Radio România Internațional

Tag: Time

  • Sports flash

    As part of the quarterfinals of the US Open tennis
    tournament, the year’s last Grand Slam tournament, the Romanian player Sorana
    Cîrstea sustained a two-set defeat by Czech challenger Karolina Muchova, 6-nil,
    6-3, after one hour and 37 minutes of play. WTA number 30, 33-year-old Cîrstea was
    handed a cheque worth 450, 000 USD and was granted 430 WTA points.


    Also as part of the US Open, in the women’s doubles’ round
    of 16, the Romanian-Ukrainian pair made of Gabriela Ruse-and Marta Kostiuk was
    defeated by the all-American pair made of Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, 6-3,
    6-1, after one hour and 16 minutes of play. Ruse and Kostyuk were handed a cheque
    worth 58.000 USD and were granted 240 points in the women’s doubles rankings.


    As
    part of the Balkan Championships held in Larissa, Greece, the Romanian national
    road cycling team has won 13 medals, of which 7 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze. Taking
    part in the competition was an 18-strong delegation of cyclists, accompanied by
    their staff. Cyclist Manuela Mureşan won two gold medals, in the elite, individual
    time trial and long-distance races. Cyclist Emil Dima walked away with a silver
    medal in the elite road race. The rest of the medals was won in the U-23, juniors
    and cadets’ categories.


    This
    past Monday saw the last three fixtures being played, counting towards the
    Romanian Football Super league’s 8th round. Universitatea Cluj was
    defeated by Politehnica Iași, nil-2, FC Botoșani and Hermannstadt drew, 2-all,
    while Sepsi Sf. Gheorghe defeated UTA Arad, 1-nil. With
    18 points, FCSB are at the top pf the as-it-stands table, followed by CFR Cluj,
    with 16 points and Rapid Bucharest with 14 points.


    As
    part of the Romanian National Rugby League’s second round, CSM
    Baia Mare trounced FC Bârlad, 90-9, Știința Petroșani were thrashed by Politehnica
    Iași 7-50, Universitatea Cluj defeated Club Municipal Galați, 64-7, Steaua
    București and CSM Constanța drew, 29-all, Dinamo București defeated Săgeata
    Năvodari, 5-nil, while SCM Timișoara defeated Grivița, 5-nil. CSM Baia Mare, CSM
    Constanța and Dinamo Bucharest are at the top of the table in the three groups.



  • October 25, 2020

    October 25, 2020

    ARMY DAY Romania has today a modern and well trained army, able to ensure compliance with the commitments taken within NATO and in terms of implementing the EU common security and defence policy, the president of Romania Klaus Iohannis said on the celebration of the Romanian Army Day on October 25. Its significant contribution to strengthening regional stability in South Eastern Europe makes the Romanian Army a security provider at the Black Sea, a region facing multiple and dynamic challenges, the president added. The new generations of troops are paying tribute to all the heroes that have sacrificed their lives in theatres of operations, the defence minister Nicolae Ciucă said in his turn, mentioning that in World War II Romanian troops fought heroically to free the country, turning October 25, 1944 into a symbol of national emancipation from foreign occupation. In building our defence, we rely on our NATO and EU membership, as well as on the Strategic Partnership with the US, which is now stronger than ever, the Romanian defence minister also said. In keeping with its NATO commitments, Romania is already hosting a number of Allied command and control structures, and in the near future the South-East Multinational Command will also be opened in Sibiu. At present, 1,150 Romanian military are deployed in foreign theatres of operation.



    COVID-19 Bucharest is considering the reintroduction of night curfews in several parts of the country, the PM Ludovic Orban said after 3 counties in central Romania (Alba, Cluj and Harghita) as well as the capital Bucharest have passed 3 infections per thousand inhabitants this week. According to the most recent national update, 3,855 new cases and 73 deaths were reported in 24 hours, taking the total death toll to 6,391. Over 800 COVID-19 patients are in intensive care. Romania is one of the 23 European countries where the pandemic causes serious concern at EU level, both in terms of the daily infection numbers among the elderly, and in terms of the death rate, which is the second-largest in Europe.



