held without spectators, but
the public could watch a parade of military ships from the beaches of
Constanţa, Mamaia and Năvodari.

Assumption. Christians celebrated the Assumption of Mary on Saturday.
According to tradition, the Blessed Virgin Mary was raised to heaven after
death. She is the patron saint of most monasteries in Romania and the
Assumption is considered the feast of pilgrimages. Authorities took special
measures to avoid congestion and physical contact between believers in the
context of the pandemic. Those who participated in pilgrimages were required to
wear a mask and were not allowed to touch the icons considered miraculous.

State of alert. The Romanian government has extended by 30
days, starting Sunday, the state of alert established 3 months ago. All
previously imposed restrictions are maintained, but terraces will be allowed to
stay open until midnight. Romania has exceeded the threshold of 69,000 cases of
coronavirus infection diagnosed since the beginning of the pandemic. The total
number of victims is close to 3,000. According to the latest study published by
the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Romania has reached the
first place in terms of death rate caused by COVID-19, per one million
inhabitants in the EU, with a ratio of 19.1 as to 4.1 the European average.
Also, the rate of new cases detected per hundred thousand inhabitants is almost
four times the European average.

Restrictions.
Serbian authorities published, on
Friday evening, with effect from Saturday at 00.00, a new decision to review
the conditions of entry and transit in Serbia for foreign nationals from
Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Northern Macedonia, the Romanian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday. Thus, according to the new provisions,
access is allowed only with the presentation of a negative molecular test (PCR)
for COVID-19 infection, not older than 48 hours, performed in nationally
accredited laboratories. Several categories of persons are exempted from the
mandatory measure on the presentation of a negative molecular test, including
foreign nationals who are domiciled or resident in Serbia and have valid
documents to that effect, members of road haulage crews in transit, if the
duration of the transit does not exceed 12 hours and railway staff of trains to
Serbia.

Merger. The representatives of USR – Save Romania
Union, the third force in the Bucharest Parliament, and those of PLUS,
extra-parliamentary, gathered in separate congresses, voted, on Saturday, for
the merger of the two parties. Following the merger, the party will be called
USR and will be led until the first congress, when the new president will be
elected by two co-presidents, USR leader Dan Barna, and Dacian Ciolos, leader
of PLUS, former prime minister and
European commissioner. We recall that, in early July, the Senate and the Chamber
of Deputies adopted the law that provides for the organization of local
elections on September 27. They were supposed to take place in June, but were
postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Budget. The Romanian Government approved, on Friday evening, the second
budget adjustment this year. It was made against the background of an economic
decline of over 12 percent in the second quarter, compared to the first quarter
of the year, and a budget deficit of 8.6% of the GDP. More money will go to
Labor, Health, Education and Transport. The Minister of Finance, Florin Cîţu,
specified that the budget adjustment allows the increase of the pension
point, as of September 1. Children’s allowances will also be increased, but
there will be no increase in teachers’ salaries, as anticipated.

Anonimul. Malmkrog, the latest production of the Romanian director
Cristi Puiu, closed on Saturday the 17th edition of the ANONIMUL International
Independent Film Festival,hosted by
Sfantu Gheorghe in the Danube Delta. The film was awarded the Best Director
Award in the Encounters Section at the prestigious Berlin International Film
Festival and was praised by critics in France, where it premiered on the big
screens in July. Malmkrog is a co-production of Romania, Serbia,
Switzerland, Sweden, Bosnia and Northern Macedonia. Cristi Puiu is considered
the pioneer of the New Wave in Romanian cinema.

Tennis. Romanian tennis player Simona Halep has qualified for the final
of the WTA tournament in Prague, with more than 200,000 dollars in prize money.
In the semifinals she defeated another Romanian, Irina Begu, 7-6, 6-3. In the
final she will play against the Belgian Elise Mertens, who defeated Kristyna
Pliskova of the Czech Republic. The last time Halep took on Mertens was at the Australian
Open, where she won 6-4, 6-4.

15 August 2020
August 15, 2020

Navy Day. The Black Sea region is an area of strategic interest not only to Romania, but also to NATO and the European Union, so it must be a safe and predictable space, said the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, in the speech delivered on the occasion of Navy Day in Constanta, the largest port on the Romanian Black Sea Coast. According to the head of state, the objectives in the Black Sea area remain the consolidation, in the eastern proximity, of a stable, democratic and prosperous place, by connecting the Black Sea area to the values and processes of European and Euro-Atlantic cooperation, and rendering regional cooperation more dynamic. The Romanian Naval Forces, established 160 years ago, are an important part of the Romanian Army and work with their NATO allies to make the seas and oceans safer, the president said. In his turn, Prime Minister Ludovic Orban promised the sailors, in a message, that the government would support them to continue the restructuring on a modern basis of the Romanian navy, both civilian and military, and the tradition of training new generations of navy top level professionals. Due to the pandemic, this year, the Navy Day ceremonies have been held without spectators, but the public could watch a parade of military ships from the beaches of Constanţa, Mamaia and Năvodari.

Assumption. Christians celebrate the Assumption of Mary today. According to tradition, the Blessed Virgin Mary was raised to heaven after death. The Blessed Virgin is the patron saint of most monasteries in Romania and the Assumption is considered the feast of pilgrimages. Authorities have taken special measures to avoid congestion and physical contact between believers in the context of the pandemic. Those who participate in pilgrimages are required to wear a mask and cannot touch the icons considered miraculous.

State of alert. The Romanian government has extended by 30 days, starting Sunday, the state of alert established 3 months ago. All previously imposed restrictions are maintained, but terraces will be allowed to stay open until midnight. Romania has exceeded the threshold of 68,000 cases of coronavirus infection diagnosed since the beginning of the pandemic. The total number of victims exceeds 2,900. According to the latest study published by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Romania has reached the first place in terms of death rate caused by COVID-19, per one million inhabitants in the EU, with a ratio of 19.1 as to 4.1 the European average. Also, the rate of new cases detected per hundred thousand inhabitants is almost four times the European average.

Budget. The Romanian Government approved, on Friday evening, the second budget adjustment this year. It was made against the background of an economic decline of over 12 percent in the second quarter, compared to the first quarter of the year, and a budget deficit of 8.6% of the GDP. More money will go to Labor, Health, Education and Transport. The Minister of Finance, Florin Cîţu, specified that the budget adjustment allows the increase of the pension point, as of September 1. Childrens allowances will also be increased, but there will be no increase in teachers salaries, as anticipated.

