August 15, 2025
A roundup of local and international news.
Newsroom, 15.08.2025, 13:55
Navy Day. Navy Day is a day of national unity and, as long as we stand together around our national values, we will be stronger, said Romanian president Nicuşor Dan in a statement on Romanian Navy Day. “Our sailors take the Romanian flag across the seas and oceans of the world, and that is why we are today celebrating the extraordinary people who have dedicated themselves to this career, while honouring the symbols of our nation”, the president also said. He added that in the current security environment, the Black Sea region has a strategic importance, something recognised both in NATO and the European Union and something that can contribute to the security and prosperity of Romanian citizens. The Romanian Naval Forces are celebrating the 123rd edition of Navy Day in a series of events held in Constanţa, Mangalia, Brăila, Tulcea, Galaţi and Bucharest promoting the values and traditions of the Romanian naval military. The Black Sea port of Constanţa is hosting a parade involving 3,500 Romanian and foreign military and 28 vessels and an air show. Taking part in the parade are 28 vessels belonging to the Naval Forces, the Coast Guard, the Romanian Agency for Saving Human Lives at Sea, and the Turkish and Bulgarian partners deployed in Constanţa, as well as 20 planes of the Romanian Navy, the Romanian Air Force and of German and American partners.
Feast day. Romania’s majority Orthodox Christians, as well as its Catholic community, are today celebrating the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the oldest feast day dedicated to the Virgin. According to Christian belief, Mary was assumed into heaven when she died. After the Holy Trinity, she is the most celebrated figure in Christianity. Most Romanian monasteries are dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, a feast day that is also considered to be the celebration of pilgrimages.
Police. Almost 9,000 police forces are deployed across the country to ensure law and order over the three-day public holiday around the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The Romanian Police says security measures will be in place in busy areas and around religious establishments. The traffic police will be working to ensure the flow of traffic and discourage behaviour conducive to road accidents. Special attention is paid to tourist areas, in particular at the seaside and in the mountains. The traffic police is supported by the General Aviation Inspectorate, to ensure better air traffic surveillance.
Summit. Alaska is today hosting the first summit between US president Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Trump said on Thursday he believed Vladimir Putin is ready to make a deal to end war in Ukraine, but that such an agreement can only be made after a meeting that is also attended by Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky. He did not rule out that today’s meeting with Putin may end in failure, according to France Presse and Reuters. In another move, Vladimir Putin on Thursday hailed the United States’ “sincere efforts” to end the conflict in Ukraine and suggested that Moscow and Washington may reach a new agreement on nuclear arms control, according to France Presse and Reuters. Russia and the United States possess the biggest nuclear arms arsenals in the world. The latest nuclear disarmament agreement between the two countries is the New Strategic Arms Reduction treaty, which will expire on 5th February 2026.
Football. Romanian football champions FCSB, vice-champions CFR Cluj and Universitatea Craiova on Thursday evening played their qualifying matches for the European Cups play-offs. FCSB qualified for the play-offs of the Europa League competition, after defeating FC Drita from Kosovo 3-1. FCSB will next face the Scottish side Aberdeen FC, in Scotland, on August 21, with the return match due at home, on August 28. CFR Cluj were eliminated from the Europa League after losing away to Sporting Braga. Universitatea Craiova qualified for the play-offs of the Conference League after a dramatic match against the Slovak side Spartak Trnava which they lost 4-3. Universitatea Craiova will next play the Turkish side Istanbul Başakşehir, first away on August 21, and then at home on August 28. (CM)
