August 21, 2014
For a roundup of domestic and international news, click here.
Ștefan Baciu, 21.08.2014, 12:00
KIEV — Clashes are ongoing between rebels and Government forces in four towns in Lugansk and Donetsk provinces, seen as hotbeds of pro-Russian separatism. Ever since April, the Ukrainian army has mounted a counter-terrorist operation against separatist militias in Eastern Ukraine. So far the conflict has killed 2,000 people and forced 400,000 people to flee their homes, the UN High Representative for Refugees reports. Local authorities in Lugansk and Donetsk are desperately calling for help, as the situation is turning critical, both provinces reporting severe water and electricity shortages. The humanitarian convoy dispatched by Russia that was halted several days on the Ukrainian border due to suspicions running high that it might be part of a covert military operation, was finally greenlighted for crossing the border.
IRAQ — The United States and its European allies will take joint action to neutralize jihadist militants currently in control of important areas in Iraq and Syria, who have recently decapitated an American journalist as retaliation to US support to Kurdish forces. President Barack Obama said the US would do whatever was necessary to protect its citizens, while other West-European governments seem to share in this view. After images of the decapitation of James Foley were released to the press, jihadists have threatened to kill a second US hostage. In response US forces have launched new airstrikes against the Islamic State in Iraq. Carreid out by fighter jets and drones, the airstrikes mainly targeted the area around the Mosul Dam in the north. The US State Department announced that the US Security Council would convene in September under the chairmanship of president Obama himself. According to the US State Department, the conflicts in Iraq and Syria have highlighted the threat posed my outside militants and terrorist groups.
CONFLICT IN THE GAZA STRIP — The UN Security Council has called on Israel and the Palestinian Authority to resume negotiations with a view to rapidly reaching an agreement on a long-lasting ceasefire. Meanwhile, clashes continue on the ground in the Gaza Strip after Egypt-mediated negotiations reported no sign of progress. Islamist militants from the Gaza Strip broke the 24-hour truce after firing several missiles on Israel, including areas in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, prompting the immediate response of the Israeli army. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said operation “Protective Edge” against Hamas combatants was still a go, and that Israel’s retaliation would be greater with every attack. In another development, the armed branch of the Islamist cell warned foreign airliners to cancel all flights to Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv as of this morning. Launched on July 8, the assault on the Gaza Strip has so far killed over 2 thousand Palestinians, mostly civilians, and dozens of Israeli military.
INFRASTRUCTURE— The EU has disbursed an additional 320 million euros to the budget for large-scale infrastructure projects. The money will go to 106 projects selected by the Commission, part of the Pan-European transport network. Known as TEN-T, the program is aimed at developing the infrastructure required to ensure the adequate functioning of the single market and the free movement of EU citizens. The program is due to be completed by 2030 and by 2050 most EU citizens and businesses should be able to access this Pan-European network within 30 minutes. The European Commission has accepted Romania’s request to join the network and will therefore fund the construction of a corridor linking the northeast to the country’s west, as well as another corridor from the southwest to the southeast. The plan is to make the corridor accessible for both railway and roadway users. The project also includes other, smaller corridors as well as the forthcoming Danube-Bucharest canal.
FOOTBALL — Romanian Cup winners Astra Giurgiu will tonight travel to Lyon to meet the local side Olympique as part of the first leg of the Europa League playoffs. Also tonight another Romanian team, Petrolul from Ploiesti, is playing Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb on home turf. On Tuesday, in the first leg of the Champions League playoffs, Romanian champions Steaua Bucharest grabbed a narrow 1-nil win over Bulgaria’s champion Ludugorets Razgrad.
TENNIS — Romanian tennis player Simona Halep has been seeded second in the US Open, the last Grand Slam tournament of the year which is due to kick off on Monday on Flushing Meadow Arena in New York. Seeded first in the competition is WTA first ranked Serena Williams of the US. In 2014 Halep played the Roland Garros finals, the Wimbledon semi-finals and the Australian Open quarterfinals.
