A roundup of domestic and international news
COVID-19 - 1,015 new cases of COVID-19 infection were reported on Saturday out of some 43,000 tests, the Group for Strategic Communication reports. 19 related fatalities have also been reported, while 243 people are in intensive care. 57,000 people are in home isolation and 63 in institutionalized quarantine. Most new cases were reported in Bucharest and Ilfov, Timiş, Bacău, Constanţa and Cluj counties. While Romania remains in the green zone, the overall incidence rate has been going up.
MOLDOVA - Romania supports the modernization of the Army of the Republic of Moldova, Romania's Defense Minister, Nicolae Ciucă said during a meeting with his Moldovan counterpart, Anatolie Nosaty. The two officials tackled topics pertaining to bilateral military cooperation. Minister Nosaty said Romania is a trusted and strategic partner of the Republic of Moldova, expressing gratitude for the constant assistance coming from Bucharest in the field of defense. He also referred to the training of Moldovan Army personnel in relevant Romanian institutions, the expertise offered in drafting strategic documents as part of the Initiative for Consolidating Defense Capabilities, as well as assistance aimed at combating the COVID-19 pandemic. General Ciucă on Friday attended, alongside President Klaus Iohannis, the military parade marking 30 years since the proclamation of independence of neighboring Moldova. Created on a part of Romania's eastern territories, annexed by the Soviet Union through an ultimatum in 1940, the Republic of Moldova won its independence after the abortive coup in Moscow against the then Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev. Adopted on August 27, 1991 by Parliament in Chisinau, the declaration of independence was recognized by Romania on the same day. The Republic of Moldova got international recognition on March 2, 1992 upon its accession to the United Nations Organization.
AFGHANISTAN - The crisis task force set up by Romanian authorities managed to evacuate 5 Afghan nationals from Kabul, who were admitted on Kabul airport and subsequently evacuated with support from Romania's international partners, the Foreign Ministry in Bucharest has announced. The Afghan citizens - an exchange student studying in Romania and two journalists together with their families, are now safe outside Afghan territory. The task force has issued and submitted documents to the five Afghan citizens, conforming they are under the protection of the Romanian state. The Ministry says Romania will continue to take steps to evacuate Afghan nationals who worked together with Romanian troops and international organizations, students in Romania, vulnerable categories such as journalists, human rights activists, magistrates and members of their families. All 49 Romanian citizens who wanted to leave Afghanistan have been evacuated. At the same time, the task force maintains contact with the nine Romanian citizens who are still in Afghanistan and who have notified Romanian authorities they do not wish to be evacuated.
BORDER POLICE - The Romanian Border Police have seized eight Indian nationals trying to illegally cross into Romania on the northeastern border, their aim being to reach the Schengen Area, the Border Police Territorial Inspectorate announced on Saturday. The eight men are aged 19 to 48 and are now being investigated by Romanian and Ukrainian authorities. Based on the agreement signed by the European Union and Ukraine, the eight citizens have been taken into custody by authorities of the neighboring state.
MEDALS - Romania obtained its first two medals in Tokyo Paralympics. Romanian cyclist Eduard Novak, who is also Romania's incumbent Minister of Youth and Sports, won silver in the 4,000-meter individual pursuit. Novak has thus won Romania's first medal in the present edition of the Paralympic Games and his fourth. Eduard Novak, 44, obtained gold and silver medals at the 2012 edition of these games held in London and silver in Beijing in 2008. Another Romanian, judoka Alex Bologa, won bronze in the 60-kg category of the aforementioned competition. Romania is being represented by 7 athletes at the present edition of the Tokyo Paralympics who participate in judo, athletics, table tennis, cycling and archery. (VP)
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