April 14, 2025
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 14.04.2025, 13:54
Condolences. The interim president of Romania, Ilie Bolojan, sent a message of condolences after the Russian army’s missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, which left at least 34 dead and almost 100 injured. Bolojan stressed, once again, that Romania continues to support all efforts for peace and to put an end to these war crimes. Political leaders and international figures, including the US special envoy for Ukraine, the president of France, the chancellor of Germany, the prime ministers of Great Britain and Italy, as well as the Polish diplomacy, have criticized Russia’s attack in harsh terms.
Delegation. A US Congress delegation is paying a visit to Romania today, the first since the inauguration of the Donald Trump administration. The agenda includes talks on strengthening bilateral relations and strategic issues, including security in the Black Sea area. According to the head of the presidential chancellery, Cristian Diaconescu, the delegation is made up of both Republicans and Democrats. They will meet with the interim president, Ilie Bolojan, with Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and other high-ranking officials in Romania.
Exhibition. As of Sunday, 160 countries and regions, including Romania, are participating for six months in the World Expo 2025 hosted by Osaka, Japan. The theme of this year’s world exhibition is the society of the future, with an emphasis on artificial intelligence and space. The Romanian pavilion, called the “Romanian Magic Box”, has an architectural concept created by students and is part of a section dedicated to innovative and sustainable solutions for protecting and saving lives. Until October 13, the Romanian pavilion will host economic and trade promotion events, as well as thousands of cultural moments. Romania’s Day at World Expo 2025 is scheduled for June 26, when a Multisectoral Economic Forum will take place.
Llosa. Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2010, died on Sunday in Lima at the age of 89. His death marks the end of the golden generation of Latin American literature, of which he was the last great representative, FP reports. Appreciated for the way he describes social realities, the author of masterpieces such as ”La ciudad y los perros” (The City and the Dogs, 1966), ”Conversación en La Catedral” (Conversation in the Cathedral, 1975) was also criticized in South American intellectual circles for his conservative views. He ran for president of Peru in 1990, but lost to Alberto Fujimori.
Passion Week. The Holy Week, also known as Passion Week, started today for Orthodox Christians, Greek Catholics and Roman Catholics. This period marks the last days of the Easter Lent and prepares believers for the celebration of the Lord’s Resurrection. Every evening, special services are held in churches across Romania, recollecting the last moments of the life of Jesus Christ before his crucifixion. This year, all Christians celebrate Easter on the same date – April 20.
Handbal. The Romanian women’s handball team qualified for the 2025 World Championship, after defeating the Italian team, with a score of 31-17, on Sunday evening, in Bistrita (north), in the second leg of the play-off. The tricolors had also won the first leg, away from home, 30-21. The World Championship will be hosted by Germany and the Netherlands, between November 26 and December 14. Romania, which participated in all editions of the Women’s Handball World Championship, ranked 12th in 2023. (MI)
