Radio România Internațional

Tag: Night of Museums

  • November 15, 2020 UPDATE

    November 15, 2020 UPDATE

    FIRE. Joint teams of the Directorate of Public Health and the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations will begin checks on Monday in all intensive care units in Romania to verify the use of medical equipment. The decision was made in the aftermath of the tragedy that occurred, on Saturday evening, at the Piatra Neamţ County Emergency Hospital (east). Ten patients suffering from Covid-19 died in the fire that broke out in the intensive care unit, and seven other people, including the doctor on duty, were seriously injured. The six patients were relocated to another hospital in the area and the doctor was transferred to a hospital in Brussels. Prosecutors with the General Prosecutor’s Office, police and fire experts have started an investigation into the cause of the tragedy. President Klaus Iohannis, Prime Minister Ludovic Orban and the leader of the opposition, the Social Democrat Marcel Ciolacu have all stated they are shocked and saddened by the tragic event and have once again complained about the precarious state of the Romanian healthcare system. The Health Minister Nelu Tataru has stated that the blame for the tragedy is a collective one. The Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Daniel, has prayed for the victims. Messages of condolence have come from abroad as well, including from the US President Donald Trump, through the US Ambassador to Bucharest, the Hungarian President Janos Ader and the president of Israel, Reuven Ivlin. Also, at the Vatican, the Pope prayed and expressed his compassion. The embassies of France and Russia in Bucharest have also sent messages of condolence and the mayor of Chisinau laid a wreath at the Romanian Embassy in Moldova.



    COVID-19 RO. Since the beginning of the pandemic, over 360 thousand cases of infection and 8,926 deaths have been recorded in Romania. 7,096 new cases of infection and 113 deaths associated with COVID 19 were reported in the past 24 hours. 1169 patients are in intensive care. Romania no longer has a green zone in terms of coronavirus infections, after, on Saturday, the threshold of 1.5 cases of COVID-19 per thousand inhabitants against the last 14 days was exceeded in Vrancea county (east), the only place where the number of cases was lower. Against the background of the epidemiological situation, the state of alert was extended until mid-December.



    PANDEMIC. The restrictions imposed recently by the governments of many countries are starting to show the first results, but the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic is a big burden for the healthcare systems. The greatest pressure is on the intensive care units. On the European continent, Germany, Austria and Portugal have announced new daily records. In Italy, as of Sunday, two more regions joined the so-called red list, and another nine became orange. It is forbidden for citizens to travel outside their place of residence, restaurants and shops are closed, except for food stores and pharmacies, and sports activities are suspended, including those held in outdoor sports centers. It is allowed to walk near the house, observing the distance of at least one meter from any other person and with the obligation to wear a protective mask. Nurseries, kindergartens and primary schools remain open. Austria will enter a new quarantine period from Tuesday 17 November until 6 December. The government will close schools, shops and services and impose new traffic bans. Globally, more than 54 million cases of Covid 19 have been reported since the virus first appeared in China almost a year ago, and the death toll has exceeded 1.3 million.



    NIGHT OF MUSEUMS. In Romania, this years edition of the Night of Museums took place on Saturday, in conditions adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic and most of the events organized on the internet. More than 60 museums and cultural operators from all over Romania registered to celebrate this European event, usually organized in May. In 2020, however, because of the pandemic, it was moved to mid-November, and museums and cultural spaces organized interactive activities on social media and on their own websites. The offline projects were adapted to the new government measures on public safety. The Night of Museums was initiated 16 years ago by the French Ministry of Culture, sponsored by the Council of Europe, UNESCO and the International Council of Museums.



