News review of the day – August 10th

Romania’s Foreign Ministry summons Hungarian Charge d’Affaires

Romania’s Foreign Ministry has summoned today the Hungarian Charge d’affaires in Bucharest who is temporarily replacing the Hungarian Ambassador, Zákonyi Botond. The ambassador made certain statements in an interview with „Romania Libera” daily  newspaper that Romanian authorities are in strong disagreement with.

The summons today follows  a recent series of tough arguments between Bucharest and Budapest, mainly triggered by a post on Facebook by the Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán who published revisionist symbols in direct contradiction with Romania’s current borders.

This time, the FM considers remarks made by the Hungarian ambassador in the interview are „unacceptable and disrespectful”. The diplomat accused Romanian authorities of failing to complete interconnection of 10 transborder roads, as stipulated in a bilateral agreement. Moreover, the Hungarian ambassador declared that relations between Bucharest and Budapest have seen a step back since PM Victor Ponta came to power. The Foreign Ministry considers these statments as completely inadequate from the ambassador position and claims that „the Hungarian part is not yet prepared to comply with the framework and political and judicial basis of its relation with Romania. ” – Radio Romania reported.

King Michael withdraws title „Prince of Romania” from his grandson Nicholas

King Michael has withdrawn the title „Prince of Romania” from his grandson Nicholas and, according to a press release by the Royal House, the King also excluded him from the line of succession to Romania’s Crown.

His Majesty King Michael signed the document on August 1st withdrawing the Prince title and the Royal Highness appellation from his grandson. The reasons of this decison have not been made clear, but the press release explained that „the Romanian society following Princess Margareta’s reign and lifetime – as Crown Keeper – will need a modest and well-balanced direction, marked by moral principles, respect and awareness of others”.

It has also been stated that „King Michael hopes his grandson Nicholas will be able to find, in the years to come, an adequate way to serve his ideals and use his qualities”. Prince Nicholas, who is Princess Elena’s son (Princess Margareta’s sister, second in line), was born on April 1st 1985 in Geneva. In 2010, when he was 25, King Michael bestowed him the Prince title and Royal Highness appellation. Since 2007, according to fundamental norms of Romania’s Royal Family, Prince Nicholas has been the third in line of succession to Romania’s Crown.

Private individuals with large fortunes verified by the National Agency for Fiscal Administration

The National Agency for Fiscal Administration has reminded today in a press release that it started controls of a first series of 313 private individuals with large fortunes. Most of them are located in Bucharest (31) and Ilfov (34) or Suceava (14) Counties. The agency is now verifying income levels confronted with declarations of income dating back to 2011. Counties with fewer verified persons are Dâmboviţa, Arad, Caraş-Severin, Bistriţa Năsăud and Covasna (3 persons each) and Vaslui (2 persons). The measures to be taken in case of undeclared incomes is applying the flat income tax rate of 16% accompanied by legal penalties and interest rates, Radio Romania reported.

Balance of trade deficit reaches 3.3 billion euros

Romania’s balance of trade deficit has reached almost 3.3 billion euros in the first semester of 2015, value that is 440 billion euros higher against the same period last year, according to data published today by the National Statistics Institute. Exports have risen by 5.9 % between January and June whereas imports were 6.9 % higher than 2014. The most significant businesses influencing these data are transport equipment and other manufactured goods, Radio Romania reported.

10 tourists die, 10 other are rescued at the very last minute by lifeguards

Seven tourists have drowned in Costineşti, Eforie and Mangalia and more than 10 other were rescued at the very last minute by lifeguards on the Black Sea shore this week-end. High waves and strong currents have taken their toll from those who ignored the red-flag warning and ventured into the sea. Lifeguards put up the flag ever since Friday, but many chose to ignore the signs and whistles.

This was the most crowded summer week-end in Romanian sea resorts. Several car accidents have also been registered on A2 Highway leading to the seaside, where five cars went into collision and one coach carrying 58 Ukrainian citizens rolled over.

Other three people have died or have been found dead today, after the already tragic toll this week-end. A 16-year old boy went swimming this morning after partying all night and couldn’t come back to shore. Another man ventured into the sea with his 10-year old grandaughter and lifeguards were only able to save the girl. The dead body of a man who had been missing for two days was found today under the sea wall in Constanta –  Radio Romania reported.

Drought may bring less but better wine this year

High temperatures this summer may trigger a smaller but better wine production in 2015, according to specialists, who explain that long periods of drought are generally good for vineyard crops as they enhance grapes’ sugar content and thus, the quality of the wine. On the other hand, the lack of rainfall will determine smaller crops. The forecast is however subject to other possible weather factors like hailstone or acid rain that can still influence the final crops this autumn, Radio Romania reported.

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