Radio România Internațional

Tag: World Handball Championships

  • December 4, 2023 UPDATE

    December 4, 2023 UPDATE


    NATIONAL DAY – The Senate and the Chamber of Deputies in Bucharest met on Monday in a special session to mark the National Day of Romania celebrated on December 1, and the anniversary of 105 years since the Great Union. Attending were the leaders of the two chambers of Parliament, the government, religious denominations and members of the diplomatic corps. A bust of the great Romanian pre-war politician Iuliu Maniu was unveiled on this occasion. Celebrations marking the National Day of Romania started on Friday, when the Republic of Moldova and the diaspora joined Romanians at home to mark this special day. In the wake of WWI, on 1st December 1918, all provinces with a majority ethnic Romanian population came under Bucharests authority. Meeting in Alba Iulia, in the center, the representatives of the Romanians in Transylvania, Banat, Maramureș and Crișana, territories which were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, voted to become united with the Kingdom of Romania. Earlier, on the 28th November, a similar decision was taken at the General Congress of Bukovina, another province that had been annexed by the Hapsburgs. On 27th March 1918, amidst the dissolution of the Tsarist Empire, the Country Council in Chișinău had already voted in favour of the union with Romania of Bessarabia and northern Bukovina, which today are in the former Soviet republics of Moldova and Ukraine.




    COP28 – Romania has joined the International Solar Alliance, an organization numbering 120 states, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference hosted by the United Arab Emirates. Romanias energy security will grow following this move, said president Klaus Iohannis. In his address, he reiterated Romanias firm commitment to become carbon neutral, including by using renewable energy sources. At the weekend, Iohannis had talks with the United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry on expanding the climate change, environment and green transition component of the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the United States. The Romanian president also met members of the European Youth Forum whose aims include protecting the planet and making young people part of the democratic consultation process.




    HANDBALL – Romania defeated Serbia 37-28 on Sunday evening in Herning, Denmark, in Group E at the World Womens Handball Championship. Having also won their opening match on Friday against Chile, 44-19, Romania have already qualified for the competitions main groups. In their final group match, they will face Denmark on Tuesday evening. The Romanian star player Cristina Neagu, four times the winner of the best player in the world title, is yet to make an appearance at this championship. Romania is the only side to have taken part in all the 26 editions of the World Womens Handball Championship, winning the world title back in 1962, as well as two silver medals, in 1973 and 2005, and a bronze medal, in 2015. At the previous edition, Romania ranked 13th. (CM & VP)




  • December 2, 2023

    December 2, 2023

    COP28 – Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis on Saturday said on the
    sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai that Romania has one of
    the lowest carbon gas emissions per capita at EU level, and is firmly committed
    to accelerating measures to curb the effects of climate change through a mix of
    renewable and nuclear energy. Romania seeks to reduce its carbon footprint by
    80% by 2030 and then move swiftly to become climate neutral, the president
    added. World leaders attending the UN Climate Change Conference are expected to
    promise to triple their renewable energy capacity, enhance nuclear energy
    capabilities and reduce methane emissions. At the start of the summit, the UN
    Secretary General called for a global effort to renounce fossil fuels, while
    the host of the conference, the United Arab Emirates, called for closer
    cooperation with oil companies.




    VISIT – Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu is paying an official visit
    to the United States over December 3-6. He will be accompanied by a delegation
    comprising the ministers of Defense, Foreign Affairs and the Economy. The visit
    is designed to advance joint economic projects, boost American investment in
    Romania and consolidate political and security cooperation with the USA. On Sunday,
    Marcel Ciolacu is expected to meet representatives of Romanian communities in
    Washington, Virginia and Maryland. On Monday, the Romanian Prime Minister will
    meet Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and State Secretary Antony Blinken.
    Marcel Ciolacu will also discuss with Jennifer Granholm, US Secretary of
    Energy. The Prime Minister’s agenda also includes meetings with representatives
    of Lockheed Martin and Google, Roland S. Lauder, the chairman of the World
    Jewish Congress and Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General.




