April 16, 2023
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 16.04.2023, 14:00
Easter. In Romania, Orthodox (majority) and Greek-Catholic Christians celebrate today the Resurrection of Jesus, the biggest holiday in the Christian calendar. On Saturday, at midnight, belivers received the holy light from the priests and listened to the evangelical account of the Resurrection in front of churches. In his sermon, Patriarch Daniel of the Orthodox Church explained how the Resurrection of the Lord gave a new orientation to the Christians life and a new meaning to death. “The source of joy and peace in a Christians life is their connection with the Crucified and Resurrected Christ, that is why on Easter we should not be sad, but rejoice”, said Patriarch Daniel.
Protests. Thousands of Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv again on Saturday evening to protest against the justice reform desired by the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which the demonstrators consider an attack on democracy, FP reports. Smaller demonstrations also took place in other Israeli cities. Since the announcement of the controversial reform project in early January, tens of thousands of Israelis have gathered every week to protest it. Prime Minister Netanyahu announced on March 27 a break to give a chance to dialogue, after the start of a general strike and the emergence of tensions within the government majority. The government claims that the reform aims, among other things, to rebalance the powers by reducing the prerogatives of the Supreme Court, which the executive considers politicized, for the benefit of Parliament. Critics of the reform believe, on the contrary, that it risks opening the way to an authoritarian drift, AFP also reports.
Electricity. Romanians consumed less electricity in the first two months of this year compared to the same period in 2022, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics. The decrease was more than 18%. Businesses also consumed less, by 3%, and public lighting was reduced by more than a quarter. INS reports that in January and February the production in hydropower plants increased by almost a third compared to the beginning of last year. Wind energy production increased, but the production of nuclear energy slightly decreased.
G7. The G7 Energy and Environment Ministers set on Sunday the goal of reducing the C02 emissions of motor vehicles by at least 50% by 2035, compared to the levels of 2000. The goal appears in a Joint Declaration adopted at the end of the two-day meeting that took place in Sapporo (northern Japan), and which focused on accelerating efforts to combat climate change. The measure is part of the global goal of reaching net zero emissions in the automotive sector by 2050. This will require key industry actions in all countries, including measures already implemented by the G7 members to achieve 100% electric vehicle sales by 2035.
Tennis. In Koper, in Slovenia, the doubles match between the womens tennis teams of Romania and Slovenia is taking place today, interrupted on Saturday due to rain. It is the decisive match for the qualification for the final tournament of the Billie Jean King Cup competition. After the singles matches, the score is equal, 2-2. The doubles match between the pairs Irina Bara/Monica Niculescu and Kaja Juvan/Tamara Zidansek was interrupted at the score of 3-3. The only direct match between the two teams took place in 2000 and was won by Slovenia 3-0, in Spain, in Group I of the Europe/Africa zone.
Weightlifting. On Saturday evening, Romanian athlete Mihaela Cambei won three gold medals in the 49 kg. category at the European Weightlifting Championships in Yerevan (Armenia). Cambei won in the snatch with 92 kg, in the throw with 106 kg, and in total with 198 kg. She also set two new European records, in snatch and total. Romania aims to win four medals at the European Games in Yerevan, which are qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Weather. The Romanian National Meteorological Administration has issued an information of quantitatively moderate rains and wind intensifications, valid in almost all of Romania, from Sunday noon to Monday morning. In this interval, rains, especially in the form of showers, accompanied in some places by thunder storms, will be expanding from the south to most of the country. ANM reports that for most of next week there will be periods of showers in most areas. The highs of the day range between 13 and 22 degrees centigrade, with a 17 degree reading in Bucharest at noon. (MI)
