NATO training exercise in central Romania
More than 1,000 troops in 25 countries are involved in a NATO training exercise opening at the Romanian Land Forces Combat Training Centre in Cincu (some 180 km. northwest of the capital Bucharest) on Thursday. This deployment will be the first time a NATO Joint Force Command Headquarters has deployed to Romania temporarily. The exercise is expected to end later in June as part of a major NATO operation involving nearly 14,000 at the Alliance’s eastern borders.
Portuguese President Cavaco Silva at the Victoria Palace in Bucharest
Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva met Romanian Deputy Prime Minister Gabriel Oprrea at the Victoria Palace in Bucharest on Thursday. Mr. Oprea is currently the country’s acting Prime Minister as he is replacing Prime Minister Victor Ponta who is in Turkey for foot surgery. The Portuguese president also met Mihai Daraban, president of Romania’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and attended a meeting of major business leaders in both countries later in the day. President Cavaco Silva told the audience that more than 900 Portuguese companies were currently doing business on Romania
Raids and searches in western Romania
Raids and searches were launched in the western Romanian cities of Timişoara and Arad by a special police force and prosecutors with Romania’s Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) early on Thursday. The investigation focused on suspects involved in human trafficking and a prostitution ring promoting underage girls. Sources say the girls’ customers included lawyers, judges, physicians and police agents. The police detained 12 gang members for questioning. Suspects may also include Ovidiu Torj, former husband of Brigitte Năstase, wife of Romanian tennis champion Ilie Năstase, according to sources.
Romania’s Muslim community is celebrating the start of the Ramazan
Muslims around the world are observing the start of the Ramazan (also transliterated as Ramadhan, Ramazan and Ramzan), the month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Mohammed, according to Islamic religion. The Romanian Muslims are also observing the Ramazan with increased prayer and charity. Ramazan is also a month where Muslims try to practice increased self-discipline, a time of spiritual reflection, improvement and increased devotion and worship. The fast begins at dawn and ends at sunset. In addition to abstaining from eating and drinking, Muslims also increase restraint, such as abstaining from sexual relations and generally sinful speech and behaviour.
Alexandru Danga