    WAR IN GAZA – Israeli
    authorities have notified the Romanian Foreign Ministry about the death of a
    person of Romanian and Israeli citizenship, held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. The
    Foreign Ministry have conveyed its condolences to the family, announcing that
    another 3 people with double citizenship are being held hostage in the Strip.
    The Ministry has called for the release of all hostages. Israel has resumed its
    bombing of positions held by Hamas in Gaza, after a 7-day ceasefire that allowed
    the release of 100 people held hostage by Hamas in exchange for 180 Palestinian
    prisoners. The Israeli army announced it has bombed over 200 terrorist targets.
    In turn, Gaza authorities say 200 people were killed and 600 were wounded in
    air raids. Humanitarian aid was again blocked on the border, and shootings with
    Hezbollah were reported on Israel’s northern border. Israel and Hamas have
    accused each other of violating the ceasefire, but according to Radio Romania’s
    correspondent in the region, both sides continue to negotiate a new
    humanitarian ceasefire.




    TRAIN – The first of a
    series of 37 electric trains built by Alstom is expected to arrive in Romania
    on Saturday, the Rail Reform Authority has announced. This is the first
    electric train bought in the last 40 years and the first new train after a
    break of 20 years. The train will enter the testing phase on December 6, which
    comprises 10,000 km in the local circuit before being rendered operational. The
    37 electric regional trains were bought with EU funds and will link Bucharest
    to the main urban centers of Romania.




    HANDBALL – Romania won its
    first match at the World Handball Championships, beating Chile 44-19 in
    Herning, Denmark. Romania will next play Serbia on December 3 and Denmark on
    December 5. The top three teams in each group will
    advance to the so-called main group stage. Romania is the only team that has
    taken part in all 26 editions of the World Handball Championship, a competition
    it won once in 1962. Romania played another two finals in 1973 and 2005, and
    came in third in 2015. Romania was ranked 13th at the previous
    edition. (VP)





  • December 1, 2023

    December 1, 2023

    NATIONAL
    DAY – December 1 marks the National Day of Romania, celebrating 105
    years since the unification of Romanian principalities into a single state. On
    December 1, at the end of the Great War, representatives of Romanians from
    Transylvania (center), Banat, Maramureș and
    Crișana (west), voted in favor of the unification with the Kingdom of
    Romania, thus breaking with the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Previously, on
    November 28, a similar decision was taken by the General Congress of Bukovina,
    another province that was previously ruled by the Habsburgs. On March 27, 1918,
    after the collapse of the Russian Empire, the People’s Gathering of Bessarabia
    also voted the unification with Romania. In the summer of 1940, following an
    ultimatum, the USSR annexed both Bessarabia and northern Bukovina, today parts
    of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, respectively.




    PARADE – Over
    2,400 military and specialists with the Defense Ministry, the Interior
    Ministry, the Romanian Intelligence Service, the Special Telecommunications
    Service and the Penitentiary Administration took part on Friday in a special
    military parade marking the National Day of Romania. 250 foreign military from
    Belgium, France, North Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, Luxembourg, Poland,
    Portugal, Spain, the USA and the Netherlands also took part. 130 vehicles and 40 aircraft, in addition to
    23 types of military and air equipment used by allied participants were
    displayed in Bucharest.




    CONFERENCE – The UN Climate
    Change Conference hosted by Dubai in the UAE has launched with the historic
    decision to compensate poor countries most vulnerable to global warming.
    Attending the Conference are 140 heads of state and government, including
    president Klaus Iohannis.




