February 20, 2022
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Newsroom, 20.02.2022, 14:11
COVID-19 Most of the indicators used to assess the Covid-19 pandemic in Romania have lately been on a downward trend. Authorities announced over 76 hundred new cases on Sunday as well as 68 related fatalities. The largest number of infected persons since the onset of the pandemic in Romania was registered on February 1st, 40,018. Doctors in this country have pointed out that the pandemic isnt over yet and it is important that safety measures be respected and the vaccine rollout carried on. According to them, the other countries have resorted to lifting some restrictions thanks to the higher vaccination rates, unmatched in Romania. Authorities are presently considering a series of relaxation measures to be gradually applied, but have announced that a decision is to be made depending on the situation in hospitals across the country. According to Health Minister Alexandru Rafila, it is important that people protect themselves against SARS-CoV-2 and recommended that face covering be maintained. Experts have sounded the alarm against a fresh Omicron variant, which is more transmissible than the one dominant at present being also immune to some anti-viral treatment.
TALKS US president Joe Biden is today meeting the National Security Council for talks on the situation in Ukraine. For the first time since the beginning of the crisis, Biden is convinced that Russian president Vladimir Putin has made a decision to invade Ukraine and a possible attack is only a matter of time. On Saturday at the security conference in Munich, the USA had again cautioned that an invasion in Ukraine would entail unprecedented sanctions for Moscow. Vice president of the United States Kamala Harris says that besides economic measures, the USA will continue to strengthen NATOs eastern flank. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky told the Munich conference that Ukraine would not respond to provocations but defend itself against a Russian aggression. Ukraine is Europes shield against Russia, Zelensky also said. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told the Munich conference that there is no sign on the pullout of Russian troops from the border with Ukraine. Also attending the conference in Munich, the head of the Romanian diplomacy, Bogdan Aurescu reiterated Romanias stand that the present security crises in the Black Sea is not a regional crisis but affects the entire Euro Atlantic security. Aurescu has underlined the importance for the countries in the region to be pro-active and cooperate in order to overcome the challenges.
DAY 166 years were celebrated on Sunday since Romania abolished slavery among its Roma minority after more than five centuries. Under a law promulgated in 2011, this day has been celebrated in Romania ever since so that it may shed light on a history page not enough known in this country. The abolition process kicked off by political leader Mihail Kogalniceanu in 1837 was completed on February 20th 1856 through a decree issued by ruler Barbu Stirbei. Setting the Roma free has laid the foundation for the process of recovering the identity and memory of a community heavily tried by history, Romanian president Klaus Iohannis said in a message conveyed on Sunday.
INVICTUS An invictus team made up of Romanian servicemen wounded in various operation theatres around the world is going to represent Romania at the Invictus Games due to kick off in the Hague in April, says a communique issued by the countrys Defence Ministry. This would be the third participation of this army team in the aforementioned international competition, after the editions in Toronto 2017 and Sydney 2018. 20 wounded servicemen are to compete in 7 sporting disciplines in the Invictus competition.
SPORT The Romanian womens water polo selection conceded defeat to Germany 11-4 in Bucharest on Sunday in their last game in the European Championship qualifiers. Both sides had already been qualified for the prestigious competition. In the other game of the qualifiers, Slovakia secured a 22-9 win against Ireland. Germany ranks first in the group with 12 points, followed by Romania with 9, Slovakia with 6, Ukraine and Ireland each with one point. This qualification has been a first for our womens side.
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