May 8, 2024
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 08.05.2024, 13:55
AWARD. The Romanian President, Klaus Iohannis, is to receive today, from the Atlantic Council in the United States, an award for his career and his role as a transatlantic and European leader. He is the first European head of state honored with the “Distinguished International Leadership Award” in the 24 years since the award was established. Last night, President Iohannis was received at the White House by his American counterpart Joe Biden. The discussions focused on the situation in Ukraine and the Black Sea area, as well as on strengthening security in the Euro-Atlantic area. Klaus Iohannis thanked for the substantial contribution of the United States to ensuring the security of Romania and the entire eastern flank of NATO, as well as for the recognition of the strategic role of the Black Sea in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. For his part, Joe Biden expressed his special appreciation for the consistent efforts that Romania has been making for the benefit of the allied space and, at the same time, for the continuous support it gives to Ukraine. The issue of Romania’s admission to the Visa Waiver program was also addressed.
CRIMINALITY. The Romanian police have reported a decrease in the number of crimes registered this year during the mini-holiday between May 1 – Labor Day and Orthodox Easter, celebrated on May 5. The number of robberies, serious traffic accidents, as well as the victims of these accidents decreased – said the spokeswoman for the Ministry of the Interior, Monica Dajbog. She also announced that the ministry’s enforcement agencies will continue to focus on ensuring the smooth running of public events on Europe Day and Romania’s Independence Day, on May 9, as well as the election campaign for the parliamentary and local elections, which starts on May 10.
OLYMPIC FLAME. After several days of sea travel on board a boat from Greece, the Olympic flame has arrived today in Marseille, in the south of France, where it will be welcomed by approximately 150,000 people. The former Romanian fencer Ana-Maria Brânza, Olympic champion in the team event and double silver medalist in the individual event, will carry the Olympic flame when it arrives in France together with other athletes from the 27 EU countries. Lit on April 16 in the ancient Greek site of Olympia, the flame – symbol of the Olympic Games – will cross all of France, passing through the Antilles and French Polynesia, to reach Paris on the day of the opening ceremony, on July 26. The Summer Olympics will run until August 11.
RED CROSS. Every year, around the world, on May 8, World Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is marked through local and international events and activities. They recognize the significant contribution of this Movement to the provision of humanitarian aid, medical assistance and protection for those in need around the world. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement was founded at the initiative of Henry Dunant (1828-1910), a Swiss businessman, after one of the bloodiest battles of the century, that of Solferino (Italy), where the Austrian and French armies clashed causing 40,000 victims. He understood the urgent need to organize medical services to provide neutral humanitarian assistance during wars. Therefore, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement aims to protect life and health, prevent and alleviate human suffering without any discrimination based on nationality, race, religion, social class or political opinion. Currently, it provides vital assistance in armed conflicts, natural disasters or epidemics.
UKRAINE. Today, Russia has launched a new large-scale air attack against energy infrastructure in several parts of Ukraine, military and energy officials from Kyiv have announced. The Ukrainian army said that the air defense systems were involved in repelling the attacks and intercepted the projectiles launched towards Kyiv. Explosions were recorded in the cities of Lviv and Zaporizhzhia. In another move, preparations are being made for the Global Peace Summit aimed at finding a solution to the war that has been going on for more than two years. The summit, to which Russia was not invited, will take place in Switzerland on June 15-16, and Ukraine hopes to garner broad support to persuade Moscow to agree to terms that Kyiv deems acceptable.
GAZA. The Israeli army intensified its air attacks in Gaza Strip, after taking control of the strategic crossing point to Egypt, Rafah. Meanwhile, mediators from Egypt, Qatar and the United States are discussing, in Cairo, in the presence of Israeli emissaries, a cease-fire agreement in exchange for the release of the hostages captured by Hamas. An official of the Palestinian group told France Presse that it could be the last chance for Israel to recover the captives alive. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that recent proposals by Hamas to agree on a cease-fire agreement do not come close to meeting Israeli demands, but Israel is participating in the negotiations. Tuesday marked seven months since the Hamas group attacked Israel. 1,200 Israelis died then and 250 were taken hostage, of which about 100 were later released. Israel launched, in response, a large-scale offensive that practically destroyed Gaza and killed around 35,000 Palestinians.
TENNIS. Several tennis players from Romania are participating in the WTA 1000 tournament in Rome. Irina Begu plays, today, in the first round, against the Spanish Rebeka Masarova. Ana Bogdan has qualified for the second round, where she will face a top 10 WTA opponent, the Czech Marketa Vondrousova, the holder of the Wimbledon trophy. The two tennis players have met twice in their careers, each of them achieving a victory. Also playing in the second round Sorana Cîrstea, who will play the winner of the match between the American Taylor Townsend and an opponent from the qualifications. The tournament in Rome is underway between May 7 and 19 has over 5.5 million dollars in prize money. (MI)
