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Check FAQAbout Lorelei
Lorelei Mihala is a Romanian journalist based in Brussels who can cover topics from Belgium and Romania. I am writing for BBC News and I have nineteen years of experience as a TV journalist for the Romanian public television. As a TV journalist and editor, I am responsible for delivering TV programmes from the stage of research, establishing the interviews, coordinating the footage team on spot, making the interviews, writing the script and editing the stories. During sixteen years of experience I have been working and getting experience in some of the most important fields of TV productions, from talk shows to investigations, from daily live youngsters' programmes to cultural and morning shows, coordinating small teams on spot or big TV crews for a live production. I have been covering social and investigative issues, such as corruption in spending European Union funds, poverty, minorities' rights, migration, injustice, the health system conditions, European Union topics, with a specific focus, lately, on aid for development, travel stories. I was the producer of morning shows and cultural programmes, coordinating the budget and the TV live broadcast.
Portfolio
One of Romania’s most wanted, Sebastian Ghita, arrested in Belgrade
Sebastian Ghita, a Romanian businessman and former politician, was arrested in Belgrade after evading authorities for four months. Ghita, who amassed a significant fortune through IT contracts and other investments, faced corruption charges after losing his political immunity. He was accused of bribery and illegal campaign financing. Ghita fled Romania in December 2016, leading to an international manhunt that concluded with his arrest in Serbia. He had previously made allegations of collusion between Romanian intelligence and anti-corruption officials, including claims against General-Lieutenant Florian Coldea and chief prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi of the DNA. Ghita's allegations led to an internal investigation and Coldea's resignation, though no illegal activity was found. Ghita now faces additional charges in Serbia for using false identity documents.
Meet the flight attendants who want to scrap ‘objectifying’ uniforms
SkyUp Airlines, a Ukrainian company, has introduced a new, more comfortable cabin crew uniform, replacing the classic skirt suit with trousers and heeled shoes with trainers. The changes, created by Ukrainian fashion brands, aim to address women's rights and gender equality in the aviation industry. The initiative has sparked debates on social media and among flight attendants. While some crew members welcome the change, others believe the classic uniform is a trademark of the industry's glamour. The discussion reflects broader themes of comfort versus tradition and the evolving standards of professional attire.
After the first cancellation it didn't go back to normal
Frank Schmidt, a Barcelona apartment owner who rented through Airbnb, faced a sudden drop in tourism due to the pandemic, with official figures showing an 80% decrease in visitors to Catalonia. The Mobile World Congress cancellation marked the beginning of a downturn. Schmidt pivoted to long-term rentals for business people at reduced rates. The sharing economy, including shared workspaces and furniture rental services like Giotto, has been impacted by the pandemic, with varying responses. Venture X anticipates growth in co-working spaces, while Karshare offered free car rentals to key workers. The future of the sharing economy, potentially worth $335bn by 2025, may be influenced by the pandemic, but experts like Markus Perkmann expect a rebound in successful sharing economy models.
Meet Europe’s grounded pilots forced to find other work amid travel slump
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant downturn in the aviation industry, resulting in job losses and grounded pilots across Europe. Pilots like Patrick Pawelczak have been forced to seek alternative employment, such as delivery driving and construction work, due to the closure of airlines like Go2Sky. The European Cockpit Association estimates around 18,000 pilot jobs in Europe have been lost or are at risk. Pilots face challenges in finding new jobs, as their specialized skills are not easily transferable and they often encounter skepticism from potential employers. The industry may not recover until 2024 or 2026, according to Eurocontrol, leaving many aviation workers in limbo.
Fritz-Kola, the soda created by two young people in whom no one believed (and now competes with Pepsi and Coca-Cola)
Mirco Wiegert and Lorenz Hampl, students with no prior knowledge of soda production, founded Fritz-Kola in Hamburg, Germany. They faced initial challenges but eventually found a brewery to help them. Starting with 170 cases, they targeted independent bars and grew the brand to become the second-largest seller of 330 ml glass bottle cola in German stores, behind Coca-Cola. Fritz-Kola is known for its unique taste with less sugar, added lemon juice, and higher caffeine content. The brand's authenticity and irreverent advertising have contributed to its popularity across Europe. Mirco now runs the company, which subcontracts production to five bottling plants and offers a sugar-free version and fruit drinks. Forbes reported the company's 2015 sales at around $8.7 million.
The view from Bucharest: Brexit fears for Romanian expatriates
Romanians, the second-most-common non-British nationality in the UK, express their concerns about Brexit's impact on their lives and future plans. Students, entrepreneurs, and professionals from Bucharest share their views on the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, its perceived irrational handling by the British parliament, and the potential consequences for Romanian expatriates' rights and opportunities in the UK. The article also touches on the broader implications for European unity and the personal ramifications for a British citizen living in Romania.