    PANDEMIC A growing number of countries have introduced further restrictions as the number of COVID-19 cases is rising at a fast pace. Spain and France are seeing the largest numbers of infections, over 1 million cases each, out of the total 8.5 million reported in Europe as a whole. Most of Poland is rated as COVID red zone, with restaurants and schools partly closed down, weddings banned, shops and churches closed and people over 70 requested to stay at home. Slovakia has a curfew in place until November 1, while in the Czech Republic travel restrictions are valid until November 3. Slovenia also ordered a partial lockdown, while Greece imposed a night curfew in Athens and Thessaloniki, and face covering is compulsory outdoors. The German Chancellor Angela Merkel has once again called on German citizens to reduce social interaction. Belgium shut down all sports and cultural activities as of Monday, and several regions in the French Wallonia are under lockdown. In the UK, Wales is in lockdown until November 9, with Ireland also introducing a 6-week lockdown. Denmark has also introduced tougher restrictions, and in Bulgaria Sofia and other major cities are closing down today all night restaurants and pubs. Across Europe, the number of COVID-19 related deaths has passed 260,000.



    AL-QAEDA Afghan forces have killed Abu Muhsin al-Masri, a top Al-Qaeda leader wanted by the United States, the National Directorate of Security in Afghanistan announced. Abu Muhsin al-Masri had been accused of providing materials and resources to a foreign terror group and of plotting to kill American citizens. Abu Muhsin al-Masri, believed to be Al-Qaedas number-two, was targeted in Ghazni province. Also in Afghanistan, funerals were held for the victims of Saturdays suicide bomb attack in the capital city Kabul, claimed by the ISIS group. Scores of people were killed or wounded in the blast that took place in the mostly Shiite area of the city, with many students of a private education centre among the victims.



    WINTER TIME On Saturday night, Romania switched to winter time, with the local 4 am becoming 3 am. 2020 may be the last time the seasonal change of clocks occurs, as the European Commission has proposed scrapping this practice in Europe. Member states will be able to choose whether to remain on permanent winter time or summer time. Countries choosing to stay on summer time will make the last change next March, while those that wish to remain on winter time will perform the last switch in October next year. (translated by: A.M. Popescu)

  • October 23, 2020 UPDATE

    October 23, 2020 UPDATE

    COVID-19 A new record-high number of new SARS-CoV-2
    cases in 24 hours in Romania, 5,028 out of 35,351 tests, was reported on
    Friday. So far, 201,032 people have tested positive for the virus, and 144,429
    of them have recovered. The Strategic Communication Group also announced that
    another 82 people died, taking the death toll to 6,245. A total of 10,427
    COVID-19 patients are currently hospitalised, 782 of them in intensive care-the
    largest number so far. Of the Romanians living abroad, 6,851 have so far
    tested positive, and the number of deaths remains 126, the authorities also
    announced.


    PANDEMIC Global coronavirus cases are nearing 42 million, while the number
    of fatalities has passed 1.14 million, according to Worldometers.info. Europe
    is seeing a large number of infections in the second wave. Spain has passed 1
    million cases. Ireland has seen over 2,000 daily cases and its government has
    imposed strict measures. The UK has also reported its highest number of daily
    cases, 27,000. Germany has also seen a record number of new 11,000 infections.
    Poland’s PM announced on Friday that the entire country would be classified as
    COVID red zone, with restaurants and primary schools partly closed down. The
    Warsaw National Stadium will be converted into a temporary field hospital and
    similar facilities will be arranged elsewhere in the country, after over 13,600
    new cases were reported in the last 24 hours. On Friday Slovakia initiated a
    3-week mass testing programme. Belgium and Czech Republic have the highest
    number of infections per number of inhabitants. Beginning on Saturday, Greece
    will impose travel restrictions in Athens, Thessaloniki and other badly hit areas.
    France has extended its night curfew imposed in the main cities to most of the
    country, beginning on Saturday.