Anonimul. Malmkrog, the latest production of the Romanian director Cristi Puiu, closes today the 17th edition of the ANONIMUL International Independent Film Festival, hosted by Sfantu Gheorghe in the Danube Delta. The film was awarded the Best Director Award in the Encounters Section at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival and was praised by critics in France, where it premiered on the big screens in July. Malmkrog is a co-production of Romania, Serbia, Switzerland, Sweden, Bosnia and Northern Macedonia. Cristi Puiu is considered the pioneer of the New Wave in Romanian cinema.

Tennis. Romanian tennis player Irina Begu has defeated the Spanish Sara SorribesTormo in three sets today, in the quarterfinals of the WTA tournament in Prague, with 200,000 dollars in prize money. The match had started on Friday, but it was interrupted due to rain. Also today, in the semifinals, Begu takes on her compatriot Simona Halep, the tournament’s first seed In the other semifinal in Prague, the Belgian Elise Mertens will play against Kristyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic. (M. Ignatescu)

15 August 2020
August 14, 2020 UPDATE

Coronavirus Ro – The Romanian government has approved a decision on extending the state of alert by another month. The decision comes into force on August 16 and was prompted by the persistence of a high rate of contamination with the new coronaviurs across Romania as well as by the identification of new cases of infection on a daily basis. In Romania more than 68 thousand cases of contamination have been reported since the coronavirus outbreak, with almost 32 thousand patients having recovered. The Strategic Communication group has also announced that 473 patients are in intensive care. The total death toll in Romania stands at 2,904.

GDP — Romania’s GDP has dropped by 12.3% in the 2nd quarter of this year as compared to the 1st quarter, and by 10.5% as compared to the 2nd quarter of 2019, the National Institute of Statistics informed on Friday. A drop in the GDP was also reported in the first six months of 2020, when it decreased by 3.9% as against the same period of last year. The National Commission for Strategy and Prognosis also reviewed the estimates regarding the evolution of the Romanian economy in 2020, so, at present, the Commission forecasts a contraction going up to 3.8%, as compared to 1.8% previously estimated. According to the summer economic forecasts, published by the European Commission, Romanias GDP will register a significant drop – 6%, in 2020. Also the Romanian authorities estimate a budget deficit of 8.6% of the GDP. The annual inflation rate went up to 2.8% last month from 2.6% in June. The growth was caused by the increased prices of foodstuffs, services and nonfoods.

Navy Day — The Romanian Navy Day is traditionally celebrated on August 15, when Christians celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. This year the events have been adapted to the new context imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Thus, unlike in the previous years, this years edition, dedicated to the 160th anniversary of the establishment of the Romanian Naval Forces, takes place mainly online. The Naval Forces official Facebook page has already launched thematic contests and virtual projects that offer the public the opportunity to get to know the marines better. Recitals of the Military Music of the Naval Forces were also streamed online, as well virtual tours of Romanian ports. Nevertheless, on Saturday, on Navy Day, there will be ship parades on the Black Sea and the Danube. To prevent the crowding of people, access of the public will not be allowed.

Tennis — The Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, world’s no.2 and top seed in Prague, on Friday qualified to the semifinals of the WTA tournament hosted by the Czech capital which offers total prizes worth more than 200 thousand dollars, after defeating the Polish player Magdalena Frech (174 WTA) 6-2, 6-0. Also on Friday the Romanian Irina Begu qualified to the quarter finals after defeating the Swiss Leonie Kung 7-6, 5-7, 7-6. Another Romanian player Ana Bogdan withdrew from the competition at the score 5-2 against the Czech Kristyna Pliskova who thus goes further to the semifinals. In the doubles, the Romanian players Monica Niculescu and Raluca Olaru have qualified to the semifinals and will play against the Czech pair Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova.

Agreement — The Romanian Foreign Ministry hails the announcement regarding the normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates as well as the relevant role of the US that brokered the agreement. In this context, the Romanian diplomacy expressed confidence that the agreement between Israel and the UAE, two of Romania’s important regional partners, will contribute to the stability and security of the Middle East. This is the biggest progress towards peace between Israel and the Arab world in the past 26 years, being the starting point for the third agreement between Israel and an Arab nation, said the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel also has peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan. The Palestinian National Authority labeled the agreement a “betrayal” of the Palestinian cause and called for an emergency meeting of the Arab League to denounce this agreement.

MAE — The Romanian Foreign Ministry MAE has categorically rejected Russia’s criticism related intentions to consolidate the American presence in Romania. The Romanian diplomacy on Friday published a response to the recent statements made by the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zaharova who accused NATO and the US of intending to consolidate a north-south axis from the Baltic to the Black Sea, an axis meant to discourage Russia. MAE explained that NATO’s process to consolidate security in the Black Sea region was a legitimate and legal response after the illegal annexation of Crimea and Russia’s aggressive actions on the Black Sea basin. (translation and update by L. Simion)

14 August 2020
August 14, 2020

State of alert. The Romanian Government is to discuss, in todays meeting, a decision on extending the state of alert by 30 days, as of August 16, and the measures to be applied over this period to prevent and combat the effects of COVID-19. This is the third time since the start of the pandemic that the Executive has resorted to this measure to prevent the spread of infections. In Romania, so far, at least 66,600 cases of people infected with the new coronavirus have been confirmed, and over 31,500 patients have been declared cured. The Strategic Communication Group has also announced that 478 patients are in intensive care. The total number of deaths due to COVID-19 has reached 2860. Globally, the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in more than 757,000 deaths since December, and the number of infections has exceeded 21 million, according to worldometers.info. Nearly 14 million people are cured. France Presse reports that the number of cases could be much higher, as some countries test only serious cases, others use retests to monitor patients condition, and some poor countries have limited screening capabilities.

Budget. The Romanian Executive is discussing, today, the second budget adjustment this year. The Minister of Finance, Florin Cîţu, has explained that the budget deficit is increasing due to the drop in the budget revenues caused by the economic crisis and due to the increase in expenses to fight the pandemic. However, more money will go to health, employment, education and transport. The finance minister has given assurances that the current budget adjustment will allow pensions to be increased this year. On the other hand, the Romanian economy registered a decline of 12.3% in the second quarter of this year compared to the first quarter, and 10.5% compared to the second quarter of 2019, according to the National Institute of Statistics. In the first six months of this year, it decreased by 3.9% as against the same period last year. Florin Cîţu announced on Thursday evening that the National Commission for Strategy and Prognosis also revised the estimates regarding the evolution of the Romanian economy in 2020, so that, currently, the institution forecasts a contraction going up to 3.8%, compared to 1.8% previously. According to the summer economic forecasts, published by the European Commission, Romanias GDP will register a significant drop, of 6%, in 2020.

