26 February, 2016
Romania continues anti-corruption fight, US Ambassador defends US policy in CEE
Roxana Vasile, 26.02.2016, 11:59
US Ambassador to Bucharest Hans Klemm attended a conference in the city of Cluj on security issues, and stated that the world at present is rife with threats, and that Russia destabilizes European security. The American diplomat recalled that Moscow has dubbed NATO its main military danger, saying that the anti-ballistic missile shield, elements of which are being deployed in Romania, was a threat to global stability. Mr. Klemm underlined the defensive nature of the shield, and said that the US would continue to bring military materiel to Europe in order to bolster is capacity as a key element of NATO.
In Romania, temperatures are rising above the usual for late February, with values between 4 and 15 degrees Celsius, with a noon reading in Bucharest of 11 degrees. Skies are temporarily overcast, with light winds and showers in the mountains. There is a yellow alert for flooding in five river basins until tomorrow morning.
22 countries, including Romania, will take part in the NATO exercise dubbed Anaconda, the most important in Poland’s modern history. According to high-ranking Polish military officials, over 27,000 military personnel will take part in the exercise between 7 and 17 June, scheduled ahead of the NATO Warsaw summit in early July. One other exercise is scheduled in parallel, Saber Strike, which aims to improve mobilization in the Baltic countries, Romania, Bulgaria, Germany and Poland. The exercises aim to consolidate the eastern flank of the alliance after the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Member of Parliament Nicolae Paun, representing the Roma minority, finds out today if he will be taken into custody. He was retained on Thursday by anti-corruption prosecutors for embezzlement and money laundering. Nicolae Paun, alongside Social Democratic MP Madalin Voicu, is suspected of having stolen as much as 6 million Euro in European funds aimed at improving living conditions for the Roma in Romania. Voicu is being investigated while at large after Parliament voted last week against lifting his immunity. Also today, Liberal Senator Doina Tudor is awaiting a decision for or against her arrest, accused of bribe taking. Her former husband, Daniel Tudor, is under house arrest and investigation for bribe taking in a kickback case.
The feature film Son of Saul, with Romanian actor Levente Molnar on the credits, as well as Paolo Sorrentino’s film Youth, featuring Romanian actress and model Madalina Ghenea, have been nominated for best foreign movie at the Cesar awards, the most prestigious in French cinema. The awards will be granted tonight. Son of Saul has also been nominated in the Best Foreign Film category at the Academy Awards. The Hungarian-French co-production got the grand prize in Cannes last year.
12 more people have died of the flu this past week in Romania, bringing up the death toll to 33, according to public health authorities. 31 cases have been confirmed of the AH1N1 strain, known as swine flu, as well as two cases of the AH3 strain.
As many as 55 million Iranians are going to the polls today to vote in parliamentary elections, as well as in elections for the Assembly of Experts, which nominated or dismisses the country’s supreme leader. The elections are vital for moderate president Rohani’s continuation of moderate policies. This election is the first major one to be held since the dropping of international sanctions leveled against Iran’s nuclear program.
