September 5, 2019
A Romanian soldier was killed on Thursday in Kabul, Afghanistan; Bucharest hosts the Forum of Romanians Abroad
România Internațional, 05.09.2019, 14:02
ATTACK – A Romanian soldier died on Thursday in Kabul, Afghanistan, according to Defense Minister Gabriel Les. The bombing was claimed by the Taliban, killing at least 5 people and injuring 25. Romania has 762 military personnel in Afghanistan, as part of the NATO Resolute Support mission. 27 Romanians have lost their lives since 2003 as part of joint military missions in that country. President Klaus Iohannis and PM Viorica Dancila have issued condolences. This attack comes three days from one other in the Afghan capital, in which one Romanian diplomat lost his life and another was gravely injured. The latter is now under care and will be transferred to Europe for further medical care, according to the Foreign Ministry. A task force was formed at the ministry, related to the situation. The Romanian Embassy building has been severely damaged, after the attack in a residential area hosting many foreign citizens and international organizations.
FORUM — PM Viorica Dancila opened on Thursday the meeting of the Forum of Romanians Abroad, calling on the Standing Election Authority to expand the deadline for Romanians abroad registering to vote, in order to increase the number of absentee voters, in view of the presidential elections in November. She said that defending and promoting the rights of Romanians abroad are a constant concern for the government. The Minister for Romanians Abroad, Natalia Intotero, told Radio Romania that the forum brings together 120 representatives of the diaspora, as well as that of minority communities in neighboring countries. Minister Intotero specified that this forum is a good opportunity to bring up the issues facing the members of the diaspora, also giving them an opportunity to interact with state institutions on issues of education in Romanian, language learning courses, as well as business opportunities.
FOOTBALL – Romanias national football team meets Thursday night in Bucharest former world and European champions Spain, in a Group F game in the preliminaries of the European championships of next year. Also playing in the group are Feroe Islands, going against Sweden, and Malta going against Norway. The leader right now is Spain, with 12 points, followed by Sweden and Romania with 7 points, Norway, with 5 points, Malta, 3 points, and Feroe Islands, with no points. The final tournament will feature the top two teams. The drawing of the lots for Euro 2020 will be hosted by Bucharest in late November. The Romanian capital will also host four games in the final tournament.
ENESCU — The sixth day of the 24th edition of the George Enescu Festival features nine concerts and recitals in the cities of Bucharest, Sibiu, Bacau, and Barlad. Performing are the Pleas Chamber Orchestra, the Europa Galante Baroque Instrument Orchestra, the George Enescu Philharmonic Choir, as well as the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, directed by Vladimir Jorowsky, the artistic director of the festival. Radio Romania is a partner in producing the George Enescu International Festival.
TENNIS — Romanian Canadian tennis player Bianca Andreescu, 15th seeded, continues her exceptional performance at the US Open, the last Grand Slam of the year. She qualified to the semi-finals after defeating Belgian player Elise Martens, 26th seeded, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3. Andreescu will play her first Grand Slam semi-final. The 19 year-old will face off against Swiss player Belinda Bencic, 12th seeded. The other semi-final in Flushing Meadows will pit American Serena Williams, 8th seeded, against Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, 5th ranked.