Navy Day. Romanian Navy Day is traditionally celebrated on August 15, the Christian holiday of St. Mary. This year, however, the events were adapted to the new conditions imposed by Covid-19. Thus, unlike in previous years, this years edition, dedicated to the 160th anniversary of the establishment of the Romanian Naval Forces, takes place mainly online. The official Facebook page of the Naval Forces has already launched thematic contests and virtual projects that offer the public the opportunity to get to know the military sailors better. Recitals of the Military Music of the Naval Forces were also streamed online, as well virtual tours of Romanian ports. On Saturday, however, on Navy Day, there will be parades of ships on the Black Sea and the Danube. In order to prevent the gathering of large masses of people, public access will not be allowed.

Agreement. Israel and the United Arab Emirates have reached a historic agreement to normalize their relations, brokered by the United States. It is the greatest progress for peace between Israel and the Arab world in 26 years and the basis of the third agreement between Israel and an Arab nation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. Israel also has peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan. The Palestinian National Authority termed the agreement to normalize the relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates a “betrayal” of the Palestinian cause and called for an emergency meeting of the Arab League to denounce the agreement. According to France Presse, normalizing the relations between Israel and Gulf powers such as Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates is part of the Trump administrations plan for the Middle East, welcomed by Israelis but rejected by Palestinians.

Protests. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Belarus on Thursday night to denounce the violent repression of the protest movement triggered by the controversial re-election of President Alexander Lukashenko, FP reports. On Thursday, authorities announced the release of more than 1,000 protesters, while the presence of police on the streets of the capital Minsk was much less numerous than in previous evenings. More than 6,700 people have been arrested since Sunday, and numerous cases of violent treatment and torture of detainees have been reported since then. Amnesty International said in a statement on Thursday that there had been cases of protesters “stripped, beaten and threatened with rape” during detention. More than 1,000 researchers in Belarus have signed a letter against violence, and medical staff have gathered in front of the health facilities where they worked. According to information published by the opposition media, protest actions took place in important state factories, and journalists from the state press have announced their resignation in the last days.

Tennis. Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, world number two and first-seed is today playing against the Polish Magdalena Frech (174 WTA), in the quarterfinals of the WTA tournament in Prague, with over 200 thousand dollars in prize money. Also in the quarterfinals, another Romanian, Ana Bogdan, got injured and had to withdraw when the score was 5-2 in her favor, which benefited the Czech Kristyna Pliskova. In the doubles competition, the pair of Romanian players Monica Niculescu and Raluca Olaru qualified for the semifinals and will play against the winners of the game between Barbora Krejcikova / Katerina Siniakova (Czech Republic / N.1) and Veronika Kudermetova / Anastasia Pavliucenkova of Russia. (M. Ignatescu)

14 August 2020
August 13, 2019

Government — The Romanian PM and leader of the Social Democratic Party – PSD Viorica Dancila announced a government reshuffle and an adjustment of the governing program in the wake of Monday’s meeting of the party’s executive committee. PM Dancila said the Social Democrats could not accept ultimatums from their governing partners, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats – ALDE that had pushed forward August 20 as a deadline for the PSD to prepare measures to reform the state institutions, to come up with a new governing program and a restructured government team based on efficiency. ALDE criticized the budget adjustment passed Monday by the government, claiming that this year’s budget was drafted unrealistically.

Summer University — The 17th edition of the Summer University hosted by Izvoru Mureşului, in Harghita county, in the center, continues. On Monday, at the official opening, Sandra Pralong, a state advisor with the presidential administration, said that the Romanian state should pay more attention to the needs of the Romanians living abroad. Alexandru Pugna, a secretary of state with the Ministry of Culture and National Identity reminded that, starting this year, the government decided, through an emergency decree, to allot each year 4 million Euros to the churches in the Diaspora to support the Romanian communities in preserving their national identity outside Romania’s borders. Other topics to be approached at the Summer University are preserving the identity of the Romanians in Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, the parliamentary parties’ and the state institutions’ policy towards the Romanians abroad and the Romanians from multi-ethnic and multi-denomination areas from Romania. The proceedings of the Summer University are being attended by people from Romania, the Rep of Moldova, Ukraine, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, by lecturers from the main university centers from Romania and from abroad, as well as by civil society and mass media representatives.

Investments — Direct foreign investments in Romania rose, in the first half of the year, by almost 30% as against the same period of last year, up to more than 2.3 billion Euros, show data made public on Tuesday by Romania’s national bank. On June 31, there were over 224 thousand companies with foreign capital in Romania, of which most with Italian capital, but the Dutch companies report the largest amount of share capital. In another development, according to the central bank, Romania’s current account deficit rose by 38% in the first 6 months of the year as compared to the same period of last year, up to 5.1 billion Euros.

Romanian Navy — The Romanian Navy have been training on the Black Sea Coast for the show devoted to Romania’s Navy Day to be marked on August 15. The focus of the events will be the training ship Mircea whose flag will be decorated on Thursday by President Klaus Iohannis to mark 80 years since the ship started being used by the Romanian Navy. Ships, combat divers, Puma Naval helicopters and MIG-21, F-16 and Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft simulated fighting scenarios at sea, prefacing the biggest naval exercise of the year to be presented to the public on the Navy Day. The naval and air forces of Ukraine, Italy and the US will contribute military detachments to the exercise on the Romanian Navy Day and to the festivity to be held on the sea front of the Navy Command on the occasion of the Navy Day.

Football – Romania’s football champions CFR Cluj are taking on, today, in Glasgow, the famous Scottish eleven Celtic, in the 2nd leg of the 3rd preliminary round of the Champions League. One week ago, the two teams ended the match in a 1-all draw. The winner of today’s match will play with Slavia Prague in the playoffs. Another two Romanian football teams are playing on Thursday, away from home, in the 2nd leg of the Champions League’s 3rd preliminary round. Vice-champions FCSB (formerly Steaua Bucharest) are playing against FK Mlada Boleslav from the Czech Republic after a nil-draw in the previous match and Universitatea Craiova will take on AEK Athens after they were defeated 2-0 in the first leg. (translation by L. Simion)

13 August 2019
August 15, 2018 UPDATE

PROTESTS – The head prosecutor with the Military Prosecutor’s
Office in Bucharest, Ionel Corbu, said that the gendarmes’ intervention during
Friday’s anti-Government protest was by no means justified, as long as there
were several alternatives to quell the violent protesters. Ionel Corbu said the
Military Prosecutor’s Office has received from the Romanian Gendarmes Service
part of the documents it has requested, namely the action plan, the
intervention plan and the operation log, adding however that no documents were
received regarding the amount of tear gas used in the protests. The Bucharest
Gendarme service said the tear gas used by the riot police was purchased from
licensed manufacturers and that it is currently being used all over Europe. Military
prosecutors continue to investigate the forceful intervention of the riot
police on August 10 and are now looking into possible charges of abuse of
office and actionable negligence. So far 200 people have filed criminal complaints.

