May 23, 2021

Click here for a roundup of local and world news

Newsroom, 23.05.2021, 13:55

COVID-19 The PM of Romania Florin
Cîţu said the vaccine rollout must be stepped up so that the relaxation
measures planned for the forthcoming period may be implemented as soon as
possible. Several vaccination marathons are held this weekend in various
towns in the country, and drive-thru centres are operational. Since the end of
December, nearly 7.3 million vaccine doses have been administered in Romania,
with more than 3.1 million people receiving the booster dose as well.
Meanwhile, the number of new Covid-19 cases in Romania continues to drop, with
307 new cases reported on Sunday out of nearly 18,500 tests. This is the lowest
number in nearly 11 months. In hospitals, the number of coronavirus patients in
intensive care is 590. Also, 56 COVID-related deaths were reported for the past
24 hours.

COUNCIL The president of Romania Klaus Iohannis takes part on Monday and Tuesday in a special European Council meeting to be held in Brussels. According to the presidency, the head of state will plead for quick and consistent implementation of the digital green certificates at European level, but will reiterate that these must not affect citizens freedom of movement. Iohannis will also call for a European mechanism to be put in place as soon as possible to ensure vaccine donations to non-EU countries. The main topics on the agenda of the European Council are the EU-wide coordination of COVID-19 measures, fighting climate change, and the Unions relations with Russia and the UK.

MIGRANTS Romanian border police in Borş Sunday found 30 Syrian and Iraqi nationals trying to cross the border illegally into Hungary. According to the police, the migrants, aged between 3 and 34, were hiding in a truck registered in Turkey, with a Turkish driver, heading for France.

EUROVISION The Italian band Maneskin won the 65th edition of the Eurovision song contest, held this year in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, under strict COVID-19 containment measures. Italys victory, the 3rd in the history of the country and the first since 1990, took place in a gala attended by only 3,500 people. The public had to produce negative COVID-19 tests and to wear face masks. Romania failed to qualify into this years Eurovision final. Over the years, Romanias best performances in this competition were two 3rd places (in 2005 and 2010) and a 4th place in 2006.

MIDDLE EAST The UN Security Council Saturday called for full compliance with the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in its first statement since the conflict broke out on May 10, AFP reports. The Security Council members welcome the ceasefire signed on 21st May and acknowledged the major role played by Egypt and other countries in the region. Since the start of the crisis on 10 May, at least 248 Palestinians, including 66 children and Hamas fighters, died in Israeli attacks, whereas in Israel 12 people died, including a child.

FOOTBALL The football club Universitatea Craiova won Romanias Cup after defeating Astra Giurgiu away from home 3-2 in overtime on Saturday night. This is the 8th trophy of this kind for Universitatea. Meanwhile, CFR Cluj won its 4th consecutive football championship on Tuesday night, defeating FC Botoşani 1-0, away from home in the 9th round of the League I playoffs. CFR has won the national champions title 6 times before, and will be the only Romanian team in the Champions League. (tr. A.M. Popescu)