Jordan Chiles says panel's call for her to return Olympic bronze is 'unjust' and 'significant blow'
American gymnast Jordan Chiles called an arbitration panelโs decision that she must return the bronze medal she was awarded in the floor exercise at the Paris Olympics โunjustโ and a โsignificant blowโ in a message she posted on social media.
Andrew Tate's defamation lawsuit against human trafficking accuser can proceed, judge says
A judge says controversial social media personality Andrew Tateโs defamation lawsuit against a Florida woman who accused him of imprisoning her in Romania can proceed.
Much-improved Netherlands beats Romania 3-0 to reach first Euros quarterfinal in 16 years
The Netherlands reached its first European Championship quarterfinal in 16 years with a 3-0 win over Romania on Tuesday.
Gassy cows and pigs will face a carbon tax in Denmark, a world first
Denmark will tax livestock farmers for the greenhouse gases emitted by their cows, sheep and pigs from 2030, the first country to do so as it targets a major source of methane emissions, one of the most potent gases contributing to global warming.
Romania earns first Euros win in 24 years while Ukraine apologizes for 3-0 loss
Romania has recorded only its second ever victory at the European Championship with a 3-0 win over Ukraine to give coach Edward Iordฤnescu a belated birthday present.
Ukraine displays destroyed stadium stand in Munich in reminder of war ahead of Euro 2024 opener
The Ukrainian soccer federation has unveiled an installation in Munich of a stadium stand destroyed in the war back home to highlight the ongoing conflict ahead of the teamโs first match at the European Championship.
Study finds voters skeptical about fairness of elections. Many favor a strong, undemocratic leader
A new study has found that voters in 19 countries, including in three of the worldโs largest democracies, are widely skeptical about whether their political elections are free and fair.
Police arrest 22 in EU raids linked to suspected theft of Italy's pandemic funds worth $650 million
Police in Italy, Austria, Romania and Slovakia have arrested 22 people as part of an investigation into the suspected theft of hundreds millions of euros in post-pandemic relief funds from the European Union.
Romanian court grants UK's request to extradite Andrew Tate, once local legal cases are concluded
A court in Romaniaโs capital has granted a request by British authorities to extradite the divisive online influencer Andrew Tate bt only after legal proceedings against him in Romania have been concluded.
Russian drone strike on Kharkiv, Ukraine's 2nd largest city, kills 7
The governor of the Ukrainian region of Kharkiv says a Russian drone strike on the city of the same name, the second-largest city in the country, killed seven people overnight, including three children.
Romanian guru suspected of running international sex sect handed preliminary charges with 14 others
A 71-year-old Romanian yoga guru and 14 others have been handed preliminary charges by a Paris magistrate on a raft of counts linked to an international ring that for years allegedly subjected followers seeking enlightenment to sexual exploitation.
A yoga leader promised followers enlightenment. But he's now accused of sexual abuse
Gregorian Bivolaru was known by his followers as โGriegโ and their guide through tantra yoga toward enlightenment and a higher state of consciousness.
Heavy snowfall in Romania, Bulgaria and Moldova leaves 1 person dead and many without electricity
Heavy snowfall and strong blizzards in Romania and Moldova have left one person dead and hundreds of localities without electricity as well as forcing the closure of some national roads.
Netherlands, Switzerland, Romania qualify for Euro 2024. France crushes Gibraltar in record 14-0 win
The Netherlands, Switzerland and Romania have all secured places at next yearโs European Championship.
Putin marks anniversary of annexation of Ukrainian regions as drones attack overnight
Russian President Vladimir Putin has released an address marking the one-year anniversary of Moscowโs unilateral annexation of four Ukrainian regions.
Russian drone strikes hit a Ukrainian port on Romania's border that is key to grain exports
Russian drones have hit a Ukrainian port city along the border with Romania, causing significant damage and a huge fire at facilities that are key to Ukrainian grain exports.
A heat wave named Cerberus has southern Europe in its jaws, and it's only going to get worse
Countries in southern Europe are preparing emergency measures at the start of a heat wave that is expected to push temperatures to 45 degrees Celsius (113F) in some areas over the next few days.
NATO eastern flank members want to boost support for Ukraine at alliance summit in July
The leaders of nine central and eastern European countries say NATO allies should aim at further boosting their support for Ukraine and for its aspiration to become a member of the alliance.
Hungary adds honey, other products to Ukraine import ban
Hungary has added honey and certain meat products to a list of food items it has temporarily banned from being imported from Ukraine in an effort to relieve market pressures on Hungarian farmers.