FEAST DAY – Orthodox and Eastern Catholic
Christians in Romania on Wednesday celebrated the Assumption of Mary, the
bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into Heaven at the end of her earthly life.
Churches and monasteries in Romania held special services on this occasion
while thousands of Christians went on pilgrimage. Some 2.2 million Romanians
celebrated their name day on Wednesday.

NAVY DAY – August 15 is also Romanian
Navy Day, as Saint Mary is also the patron saint of sailors. This year
ceremonies were held in Constanta, Galati, Mangalia, Tulcea, Braila, Bucuresti
and Cernavoda on this occasion. Attending the events were thousands of navy
military, scores of warships and numerous aircraft. The largest naval show was
held in Constanta, the largest Romanian port on the Black Sea. The guard of
honor and brigades of Romanian military, alongside peers from Great Britain,
the United States and Ukraine paraded on the waterfront before the fleet
command. Attending the ceremonies, President Klaus Iohannis said Romania cannot
truly be a powerful player in the region without a powerful army, which should
include a well-equipped, well-trained and modern navy, capable to successfully
withstand any challenge. The President went on to say that, as a sign of
appreciation for the activity and special achievements of the Naval Forces, he
has decorated the war flag of the Romanian Naval Forces with the Maritime
Virtue Order in rank of Officer, as a sign of military peace. Defense Minister
Mihai Fifor told the navy military that their responsibilities are key to
securing the eastern flank of NATO and the EU. Fifor recalled that 2018, the
year marking 100 years since the Great Union, will be a landmark for the
military navy by means of the modernization program carried out to strengthen
the immediate response capacity of the Romanian Naval Forces and to consolidate
Romania’s position in the Black Sea region.

ACCIDENT – President Klaus Iohannis has expressed his condolences
for the families of the victims of Tuesday’s collapse of a motorway bridge
close to Genoa, which killed dozens of people, including two Romanian
nationals, a Presidency report reads. The President also conveyed his
condolences to his Italian counterpart, Sergio Mattarella and to the Italian
authorities. According to the Foreign Ministry, operations to extract the
victims from the rubble are ongoing. A mobile consular team is on scene. Some
250 firefighters and scores of search and rescue teams continue to look for
survivors. According to our correspondent in Rome, 440 people were evacuated
from 11 apartment buildings in the vicinity. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe
Conte also visited the crash site, ensuring citizens the whole road
infrastructure in Italy will be inspected to prevent such tragedies from
happening.

CAMPAIGN – The signature-gathering campaign entitled
No criminally-prosecuted people in public office has so far raised over 800
thousand signatures and is bound to continue until the end of the month, the
president of Save Romania Union Dan Barna told the press on Wednesday. The set
target is to gather 1 million signatures. This citizen initiative aimed at
revising the Constitutions so that no person with a final criminal sentence can
hold public office.

MEETING – National Defense Minister Mihai Fifor on
Wednesday met with his Moldovan counterpart, Eugeniu Sturza, on the sidelines
of the Romanian Navy Day ceremonies held in Constanta. The two officials
highlighted the good bilateral cooperation in the field of defense, also
agreeing on enhanced cooperation as regards military medicine and education. As
regards cooperation within NATO, Minister Fifor told Minister Sturza that
Romania would continue to support Moldova’s efforts to join NATO.

RAF – Six Russian bombers were intercepted over the Black Sea by British
fighter jets deployed to Romania, charged with the security of NATO airspace, a
Royal Air Force press release reads. Eurofighter Typhoon jets took off on
Monday from Mihail Kogalniceanu airbase in southeastern Romania, after six
Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer bombers were detected in NATO airspace over the Black Sea.
The Russian aircraft were headed to Crimea. The operation was part of NATO air
policing operations with support from the Royal Air Force, aimed at deterring
Russian aggression and enforcing Great Britain’s commitment to NATO collective
defense. Romania’s Defense Minister Mihai Fifor last month said such challenges
from Moscow are quite frequent.

FOOTBALL – Three Romanian football teams are on
Thursday competing in the second round of the Champions League third
preliminary round. All matches are played on home turf. CFR Cluj is playing
Alashkert of Armenia and is sitting on a 2-nil away win in the first leg. FCSB
will take on Croatia’s Hajduk Split, after drawing nil-all in the first leg,
while Romanian Cup winner CSU Craiova is playing RB Leipzig. Craiova lost 1-3
in the first leg.

(Translated by V. Palcu)

15 August 2018
August 15, 2018

PROTESTS – Hundreds protested on Tuesday in Bucharest for the fifth day in a row against the Government. The Military Prosecutors Department with the Prosecutor Generals Office has taken over the investigation into the events on August 10. Tuesday the last protesters who were injured in the August 10 protest in Bucharest filed criminal investigations. So far 100 people have filed complaints. Military prosecutors meanwhile continue to investigate the forceful intervention of the riot police and are now looking into possible charges of abuse of office and actionable negligence. The interim head of the Romanian Gendarme Service, Colonel Sebastian Cucos, whose mandate has expired, was replaced by Colonel Catalin Sindile, the former Deputy General Inspector of the Romanian Gendarme Service.

ACCIDENT – Two Romanian citizens were killed in Tuesdays collapse of a motorway bridge close to Genoa, reads a Foreign Ministry release. Operations to extract the victims from the rubble are ongoing. A mobile consular team is on scene. The provisional toll shows 38 died and 16 were wounded, of whom 12 in critical condition. Some 35 vehicles and 3 trucks were crossing the motorway as Morandi Bridge collapsed. The bridge linked the city to the main airport in Liguria. Some 250 firefighters and scores of search and rescue teams continue to look for survivors. All households in the area have been evacuated. 400 people were relocated by the Italian Civil Protection service. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte also visited the crash site, ensuring citizens the whole road infrastructure in Italy will be inspected to prevent such tragedies from happening.

FEAST DAY – Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Christians in Romania on Wednesday celebrated the Assumption of Mary, the bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into Heaven at the end of her earthly life. Churches and monasteries in Romania held special services on this occasion while thousands of Christians went on pilgrimage. A mini-holiday has been instated by the state on this occasion and scores of Romanians are on the Romanian Black Seacoast, as well as in mountain and spa resorts. Some 2.2 million Romanians celebrated their name day on Wednesday.

