January 22, 2022

january 22, 2022 Click here for a roundup of local and world news

COVID-19 19,371 new Covid cases and 48 related deaths have been reported in Romania today. The number of fatalities is over 10 times smaller than at the peak of the previous wave of the pandemic, but the infection rate continues to grow, reaching 8.77 per thousand in Bucharest. The highest SARS-CoV-2 infection rate in the capital city (16.54 per thousand) was reached on 22nd October last year. The worst-case scenario considered by the authorities predicts up to 70,000 new cases per day in the first half of February. The health minister Alexandru Rafila says that 173 outpatient Covid-19 evaluation centres are already operational across the country, out of a planned 230.


NATO On Friday NATO rejected Russia's request for the pull-out of the Alliance's troops in Bulgaria and Romania, and denounced the concept of spheres of influence, NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu said. Russia requested guarantees from the US and NATO that the Alliance would not enlarge further eastwards, and demanded the withdrawal of the troops and equipment deployed to the countries that have joined the organisation since 1997. Also on Friday, the Pentagon announced a large-scale NATO naval exercise in the Mediterranean, amid tensions with Russia, which also announced major naval manoeuvres, AFP reports. Poland's PM Mateusz Morawiecki called on European leaders to take a firm and united stand against Russia, in the context of fears that Moscow might plan an invasion of Ukraine. NATO members Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will provide Ukraine with US-made anti-armour and anti-aircraft missiles, the defence ministers of the 3 countries announced in a joint statement. In Romania, president Klaus Iohannis has called a meeting of the Supreme Defence Council on Wednesday. The meeting will focus on the security situation at the Black Sea and on NATO's eastern flank, and measures to develop resilience and response capabilities related to the new security challenges.


CELEBRATION The government of Romania celebrates today 160 years since the first government of Romania was formed, after the union of the principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia was officially recognised. On this occasion, on the walls of Victoria Palace in the capital city Bucharest, which hosts the head offices of the government of Romania, images will be projected during the evening, which are relevant for this milestone in Romanian history, such as the Romanian flag, the date when the first government of Romania was formed, namely 22nd of January, 1862 and the name of the country's first prime minister, Barbu Catargiu. On Monday, which is a national holiday in Romania, 163 years since the union of the Romanian Principalities will be marked. On 24th January 1859, Alexandru Ioan Cuza, elected ruler of Moldavia the previous week, was unanimously elected sovereign of Wallachia as well, and proclaimed ruler of the United Principalities. During his rule, the institutional foundations were laid for modern Romania.


SOCIAL Romania's capital city Bucharest finds itself without above-ground public transportation means on Saturday as well. It is for 3rd consecutive day of strike for the Bucharest Transport Corporation, although a court ruled the protest illegal. Unions stand by their demands, which include pay raises and the resignation of the corporation's CEO. Meanwhile, the government and trade unions in public education are working to reach an agreement by 4th February, following a first round of negotiations after teachers went on strike on Wednesday. Unionists want pay raises, additional staff to be employed, and 6% of GDP to be earmarked for public education. Public healthcare unions are also to discuss their demands next week with officials from the healthcare, finances and labour ministries.


TENNIS The Romanian tennis player Simona Halep qualified in the round of 16 of the Australian Open, after defeating Danka Kovinic of Montenegro, 6-2, 6-1, in the 3rd round of the tournament in Melbourne today. Halep (15 WTA and 14th seed), won the match in 64 minutes. It was the 8th consecutive win for the Romanian player this season. In the next round Simona Halep takes on Alizé Cornet of France (61 WTA). Also today, another Romanian, Sorana Cîrstea, is playing in the 3rd round against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, seed no 10. In the women's doubles, Jaqueline Cristian (Romania) / Andrea Petkovic (Germany) qualified in the 8th-finals, having defeated the Slovenians Kaja Juvan / Tamara Zidansek, 6-4, 6-0, and are next to play agaist Kirsten Flipkens (Belgium) / Sara Sorribes Tormo (Spain). (tr. A.M. Popescu)


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Publicat: 2022-01-22 13:55:00
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