November 24, 2018
For a roundup of domestic and international news, click here
Newsroom, 24.11.2018, 13:47
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 – British Prime Minister Thereza May on Saturday will hold
talks in Brussels ahead of Sunday’s crucial Brexit summit. Thereza May will
talk with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and European
Council President Donald Tusk. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez 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. Spain’s
request is the last obstacle in the way of a unanimous approval of the Brexit
agreement treaty. 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.
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)
continues 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 is today playing Uruguay at home in a friendly match. 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.
HANDBALL – The Romanian women’s handball
team has secured qualification to the Carpathians Trophy final after defeating
Serbia on Friday in Bucharest. In the final Romania will be playing our
country’s B team. The tournament comes ahead of the European Championship to be
held in France in December, where Romania will play the Czech Republic, Germany
and Norway. The first three teams in each group will advance to the next phase.
Romania was ranked 5 at the European Championships of 2016 and grabbed its best
performance in 2010 when it scooped bronze.
(Translated by V. Palcu)
