April 7, 2022 UPDATE

Click here for a roundup of domestic and international news

Newsroom, 07.04.2022, 20:11

UKRAINE
The European Parliament on Thursday adopted with a landslide majority a
resolution calling for an immediate full embargo on Russian imports of coal,
nuclear fuel and gas. Among other things, the document provides for renouncing
the North Stream 1 and 2 pipelines altogether and includes a plan for assuring
short-term energy supplies to the bloc. Under the document, arm supplies to
Ukraine must continue so that the country may be able to defend itself
properly. However, according to Rompres news agency, the resolution has only a
symbolical character. The US
has imposed new sanctions on two of Russia’s largest banks, as well as on
Vladimir Putin’s two adult daughters, on Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, on
the wife and children of Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, on members of the
Security Council of Russia, including Dimitri Medvedev, a former President and Prime
Minister. On the other hand, the Ukrainian police found new bodies of people
shot in Hostomel, near Kyiv, a town recently liberated from the occupation of
Russian troops. According to the locals, they were killed by snipers. The
Ukrainian military record war crimes cases in every city or town where the Russian
soldiers were present. According to the Ukrainian officials, more than 1,200
lawsuits have been opened in the Kyiv region over war crimes committed by the
occupiers. Polish President Andrzej Duda described the Russian military’s
actions in Ukraine as genocide and called on the West to strengthen
sanctions against Moscow. On the ground, according to the General Staff of the
Ukrainian Armed Forces, Russian occupiers are preparing an offensive operation
in the east of the country to establish full control over the territory of the
Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Pentagon confirms that the Russian troops have
completely withdrawn from Ukrainian capital Kyiv and from Cernihiv.

COVID Romania’s Ministry of Health has reported 1984 new Covid-19
infections in the past 24 hours, 336 less than in the previous day. 23 related
fatalities have also been reported and the number of people in hospital care
stays around 2153. 280 patients are being treated in ICUs. 2.85 million
infections have been reported on the Romanian territory since the beginning of
the pandemic and 65 thousand people died. Since March 9th, no anti-Covid
restriction has been applied in Romania. On Thursday, the World Health Day Romanian
president Klaus Iohannis awarded medals to several doctors and nurses for their
activity during the pandemic.

PROTEST Trade unionists from Romania’s
airline Tarom on Thursday mounted a protest rally in front of the company’s
offices. In early April Tarom employees announced their intention to protest
for the entire month disgruntled by the lack of a wage grid and the shortage of
personnel. The protesters are also disgruntled by the fact that the wage budget
has not been increased by 35%. Trade union protests also took place in Romania
on Wednesday.

TALKS NATO Foreign Ministers including Romania’s Bogdan Aurescu
held talks in Brussels on the relationship with partners in the regions of
Europe and Asia-Pacific. High on the agenda was also the situation in Ukraine
and the need for supporting this country by the allied and partner countries as
well as preparations for the summer summit in Madrid. The Romanian Minister has
underlined that the allies’ security is intrinsically tied to that of the
partners in the neighborhood and the resilience of the partners is tightly
connected to that of the allies. The Romanian official has reiterated that the
practical support for strengthening the resilience of the Republic of Moldova
and Georgia must remain a top priority for all partners. Aurescu has
highlighted the need for keeping and strengthening allied unity and solidarity
with a view to handling the effects of the Russian aggression as well as the
continuation of providing support for Ukraine. He reiterated Romania’s position
about the need to build a stronger defence for a better deterrence on the
Eastern Flank especially in the Black Sea. During the event a formal meeting of
NATO Foreign Minister was announced to be hosted by Bucharest over November 29th
and 30th.

POLL Half of the Romanians believes their financial situation
has worsened this year and forecasts are pessimistic. Only a little over 9% say
their incomes have improved, a survey conducted by the CEC Bank jointly with
Finzoom has revealed. 43% of the respondents believe they are going to fare
worse in the future and the main reason is the latest price hikes in energy as
the expenses for utilities are bearing on heavily on a Romanian family’s
budget. Second on their worry list is the expansion of the conflict in
neighboring Ukraine. Founded back in 1864, the CEC Bank is presently boasting
the longest tradition in Romania.

UN
With 93 votes in favour,
24 against and 58 abstentions, the UN General Assembly on Thursday suspended
Russia from the Human Rights Council for having invaded Ukraine. The move was
initiated by the United States and other countries including Britain. In the UN
history only Libya led by Moammar Gaddafi was suspended in 2011, but this time the
suspended is a permanent member of the Security Council.

(bill)