    MOBILITY On Friday the government of Romania challenged several provisions
    in the EU Mobility Package I at the Court of Justice of the EU. Bucharest views
    these provisions as having a negative impact on the domestic market and
    affecting competitiveness of commodity transport in the Union. The move concerns,
    among other things, the ban drivers on taking their compulsory weekly rest
    hours on board of vehicles, the obligation for drivers to return to the
    employer’s office or to their place of residence on a regular basis, and the
    obligation to return vehicles to a company office within 8 weeks from
    departure. The claim submitted to the Court of Justice of the EU follows
    repeated efforts by the Romanian authorities against the restrictive and
    disproportionate nature of these provisions in the Mobility Package I, the
    Romanian Foreign Ministry said. Romania voted against the 3 regulations,
    alongside 8 other EU member states (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia,
    Lithuania, Malta and Poland).


    VISIT Romania’s PM Ludovic Orban will be on an official visit to
    France on Monday and Tuesday. According to the Romanian Government, Ludovic
    Orban will have meetings with his French counterpart Jean Castex, with the
    speakers of the National Assembly, Richard Ferrand, and the Senate, Gerard
    Larcher, and with the leader of the centre-right party ‘Les Republicains’,
    Christian Jacob. The Romanian PM will also take part in a meeting of the
    Council of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. The visit
    also includes a meeting with members of the Romanian community in France.


    CORRUPTION The Liberal George Scripcaru, the outgoing
    mayor of Braşov in central Romania, has been charged with blackmail and is
    under judicial supervision. According to the National Anti-Corruption
    Directorate, while running for a new seat he threatened to cause problems to an
    advertising company unless it posted his election ads on public transport buses
    in the city. On September 27, Scripcaru lost the election to Allen Coliban
    (Save Romania Union). Meanwhile, 2 former mayors of the Black Sea port city of Constanţa,
    Decebal Făgădău and Radu Mazăre, both from the Social Democratic Party, have
    been indicted in a new corruption case. They are accused of having unlawfully authorised
    the construction of a luxury building on a beach.


    NATO The Romanian defence minister Nicolae Ciucă
    took part on Friday in a conference call of NATO defence ministers. The online
    meeting focused on ongoing Allied missions and operations, with a focus on
    those in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nicolae Ciucă reiterated Romania’s commitment to
    NATO missions, in a flexibly planned contribution that enables its
    reconfiguring in line to future Allied decisions and the dynamic of specific
    operational needs.


    FOOTBALL The Romanian football champions CFR Cluj on Thursday night defeated the
    Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia 2-nil in their opening Europa League Group A match.
    In the same group, the Italian side AS Rome defeated the Swiss side BSC Young
    Boys 2-1. Next week, AS Rome will be playing CSKA Sofia and CFR will be playing
    BSC Young Boys. Eliminated from the Champions League in the preliminary
    matches, CFR are the only Romanian side in the European competitions this year.
    (translated by: A.M. Popescu)

  • October 26, 2019

    October 26, 2019

    MILITARY Nearly 1,400 Romanian and foreign troops with 220 vehicles are taking part in the multinational exercise Scorpions Legacy 2019, held between October 25 and November 8 in Cincu, Braşov County, in central Romania, the press office of the Multinational Brigade South-East announced. The goal of the exercise is to train the staff of the multinational brigade headquartered in Craiova and of the affiliated units in Bulgaria, Italy and Portugal, though computer-assisted command drills, field training practice and shooting practice. The Headquarters Multinational Brigade Southeast ensures high-level capability to command forces deployed in the south-east of the Allied territory.




    DST Romania switches to winter time tonight, with clocks set one hour back, from 4:00 AM to 3:00 AM. Sunday will be the longest day of the year. The switch does not affect railway traffic timetables. The European Commission suggested that Europe should give up seasonal DST switches in Europa, and member states will decide whether they want to keep the summer time or winter time permanently as of 2021.




    MIGRANTS Border police from the Nădlac checkpoint, western Romania, found 20 citizens from Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia and India hiding in a truck while attempting to cross the border illegally. The police say they were trying to reach Western Europe. Investigations are now conducted against the truck driver, suspected of human trafficking and against the foreign citizens for attempted illegal border crossing.




    BREXIT The ambassadors of the 27 EU member states have deferred a decision regarding the Brexit postponement period to next week. Recently, they have agreed in principle on a new postponement of Britains exit from the Union, scheduled for October 31, and are now to reach a consensus on a new deadline. The President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, recommended a 3-month extension, to January 31. The European Parliament also agrees with this date, which would allow Britain to clarify its position and the EP to properly fulfil its duties.




