March 28, 2015
For a roundup of domestic and international events, click here.
Ştefan Stoica, 28.03.2015, 12:00
PROTESTS — Bucharest and other large cities on Friday evening saw protests against Parliament’s decision not to lift the immunity of former Transport Minister Social Democrat Dan Sova, accused of accessory to abuse of office. Some protesters are calling for lifting the immunity of all MPs. Most Senators voted in favour of placing Sova under pre-emptive arrest, but the vote was invalidated due to the lack of quorum. The presidency and the National Liberal Party in opposition have challenged Parliament’s vote at the Constitutional Court. The Court is to issue a ruling on April 8.
AIR CRASH — The co-pilot suspected to have deliberately crashed the Germanwings Airbus A320 passenger airliner into the French Alps had previously said that one day he would do something that would change the entire system and that the whole world would remember his name. The revelation was made by his ex-girlfriend to the German newspaper Bild. The Prosecutor’s Office in Dusseldorf, Western Germany on Friday announced that Andreas Lubitz was supposed to be on medical leave on the very day of the accident, something which he concealed. Psychological problems seem to best the most plausible explanation for the crash. French investigators say Lubitz took advantage of the pilot’s absence from the cockpit and deliberately crashed the plane. The Airbus A320 passenger airliner belonging to Germanwings, the low-cost division of Lufthansa, was flying from Barcelona to Dusseldorf when it crashed on Tuesday into the French Alps. All the 150 people on board died on impact.
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME — Romania will switch to daylight saving time (DST) on Sunday night, when clocks will advance one hour and 3 AM will become 4 AM. The difference between Romania’s official time and GMT will be of 3 hours. 6 international trains will see their arriving time changed. All trains coming from or going to neighbouring countries, Moldova, Hungary, Serbia, Ukraine and Bulgaria, will run according to their established schedules. Romania has observed daylight savings since 1979 on the last Sunday of March and on the last Sunday of October. The measure was introduced in order to make the best use of natural light and save power.
FOOTBALL — The Romanian national football team is on Sunday playing the Faeroe Islands at home as part of the 2016 European Cup preliminaries. Romania tops the group tables, after winning against Greece 1-nil, Finland 2-nil and Northern Ireland 2-nil. Romania also drew against Hungary 1-all. Romania ranks 15th in FIFA standings at present, the best ranking since 2008.
TENNIS — Two Romanian tennis players are today competing in the women’s singles at the Miami tournament in the United States, totalling 5.4 million dollars. Monica Niculescu is going up against second-seed Serena Williams of the United States, while Irina Begu will play in the third round against Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland. WTA 3rd ranked Simona Halep has also made it to the third round after brushing aside Nicole Vaidisova of the Czech Republic. Halep, who recently won the Indian Wells tournament, will face Camila Giorgi of Italy. Other Romanian tennis players are today competing in doubles events.
BOXING — Romanian boxer Ionut Dan, also known as Jo Jo Dan, is tonight facing the defending IBF welterweight champion British Kell Brook. Jo Jo Dan last week received the Canadian citizenship. He has 34 wins in pro competitions, of which 18 by KO and 2 losses. In turn, Kell Brook has 33 wins in 33 matches, of which 22 by KO.