Ukraine, Romania, Moldova boost ties at security meeting
Neighbors Romania, Ukraine, and Moldova have signed joint agreements in Romaniaโs capital after a trilateral security meeting focused on ways to strengthen security in their Black Sea region to counter threats posed by Russian aggression.
US, French troops in Romania hold NATO military drills
U.S. and French troops who are in Romania as part of a NATO battlegroup held a military exercise to test the 30-nation allianceโs eastern flank defenses, as Russiaโs full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine nears its one-year anniversary.
Report uncovers widespread racism at Dutch foreign ministry
The top civil servant at the Dutch foreign ministry has apologized after an independent investigation found widespread racism at the government department in the Netherlands and at its diplomatic outposts around the world.
Ukraine welcomes arms offers, no word on Patriot missiles
U_S_ Secretary of State Antony Blinken is condemning Russiaโs weekslong assault on Ukraineโs power grid as an attempt to โturn off the heat โฆ so that civilians suffer.โ.
UK's Prince Charles visits Ukrainian refugees in Romania
Charles, Prince of Wales traveled to Romaniaโs capital on Wednesday to visit refugees, mostly women and children, that have found safety in the Eastern European country after fleeing Russiaโs war in Ukraine.
'This has to end': Jill Biden sees Ukraine moms' heartbreak
During a visit to Romania, Jill Biden heard heartbreaking stories from Ukrainian women and children who fled Russiaโs war and found safe haven across the border.
UN nuclear watchdog chief in Ukraine to talk safety support
The U.N. nuclear watchdog says its director-general has arrived in Ukraine for talks with senior government officials on delivering โurgent technical assistanceโ to ensure the safety of the countryโs nuclear facilities.
Simba the lion, wolf safely evacuated from war-torn Ukraine
A lion and a wolf have been evacuated from a zoo in war-torn Ukraine and brought to safety in Romania in what an animal rights group involved in the operation says was a four-day mission โfull of dangersโ further hampered by border entry bureaucracy.
Romania tightens pandemic measures amid COVID-19 surge
Tighter pandemic measures have come into force in Romania as authorities hope to quell sharply rising coronavirus cases amid concerns that the next virus wave could overstretch the countryโs health care system.
WTA CEO calls for investigation of China assault allegation
The head of the womenโs professional tennis tour is calling for a full investigation of sexual assault allegations made by a two-time Grand Slam doubles champion from China against a former top government official in that country.
As virus surges in Eastern Europe, leaders slow to act
In much of Eastern Europe, coronavirus deaths are high and vaccination rates are low, but politicians have hesitated to impose the measures to curb the virus that experts are calling for.
Far-right protesters in Romania reject virus restrictions
More than 5,000 far-right protesters have gathered in Romaniaโs capital of Bucharest to reject new pandemic measures coming soon as authorities seek to combat an alarming surge of COVID-19 infections.
Moldova marks 30 years of independence from Soviet rule
Moldovaโs pro-Western president has been joined in the capital Chisinau by her counterparts from Romania, Poland, and Ukraine to celebrate the countryโs three decades of independence from Soviet rule.
Romania, Japan herald century of diplomacy at bridge site
Romania and Japan have celebrated a century of diplomatic relations with officials from both countries visiting the site of what will be one of Europe's longest suspension bridges.
Sinkovic brothers win gold in men's pair, dramatic finish in women's lightweight double sculls
The Sinkovic brothers won gold in men's pair, and Ireland won its first Olympic rowing gold in lightweight men's double sculls.
In Romania, 'modern slaves' burn noxious trash for a living
Members of the Roma community scrape together a living in the trash-strewn slums outside Romania's capital by setting fire to computers, electrical cables and anything else they can find that contains metal.
The Latest: Arkansas Gov: end of mask mandate at month's end
The increasing pressure on ICU wards โ where today 1,334 people are currently receiving care โ comes amid a surge of COVID-19 cases in the Eastern European country. ___PHOENIX โ Arizona on Saturday reported 735 additional confirmed coronavirus cases with 42 more deaths amid indications of continued slowing of the coronavirus outbreak. Arizonaโs pandemic totals rose to 835,765 cases and 16,733 deaths, according to the stateโs coronavirus dashboard. The government on Saturday reported cases topping the previous record in June. ___WARSAW, Poland โ Poland reported more than 25,000 coronavirus cases Saturday, compared to less than 15,000 in early March.
