Morning headlines – March 8th 2021

Coronavirus and vaccines

• Vaccination in Romania: More than 1.173.000 people got vaccinated (more than 652.000 with both doses). In the last 24 hours, more than 45.000 people got vaccinated (more than 7.800 with both doses).
• Coronavirus in Romania: In the last 24 hours, there were recorded 3.288 new SARS CoV-2 cases, 46 deaths and in ICU there are 1.093 people hospitalized.
• Arafat: The new variants are affecting the vaccination impact. Raed Arafat, the DES (Department for Emergency Situations) chief, says that the impact of the vaccination campaign is affected by the new variants, which are easily spread. The doctor also said the vaccine does not work immediately, but a few days after the revaccination, says Mediafax.
• On Monday, the age restriction for the AstraZeneca vaccine could be lifted. Valeriu Gheorghita, the coordinator of the national vaccination campaign, has stated that Monday, March 8^th, the National Coordination Committee for the Vaccination Activities will decide on whether to reduce the age limitation for the AstraZeneca vaccine or not.

The global political and military events

• China is warning the US. The Beijing Administration has warned, on Sunday, the United Stated on giving up the “dangerous practices”, avoid the foreign interferences and not cross the “red line” on the support given to Taiwan. “About the China-US relations, I think that first of all both parts should respect the principle of not interfering in domestic affairs”, has said on Sunday Wang Yi, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the parliamentary session.
• The US is preserving its right to attack the Iraqi militias. The Unites States will “do everything necessary to defend itself” from the missile attacks launched over the bases hosting American soldiers in Iraq, has stated on Sunday the Pentagon’s chief, Lloyd Austin, says Le Figaro. Ten missiles have hit on Wednesday the Air Base Ain al-Assad, killing a US contractor, also says the quoted source.
• Switzerland is prohibiting the face coverage for Muslim women. The Swiss people have voted on Sunday with a small majority, 51,21%, in favor of prohibiting the face coverage, being considered a signal against radical Islamism, says AP.
• Catastrophe in Equatorial Guinea, after the explosion of some ammunition deposits. Four explosions took place in Bata, the Equatorial Guinea, at an ammunition deposit, destroying the surrounding buildings. The number of victims was not confirmed yet.
• US-South Korea agreement. The United States and South Korea have agreed on Korea’s contribution for the almost 29.000 US military dislocated in the peninsula, without announcing, however, the amount, says AP. Until now, South Korea was paying almost half a billion dollars, but the Trump Administration has demanded the increase to 5 billion.

Romania’s defence and security

• Romania becomes the main route for immigrants. In Romania, the percentage of immigrants increased with 200% comparing to 2019, which is more than 6.000 people. Recently, Timisoara’s mayor came to Bucharest to ask for the support of the Home Affairs Minister, Lucian Bode. Everything started when the normal Balkan route used by immigrants, Bosnia and Croatia, became more difficult.