November 26, 2020

november 26, 2020 A roundup of local and international news.

Coronavirus Romania. Almost 450,000 people have had Covid-19 in Romania since the start of the outbreak, with some 9,000 new cases and 171 new deaths reported on Thursday. 1,226 people are receiving intensive care treatment. A number of villages around Bucharest are in lockdown. People's health comes first and easing restrictions too early risks undoing the progress made, said president Klaus Iohannis. He explained that, according to statistical data, new infections have begun to drop slightly countywide over the last six days.


Coronavirus world. Global coronavirus cases pass 60 million and the death toll 1.42 million. The US, which is the worst hit country in the world, has recorded 13 million cases and at least 268,000 deaths. In Europe, the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said the first European citizens may be vaccinated  before the end of December. In a speech before the European Parliament, she said EU member states should start preparing the logistics for the deployment of the vaccine doses. The European Union on Wednesday signed a contract with the American biotechnology company Moderna for 160 million doses of its vaccine, which offers 94.5% protection. Meanwhile, most countries are struggling with high infection rates. Despite this, France, Ireland and the UK have announced plans to ease restrictions around Christmas, to allow people to visit friends and families.


Recovery. The recovery and Resilience Plan for Romania will be presented publicly this evening in the presence of president Klaus Iohannis, prime minister Ludovic Orban and the government. President Iohannis said last weekend that this is a comprehensive plan and the measures envisaged benefit from over 30 billion euros of European funding. He also said the plan is about reforms, infrastructure and many sectors that need to be modernised and revived. He explained that after being made public, the recovery and resilience plan would go on to be submitted to public consultation before being presented in Brussels so that funding be released next year.


Media freedom. The European Parliament is deeply concerned about the state of media freedom in the European Union, which has deteriorated amid the pandemic, and is deploring the violence, harassment and pressure on journalists. In a resolution adopted on Wednesday, the European Parliament warns of attempts by the governments of some member states to silence critical and independent media and undermine freedom and pluralism. MEPs are particularly concerned about the state of public service media in some EU countries, where they have become an example of pro-government propaganda. The European Parliament is also critical of governments for invasive interference in public advertising and emphasises that EU funds must not be spent on government-controlled media or political propaganda.


Moldova. The president elect of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu has unveiled her  priorities. She said Moldova is facing a crisis in all areas and that things can be solved through gradual effort aimed in three main directions: a positive foreign policy to take the country out of isolation; a state budget for next year that ensures support for the economy; and firm action to combat corruption. Maia Sandu also said that a visit to Chisinau by the Romanian president Klaus Iohannis would be organised in the first weeks of her mandate and that she is also planning to meet Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky.


Maradona. The former great Romanian player Gheorghe Hagi deplores the death of Diego Maradona, saying he was unique and an inspiration to him for his love of the game. Hagi was often compared with the Argentina star player and was even called "Maradona from the Carpathians" at the peak of his career. The former Romanian international player Miodrag Belodedici also paid tribute to Maradona, saying he considers him to be the best player in history. Maradona died from heart attack aged 60 at his home in Buenos Aires on Thursday. He won the World Cup with the national side in 1986, but was eliminated from the 1994 world championship  after testing positive for doping. After struggling with drug use, overeating and alcoholism for many years, Maradona reinvented himself and took over the management of the Argentinean national side in 2008. Three days of national mourning were declared in Argentina after his death.


FIFA ranking. Romania went up 7 places to the 37th position in the FIFA ranking published today, so they will be in pot two for the 2022 World Cup qualifying draw. The leap made by Romania in the world ranking comes after its results in November: a 5-3 win against Belarus in a friendly match, and a 3-nil win against Norway Romania was handed by UEFA and a draw against Northern Ireland in the Nations League competition. Romania are now in Europe's top 20. The draw for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will take place on 7th December.  (CM)



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Publicat: 2020-11-26 13:55:00
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