Germany: police clash with protesters against virus measures
(AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)BERLIN โ Protesters in Germany clashed with police Saturday over coronavirus measures, with officers using water cannons, pepper spray and batons against people trying to break through police barriers, German news agency dpa reported. Virus infections have gone up again in Germany in recent weeks and the government is set to decide next week on how to react. More than a thousand anti-vaccination protesters took to the streets in Romania's capital of Bucharest amid a surge of COVID-19 infections there. AdIn Austria, about 1,000 protesters participated in a demonstrations against the government's virus measures near Vienna's central train station. Police reprimanded several protesters who were not wearing masks and remaining too close together, news agency APA reported.
3,000 at Romania anti-vaccination protest amid COVID-19 rise
Anti-vaccination protesters rally outside the parliament building in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, March 7, 2021. Some thousands of anti-vaccination protestors from across Romania converged outside the parliament building protesting against government pandemic control measures as authorities announced new restrictions amid a rise of COVID-19 infections. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)BUCHAREST โ Around 3,000 anti-vaccination protesters from across Romania converged outside the parliament building in Bucharest on Sunday as authorities announced new restrictions amid a rise of COVID-19 infections. According to a government website, more than 1.7 million people in Romania have received a COVID-19 vaccine. Romania โ a country of more than 19 million people โ has recorded more than 828,000 COVID-19 infections, and 20,900 people have died.
WHO: 'Premature,' 'unrealistic' COVID-19 will end soon
(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)GENEVA โ A senior World Health Organization official said Monday it was โprematureโ and โunrealisticโ to think the pandemic might be stopped by the end of the year, but that the recent arrival of effective vaccines could at least help dramatically reduce hospitalizations and death. The worldโs singular focus right now should be to keep transmission of COVID-19 as low as possible, said Dr. Michael Ryan, director of WHO's emergencies program. โIf weโre smart, we can finish with the hospitalizations and the deaths and the tragedy associated with this pandemicโ by the end of the year, he said at media briefing. Ryan said WHO was reassured by emerging data that many of the licensed vaccines appear to be helping curb the virus' explosive spread. Tedros also noted that for the first time in seven weeks, the number of COVID-19 cases increased last week, after six consecutive weeks of declining numbers.
The Latest: Djokovic into Australian Open final for 9th time
All rights reservedMELBOURNE โ The Latest on the Australian Open (all times local):9:45 p.m.Novak Djokovic reached the Australian Open final for the ninth time by beating No. ___7 p.m.Barbora Krejcikova has set up a shot at an Australian Open doubles double over the next couple of days. ___3:35 p.m.Naomi Osaka has stopped Serena Williamsโ latest bid for a record-tying 24th Grand Slam singles title in the Australian Open semifinals. The 23-year-old Osaka also won last year's U.S. Open and the 2019 Australian Open. Djokovic is seeking a ninth Australian Open title and 18th Grand Slam trophy overall.
Australia's second largest city comes out of 3rd lockdown
Melbourne, Australia's second-largest city, will relax its third lockdown restrictions after authorities contained the spread of a COVID-19 cluster centered on hotel quarantine. (Erik Anderson/AAP Image via AP)MELBOURNE โ Melbourne, Australiaโs second largest city, will relax its third lockdown on Wednesday and allow spectators to return to the Australian Open tennis tournament after a five-day absence. Up to 30,000 tennis fans a day had been allowed into three zones in the tournament venue, Melbourne Park, before the statewide Victoria lockdown. Melbourne emerged from a 111-day lockdown in October following a fresh wave of infections that peaked at 725 cases a day. At the time, the rest of Australia was relaxing restrictions due to low case numbers after an initial nationwide lockdown.
Serena tops Halep at Australian Open, sets up Osaka showdown
United States' Serena Williams reacts after winning a point against Romania's Simona Halep during their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)MELBOURNE โ Serena Williams was not pleased with the way her play suddenly was slipping in the Australian Open quarterfinals. That was her most recent Grand Slam title. 24 on Saturday, she could end up needing to have beaten each of the top three players in the rankings: Halep, Osaka and, perhaps in the final, No. AdAt 35, Hsieh used her tricky, two-handed shots off both sides to become the oldest woman in the professional era to make her Grand Slam quarterfinal debut.
Fire at Romanian hospital treating virus patients kills 5
An emergency paramedic leans against a wall outside the Matei Bals hospital compound in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, Jan. 29, 2021. A fire early Friday at a key hospital in Bucharest that also treats COVID-19 patients killed four people, authorities said. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)BUCHAREST โ A fire early Friday at a key hospital in Bucharest that also treats COVID-19 patients killed at least five people, authorities said. Some hospital staff could be seen later still wearing protective suits and face masks after rushing out. Read Arafat, the emergency department chief, said the four victims were all hospital patients.