    FOOTBALL. The match between the Romanian national football team and the Norwegian national team, scheduled tonight in Bucharest, part of the League of Nations, was cancelled by UEFA. The decision was made as the guest team could not travel due to a coronavirus case, reads the official website of the Romanian Football Federation. The consequences will be established by the Disciplinary Committee of the European forum. The last match of the Romanian national team in this competition will be played on November 18, in Belfast, against the national team of Northern Ireland. These matches count for the FIFA ranking, which will determine the ballot boxes for the draw of the preliminary groups for the 2022 World Championship. (M. Ignatescu)

  • November 15, 2020

    November 15, 2020

    FIRE. Romanian Prime Minister Ludovic Orban has had a working meeting today with the Minister of Health, Nelu Tătaru, the Interior Minister Marcel Vela and the State Secretary Raed Arafat. Authorities have decided that joint teams of the Directorate of Public Health and the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations will begin checks on Monday in all intensive care units at national level to verify the facilities and the operation of medical equipment. The decision was made in the aftermath of the tragedy that occurred on Saturday evening, at the Piatra Neamţ County Emergency Hospital (east). Ten patients suffering from Covid-19 died in the fire that broke out in the intensive care unit, and seven other people, including the doctor on duty, were seriously injured. The six patients were taken to the Modular Hospital in Lețcani, while the doctor was transferred today to a hospital in Brussels, for specialized treatment. The Minister of Health, Nelu Tătaru, considers that the guilt for the tragedy in Piatra Neamţ is a collective one because, he said: “we have agreed for 30 years to live in such a medical situation.” President Klaus Iohannis, Prime Minister Ludovic Orban and the leader of the opposition, the Social Democrat Marcel Ciolacu have all stated they are shocked and saddened by the tragic event and have once again complained about the precarious state of the Romanian health system. The Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Daniel, has prayed for the victims. Prosecutors from the General Prosecutors Office, police and firefighters have started an investigation today to determine the causes of the fire. The team is headed by the prosecutor Marius Iacob from the General Prosecutors Office, the one who also investigated the fires at the Colectiv club and the Giuleşti Maternity.



    COVID-19 RO. In Romania, since the beginning of the pandemic, over 360 thousand cases of infection and 8,926 deaths have been registered. 113 deaths associated with COVID 19 were reported in the past 24 hours. 1169 patients are in intensive care. Romania no longer has a green zone in terms of coronavirus infections, after, on Saturday, the threshold of 1.5 cases of COVID-19 per thousand inhabitants against the last 14 days was exceeded in Vrancea county (east), the only one in which the number of cases was lower. Against the background of the epidemiological situation, the state of alert was extended until mid-December.



    PANDEMIC. The restrictions imposed recently by the governments of many countries are starting to show the first results, but the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic is a big burden for the healthcare systems. The greatest pressure is on the intensive care units. On the European continent, Germany, Austria or Portugal have announced new daily records. In Italy, as of today, two more regions join the so-called red list, and another nine become orange. It is forbidden for citizens to travel outside their place of residence, restaurants and shops are closed, except for food stores and pharmacies, and sports activities are suspended, including those held in outdoor sports centers. It is allowed to walk near the house, observing the distance of at least one meter from any other person and with the obligation to wear a protective mask. Nurseries, kindergartens and primary schools remain open. Austria will enter a new quarantine period from Tuesday 17 November until 6 December. The government will close schools, shops and services and impose new traffic bans. Globally, more than 54 million cases of Covid 19 have been reported since the virus first appeared in China almost a year ago, and the death toll has exceeded 1.3 million.



    ELECTION. The second round of the presidential elections takes place today in the Republic of Moldova (ex-Soviet, mostly Romanian-speaking). Former Prime Minister Maia Sandu, representing the pro-Europe electorate, who won the first round of elections in November, is facing pro-Russia President Igor Dodon, backed by the Socialist Party. The 2,000 polling stations set up for this round will close at 21:00. In the diaspora, Moldovan citizens have at their disposal over 139 sections, 13 of which are in Romania. The election takes place after a tough campaign marked by numerous statements and accusations between the two competitors. In the campaign, the current president urged his supporters to post-election protests, if necessary to defend his victory. As for Maia Sandu, she spoke about the need for change and the fight against corruption.