    TECHNOLOGY Sixteen Romanian ITC companies took part in the worlds largest mobile communications exhibition – Mobile World Congress 2019, held in Los Angeles. According to the Romanian Ministry for the Business Environment, Trade and Entrepreneurship, the Romanian participants presented their products in a national pavilion of around 150 sq.m. The Los Angeles fair is the third specialised event, after the ones in Barcelona and Shanghai, which brings together technology providers and producers, influencers and innovators in the ITC industry.




    TENNIS The Romanian Simona Halep, number 5 in the world, landed in the Purple Group of the WTA Finals in Shenzhen (China), held between October 27 and November 3. On Monday she will play against the Romanian-born Canadian Bianca Andreescu, no 4 WTA. Halep, winner of this years Wimbledon trophy, takes part in the tournament of the worlds elite 8 for the 6th time in her career. The Purple Group also includes Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic) and Elina Svitolina (Ukraine), according to Fridays draw release. This edition has record-high prizes—14 million USD, twice as much as last year.



    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • December 11, 2018 UPDATE

    December 11, 2018 UPDATE

    TIME – Time magazine has collectively named Jamal Khashoggi and other killed and imprisoned journalists as its “person of the year” for 2018. The magazine gave the title, that goes to the person they see as the most influential over the past year, to “the Guardians and the War on Truth”. Those named also included the journalists killed in the mass shooting at the Capital Gazette in Maryland in June, two Reuters reporters jailed in Myanmar after investigating the massacre of Rohingya Muslims and Maria Ressa, a journalist in the Philippines facing tax evasion charges that she has called “political harassment”.




    SCHENGEN — The Romanian Foreign Ministry has hailed the adoption, by the European Parliament, of the resolution requesting to admit Romania and Bulgaria in the Schengen Area. The resolution was passed on Tuesday with 514 votes in favor, 107 against and 38 abstentions. The final call falls on the European Council, to the extent that the European Parliament green lighted the two states in June 2011, confirming its position several times. The two states have been prevented from joining by repeated objections from several other European states, for reasons of slow reforms in the justice system.




    LONDON – Custodian of the Romanian Crown Margareta and her consort, Radu, were received on Tuesday by Queen Elisabeth in a private visit in London. On Monday, at a dinner in their honor, the Custodian reaffirmed the close ties between Romania and the UK, mirrored by the interest shown by the British royal family in the Centennial of Romanias Grand Union. This was the first visit to the UK that Princess Margaret makes as the head of the Royal House of Romania. The visit celebrates the Centennial of the Romanian Union, and the centenary of the end of WWI. King Mihai I, Margaretas father, who passed away on December 5, 2017, at 96 years of age, was third cousin to Queen Elisabeth.




    PENSIONS — The Labor and Social Protection Committee in the Romanian Parliament passed on Tuesday the bill to restructure the public pension system, to be debated in the Chamber of Deputies, the decision-making body in this case. On November 26, the Senate passed it, after being introduced by the government. The bill aims to fix inequities in the system, such as large differences between retirees with similar work experience, but very different pensions. According to the new law, work experience worth 15 years is the minimum amount that qualifies a worker for a public pension.




    MACRON — French President Emmanuel Macron spoke on Monday night to the nation, under pressure to find a solution to the crisis sparked by the so-called Yellow Vest protests. He denounced the violence in the streets last week, and declared an economic and social state of emergency, issuing a series of promises. Among them are raising the minimum wage by 100 Euro per month starting next year, and pulling income tax on overtime. Press agencies comment that the crisis is still in effect, given the deep social inequality that the French feel, as well as a slide into poverty and lack of a voice. Macrons government is accused of siding with the rich, and the protesters vowed to continue their manifestations.




    BREXIT — British PM Theresa May on Tuesday started a tour of Europe in an attempt to save the Brexit deal she negotiated. She hopes to gain guarantees on the part of the accord that prevents a tough border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. European officials in Brussels have offered no substantial change in what has been described as the best and only deal. According to the BBC, European leaders dont expect Theresa May to have much support for a renegotiation of the deal. The tour comes as the British premier announced a postponement of the vote in the House of Commons on the deal with the EU, admitting that it would be turned down if the vote was held now.