Romania's parliament approves new government
(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)BUCHAREST โ Romaniaโs parliament on Wednesday approved a new liberal government and prime minister, keeping out of power a left-leaning populist party that won most votes at a parliamentary election earlier this month. Some 260 lawmakers in Romaniaโs 465-seat, two-chamber assembly on Wednesday voted for the new government, while 186 voted against. Former investment banker and finance minister Florin Citu become the new prime minister at a time when Romania is struggling against the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and its economic fallout. โI assure you that I will not deceive your trust," Citu told the parliament. Citu was backed by three more parties, giving him a majority in Romaniaโs two-chamber parliament.
California monolith pops up after finds in Utah, Romania
FILE - In this Nov. 27, 2020, file photo, a metal structure sticks out from the ground on the Batca Doamnei hill, outside Piatra Neamt, northern Romania. Its straight sides and height appear similar to one discovered in the Utah desert and another that was found in Romania. The 3-sided, 10-foot-tall, 200-pound monolith was similar to two others discovered recently in the Utah desert and in Romania. Video posted online showed a group of young men wearing night-vision goggles toppling what appears to be the monolith before dawn while chanting โChrist is kingโ and โAmerica First." Federal and state officials in Utah had also expressed concern about the area around the monolith being overrun.
The Latest: Brazil's virus death toll surpasses 150,000
Women peel potatoes outside a snack bar amid the new coronavirus pandemic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Oct. 9, 2020. โ Queen Elizabeth II honored the work of doctors and nurses, delivery drivers, fundraisers and volunteers during the coronavirus pandemic. ___PHOENIX -- A new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says coronavirus cases in Arizona dropped 75% following the implementation of mask mandates. Arizonaโs stay-at-home order expired on May 15 and two weeks later the daily average number of coronavirus cases climbed 151%. ___PROVIDENCE, R.I. โ The University of Rhode Island has issued a two-week shelter-in-place order for fraternity and sorority houses because of a high number of coronavirus cases.
The Latest: Thiem vs. Schwartzman in French quarterfinals
(AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)PARIS โ The Latest from the French Open (all times local):___8:30 p.m.Two-time French Open runner-up Dominic Thiem survived a spirited comeback by a French wild-card entry to win their fourth-round match in five sets. He equaled his best Grand Slam showing by reaching his fourth major quarterfinal with a 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 win over Lorenzo Sonego. Organizers said the sixth-seeded German player did not consult their doctors before his fourth-round match against Italian teenager Jannik Sinner, despite the symptoms he later disclosed in his news conference after he was beaten 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. While there have been upsets in the women's draw, it's business as usual for Rafael Nadal among the men at the French Open. It's quickly becoming a day of upsets at the French Open, with Italian qualifier Martina Trevisan beating the fifth-seeded Kiki Bertens 6-4, 6-4.
Does Djokovic's next foe have hope? 'I was wondering that'
Serbia's Novak Djokovic serves against Lithuania's Ricardas Berankis in the second round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)PARIS โ At the mere mention of Novak Djokovicโs name, at the mere thought of sharing a court with a 17-time Grand Slam champion and the French Openโs No. He used these phrases: โreally, really excitedโ and โreally, really happyโ and โreally, really special.โGalan is, after all, ranked 153rd and never had won so much as one main-draw match at any major tournament until this week. Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champ, plays 87th-ranked Paula Badosa, who arrived in Paris with a 1-5 Grand Slam record. โWell,โ came Galanโs reply, โI was wondering that, to be honest.โAnd then he launched into a story about how he was โreally, really nervousโ before playing former top 10-member David Goffin in the Davis Cup Finals last November.
The Latest: Carballes Baena reaches 3rd round for 1st time
Shapovalov committed 106 unforced errors in the match compared to 42 for Carballes Baena and twice served for the match. The Canadian also had more winners than Carballes Baena with 65 to the unseeded Spaniard's 31. Carballes Baena sank to his knees after Shapovalov hit a forehand long and let out a loud shout of delight. Carballes Baena will next play 18th-seeded Grigor Dimitrov. Pliskova's twin sister, Kristyna, was also playing a former French Open champion when she faced 2016 winner Garbiรฑe Muguruza.