    WAR IN
    GAZA – The ceasefire in Gaza expired on Friday morning, and the
    Israeli army has resumed its air raids and shelling targeting the positions of
    the Islamist terrorist organization Hamas. According to the so-called Hamas
    government, an air raid has killed six people in Rafah, while the Health
    Ministry has counted 32 people killed by Israeli bombing, including children.
    Negotiations had continued over the previous night for a new extension of the
    ceasefire, in place since November 24, yet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
    accused Hamas of violating the agreement and firing missiles on Israel. Eight
    Israeli hostages were released on Friday in exchange for 30 Palestinians
    detained by Israel.




    WAR IN UKRAINE – Kyiv announced
    Russian invasion forces bombed targets across the country on Thursday night,
    using kh-59 missiles and 25 Shahed 136/131 attack drones in the south.
    Ukrainian armed forces claimed to have shot down 18 drones and a missile. Kyiv
    has accused Moscow of planning a campaign of tactical air strikes targeting the
    energy infrastructure in the middle of winter. A similar operation last year
    left millions of Ukrainians without power and heat over long periods of time.
    Ukraine has since shored up its anti-air defenses with Western weapons,
    although authorities say it will take a while before being able to protect its
    most vulnerable regions.




    365 DAYS OF ROMANIA – Eight Romanian
    brands will live the American Dream in the iconic Times Square in New York
    starting December 1 and running through 2024 as part of the project titled 365
    Days of Romania in Times Square. The project enables Romanian brands to take
    part and share strong messages on the most iconic billboard in the world -
    Nasdaq, organizers say. The first brand to be presented in Times Square on
    December 1 is Arctic, the most powerful Romanian brand according to a survey conducted
    this year by Unlock Market Research & Biz. Other brands such as Romstal,
    Vola.ro, Aqua Carpatica, Bittnet Group, Eazy Insure, Metaminds, 5toGo will all
    start their advertising campaigns in 2024.




    HANDBALL -
    Romania is playing its first match at the World Handball Championships against
    Chile. In the following Group E fixtures, the Romanian women’s team will play
    Serbia on December 3 and Denmark on December 5. The top three teams in each
    group will advance to the so-called main group stage. The best-performing
    player on the Romanian team, Cristina Neagu, four-time best handballer of the
    year, is currently injured and will remain benched for the first games. Romania
    is the only team that has taken part in all 26 editions of the World Handball
    Championship, a competition it won once in 1962. Romania played another two
    finals in 1973 and 2005, and came in third in 2015. Romania was ranked 13th
    at the previous edition. (VP)



  • December 9, 2017

    December 9, 2017


    KING MICHAEL I On Saturday, December 16th, the coffin carrying the dead body of the last sovereign of Romania, King Michael I, will be conveyed by hearse to the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest. After the mass held at the cathedral, the coffin will be carried by the Royal Train to Curtea de Arges, where the former king will be buried. According to the program announced by the Royal House of Romania, on Wednesday, December 13, the coffin will arrive at the Otopeni Airport. Bucharest authorities have declared three days of national mourning on the 14th, 15th and 16th of December. Michael I died on December 5th at his residence in Switzerland, aged 96. The Romanian Parliament will gather on solemn session on Monday, to honour the memory of the last sovereign of Romania.



    COOPERATION On Saturday in Belgrade, Romanias Prime Minister Mihai Tudose and his counterparts from Bulgaria and Greece, Boyko Borisov and Alexis Tsipras, voiced their support for Serbias joining the EU. The three prime ministers and the Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic talked about the process and also about interconnecting their countries electricity and gas networks. This is the second four-party summit this year, after the one in Varna, Bulgaria. The four leaders have decided to also invite the ministers of transport and internal affairs to participate in the next five-party meetings.



    MEASLES More than one hundred new cases of measles have been reported in the past week in 16 counties in Romania, and the total number of cases has exceeded 10,000 since the outbreak of the epidemic. Most of those affected had not been vaccinated against measles, and 36 of them have died. Statistics show that for one in 1000 people infected, the disease is deadly, and the vaccine protects children against developing the disease.



