DAY Speaking in Constanta (the biggest Romanian sea port) during the festivities staged on Navy Day, the country’s president Klaus Iohannis said that Romania is acknowledged and appreciated by allies as a solid pillar of regional security and a major contributor to the process of consolidating NATO’s deterrence posture on the eastern flank. Here on the Black Sea coast, close to the aggression war, Russia is waging on Ukraine, we are clearly seeing more than ever the political, diplomatic and military efforts of Bucharest in the past years, the president went on to say. Thanks to these, Romania is today benefitting from the most solid guarantees of security, and its citizens are defended and protected against any potential threats. Iohannis told the sailors that the devotion, tenacity and the spirit of sacrifice, which define them, are an example of excellence, and the Romanian Naval Forces are a symbol of the national strength and resilience. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has also congratulated and thanked the sailors. ‘Many happy returns’ on this holy day of August 15th the day of St. Mary, the protector of sailors all over the world, Ciolacu wrote on a social network. Today, 122 years since the first celebration of Navy Day, Romania’s Naval Forces are staging a series of events, such as demonstrative exercises, exhibitions of armament and military equipment, interactive workshops, cultural activities and concerts of military music in the major cities on the Black Sea coast, on the Danube and even in capital city Bucharest.
St. MARY Orthodox believers, who are a majority in Romania, and Catholics are today celebrating the Assumption of Mary, or St. Mary, an event which marks the Assumption into Heaven of Mary, the Mother of our Lord, Jesus Christ. St. Mary is the most appreciated human being by Christians after the Holy Trinity, whom they frequently invoke in their prayers. St. Mary is the patron saint of the largest number of monasteries in Romania and pilgrims, in large numbers, have already taken to these monasteries, which are renowned for their miracle-working icons and relics.
WEATHER Romania’s Administration of Meteorology has today issued a series of code red, yellow and orange alerts for extremely hot weather in most of the Romanian territory. Temperatures are expected to range between 39 and 41 degrees Celsius in seven counties in the west and south-west. Another orange alert has been issued for the counties in the north-west, center and south with a temperature-humidity index over 80 units. The lows of the day will not go below 18 degrees Celsius in most regions and Bucharest is in for more hot days and tropical nights, with soaring temperatures up to 39 degrees Celsius. Meteorologists say that the heat wave presently affecting the country is going to be felt for the next several days in most of its territory.
FOOTBALL Romania’s vice-champions, CFR Cluj, today take on the Israeli side Maccabi Petach Tikva in the second round of the third preliminary leg of the Conference League. The first match went to CFR 1-0. On Wednesday, Romania’s Cup holder Corvinul Hunedoara came a cropper 6-1 to FC Astana of Kazakhstan and left the competition. The Romanians also lost the first game 2-1. We recall that title holder FCSB was knocked out of the Champions League 3-2 on Tuesday in Bucharest by Czech side Sparta Prague. The first match ended in one-all draw and FCSB will be playing in the Europa League’s play-off against Austrian side Lask Linz.
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