Monday, February 22nd

President Klaus Iohannis expected to address Parliament

Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis is expected to address Parliament later on Monday. Romanian MPs in both the Senate and House of Deputies will attend the event at a joint session. The move comes after President Iohannis submitted a request on the matter last Tuesday. It is the first address of President Iohannis in Parliament this year. The president’s speech is expected to focus on domestic issues, according to sources. Mr. Iohannis has addressed Parliament five times since his inauguration in December 2014.

A Romanian deputy before DNA prosecutors

Another Romanian MP appeared before prosecutors of Romania’s National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) on Monday. Nicolae Păun, leader for the Roma Party Association Pro-Europe, was expected to answer questions concerning his alleged involvement in a corruption-related case. The case also involves Mădălin Voicu, a deputy of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and son of late violinist Ion Voicu. Mr. Păun is expected to answer allegations of embezzlement and influence peddling. A vote on his preventive arrest is expected in Parliament in a few days.

„Mărţişor Caravan”, an event organised by Romania’s Cultural Institute

The Romanian Cultural Institute is organising the so-called „Mărțișor Caravan”, a cultural event including a theatrical and musical display in the Romanian communities of Transcarpatia, in Ukraine. Performers include stunt-actors of the White Wolves Cultural Association and Vlad Miriţă, a well-known Romanian tenor. Mărţişor (Romanian pronunciation: [mərt͡siˈʃor] is a Romanian celebration at the beginning of spring, on March the 1st in Romania, Republic of Moldova, and every other Romanian-speaking communities in Europe and around the world. Similar events are known in Bulgaria, Albania and Italy. The name Mărțișor comes from the old folk name for March (Martie, in modern Romanian) meaning „little March”. Mărțișor is also the name of a red-and-white string with a small decoration on it, offered to women on the 1st day of March.

Longest broadcast of a goal shout: Ilie Dobre is breaking again the world record

Ilie Dobre is again in the news as he broke the world record of the longest broadcast of a goal for the 6th time. A sport commentator of Romania’s National Radio (SRR), Mr. Dobre established his new record at a local football game between Astra Giurgiu and ASA Tg. Mureş on July 19, 2015 when player Filip Jazvic from ASA Tg. Mureş marked his goal. Ilie Dobre’s „Goooool!” established the record of a 35.6 second-goal shout with a single breath, according to the World Record Academy.

Alexandru Danga – Agenţia de Presă RADOR