    ISRAEL On Saturday, Israel launched new strikes on Gaza Strip, in response to rocket fire from the enclave. The Palestinian Islamist Hamas group claims two of its gunmen were killed in the bombings, Reuter reports. Militants fired at least three rockets towards Israeli towns from the Hamas -controlled strip on Friday, which was declared “a day of rage” by Palestinian factions protesting US President Donald Trumps recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel. At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, some of the USs European allies issued a joint statement expressing their opposition to Trumps move. According to them, the decision was made before reaching a final common decision on the status of the city and was by no means helping the peace process in the region. In Bucharest, the Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu has stated that Romania maintains its view on the existence of two states, Israel and Palestine, living as good and prosperous neighbors. According to Melescanu, Trumps announcement is a clear signal that the US wants to get involved in finding a solution.



    HANDBALL Romanias national womens handball team will take on the Czech squad on Monday, in the round of 16 of the World Championships hosted by Germany. On Friday night, the Romanian team lost to France, but they had already secured first seat in Group A, after four wins in their fixtures against Paraguay, Slovenia, Spain and Angola. If they manage to win the match against the Czechs, the Romanian handball players will be further playing against the winner of the game pitching the Netherlands against Japan. The Dutch are world and European champions. At the previous edition in 2015, Romania walked away with bronze. Romania is the only side that has so far participated in all the 22 editions of the world championship.




  • The Week in Review: December 3-9, 2017

    The Week in Review: December 3-9, 2017

    Romania’s
    last sovereign, King Michael I has passed away




    Romania’s last king,
    Michael I, died at the age of 96, after a long and painful illness, at his
    residence in Switzerland, where he had lived in exile. Michael I was the last
    of the four sovereigns of the German Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen dynasty, which
    took the throne in Bucharest in 1866 and built modern Romania. Many messages of
    condolences have been sent to the Royal Family, after the announcement that
    King Michael passed away. Romania’s President, Klaus
    Iohannis, evoked the impressive personality of His Majesty:


    King
    Michael was one of Romania’s greatest personalities, who played a big role in
    Romania’s history. It is a great loss for Romania, for Romanians. Condolences
    to all the members of the Royal House.


    In a televised declaration to the country, the
    eldest daughter of King Michael, Princess Margareta, Custodian of the Crown, said:


    Romanians, the country lost King Michael I. For more than nine
    decades, he served Romania with all his power, devotion and patience. With
    endless love and strong principles, King Michael wrote the most valuable page of
    contemporary history in the Book of the Nation. His kindness and forgiveness outshined
    all the evils of the past century. His wisdom gave continuity to our identity
    at times of deviation from the natural
    course of the country. Our king is an intrinsic part of the Romanian state.


    The European
    Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, has expressed deep sadness at the
    news and paid homage to His Majesty, recalling that back in 1997, King Michael toured
    the European capitals to promote Romania’s accession to the European Union. In
    the country, the Romanians continue to pay tribute and light candles in front
    of the former Royal Palace in downtown Bucharest and of Elisabeta Palace, the
    Bucharest residence of King Michael. The remains of the King will be repatriated
    on Wednesday, December 13, and will lie in state at Peles Castle in Sinaia, the
    Southern Carpathians, until later in the evening, when it will be brought to
    the Royal Palace in Bucharest. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday, December
    16, at Curtea de Argeş (in the south), the last resting place of the Romanian
    kings. The Romanian Government has declared three days of national mourning for
    December 14, 15 and 16. On Monday,
    December 11, the two chambers of the Romanian Parliament will pay homage to the
    former sovereign, in a joint solemn session. Michael I ruled between 1940
    and 1947. According to historians, with the decisions made during WWII he
    shortened the war by at least six months and saved hundreds of thousands of
    lives.



