September 14, 2014 UPDATE

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România Internațional, 14.09.2014, 12:05

BEHEADING — The Islamic State has uploaded a video of the beheading of British aid worker David Haines as retaliation to the United Kingdom joining the international coalition aimed at combating the Islamic State. If the video proves genuine, this would make the third execution of this type after last month US journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff were killed in a similar way after being held hostage in Syria. The video also includes a footing of another hostage, while the masked terrorist warns that he would be next in line to die unless British Prime Minister David Cameron stops supporting the fight against the Islamic State. David Cameron has condemned the execution of Haines and promised he would hunt down the killers and bring them to justice. In turn, United States president Barack Obama harshly condemned the barbaric execution of Haines. Over 40 countries worldwide, including 10 Arab nations, have joined efforts as part of a US-led plan to combat this terrorist cell that is now de facto controlling large areas of Iraq and Syria.

REACTION — The Romanian Foreign Ministry on Sunday condemned the barbaric beheading of British David Haines by Islamic State terrorists. Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean said he was shocked and appalled by this new act of cruelty, pointing out that its perpetrators must be held accountable. The Romanian Foreign Ministry has sent a message of compassion to the family of David Haines and to the British people.

BACK TO SCHOOL — Some 3.2 million students are on Monday starting a new school year. According to the Romanian Education Ministry, the Baccalaureate exam and the National Test for eighth graders will keep their current structure. Instead Ministry officials have announced several changes to curricula, including a series of optional subjects, from architecture and chess to the history of jazz. Handbooks for first and second graders have been changed, although the authorities have not yet been able to make them available in all schools.

EU FUNDS — The European Commission next week will introduce measures to support member states currently affected by the Russian embargo imposed on farm products. On September 10, the initiative was suspended due to the large number of requests, especially from Polish farmers. European Commissioner for Agriculture Romanian Dacian Ciolos on Sunday said in Bucharest that an additional 60 million euros will be made available to funds aimed at supporting the external market. This figure will add to the 125 million euros originally earmarked in an attempt to avoid a slump in prices due to a production surplus. Early in August, Russia banned imports of farm products and foodstuffs originating from countries that imposed sanctions on Moscow in the context of the crisis in Eastern Ukraine. The embargo is targeting the United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia and Norway.

TENNIS — Romania will remain in Group 1 of Europe/Africa zone of the Davis Cup after Sunday’s win over Sweden. In the last two matches on Sunday, Adrian Ungur defeated Elias Ymer in four sets, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6, 6-3. With this win Ungur brought the score on aggregate to 3-1. The score on Friday was 2-1 for Romania. The last match pitting Marius Copil against Christian Lindell was called off.