November 24, 2018 UPDATE

For a roundup of domestic and international news, click here

Newsroom, 24.11.2018, 19:04

RECEPTION – Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and
Romanian Orthodox Patriarch Daniel on Saturday were received by President Klaus
Iohannis. Patriarch Bartholomew visited Bucharest to attend the consecration of
the new national cathedral. President Iohannis said the moment represents a
landmark for Romanian Orthodox believers at home and abroad, steeped in history
and symbolism. On December 1 Romania marks 100 years since the Great Union.

BREXIT – Spain and Great Britain on Saturday settled their dispute
regarding Gibraltar, thus removing the last obstacle in the way of the Brexit
agreement, which could be finalized on Sunday as part of an emergency European
Council summit held in Brussels. Previously Madrid threatened to oppose the
Brexit agreement unless the text provides an amendment in the case of
Gibraltar, a state under British rule which Spain has claimed. The European
Union and the United Kingdom consented on a political declaration that sets the
framework for post-Brexit relations, particularly regarding trade. Romania’s
President Klaus Iohannis will attend the European Council summit in Brussels on
Sunday, aimed at voting the Brexit agreement. The President told the General
Assembly of the European Center for Worker Issues that, for the first time
since its EU accession in 2007, Romania will have to deal with major challenges
such as Brexit, the post-2020 multi-annual financial framework and migration as
president of the EU Council in 2019.

POLICE – The Romanian Police has taken part in the 16th
international Rail Action Day – 24 Blue, held by the European Rail Police
(RAILPOL) all across Europe. Over 400 rail police officers took part in the
action. RAILPOL is an international association of organizations of EU member
states in the field of maintaining public order and security in the field of
rail transport. The main purpose of RAILPOL is to intensify rail policing
cooperation and ensure the safety of rail travellers.

SWINE FEVER VIRUS – Over 1,100 outbreaks of African swine fever
virus are now reported in nearly 300 towns and villages in 17 counties, the
National Veterinary and Sanitary Authority has announced. So far over 360,000
pigs have been culled and nearly 8,000 pig farmers have been compensated. The
Authority says Satu Mare County, where the first case of the virus was reported
last year, is now virus-free. Romania has called on the EU for support to
compensate pig farmers.

PROTESTS – The French Police used tear gas and water cannons to
disperse the crowd of people protesting in Paris against the increase in fuel
prices in the second week of street protests. Clashes between the riot police
and protesters were reported on Champs Elysees. At least one person was
detained. Protesters chanted anti-Government slogans. Over 300,000 people
protested last Saturday all over France.

RADIRO – The International Festival of Radio Orchestras (RaDiRo)
continued on Saturday with a concert performed by the Orchestra della Svizzera
Italiana of Lugano, Switzerland. RaDiRo is the only event in Europe and the
world devoted to radio orchestras. All concerts are broadcast live by Radio
Romania’s stations, recorded and broadcast by the public television as well as
members of the European Radio Broadcasting Union.

RUGBY – The Romanian national rugby
team on Saturday lost 20-27 to Uruguay in a friendly game. Romania has dropped
one position in world rankings to 17, after sustaining a bitter 5-31 defeat
against the United States last week and failing to qualify to the World Cup to
be held in Japan next year.

(Translated by V. Palcu)