NAVY DAY – August 15 is also Romanian Navy Day, as Saint Mary is also the patron saint of sailors. This year ceremonies were held in Constanta, Galati, Mangalia, Tulcea, Braila, Bucuresti and Cernavoda on this occasion. Attending the events were thousands of navy military, scores of warships and numerous aircraft. The largest naval show was held in Constanta, the largest Romanian port on the Black Sea. The guard of honor and brigades of Romanian military, alongside peers from Great Britain, the United States and Ukraine paraded on the waterfront before the fleet command. Attending the ceremonies, President Klaus Iohannis said Romania cannot truly be a powerful player in the region without a powerful army, which should include a well-equipped, well-trained and modern navy, capable to successfully withstand any challenge. The President went on to say that, as a sign of appreciation for the activity and special achievements of the Naval Forces, he has decorated the war flag of the Romanian Naval Forces with the Maritime Virtue Order in rank of Officer, as a sign of military peace. Defense Minister Mihai Fifor told the navy military that their responsibilities are key to securing the eastern flank of NATO and the EU. Fifor recalled that 2018, the year marking 100 years since the Great Union, will be a landmark for the military navy by means of the modernization program carried out to strengthen the immediate response capacity of the Romanian Naval Forces and to consolidate Romanias position in the Black Sea region.

TENNIS – Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, world no. 1 and seeded first in the Cincinnati tournament, is tomorrow playing Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia, 58 WTA, in the second round. Halep is the only Romanian left at Cincinnati, a tournament with over 2.8 million dollars up for grabs. This will be the third match Tomljanovic is playing a Romanian in the womens singles, as she ousted Sorana Cirstea in the qualifying round and Irina Begu in the first round. In the doubles competition, the pair made up of Raluca Olaru and Vera Zvonareva of Russia lost to Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic, the first-seeded pair. Also Irina Begu and Monica Niculescu lost to Kaitlyn Christian and Sabrina Santamaria of the United States.

(Translated by V. Palcu)

15 August 2018
August 5, 2018

UPDATE (14.12): NATO’s Resolute
Support Mission in Afghanistan on Sunday announced that three of its soldiers
were killed by
a suicide bomber in eastern Afghanistan. A US military and two Afghan soldiers
were also injured in the attack. Afghan officials announced the blast occurred
in the region of Parwan and said the suicide bomber targeted foreign forces on a
patrol mission. The attack has been claimed by the Taliban, who fight for the reintroduction
of the strict Islamic law in Afghanistan after they were removed from power in
2001.

NAVY DAY – Celebrations of the Romanian Navy Day have started in Galati, south-eastern Romania with an anniversary concert given by the band of the Romanian Naval Forces. This is the first in a series of events to be held this year, for the first time in seven cities across the country: Constanţa, Galaţi, Mangalia, Tulcea, Brăila, Bucharest and Cernavodă. Celebrations will be held in the coming days in all the countrys military ports and will culminate with a big naval show in Constanta, on August 15. All throughout this period, tens of ships and vessels, armament and military equipment will be put on show, for visitors. Navy Day is also an opportunity for the representatives of navy education institutions to make public their educational offer. The event will be held on Constantas seafront on Monday. The timetable of events marking Navy Day will be completed by military ceremonies, exhibitions, shows and scuba diving workshops.

SCORCHER– Over 1,000 fire-fighters are making sustained efforts to put out wildfires in Portugal and Spain, where temperatures exceed 46 degrees Celsius. The Iberian peninsula is under code red alert. The Portuguese region of Algarve, well known for its beautiful beaches, as of Friday has been affected by wildfires, the most powerful on the peninsula. The current wave of high temperatures favours the spreading of fire. In Spain, over 1,000 people had to flee their homes and travel destinations in Marbella, because of the high risk posed by wildfires. Other countries are also affected by scorcher. Traffic has been temporarily halted on the highway linking France and Spain, in the region of Jonquera, in the Pyrenees, after a fire which broke out on the French-Spanish border. In the Netherlands, several highway segments have been closed because of high temperatures and in France, four nuclear reactors have been halted for safety reasons. Red and orange code alerts are still valid today in several European countries, including the Swiss Alps. Three people died in Spain and another one in Italy because of heat.

SWINE FEVER – Two new African swine fever hotbeds have been confirmed in Galati county, south-eastern Romania. Meanwhile, two pig farms in Tulcea, the most affected county, have been taken out of quarantine, after the test results were negative, and the approximately 4,000 pigs there can be used for consumption. Some 60,000 animals have been slaughtered in Tulcea county alone, in an effort to contain the spread of the epidemic. Nationwide, some 550 African swine fever hotbeds have been confirmed so far, in some 100 small towns and villages in 8 counties. In south-eastern Romania, the swine fever is spreading at a very fast pace, experts from the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority have warned. African swine fever is not transmittable to humans, but it has a huge social and economic impact. The epidemic has had an explosive evolution since its outbreak, in early June.

BREXIT- British trade minister Liam Fox said intransigence from the European Union was pushing Britain towards a no-deal Brexit, in an interview published Saturday by the Sunday Times.
“With less than eight months until Britain quits the EU, the government has yet to agree a deal with Brussels and has stepped up planning for the possibility of leaving the bloc without any formal agreement, Reuters reports. “Fox, promising Brexit supporter in Prime Minister Theresa May’s cabinet, put the odds of Britain leaving the European Union without agreeing to deal over their future relationship at 60-40. If Britain fails to agree on the terms of its divorce with the EU, it will return to trade under the World Trade Organization rules in March 2019 without even a transitional arrangement. Most economists think this would cause serious harm to the world’s No.5 economy, as trade with the EU, Britain’s largest market, would become subject to

tariffs, Reuters also reports.

ELLIE WIESEL – The Romanian Foreign Ministry
expresses regret and firmly condemns any anti-Semitic gestures, after the Memorial
House of the late Nobel Peace Prize Winner and Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel,
was vandalised. Also, the Romanian Foreign Ministry condemns any behavioural
slippage and discourse which promotes intolerance and xenophobia. The Romanian
Police has started an investigation, after anti-Semitic comments in pink paint
were scrawled on the facade of the Elie Wiesel Memorial House in Sighetu
Marmaţiei, on Friday to Saturday night. In 2016, the Romanian born American writer
and philosopher Elie Wiesel received the distinction of Honorary Citizen (post
– mortem) of Maramureş County.

UNTOLD – The largest electronic music festival in Romania, “Untold, hosted by the western Romanian city of Cluj Napoca is coming to a close. Performing on the 10 stages of the festival have been over 250 musicians and performs. The main stage has been two times larger than last year, by over 80 m wider and 31 m higher. The guests of the Untold festival included The Chainsmokers, Armin van Buuren, Tiesto, Tujamo şi Afrojack. For the first time, concerts were broadcast live on YouTube. According to the organisers, hundreds of thousands of spectators from both the country and abroad have come to Cluj, for this years edition of the festival. Over 1,100 gendarmes, policemen, fire-fighters and medical staff have ensured order, public and health safety measures.

