RRI Live!

Listen to Radio Romania International Live

December 25, 2015

Across the world, billions of Christians are today celebrating Christmas

December 25, 2015
December 25, 2015

, 24.12.2015, 12:17

Across the world, billions of Christians are today celebrating Christmas, the traditional birthday of Jesus Christ. In his Christmas address, Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church has urged believers to look for inner peace, which is the key to achieving social peace. Patriarch Daniel has also said that the Church must work towards promoting mutual respect and reconciliation, which should replace hatred and violence present in today’s world. In his turn, Pope Francis has warned the worlds 1.2 billion Roman Catholics not to be “intoxicated” by possessions in his annual Christmas homily. He called for more sobriety in a world obsessed by “consumerism and hedonism, wealth and extravagance”.



Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, in a video message posted on his Facebook page, has said that the Christmas spirit means having the loved ones around and celebrating generosity, harmony and peace. President Iohannis has also mentioned the Romanians outside the country’s borders, whom he encourages to be confident that Romania’s situation will further improve. The head of state has wished all Romanians a Merry Christmas. Romania’s former sovereign, King Michael I, has referred in his Christmas message to both the young generation, expressing his confidence in their future, and to the elderly, who are teaching a lesson of courage and dignity. The former sovereign has conveyed a message of encouragement to and appreciation for those working in hospitals, saving lives, and to those who are in mourning or are worried about the health condition of their loved ones.



The EU – Republic of Moldova Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area will be extended as of January 1st, 2016, to include the country’s whole territory, including the region of Transdniester . Therefore, starting 2016, all economic agents in the Republic of Moldova will export their products to the European Union based on the same free trade principle. Also, in order to benefit from the commercial opportunities offered, the region of Transdniester has committed to ensuring preferential access conditions to the goods and services coming from the EU and to making some adjustments to the commercial, economic and fiscal framework.



In Chisinau, prime minister designate Ion Sturza has announced that he will ask for the Parliament’s vote of confidence on January 4th. In the meantime, he will hold consultations with political parties, civil society, representatives of the international organisations and ambassadors of the Western countries in Moldova. Sturza supports the idea of a technocratic government and says the country’s economic situation is extremely serious. Only one political party, the Liberal Democratic Party, has so far voiced support for the new cabinet that Sturza will propose. According to Radio Chisinau, a new political power was formed in the Moldovan Parliament, made up of 34 MPs out of the total 101. The Social Democratic Parliamentary Platform “For Moldova”, made up of Communist Party members who left their faction and Democratic Party members will make its own nomination for the position of prime minister.



The European Commission calls on EU member states to help Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia overcome the refugee crisis. Brussels has warned that too few member states have responded to the calls for humanitarian assistance to Serbia, Slovenia and Croatia in the current refugee crisis. Serbia, Slovenia and Croatia activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism so as to receive assistance in the refugee crisis, the Commission said in a release, underscoring that a large number of resources must still be provided for them. The Mechanism can mobilize various types of in-kind assistance, including teams and equipment, shelter, medical supplies and other non-food items, as well as expertise. Brussels has announced that 1.7 billion euros have been earmarked from the EU budget for 2015 and 2016 for solving the refugee crisis. Around 1 million people have fled their countries of origin this year, in an attempt to escape war and poverty, heading mostly towards Germany.



(Translated by Elena Enache)




Newsflash
Newsflash Thursday, 21 November 2024

November 21, 2024 UPDATE

A roundup of local and international news. RULING – The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israel’s Prime...

November 21, 2024 UPDATE
Newsflash
Newsflash Thursday, 21 November 2024

November 21, 2024

Election – The first round of the presidential election takes place in Romania on November 24. The second round is scheduled for December 8, and...

November 21, 2024
Newsflash
Newsflash Wednesday, 20 November 2024

November 20, 2024 UPDATE

Schengen – The Romanian Interior Minister, Cătălin Predoiu on Wednesday talked, during a video conference, with his Hungarian counterpart,...

November 20, 2024 UPDATE
Newsflash
Newsflash Wednesday, 20 November 2024

November 20, 2024

BONDS – Foreign investors are showing great interest in the Romgaz bond issue, according to the company’s CEO Răzvan Popescu. He says...

November 20, 2024
Newsflash Wednesday, 20 November 2024

1,000 days of war in Ukraine

Representatives of several states, politicians and diplomats conveyed messages of support on the anniversary of 1,000 days since Russia launched its...

1,000 days of war in Ukraine
Newsflash Tuesday, 19 November 2024

November 19, 2024 UPDATE

  PARLIAMENT The parliament of Romania convenes on Wednesday to approve 2 inquiry committees and their membership. The joint standing bureaus...

November 19, 2024 UPDATE
Newsflash Tuesday, 19 November 2024

November 19, 2024

A roundup of local and international news.   MESSAGE – Despite 1,000 days of terrible warfare, Ukraine stands unbowed, the US Ambassador in...

November 19, 2024
Newsflash Monday, 18 November 2024

November 18, 2024 UPDATE

VISIT – The president of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, on Monday visited the Documentation Centre for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation in Berlin...

November 18, 2024 UPDATE

Partners

Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român
Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS
Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online
Institului European din România Institului European din România
Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti
Muzeul Național de Artă al României Muzeul Național de Artă al României
Le petit Journal Le petit Journal
Radio Prague International Radio Prague International
Muzeul Național de Istorie a României Muzeul Național de Istorie a României
ARCUB ARCUB
Radio Canada International Radio Canada International
Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti” Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti”
SWI swissinfo.ch SWI swissinfo.ch
UBB Radio ONLINE UBB Radio ONLINE
Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl
creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti
italradio italradio
Institutul Confucius Institutul Confucius
BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți

Affiliates

Euranet Plus Euranet Plus
AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters
Digital Radio Mondiale Digital Radio Mondiale
News and current affairs from Germany and around the world News and current affairs from Germany and around the world
Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona

Providers

RADIOCOM RADIOCOM
Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company