September 9, 2023

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsroom, 09.09.2023, 13:13

US-Romania. The United States will
soon send fighter jets to Romania to supplement NATO’s air policing missions,
after fragments of Russian drones were found recently on the Romanian bank of
the Danube river, in the wake of Russian strikes on Ukraine’s river ports. The
Romanian foreign minister Luminiţa Odobescu had talks with the US secretary of
state Antony Blinken, who conveyed Washington’s unwavering support for NATO
member Romania. Earlier, Romania’s defence minister Angel Tîlvăr met US
ambassador to Bucharest, Kathleen Kavalec. In another development, the National
Committee for Emergency Situations decided that Romanian residents of the areas
bordering Ukraine will receive RO-ALERT text messages on their phones warning
of possible air strikes. Vehicles will be sent to warn the civilians in areas
without mobile phone coverage.

School. Almost 3 million pupils will
begin school in Romania in Monday. The authorities are considering measures to
prevent and reduce drug use, with an emphasis on information and education.
Education minister Ligia Deca said recently that a school safety action plan
was signed and a legislative framework would be drafted to allow for the drug
testing of pupils where there is suspicion of drug use. She said teenagers who
have a problem with drug addiction must be viewed as people who need help and rehabilitation
measures, so her ministry is working closely with the centres for drug testing and
prevention of drug use, with the health ministry and with psychologists and
school councillors to be able to help young people and their families in this
situation.

Earthquake. The Romanian
authorities are in close contact with the Moroccan authorities and are ready to
provide assistance, said prime minister Marcel Ciolacu. Hundreds of persons
were killed in a strong quake that hit Morocco on Friday night, causing huge
damage and wreaking panic in Marrakesh, a popular tourist destination, as well
as in other cities. The quake measured 7 on the Richter scale. Sad about the
disaster in Morocco. Our thoughts go out to the families of those who lost
their lives in this tragedy. We wish the injured a speedy recovery, Romanian
president Klaus Iohannis posted on social media. The quake triggered a wave of
solidarity around the world, with many countries, including Israel, offering to
help the Moroccan authorities.

Storm. Around 200 Romanian citizens
are in the areas in Greece affected by storm Daniel. Representatives of the
Romanian embassy in Athens and the General Consulate in Thessaloniki are
providing the necessary assistance and support for evacuation, says the foreign
ministry in Bucharest. With the situation on the ground highly unstable, the
Romanian nationals are asked to inquire about the state of the roads, to check
the situation of flights, many of which are delayed or cancelled, and to stay
in contact with the diplomatic offices. Greek fire services and the army
continued on Friday to evacuate hundreds of persons from isolated villages,
following flooding caused by the torrential rains in Thessaly, in central
Greece. Turkey and Bulgaria have also been faced with rain and flash floods.

Volleyball. The Romanian men’s
volleyball side defeated Croatia 3-2 to reach the quarterfinals of the CEV
EuroVolley European Championship in a dramatic match on Friday evening in the
Bulgarian city of Varna. Romania will next face Olympic champions France on 11th
September, which they have already defeated in a group match 3-1. The last time
Romania reached this stage of the European championship was 40 years ago,
having come 4th in 1983. The championship is co-hosted this year by
Israel, Italy, Bulgaria and North Macedonia and is taking place between the 28th
August and 16th September. Romania won a European title in 1963, two
silver medals, in 1955 and 1958, and two bronze medals, in 1971 and 1977. (CM)