    NIGHT OF MUSEUMS. In Romania, this years edition of the Night of Museums took place on Saturday, in conditions adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic and most of the events organized on the internet. More than 60 museums and cultural operators from all over Romania registered to celebrate this European event, usually organized in May. In 2020, however, because of the pandemic, it was moved to mid-November, and museums and cultural spaces organized interactive activities on social media and on their own websites. The offline projects were adapted to the new government measures on public safety. The Night of Museums was initiated 16 years ago by the French Ministry of Culture, sponsored by the Council of Europe, UNESCO and the International Council of Museums. (M. Ignatescu)


  • November 14, 2020 UPDATE

    November 14, 2020 UPDATE

    COVID-19 RO. Romania has no green zone in terms of coronavirus infections, after, on Saturday, the threshold of 1.5 cases of COVID-19 per thousand inhabitants in the last 14 days was exceeded in Vrancea county (east), the only one in which the number of cases was lower. In more than half of the country, the incidence rate exceeds three cases per thousand, with the highest values in Sibiu (center) and Cluj (northwest). The latest report indicates 9,460 new cases in 24 hours, out of just over 37,000 tests. A new record was also reported in intensive care: 1,172 patients. The number of deaths associated with COVID-19 increased by 129, raising the death-toll to some 8800. Against the background of the epidemiological situation, the state of alert was extended until mid-December. President Klaus Iohannis once again called on the population to comply with the new restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the new coronavirus. The head of state estimates that these additional measures will show results in two or three weeks. Several localities are in quarantine.



    PANDEMIC. The restrictions imposed recently by the governments of many countries are starting to show the first results, but the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic is a severe burden for all healthcare systems. The biggest pressure is on the intensive care units. Almost 54 million people have been infected with the new virus, of whom 38 million have cured, since the virus appeared in China almost a year ago. The death toll has exceeded 1.3 million worldwide. The United States, the worst hit country, with nearly 250,000 deaths, reported worrying figures for two days in a row. In Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says efforts must be doubled to curb the epidemic. On the European continent, Germany, Austria and Portugal have announced new daily records. In Italy, the number of infections has tripled in a month.



    ELECTION. The neighboring Republic of Moldova holds the second round of the presidential elections on Sunday. The incumbent pro-Russia president Igor Dodon runs against the former pro-Europe Prime Minister, Maia Sandu. In the first round, Maia Sandu got the largest number of votes 36%, while Igor Dodon won less than 33%. However, the final battle is expected to be extremely close, and the balance could be tipped by the votes in the Diaspora for Maia Sandu or in the Russian-speaking separatist Transdniestr for Igor Dodon. During the campaign, the current pro-Russia president urged his supporters to hold post-election protests if necessary, to defend his victory. As for Maia Sandu, she spoke about the need for change and the fight against corruption.



    ECONOMY. The budget for next year will be presented by the new government, which will be formed after the parliamentary elections on December 6, the Romanian Finance Minister Florin Cîţu has announced. According to Eurostat and the NSI, in the third quarter Romania had, in real terms, an economic growth of 5.6%. The minister also said that foreign direct investments have decreased in all countries of the world, and what is missing is the reinvested profit, but, says Florin Cîţu, in Romania the state has supplemented by increasing public investments, which have reached a record level of over 35 billion after ten months. On the other hand, there is room for a reduction in the monetary policy interest rate in Romania, given the lower-than-expected drop in the inflation rate, which would be an asset to stimulate the economy, the finance minister also said at a press conference. On Friday, the NBR revised downwards its inflation estimates to 2.1% at the end of this year, down 0.6 percentage points from the previous forecast.



    NIGHT OF MUSEUMS. More than 60 museums and cultural spaces in Romania participate in the 16th edition of the Night of Museums festival with interactive activities on social networks and on their own websites. Usually organized in May, it was moved to mid-November due to the pandemic. Initiated 16 years ago by the French Ministry of Culture, sponsored by the Council of Europe, UNESCO and the International Council of Museums, the Night of Museums festival mobilized in 2019, in Romania, over 150 museums and cultural entities, which interacted with almost 1 million people.