TENNIS – Romanian tennis player Mihaela Buzărnescu (no.24 WTA) is today facing Greeces Maria Sakkari (no.49 WTA), in the finals of the San Jose tennis tournament in California, with some 800,000 USD in prize money up for grabs. On Saturday in the semi-finals, Sakkari defeated American Danielle Collins (no.42 WTA), whereas Mihaela outperformed Belgiums Elise Mertens (no.15 WTA). In the doubles, Buzărnescu and British Heather Watson were defeated in the semi-finals by the Ukrainian twins Lyudmyla and Nadiia Kichenok.

5 August 2018
The Week in Review: 13-19 August

Terror attacks in Spain

Spain has become the latest target of the ISIS terrorists. On Thursday
in Las Ramblas, Barcelona, a jihadist rammed a van into a crowd killing and
wounding several people. Another terror attack took place in the resort of
Cambrils, on the Mediterranean. Among the victims of the attack in Barcelona
are people of various nationalities, including Romanians. In the past 18
months, big cities in Europe, such as Nice, Berlin, London and Stockholm have
seen attacks with the same pattern: terrorists drive big vehicles into crowded
areas. Political leaders in Bucharest have sent messages of condolences to the
Spanish people and the families of the victims of the attacks in Spain. They
recalled that Romania had pledged to join the international efforts aimed at
eliminating the terror threats.

Romania sees
record economic growth

In the second quarter of this year Romania
reported the biggest economic growth from the European Union as compared to the
same period last year, the European Office for Statistics Eurostat announced.
Also in the second quarter, Romania reported a 1.6% growth as compared to the
first quarter, which places it on the second position in Europe after Sweden,
the Eurostat also reports. Prime Minister Mihai Tudose has underlined that
these results confirm that Romania is on a positive trend. However, Ludovic
Orban, head of the main opposition party, the National Liberal Party, said that
the government compromises Romania’s medium and long-time chances of
development. Orban believes the executive shows amateurism and improvisation,
proposing laws that destroy investments, the economic initiative and the
movement of money. Experts say the economic growth seen recently is largely
based on consumption, and that economic development without investment is
risky.

Romania
celebrates Navy Day

Romania hosted over 200 cultural, military and
religious ceremonies and services devoted to Navy Day, celebrated every year on
August 15th, on the same day with the Assumption of Mary, mother of
God and protector of sailors. In 2017 as well Navy Day was celebrated through a
serious of events on the Black Sea coast and in Romania’s Danube ports. The
peak of all these events was a navy drill held in Constanta, which saw the
participation of 30 vessels, helicopters and planes as well as three thousand
servicemen.

Also attending the events, Romania’s president
Klaus Iohannis said that Romania is more actively involved as a strong state
and relevant regional player. Iohannis also said that Romania needs a
well-equipped army ready to live up to the present challenges. In turn, Defence
Minister Adrian Tutuianu said the latest developments in the Black Sea aren’t
limited to the region but have implications as far as the Euro-Atlantic
security is concerned. He added that Romania proposed itself and continues to
be a pillar of stability, democracy and security.

Startup
Nation

The Romanian Ministry for the Business
Environment has made public the first 20 companies that won state funding
through the Startup Nation, a government programme aimed at creating fresh
jobs. These companies are to receive a total of 900 thousand euros and are
supposed to create 155 thousand new jobs. In another development, by August 29th,
small and medium-sized companies can join a programme entitled Trade and
Services through which they can access state funds up to 250 thousand lei (55.5
thousand euros). The programme is addressing companies that are already on the
market and plan to expand their business.

Radio
Romania – double anniversary

Radio Romania has this week had two
anniversaries, two special moments in its history: the 100th edition
of the Gaudeamus Book Fair and 50 years since the first Radio Holiday
broadcasts. During its four days, the Gaudeamus Fair hosted numerous editorial
and musical events, as well as numerous contests. Also these days Radio Romania
celebrated 50 years since the Radio Holiday started to broadcast its summer
programmes in all seaside resorts. Since its first broadcasts until 1994, the
programmes of the public radio’s summer station were made by RRI editors.

The Romanian
football sides in the European cups

Romania’s football champions FC Viitorul
conceded a 3-1 defeat on their own turf in the first game in the play-offs for
Europa League groups against the Austrians from Red Bull Salzburg. The return
match will be taking place in Austria next Thursday. Romania’s vice-champions
FCSB, formerly known as Steaua Bucharest, have their presence assured in the competition’s
groups but FCSB also hopes to get access to the Champions League’s groups. On
Tuesday, FCSB ended in a draw nil-all their game against Sporting Lisbon in the
first game of the qualification play-off for the main European football
tournament. The return game is to take place on August 23rd in
Bucharest.

19 August 2017
Navy Day and Modernizing the Military

The Romanian Navy Day was celebrated in ports on the Romanian Black Seacoast and in cities across the country. The main event was staged in the port of Constanta, where 10,000 people witnessed a spectacular navy show, with 30 warships and vessels, 12 aircraft and over 3,000 military parading. Attending the festivities President Klaus Iohannis was impressed with the high number of people coming to celebrate Navy Day every year, saying that such moments show just how strong the symbols uniting us are.

The president hoped the centenary of the Great Unification to be celebrated next year would stir a matching public interest. On the other hand, the president insisted on the country having a modern army, capable of dealing with current challenges. Klaus Iohannis went on to say that the political agreement on allotting 2% of GDP to defense spending, as well as adopting the national plan on modernizing the army, are sending a clear message of responsibility to our foreign partners. Klaus Iohannis:

“We are showing our partners that Romania is a reliable, predictable state, ready to contribute to ensuring collective defense, together with its allies. Observing this commitment on the long term will allow us to purchase state-of-the-art military technology for our army. Additionally, consolidating maritime security and defense remains at the core of our interests”.

Attending the event in Constanta was also Defense Minister Adrian Tutuianu, who said that the latest developments in the Black Sea concern not only the region itself, but also the broader Euro-Atlantic security. Adrian Tutuianu:

“As part of the Black Sea Region, Romania wants and continues to be a pillar of stability, democracy and security. It is our duty to combine our efforts and display wisdom, strength and political ability to make Romania a powerful regional player”.

Navy Day was first introduced in our country’s official calendar 115 years ago, when a religious service was first held onboard the Elisabeta warship in the port of Constanta. Also on August 15 the Christian community in Romania celebrated the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, seen as the patron saint of sailors. Special services were held on this occasion in monasteries and churches across the country. (Translated by V. Palcu)

16 August 2017
August 15, 2017 UPDATE

NAVY DAY – August 15, the feast day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, was marked across Romania. Special services were held in monasteries and churches in Romania. Over 2,2 million people celebrated their name day. August 15 is also Navy Day in Romania. On this occasion, a grand public show was hosted in Constanta, with over 30 ships and vessels, 12 aircraft and 3,000 military. Attending were President Klaus Iohannis and Defense Minister Adrian Tutuianu. The president said Romania is taking on a more active role as an important and powerful regional player. Consolidating security and maritime defense is a core interest of Romania, Klaus Iohannis also pointed out.