The Latest: US extends ban on cruise ships through October
(AP Photo/YK Chan)WASHINGTON โ Federal health officials are extending the U.S. ban on cruise ships through the end of October amid reports of recent outbreaks of the new coronavirus on ships overseas. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Wednesday that it was extending a no-sail order on cruise ships with the capacity to carry at least 250 passengers. In the 24 hours since 10 a.m. Tuesday, the state reported 1,048 new confirmed cases, bringing the total to 88,555. Oklahoma is in the red zone for virus cases, meaning 101 or more new cases per 100,000 population, with a rate of 201 new cases per 100,000. The number of reported coronavirus cases in the state increased by 980 on Wednesday and there were 13 additional deaths due to COVID-19, the health department said.
No chill for Coco: Gauff ousts 9th seed in French Open debut
(AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)PARIS โ Prepping in the relative warmth of a gym before heading out with leggings and long sleeves to make her French Open debut against the tournamentโs No. I realized itโs just a tennis match. Such a far cry from last yearโs French Open: Gauff failed to make it out of qualifying, while Konta was making her way to her third Grand Slam semifinal. She also made it to the fourth round at this yearโs Australian Open, beating 2019 champion Naomi Osaka en route. The lack of match play coming in.
Romania's ruling party upbeat after municipal elections
A woman wearing a mask to protect against COVID-19 infection casts her vote in local elctions in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. Polls have opened in Romanias municipal election, which is being seen as a test of how the next general election on Dec. 6 will unfold for the countrys minority-led government. The PSD remains the strongest party in Romaniaโs parliament, despite losing its governing majority. Next, in the countryโs presidential election last November, Dancila suffered a crushing defeat to the NLPโs former leader, Klaus Iohannis. The PSD leader Marcel Ciolacu all but conceded the election loss by its incumbent major of Bucharest, Gabriela Firea.
3 new candidates for European Commission clear 1st hurdle
The three new proposed candidates for the European Commission from France, Hungary and Romania have cleared a first hurdle in their nomination process after lawmakers who scrutinize possible conflicts of interest gave their go-ahead for their bids. The new Commission the powerful executive arm of the European Union that proposes laws and ensures they are implemented throughout the bloc was initially scheduled to take office on Nov. 1. but European lawmakers rejected the previous French, Hungarian and Romanian candidates, delaying the whole process. After lawmakers on the legal affairs committee looked into the candidates' declarations of interests Tuesday, Thierry Breton, Oliver Vrhelyi, and Adina Valean will face three-hour formal hearings later this week before the full Commission, which is now slated to start work on Dec. 1, can be voted in.
The Latest: Exit polls see runoff in Romania president vote
A man takes photos as a woman casts her vote in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. Voting got underway in Romania's presidential election after a lackluster campaign overshadowed by a political crisis which saw a minority government installed just a few days ago. Official results are not expected before Monday though exit polls by two local pollsters showed very similar outcomes. Iohannis says the exit polls show that "millions of Romanians in the country and abroad voted for our project, for a normal Romania." Both exit polls had Dan Barna, of the center-right Save Romania Union, receiving slightly more than 16% of the votes.
Polls open in Romania's presidential election
A man takes photos as a woman casts her vote in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. Voting got underway in Romania's presidential election after a lackluster campaign overshadowed by a political crisis which saw a minority government installed just a few days ago. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)BUCHAREST Voting was underway Sunday in Romania's presidential election after a lackluster campaign overshadowed by a political crisis which saw a minority government installed just a few days ago. Around 18.2 million voters are eligible to cast their ballots for one of 14 candidates vying for the five-year presidential term. According to a World Bank study last year, over 25% of Romania's population lives on less than $5.50 a day.
When do countries around the world celebrate Fathers Day?
Here is when some other countries celebrate Fathers Day. RomaniaWhile many countries have Mothers Day on the second Sunday in May, Romania reserves that day to have its Fathers Day. GermanyThis country coincides Fathers Day every year with Ascension Day, which is the 40th day of Easter. Jordan, Egypt and LebanonAlong with Kosovo, Syria and the United Arab Emirates, these countries celebrate Fathers Day every June 21. Scandinavian countriesSweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland and Estonia all celebrate Fathers Day on the second day of November.
When do countries around the world celebrate Fathers Day?
Here is when some other countries celebrate Fathers Day. RomaniaWhile many countries have Mothers Day on the second Sunday in May, Romania reserves that day to have its Fathers Day. GermanyThis country coincides Fathers Day every year with Ascension Day, which is the 40th day of Easter. Jordan, Egypt and LebanonAlong with Kosovo, Syria and the United Arab Emirates, these countries celebrate Fathers Day every June 21. Scandinavian countriesSweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland and Estonia all celebrate Fathers Day on the second day of November.