    The
    Romanian Government has endorsed the 2018 budget bill


    The 2018 budget and social security bill, approved by the Romanian
    Government on Wednesday, is based on a 5.5% forecast economic growth rate and
    an average annual inflation rate of 3.1%. Romanian PM Mihai Tudose has said it is
    for the first time that Romania’s GDP exceeds 200 billion Euros, which allows
    the Government to increase salaries and pensions. The bill will be adopted by
    the Romanian Parliament on December 21, according to a timetable set on Thursday
    by the joint Standing Bureaus of the Parliament’s two chambers. Also on
    Thursday, a revised estimate issued by the European Statistical Office, Eurostat, shows Romania
    registered the biggest economic growth rate across the EU in the third quarter
    of the year. In July-September, Romania’s GDP increased by 8.6% as compared to
    the same period of last year.



    Controversial justice
    bills in Romania


    The specialparliamentary commission on the justice laws has
    decided that it is necessary to set up a special section for the investigation
    of offences committed by prosecutors and judges in relation to their
    professional duties. The same commission has also approved a proposal under
    which services, bureaus and other operational compartments within the National
    Anti-corruption Directorate can’t be set up without the approval of the
    Prosecutors Section of the Higher Council of Magistrates. The
    proposals have been backed by the MPs of the ruling coalition made up of the
    Social Democratic Party and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, as well as
    by MPs of the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania. The National
    Liberal Party and the Save Romania Union, in opposition, voted against the
    setting up of a Section for the investigation of prosecutors and judges, on
    grounds that it would be used in order to intimidate and put pressure on
    magistrates. The ruling coalition’s plan to amend the justice laws has
    generated protests in Bucharest and other big cities across the country.



    Romanian women handball players have qualified for the
    round of sixteen of the World Championships in Germany, and Romania’s football
    vice-champions have qualified to the Europa League round of 32


    Romania’s
    national handball team has qualified from the first position in the group to
    the round of sixteen of the World Championships in Germany, after defeating
    Angola on Thursday evening. The national team has had an excellent performance,
    with 4 wins in the matches with Paraguay, Slovenia, Spain and Angola. In the
    previous edition, held in 2015, Romania won the bronze medal. It is the only
    team which has participated in all the 22 world championship final tournaments
    so far. In another move, Romania’s football vice-champion FCSB (former Steaua
    Bucuresti) on Thursday evening lost on home turf, 1-2, the last match of the
    Europa League Group G, to the Swiss team FC Lugano. FCSB has qualified to the
    round of the last 32, from the second position in the group.

  • December 8, 2017 UPDATE

    December 8, 2017 UPDATE


    MICHAEL I The last sovereign of Romania, King Michael I, is being commemorated through special religious services around the country and also in Switzerland, where he died on December 5th. His body will be brought to Romania on December 13th. Since his death, many people have signed books of condolences at the royal Peles Castle in the mountain resort of Sinaia and also in Bucharest. The Romanian government has declared the 14th , 15th and 16th of December days of national mourning. The former sovereign will be buried on December 16th in Curtea de Arges, southern Romania.



    CONSTITUTION Promoting the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, the fight against corruption and ensuring the integrity of public jobs and positions are constitutional, non-negotiable values, which cannot be restricted or eliminated, said President Klaus Iohannis on Friday, in a message conveyed on Romanian Constitution Day, established through a referendum 26 years ago. As the head of state, whose duties include defending and upholding the Constitution, Iohannis urged all state institutions to observe not only the letter, but also the spirit of the fundamental law. Romanians are now more united than ever around fundamental principles and they are campaigning actively to defend these principles, the president also stated. His address came against the background of street protests sparked off by some controversial amendments proposed by the leftist ruling coalition, which are currently under debate in Parliament.