GAUDEAMUS – The 100th anniversary edition of the Gaudeamus Fair is being held in Mamaia, a major resort on the Black Sea. Representatives of the European Commission in Romania are holding a debate on the future of the European Union. At the event, an exhibition marks the 60th anniversary of the signing the Rome Treaty, the foundation of the Union. The Gaudeamus book fair, organized by Radio Romania, is open until Wednesday. Also this year, the national radio station celebrates 50 years since Radio Holiday started broadcasting for seaside resorts.

SUMMER UNIVERSITY – In Izvoru Muresului, in the central Romanian county of Harghita, the 15th edition of the summer university for Romanians around the world is underway. On Monday in his opening address Peoples Movement Partys MP Eugen Tomac called for dialogue between all political factions to solve the issue of Romanian communities on the countrys borders, facing a thorough denationalization process. The Romanian official said the state needs to take a more active role to organize actions devoted to the memory and identity of Romanians living in the countrys vicinity. The reunification with the Republic of Moldova as a national objective for 2018 was another topic for the talks. Participants highlighted the fact that our country should make it a point in committing to fulfill this goal. The agenda of the event also includes book launches, discussion panels and folk shows. Attending are young people from at home and the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Albania and Macedonia. The topic for this years edition is “From the first Unification to the Great Unification: Romania and Romanians Worldwide.

UN REPORT – A report of the United Nations Court of Human Rights (UNCHR) has called on the United States to end its detention regime applied to potential immigrants and asylum seekers. The document shows that the practice of unlawfully detaining asylum seekers has expanded exponentially and is in breach of international regulations. The measure is often punitive, irrationally long, useless and costly, the report also reads. An annual estimated 350,000 people are detained in the United States, pending immigration procedures. The cost of detention is approximately 2 billion dollars every year. The report was carried out in October 2016 and is the result of 280 interviews conducted in nine prisons in Texas, California and Illinois.

AVRAM IANCU – Avram Iancu, a 41-year-old librarian who wants to cross the Danube swimming, on Tuesday reached Romania. Iancu wants to cross the rivers entire length within 60 days without a neoprene suit. The man set out on June 20 in Donauschingen, Germany, and is set to reach the end of his journey in Sulina, where the Danube flows into the Black Sea. If successful, Avram Iancu will be the first to swim the Danubes course wearing nothing but his swimming costume and cap. Before him another two swimmers from Slovenia and Canada swam the entire distance although wearing neoprene suits and flippers. In August 2016 Iancu became the first Romanian to cross the English channel wearing only his costume and cap at the end of an 18-hour swim. (Translated by V. Palcu)

15 August 2017
August 15, 2017

NAVY DAY – August 15, marking the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, is also Navy Day in Romania. On this occasion, a grand public show is hosted in Constanta, with a plethora of events open to the public. Attending will be President Klaus Iohannis and Defense Minister Adrian Tutuianu. The president said Romania is taking on a more active role as an important and powerful regional player. Consolidating security and maritime defense is a core interest of Romania, Klaus Iohannis pointed out. Military music, the guard of honor and a navy parade were held on this occasion, along with a joint exercise of the Romanian Naval Forces. Navy Day was also marked in Mangalia, Braila, Galati, Tulcea, Giurgiu, Calarasi, Orsova and in Bucharest.

GAUDEAMUS – The 100th anniversary edition of the Gaudeamus Fair is being held in Mamaia, a major resort on the Black Sea. Representatives of the European Commission in Romania are holding a debate on the future of the European Union. At the event, an exhibition marks the 60th anniversary of the signing the Rome Treaty, the foundation of the Union. The Gaudeamus book fair, organized by Radio Romania, is open until Wednesday. Also this year, the national radio station celebrates 50 years since Radio Holiday started broadcasting for seaside resorts.

SUMMER UNIVERSITY – In Izvoru Muresului, in the central Romanian county of Harghita, the 15th edition of the summer university for Romanians around the world is underway. On Monday in his opening address Peoples Movement Partys MP Eugen Tomac called for dialogue between all political factions to solve the issue of Romanian communities on the countrys borders, facing a thorough denationalization process. The Romanian official said the state needs to take a more active role to organize actions devoted to the memory and identity of Romanians living in the countrys vicinity. The reunification with the Republic of Moldova as a national objective for 2018 was another topic for the talks. Participants highlighted the fact that our country should make it a point in committing to fulfill this goal. The agenda of the event also includes book launches, discussion panels and folk shows. Attending are young people from at home and the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Albania and Macedonia. The topic for this years edition is “From the first Unification to the Great Unification: Romania and Romanians Worldwide.

UN REPORT – A report of the United Nations Court of Human Rights (UNCHR) has called on the United States to end its detention regime applied to potential immigrants and asylum seekers. The document shows that the practice of unlawfully detaining asylum seekers has expanded exponentially and is in breach of international regulations. The measure is often punitive, irrationally long, useless and costly, the report also reads. An annual estimated 350,000 people are detained in the United States, pending immigration procedures. The cost of detention is approximately 2 billion dollars every year. The report was carried out in October 2016 and is the result of 280 interviews conducted in nine prisons in Texas, California and Illinois.

FOOTBALL – Romanias vice-champions FCSB is today taking on Sporting Lisbon away from home in the first leg of the Champions League playoffs for the main group phase. The return leg is scheduled for next week in Bucharest. Failure to qualify will nevertheless earn FCSB a place in the Europa League main group phase. The defending champions FC Viitorul is on Thursday playing Red Bull Salzburg of Austria in the first leg of the Europa League playoffs.

