June 3, 2018 UPDATE
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Newsroom, 03.06.2018, 19:01
KOVESI — The National Liberal Party will support President Klaus Iohannis in his decision over the dismissal of the Chief Prosecutor of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) Laura Codruta Kovesi, Liberal leader Ludovic Orban said on Sunday. On Wednesday the Constitutional Court ruled that President Klaus Iohannis has to dismiss the Anti-Corruption Directorate chief, Laura Codruţa Kovesi. The Court ruling was criticised in the street by thousands of protesters, particularly in Bucharest. The Justice Minister Tudorel Toader moved to dismiss the head of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate. Following a negative opinion of the Higher Council of Magistracy on the request, President Iohannis refused to dismiss Kovesi, who in turn denied all accusations. After the President announced this decision, Minister Toader referred the matter to the Constitutional Court.
EXERCISE — Until June 17, 30 Romanian marines and two staff officers are participating in the multinational drill BALTOPS 18, one of the biggest joint drills in northern Europe. The maneuvers are to be held in Lithuania, Poland, Germany and the international waters of the Baltic Sea. BALTOPS 18 is an annual drill staged and funded by the United States European Command (EUCOM). The participation of the Romanian troops in these maneuvers significantly increase their training level at the same time boosting the image of Romania and its naval forces in terms of cooperation with NATO structures, the Chief of Staff of the Romanian Navy has pointed out.
BOOKFEST — The 2018 BookFest Trade Fair came to an end on Sunday. Bringing together over 150 publishers, Bookfest this year played host to hundreds of events, from book launches to film screenings. For the third consecutive year, Bookfest was organized under the high patronage of Romania’s President, Klaus Iohannis. In his opening address, President Iohannis said he believes in the link between books, education and the consolidation of democracy. This year’s guest of honor was the United States of America.
NORTH KOREA — US Secretary of Defense James Mattis said North Korea must make verifiable and irreversible steps towards denuclearization if it wants the UN to lift the sanctions. The US official is attending a security summit in Singapore. US President Donald Trump will meet North-Korean leader Kim Jong-Un on June 12 in Singapore, for talks over a peaceful solution to North Korea’s nuclear programme. Pyongyang accepted to start talks on denuclearization, provided the process goes both ways.
TIFF — Marcelo Martinessi’s The Heiresses has scooped the grand prize of the Transylvania International Film Festival (TIFF), one of Europe’s biggest such events hosted by Cluj-Napoca, northwestern Romania. The awards gala also brought an homage to Romanian director Lucian Pintilie, who recently passed away. French actress Fanny Ardant grabbed the lifelong achievement award. This year’s edition included 227 productions, 178 feature films and 49 short reels from all over the world. In the Romanian film section some 35 local productions were screened, among which Adina Pintilie’s Touch Me Not, which won the Golden Bear this year, as well as Andrei Cretulescu’s debut feature Charleston. This year’s guest of honor was opera singer Angela Gheorghiu.
CYCLING — Romanian professional racing cyclist Sergey Tsvetcov on Sunday won the Tour de Korea race in South Korea. Stepan Astafiev of Kazakhstan was runner up while Matteo Busato of Italy came in third. This is Tsvetkov’s most important win. He is part of Romania’s national road bycicle team and is currently competing for a US-based club.
TENNIS — Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, world number one and seeded first at Roland Garros on Monday is playing Elise Mertens of Belgium in the round of 16 at the French Open. Another Romanian, Mihaela Buzarnescu, on Sunday lost to Madison Keys of the United States. A total of six Romanians made it to the main draw this year. Irina Maria Bara and Mihaela Buzarnescu will compete in the doubles’ round of 16, playing against Jennifer Brady and Vania King of the United States.
(Translated by V. Palcu)
