January 6, 2023

A roundup of domestic and international news

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Newsroom, 06.01.2023, 13:06

Alert. Today, the Romanian Ministry of Health is having talks with the most important manufacturers and distributors of medicines in Romania to find a solution to the lack of some treatments on the market, against the background of the significant increase in demand recently. Consumption estimates for this year were far exceeded in the context of the wave of viral infections lately, Minister Alexandru Rafila said, and currently an opinion is expected from the European Commission regarding the proposal to suspend the export of some medicines. Because of the accelerated increase, for three weeks in a row, in the number of respiratory infections, the authorities in Bucharest have decided to declare a state of epidemiological alert.

Magistracy. The new president of the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM) in Romania, judge Daniel Grădinaru, said that he wants unity within this body and a loyal cooperation with the other state institutions. The new vice-president, prosecutor Daniel Horodniceanu, former head of DIICOT (Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism) has also pleaded for unity in the new Council, an institution that manages the careers of magistrates and which, in recent years, has been divided in terms of statements and points of view regarding important justice-related issues. The new management of SCM was unanimously voted for, and the mandate of the two heads last one year, with no possibility of extension. The SCM is made up of nine judges and five prosecutors elected by magistrates in the general assemblies of the courts and prosecutors offices, two representatives of civil society elected by the Senate and three legal members – the Minister of Justice, the President of the High Court of Cassation and Justice and the Prosecutor General of Romania. All members have a six-yea term, which cannot be renewed.

Ukraine. The Kremlin has announced that the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has ordered his forces to observe a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine, on the occasion of the Old Rite Orthodox Christmas, following a call to this effect by the Patriarch of Moscow, Kirill. Putin invited the Ukrainian forces to respect this truce, to enable the Orthodox, the majority denomination in both countries, to attend the Christmas services. Patriarch Kirills call had been rejected by the advisor to the Ukrainian Presidency, Mihailo Podoliak, who denounced, on Twitter, right before Putins announcement, what he called a cynical trap. Podoliak accused Putin of not having the slightest desire to end the war and of trying to convince the Europeans to put pressure on Kyiv for peace negotiations, an option that Ukraine has systematically refused. For his part, the American president, Joe Biden, appreciated that Putin wants “a breath of air”, by launching the truce in Ukraine, given that, on December 25 and the New Year, he was prepared to bomb hospitals, nurseries and churches.

Epiphany. Christians in Romania celebrate, today, the Baptism of the Lord, known as the Epiphany. The priests officiate in front of the churches the service of the Consecration of the water, in memory of the Baptism received by Jesus Christ in the waters of the River Jordan. According to theologians, after 30 years of life in anonymity, Jesus Christ, the Son of God incarnate, began his mission on the banks of the River Jordan, where the Prophet John baptized those who repented of their sins. The faithful who go to church today will receive “agheasma”, holy water, during a special service held after the liturgy, in front of the churches or on the river banks.

Tennis. Romanian tennis player Irina Begu qualified, on Friday, for the semi-finals of the Adelaide International 1 (WTA 500) tournament in Australia, with more than 800 thousand dollars in prize money, after defeating the Russian Veronika Kudermetova 7-5, 6-4. Begu (32 years, 34 WTA) won the match after more than two hours (2 h 09 min). The Romanian will play in the semifinals with the Belarusian Arina Sabalenka, who defeated the Czech Marketa Vondrousova 6-3, 7-5. The only direct match between Begu and Sabalenka ended with the Romanians victory, 6-4, 6-4, last year, in the second round in Miami.

Handball. The Romanian mens national handball team was defeated by the Spanish team 42-29, on Thursday evening, in Benidorm, in a training tournament. In the other match on Thursday, Argentina beat Bahrain 31-27. The matches Romania – Argentina and Spain – Bahrain will be played on Friday, and the matches Romania – Bahrain and Spain – Argentina are scheduled for Saturday. Outside of Romania, the other teams participating in the tournament are qualified for the World Championship hosted by Poland and Sweden, between January 11-29. (MI)