    MEETING – The meeting of Romania’s Supreme Defense Council was suspended on Tuesday in Bucharest by President Klaus Iohannis at the request of the Council members. According to the Presidency, the agenda of the meeting included important topics regarding the country’s defense and national security which generated extended talks. The meeting is to be resumed on December 19. Also discussed will be the army equipping for the 2019-2028 period, the participation of Romanian military in missions and operations outside the country’s borders and many others. The members will also set the timetable for the council’s activity next year. Recently, Defense Minister Gabriel Les said he might have to submit an analysis of the incident between Russia and Ukraine in the Sea of Azov, after submitting one to the Senate Defense Committee last week. Speaking on this issue, President Klaus Iohannis said that Romania was prepared to face any scenario, and assured Romanians that there were no reasons to worry.




    HANDBALL – The Romanian women’s handball team plays against Spain on Tuesday, in its second game in the 2018 European Championship group phase, with a third game scheduled for Wednesday against Hungary. To secure qualification from one of the top two positions in the group tables, Romania needs to win both games. On Sunday, Romania lost to the Netherlands, 29-24, in the first group phase fixture, its first defeat after the wins against the Czech Republic, Germany and Norway. The best result so far in this Championship was the bronze in 2010.


    (Translated by Elena Enache)






  • 13.11.2013

    13.11.2013

    Protestations – Les élèves et les étudiants de Roumanie protestent à nouveau ce mercredi. Les étudiants réclament notamment l’octroi de 6% du PIB à l’éducation, à compter de l’année prochaine, l’augmentation du financement de base des universités, la majoration des bourses sociales, ainsi que davantage d’investissements dans les centres de conseil et d’orientation de carrière. Pour leur part, les élèves demandent la hausse des allocations, la dotation adéquate des établissements d’enseignement, le remboursement intégral des frais de transport pour ceux qui font la navette, la révision des programmes et du contenu des manuels scolaires.



    Budget – Le cabinet de Bucarest examine aujourd’hui le projet d’exercice budgétaire pour l’année à venir, qui devrait être adopté demain. Les discussions partent des propositions déjà formulées relatives aux indicateurs macroéconomiques pour 2014, à savoir une croissance économique de 2,2%, une inflation de 2,2% et des investissements estimés à 6% du PIB. Aujourd’hui encore, l’Union Sociale-Libérale, au pouvoir, doit débattre de la variante finale du projet législatif portant sur la décentralisation sur lequel le gouvernement engagera sa responsabilité.



    Chômage – Le président de la Roumanie, Traian Basescu, a déclaré qu’en dehors des mesures nationales mises en place pour combattre le chômage des jeunes, il est essentiel que l’Europe transmette un message politique d’appui à la mobilité pour que la jeunesse puisse bénéficier d’opportunités en matière de formation et d’embauche. Le chef de l’Etat roumain, qui a participé mardi à Paris au sommet consacré au marché de l’emploi pour les jeunes, a affirmé que Bucarest soutient l’importance de l’effacement des barrières actuelles à la mobilité des travailleurs et celle de prévenir la diffusion de messages alimentant artificiellement les craintes liées à la libre circulation de la main d’œuvre dans l’UE.



    Classement – Ionuţ Budişteanu, le jeune roumain de 19 ans qui a utilisé «l’intelligence artificielle pour créer un modèle viable pour une voiture auto-conduite à faible coût» est 9e sur les 16 adolescents les plus influents au monde en 2013, selon le classement établi par la revue Time. Les jeunes figurant sur cette liste sont devenus célèbres grâce à leurs exploits dans les domaines les plus divers, dont littérature, science, activisme, mode, sport et spectacles. En tête de liste on retrouve la chanteuse néo-zélandaise Lorde, 17 ans. Time note que l’invention de Ionuţ Budişteanu, qui fait actuellement ses études supérieures en Roumanie, lui a valu le premier prix, d’une valeur de 75.000 dollars, lors de la Foire Intel des sciences et de l’ingénierie organisée en mai dernier à Arizona, aux Etats-Unis.



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