    FOOTBALL. All the players and staff members of the Romanian national football team have tested negative for Covid-19, so the Romanian squad can play the match against Norway – the Romanian Football Federation announced today. The Romania-Norway match takes place on Sunday evening, in Bucharest. Then, on November 18, the Romanians will travel to Northern Ireland. Both League of Nations matches are important for the FIFA rankings, which will determine the ballot boxes for the draw of the preliminary groups for the 2022 World Cup. (M. Ignatescu)

  • November 14, 2020

    November 14, 2020

    COVID-19 RO. The state of alert has been extended, as of
    today, by another 30 days in Romania. President Klaus Iohannis has once again
    called on the population to comply with the new restrictions aimed at curbing
    the spread of the new coronavirus. The head of state believes that these
    additional measures will show results in
    two or three weeks. Since Monday, the hometown of the head of state, Sibiu, in
    central Romania, as well as three neighboring localities are in quarantine for
    two weeks. The decision was made because, in Sibiu, the infection rate reached
    almost 12 cases per thousand inhabitants, signaling an intense community
    transmission. Romania continues to report some 10,000 daily cases of infection
    with the new coronavirus. Almost 1,170 patients are in intensive care. Since
    the first case was reported in late February, nearly 353,000 people have become
    infected with Sars-Cov-2, of whom about 239,000 have recovered. The total
    number of deaths associated with Covid-19 has reached, in the same period,
    almost 8,800.








    PANDEMIC. The
    restrictions imposed recently by the governments of many countries are starting
    to show the first results, but the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic is a
    severe burden for all healthcare systems. The biggest pressure is on the
    intensive care units. Almost 54 million people
    have been infected with the new virus, of whom 38 million have cured, since the virus
    appeared in China almost a year ago. The death toll has exceeded 1.3 million
    worldwide. The United States, the worst hit country, with nearly 250,000
    deaths, reported worrying figures for two days in a row. In Canada, Prime
    Minister Justin Trudeau says efforts must be doubled to curb the epidemic. On
    the European continent, Germany, Austria and Portugal have announced new daily records.
    In Italy, the number of infections has tripled in a month.






    ELECTION. The
    neighboring Republic of Moldova is preparing for the second round of the
    presidential elections on Sunday, when the incumbent pro-Russia president Igor
    Dodon, runs against the former pro-Europe Prime Minister, Maia Sandu. In the
    first round, Maia Sandu got the largest number of votes 36%, while Igor Dodon
    won less than 33%. However, the final battle is expected to be extremely close,
    and the balance could be tipped by the votes in the Diaspora for Maia Sandu or
    in the Russian-speaking separatist Transdniestr for Igor Dodon. During the campaign,
    the current pro-Russia president urged his supporters to hold post-election
    protests if necessary, to defend his victory. As for Maia Sandu, she spoke
    about the need for change and the fight against corruption.




    ECONOMY. Romania’s
    economy registered, in the third quarter of this year, an increase of 5.6%,
    after a decline of 12.2% between April and June 2020 – according to data from
    the European Statistical Office, Eurostat. It is the most severe setback, along
    with that of Spain, in the European Union, where the Gross Domestic Product
    decreased by 4.3% in the third quarter of 2020, compared to the same period in
    2019. Eurostat data also show a partial recovery, after the European GDP
    registered an annual decline of 13.9% in the second quarter of 2020, the most
    significant since 1995, when such data were first published.








    NIGHT OF
    MUSEUMS.     Museums and cultural spaces in Romania have planned for the 16th
    edition of the Night of Museums festival, interactive activities on social networks and
    on their own websites. At the same time, the institutions that carry out their
    projects offline were asked to adapt to the new governmental measures regarding
    the activities with public and to the night circulation restrictions due to the
    pandemic. More than 60 museums and cultural operators from all over the country
    have signed up this year to celebrate the Night of Museums, which is a European programme. Usually organized
    in May, it was moved to mid-November due to the pandemic. Initiated 16 years
    ago by the French Ministry of Culture, sponsored by the Council of Europe,
    UNESCO and the International Council of Museums, the Night of Museums festival
    mobilized in 2019, in Romania, over 150 museums and cultural entities, which
    interacted with almost 1 million people.






    FOOTBALL. All the players and staff members
    of the Romanian national football team have tested negative for Covid-19, so
    the Romanian squad can play the match against Norway – the Romanian Football
    Federation announced today. The Romania-Norway match takes place on Sunday
    evening, in Bucharest. Then, on November 18, the Romanians will travel to
    Northern Ireland. Both League of Nations matches are important for the FIFA
    rankings, which will determine the ballot boxes for the draw of the preliminary
    groups for the 2022 World Cup. (M. Ignatescu)