August 20, 2016

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Newsroom, 20.08.2016, 12:00

DIASPORA – Representatives of historical communities of Romanians on the borders and in the Diaspora, taking part in the Summer University at Izvorul Muresului in central Romania, have signed a resolution, calling for the creation of a Ministry for Romanians Worldwide, facilitating proceedings for obtaining Romanian citizenship and setting up new cultural institutes. Romanians living outside borders have also asked for increasing the number of MPs representing a proportional number of Romanian citizens in the Diaspora and the Republic of Moldova. The resolution will be submitted to the Presidency, Parliament, the Government and political parties.

THE QUEEN – The funeral service of Queen Ana of Romania has brought together Romania and Moldova, the Orthodox and Catholic churches, the souls and hopes of Romanians across the world, Heir Princess Margaret has said. The Princess said the Queen served as an example of loyalty to the King and the Nation, while the love, respect and admiration with which Romanians have paid their last homage to her make us hope for a better future. Queen Ana was buried last Saturday at the New Archbishopric and Royal Church, built in the vicinity of the monastery of Curtea de Arges, the place of interment for the Royal House of Romania. The Queen died on August 1 in a hospital in Switzerland, at the age of 92. King Mihai could not attend the funeral service do his serious health problems.

TENNIS – Romanian tennis player Simona Halep, the worlds no. 4 player, has advanced to the semi-finals of the WTA tournament in Cincinnati, totaling 2,5 million dollars in prize money, after knocking out Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, 5th WTA. Halep is today playing Angelique Kerber of Germany, 2nd WTA, for a place in the finals. The current Olympic vice-champion Kerber could become the worlds no. 1 player if she wins the tournament in Ohio. Halep has a 4-2 lead in direct encounters with Kerber. Horia Tecau and Jean-Julien Rojer of the Netherlands have also qualified in the mens doubles semi-finals.

RIO OLYMPICS – Romania ranks 45 in the medal standings at the Rio Olympics after 14 days. The United States ranks 1st with 105 medals, followed by Great Britain, China and Germany. The Romanian delegation has so far scooped 4 medals. The womens epee team won gold in the team event. Florin Mergea and Horia Tecau won silver in the mens doubles. Gabriel Sincraian won bronze in weightlifting and the womens coxed eight crew won bronze in rowing.

NICE – The number of people killed in the terrorist attack in Nice on July 14 has increased to 86, the BBC reports. The French Government announced a man wounded in the attack on Promenade des Anglais died to his injuries. Claimed by the Islamic State, the attack was orchestrated on the National Day of France by a Tunisian citizen living in France. 10 children and teenagers were among the dead.

STRIKE ACTION – Romanian carriers have announced they would go on work-in strike. They will run at 30 km/h for an hour every day across the country, until the civil liability premiums for car owners will be reduced to 1,100 euros per year. Employers in the field will also stage a large protest nationwide on September 15. Most carriers are on the verge of bankruptcy, after premiums for trade and passenger transport went up by 300% as compared to last year and by 500% as compared to 2014, carriers say.

(Translated by V. Palcu)