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 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.
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 “full of dangers” further hampered by border entry bureaucracy.
French Open defends "pragmatic" stance in Osaka dealings
French Open organizers said they took a “pragmatic” approach in their dealings with four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka earlier in the tournament, insisting they tried to engage with her several times before she decided to withdraw from the clay-court Grand Slam.
The Latest: Arkansas Gov: end of mask mandate at month's end
The increasing pressure on ICU wards — where today 1,334 people are currently receiving care — comes amid a surge of COVID-19 cases in the Eastern European country. ___PHOENIX — Arizona on Saturday reported 735 additional confirmed coronavirus cases with 42 more deaths amid indications of continued slowing of the coronavirus outbreak. Arizona’s pandemic totals rose to 835,765 cases and 16,733 deaths, according to the state’s coronavirus dashboard. The government on Saturday reported cases topping the previous record in June. ___WARSAW, Poland — 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 – 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 – 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 — a country of more than 19 million people — 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 – A senior World Health Organization official said Monday it was “premature” and “unrealistic” 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 world’s 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. “If we’re smart, we can finish with the hospitalizations and the deaths and the tragedy associated with this pandemic” 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: Krejcikova aims for doubles double in Australia
Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic makes a forehand return to Russia's Ekaterina Alexandrova during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021. All rights reservedMELBOURNE – The Latest on the Australian Open (all times local):7 p.m.Barbora Krejcikova has set up a shot at an Australian Open doubles double over the next couple of days. AdNaomi Osaka has stopped Serena Williams’ latest bid for a record-tying 24th Grand Slam singles title in the Australian Open semifinals. 1 Novak Djokovic vs. Aslan Karatsev, a qualifier from Russia who is ranked 114th and playing in his first Grand Slam tournament. 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 – Melbourne, Australia’s 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 – 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 – 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 – Romania’s 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 Romania’s 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. “I 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 Romania’s 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 “Christ is king” and “America 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. — 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. Arizona’s stay-at-home order expired on May 15 and two weeks later the daily average number of coronavirus cases climbed 151%. ___PROVIDENCE, R.I. — 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.
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 – At the mere mention of Novak Djokovic’s name, at the mere thought of sharing a court with a 17-time Grand Slam champion and the French Open’s No. He used these phrases: “really, really excited” and “really, really happy” and “really, really special.”Galan 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. “Well,” came Galan’s reply, “I was wondering that, to be honest.”And then he launched into a story about how he was “really, really nervous” before playing former top 10-member David Goffin in the Davis Cup Finals last November.
The Latest: Earliest French Open exit for Stephens since '11
(AP Photo/Christophe Ena)PARIS – The Latest from the French Open (all times local):____6:10 p.m.Former runner-up Sloane Stephens lost in the second round for her earliest exit at Roland Garros since a first-round defeat on her debut in 2011. ___4:15 p.m.Novak Djokovic's biggest concern seemed to be dealing with a rare bit of sunshine during his second-round victory at Roland Garros. ___2:30 p.m.Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin reached the third round at Roland Garros by beating Ana Bogdan 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. ____1:10 p.m.Danish teen Clara Tauson's surprise run is over after losing to American player Danielle Collins 6-2, 6-3 in the second round. Pliskova's twin sister, Kristyna, was also playing a former French Open champion when she faced 2016 winner Garbiñe Muguruza.
The Latest: US extends ban on cruise ships through October
(AP Photo/YK Chan)WASHINGTON — 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 – Prepping in the relative warmth of a gym before heading out with leggings and long sleeves to make her French Open debut against the tournament’s No. I realized it’s just a tennis match. Such a far cry from last year’s 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 year’s 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 Romania’s parliament, despite losing its governing majority. Next, in the country’s presidential election last November, Dancila suffered a crushing defeat to the NLP’s former leader, Klaus Iohannis. The PSD leader Marcel Ciolacu all but conceded the election loss by its incumbent major of Bucharest, Gabriela Firea.
When do countries around the world celebrate Father’s Day?
Here is when some other countries celebrate Father’s Day. RomaniaWhile many countries have Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May, Romania reserves that day to have its Father’s Day. GermanyThis country coincides Father’s 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 Father’s Day every June 21. Scandinavian countriesSweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland and Estonia all celebrate Father’s Day on the second day of November.
South Florida's Coco Gauff loses to Halep in 4th round at Wimbledon
WIMBLEDON, England - Cori "Coco" Gauff's Wimbledon run is over. 1 Simona Halep 6-3, 6-3 in the fourth round. Halep broke Gauff five times and took advantage of 29 unforced errors. Gauff saved two match points when serving at 5-2 but Halep clinched the win when the teenager sent a forehand wide in the next game. Halep reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the fourth time and will next face Zhang Shuai of China.
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.