TENNIS – Simona Halep, WTA no. 2 is today playing Taylor Townsend of the US in the second round of the WTA tournament in Cincinnati, United States, totaling 2,5 million dollars in prize money. In the womens doubles, the pair made up of Irina Begu and Raluca Olaru has qualified to the round of 16 after defeating Abigail Spears of the US and Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia, 3-6, 7-5, 10-6. Also in the round of 16 another Romanian, Monica Niculescu has reached this stage after defeating, together with her teammate, Su-Wei Hsieh of Taiwan, Johanna Konta of Great Britain and Christina McHale of the United States, 6-2, 6-2. In the mens doubles, Horia Tecau of Romania and Jean-Julien Rojer of the Netherlads eased past Jared Donaldson and Stefan Kozlov of the United States, 6-3, 6-4, and moved on to the round of 16. Tecau and Rojer played the 2016 Cincinnati finals, and in 2012 Tecau won the trophy alongside Robert Lindstedt of Sweden. (Translated by V. Palcu)

15 August 2017
August 15, 2016 UPDATE

ASSUMPTION FEAST On Monday,
Christian believers celebrated the Assumption of Mary, the oldest celebration
of Virgin Mary. On this day, believers and pilgrims from all over the
country go to churches and monasteries to pray. In the Christian faith, the
Mother of God is the most revered after the Holy Trinity. She gave birth to the
Son of God as a human being, and when she died she was taken up into Heaven.
August 15th is also the Romanian Navy Day. To celebrate the occasion, Romania’s
president Klaus Iohannis participated in the events held on the promenade of
the Black Sea port-town of Constanta. In his speech, the president said that
what’s happening in the Black Sea Area is no longer a local matter.
Developments in this area have effects beyond its borders and implications for the Euro-Atlantic
security, and the Black Sea is important from a strategic point of view. That
is why Romania’s stand and its main security options are so decisive now, the
president also said.

SUMMER UNIVERSITY Representatives
of the Romanian historical communities and the Diaspora took part on Monday in
the Feast of the Assumption of Mary at the Monastery in Izvoru Muresului,
dubbed the monastery of the Romanians around the world. According to the Bishop of Covasna and Harghita Andrei
Moldovan, this monastery is an oasis of Romanian spirituality. Starting August
15th, for a week, Harghita county in central Romania is playing host to the
14th Izvoru Muresului Summer University. There are 100 participants, including
representatives of the academic environment, of the main political parties, of
Romanian communities in the country and
around the borders. The theme of this year’s edition is The Romanian State and
the Romanians on the Border of the EU and NATO. The participants will talk
about inter-faith conflicts and xenophobic manifestations in Europe, the fight
against human trafficking and the law on postal voting.

LOCARNO The feature film
Scarred Hearts by the Romanian director Radu Jude won the Special Jury Award at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland.
A post on the festival’s web page reads that the film was highly praised by
international critics. This is Radu Jude’s fourth feature film. Last year he
won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival with Aferim!.

DRILLS On Monday, Russia started tactical
drills in the east of the Mediterranean, to test its military capacity to
counterattack terrorist threats, the Russian Defense Ministry has announced.
The participating ships are equipped with long-range Kalibr missiles, which
were used to hit Jihadist strongholds in Syria in 2015. In the past months, Russia has strengthened its naval capacity in the east of the Mediterranean, as
part of its intervention in Syria, where it is running an air-strike campaign in
support for president Bashar al-Assad’s troops.

VISIT The US Vice President
Joe Biden is paying a two-day visit to Serbia and Kosovo. The White House has
not given details about the agenda of talks, but the visit is taking place five
months after the one paid to the White House by the former president of Kosovo,
Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga, news agencies report. Back then, Vice President Biden stressed the US’s support for the
dialogue with Serbia, facilitated by the EU, encouraging the Kosovo government
to take steps forward in normalizing its relations with Serbia, 16 years after
the NATO air intervention, which opened the door for the former province’s
independence. On Thursday, the Serbian Parliament endorsed a new, populist
government, headed by Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, who promised to pursue
Serbia’s EU integration, while at the same time maintaining close ties with
Russia.

FOOTBALL The Romanian
football squad Steaua Bucharest will play against Manchester City on home turf
on Tuesday, in a match counting for the first leg of the Champions League’s
play-off. The return game is scheduled for august 24th in Manchester. If it
manages to defeat Manchester, Steaua will qualify for the Champions League
groups.

TENNIS Romanian Simona Halep, ranked 3rd in
the WTA classification, is taking part in the Cincinnati tournament, in the US,
with 2.8 million dollars in prize money. She will start straight in the second
round of the competition. Another Romanian player, Irina Begu, no. 24 in the
WTA rankings, is also taking part in the tournament, but enters the competition
in the first round. In 2015, Simona Halep played the Cincinnati final, but was
defeated by Serena Williams. This tournament is the last before the famous US
Open, the last Grand Slam of the year.

15 August 2016
August 6, 2016 UPDATE

NAVY DAY – The Romanian Navy Day, traditionally celebrated on August 15, is preceded these days by events organised by the Romanian Navy Forces in the Constanta and Mangalia military ports at the Black Sea. On Saturday the public visited military vessels, to find out details on the techniques, equipment and weaponry used by the marines. Interactive workshops, games and competitions were also organised. The Navy bands added music to the festive atmosphere.

CAR MARKET – Over 175,000 new and used cars were registered in Romania in the first six months of the year, up 19% compared to the first half of 2015, according to the National Statistics Institute. The only segment to see a decline was the bus and van segment, which went down by nearly 8%. On the other hand, 17.5% more cargo vehicles were registered. The peak year for new vehicle registrations in Romania was 2007, with over 300,000 vehicles registered.

NATO – Two officers, one from Romania and one from the Czech Republic, will be temporarily working at the NATO Liaison Office in Ukraine, as part of a programme designed to help bring Ukrainian military services up to NATO standards. The announcement was made by Viktor Muzhenko, Ukrainian Chief of Staff, quoted by Interfax news agency. The Ukrainian official added that the two officers were familiar with post-Soviet defence systems and experienced in reform measures implemented in their own countries. Ukraine wants to bring its military services to NATO standards by 2020.

HEALTHCARE – As of October 1, doctors will be paid for extra night shifts, the Healthcare Ministry announced on Saturday. According to the Ministry, the nearly 22 million euro required for increasing physicians extra-time bonuses in 2016 will come from a more efficient management of the resources in the system, and mechanisms will be identified which will not affect the budget deficit forecast. The decision to increase payments for extra time in the healthcare system is one of the most important steps taken in recent years for the benefit of healthcare personnel, the Ministry added.

AWARD – A team of Romanian students won the IT Excellence Award in Lucerne, Switzerland. In the 27th edition of the competition JA Europe Company of the Year they presented a model of smart glasses designed to help people with severe visual impairment. Produced using a 3D printer, the glasses are equipped with sensors that analyse all the information on the surrounding objects, process it and send it to the user by means of variable intensity and frequency signals. Taking part in the event held between July 25 and 28 were more than 200 young entrepreneurs from 35 European countries.

QUEEN ANNE – Preparations continue in Romania for Queen Annes funeral. The wife of King Michael I of Romania died on Monday in a hospital in Switzerland, at the age of 92. Her body will be repatriated on Tuesday, August, 9, and the funeral will take place on Saturday, August 13, at Curtea de Argeş Monastery, the final resting place of Romanian royalty. August 13 will be a day of national mourning in Romania, but also in the neighbouring Republic of Moldova, under a decree signed on Friday by Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti.

(translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

6 August 2016