    ISRAEL Romania maintains its stand with regard to the creation of two states, Israel and Palestine, existing together as good, prosperous neighbours, said in Bucharest on Friday the Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu. He said that the solution must be reached through direct dialogue between the two parties and without unilateral measures, which would impact negotiations in a negative way. According to Melescanu, the announcement made by the US President Donald Trump regarding the recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel is a clear signal that the US wants to get involved in finding a solution. Donald Trumps statement triggered international reactions. An ally to the US, Saudi Arabia has termed the decision as irresponsible. Other traditional allies have criticised Trumps stand too, while Russia and China have voice worries over a potential escalation of tensions in the region. All Palestinian factions have condemned this decision, calling for strikes and protests. Large scale rallies have been staged in Gaza Strip and many countries in the region have warned that changing the status of Jerusalem will generate religious tension.



    BREXIT The European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker announced in Brussels on Friday that sufficient progress had been made in the first phase of Brexit negotiations to allow movement to the next phase. At a joint conference with the Prime Minister Theresa May, Junker said that both sides had shown adaptability and readiness for compromise. In turn, Theresa May stated that London and Brussels had reached an agreement on the rights of the EU and British citizens and on the Irish border. On December 15th, the European Council must decide whether sufficient progress has been made so that negotiations with London can advance. According to the European Commission, progress has been made in the three priority fields: citizens rights, dialogue on the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland and the financial agreement. Following the European Commissions announcement, the Romanian Minister Delegate for European Affairs Victor Negrescu has stated that the situation of the Romanian citizens in Great Britain is priority zero.



    NATO A NATO liaison office was inaugurated on Friday in Chisinau, the capital of the Republic of Moldova, after a series of delays. The opening ceremony was attended, among others, by the Deputy Secretary General of the Alliance Rose Gottemoeller and the Prime Minister of Moldova Pavel Filip. The NATO Deputy Secretary General said that the inauguration of the office was a clear signal and confirmation of the fact that NATO paid particular attention to the relationship with the Republic of Moldova. In turn, Pavel Filip said that the opening of the office was an element of normality and openness towards the world. On the other hand, the President of the Republic of Moldova Igor Dodon stated that existence of the mission in Moldovas capital would be a security threat and would affect the states sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. NATOs liaison office in Chisinau, which, according to experts, is just a diplomatic mission, will have only civilian staff, just like the missions in Georgia, Russia and Ukraine.



    TRADE AGREEMENT The EU and Japan on Friday finalized negotiations for a trade agreement, which started in 2013. According to France Presse, the announcement was made right before the World Trade Organisation summit, sending a clear message to the international community, the US president Donald Trump in particular. In a joint satement, the European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and the Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe state that “the finalisation of the negotiations on the EU-Japan EPA demonstrates to the world the firm political will of Japan and the EU to keep the flag of free trade waving high and powerfully advance free trade”. According the European Commissioner for Trade, Cecilia Malmstrom, the agreement is of utmost importance. “The Commission will submit the agreement for the approval of the European Parliament and EU Member States, aiming for its entry into force before the end of the current mandate of the European Commission in 2019” reads the European Commissions press realease. The EU is Japans third largest trading partner.



    DRILL The French frigate Guepratte, which has arrived in the Romanian Black Sea port of Constanta, is to join Romanian corvette Eugeniu Rosca and dreadnought Lupu Dinescu for an air-defence drill, which also involves the participation of warplanes from the Romanian and Canadian air forces stationed at the Mihail Kogalniceanu air base. The drills main aim is to raise the training level of the participant crews as well as to develop relations between allied forces.



    HANDBALL Romanias national womens handball team has qualified on the first position for the round of 16 of the World Championships in Germany. On Thursday night the Romanian handballers clinched a win against Angola, while France drew their match against Spain allowing the Romanians to end up on the first position in group A. Romania will be further playing the winner of the game pitching Hungary against the Czech Republic. The Romanian handballers have so far managed only good shows with four wins in their fixtures against Paraguay, Slovenia, Spain and Angola. At the previous edition in 2015, Romania ended up on the third position walking away with bronze. Romania is the only side that has so far participated in all the 22 editions of the world championship.