Why Romanian migrant women suffer from ‘Italy syndrome’
Romanian migrant women working as caregivers in Italy are experiencing 'Italy syndrome,' a term used in Romania for mental health issues stemming from such work. Symptoms include depression, anxiety, and a feeling of alienation. The syndrome is attributed to factors like genetic vulnerability, cultural differences, and not knowing the language. Despite not being a scientifically recognized diagnosis, it is a notable socio-medical phenomenon. The demand for caregivers in Italy is high due to its elderly population, but workers often face abuse, lack of rights, and illegal work conditions. The article includes personal accounts from Romanian women who have suffered from Italy syndrome and highlights the challenges they face both in Italy and upon returning to Romania.
Truth and Justice: Romania’s Wrongly Accused
Romanian #Europeanheroes who rescue people for free
Rescue 4X4, an online community of volunteers founded by IT programmer Mihai Tuhari and Paul Dorneanu, provides free rescue services to people stuck in difficult situations, such as cars trapped in mud or snow. The service operates through a platform where volunteers specify their available area and those in need can request help, triggering alerts to nearby volunteers. The initiative, which has evolved into the Association of Volunteer Rescuers 4X4, has strict rules against payment, aiming to offer assistance purely on a volunteer basis. The founders hope to make the service self-sustainable through company support and tax rebates.
How violent revolution gave birth to a global brand
Florin and Mariuca Talpes, once caught in the Romanian revolution, became successful business leaders by founding Bitdefender, a leading cyber-security and anti-virus software company. Starting with no private enterprise experience post-communism, they grew Bitdefender to a $600m valuation with over 500 million customers. Despite initial family opposition and cultural shocks, the couple's venture thrived, benefiting from positive reviews and global internet proliferation. Bitdefender now employs 1,400 people across 11 countries, with a significant presence in North America. The Talpes couple also excel in ballroom dancing, holding national Romanian titles.
In a poor southern village euronews finds little support for demonstrators and much tolerance of the government.
Euronews reports from Singureni, a southern village in Romania, where there is little support for the anti-corruption protests that have been occurring in the capital, Bucharest. The villagers, including Florica Trandafir, show a strong preference for the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD), which won a significant majority in the area. Despite Romania's reputation for corruption and the large protests against the government's attempts to decriminalize certain offenses and weaken the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA), the residents of Singureni seem more concerned with immediate economic issues than political activism. The article highlights the perspectives of several locals, including the mayor, Marian Patuleanu, and an unemployed construction worker, Dumitru Costache, who express tolerance or indifference towards the government and skepticism about the protests. The sentiment in the village contrasts with the dissatisfaction indicated by a survey for the European Parliament, which shows that 62% of Romanians believe the country is heading in the wrong direction.
When in Romania, visit Tusnad area - TV travel programme broadcast by the Romanian public television
How a family's dogs were saved from a fiery death
The article discusses the convenience and security aspects of remote starting technology for vehicles. It highlights the benefit of being able to de-ice the car remotely while preparing for work. The article also touches on the security feature that requires a physical key to drive the car, even if a thief were to break in while the car is running. This implies that despite the car being operational, it cannot be stolen without the key.
Team buildings through cookery classes - article published by BBC News
Soviet nostalgia? Take a tour through Bucharest's communist past!
Bucharest, now a vibrant commercial hub, retains architectural and landscape elements from its communist era. The Palatul Parlamentului, built by Nicolae Ceaușescu, is the world's second-largest administrative building and a symbol of his regime. Ceaușescu's fear of revolution, which led to the construction of an underground bunker, was realized with his execution during the 1989 Romanian Revolution. Bucharest now offers tours highlighting the city's communist history, including the balcony where Ceaușescu made his final public speech.
A collaborative article, written with a London based journalist, about youth access to job market in Romania and UK, with a special focus on migrants.
BBC News Technology of Business article about safe drive app
Article published by BBC News - BBC Business Brain
Building business ties to heal the scars of civil war
The European Union has funded a UN-administered project called Support to Confidence Building Measures Programme to foster business relationships between entrepreneurs from Moldova and the separatist region of Trans-Dniester. The project, which spent €1.8m in 2016 and will run until 2018, aims to encourage cross-border cooperation and potentially joint ventures. Participants like Ivan Khodakovsky and Igor Hincu have formed a partnership to produce solar-powered wooden toys, while others like Marcela Moscovciuc and Denis Gumeniuc have engaged in cross-border trade. The program is seen as a success in building bridges and reducing tensions resulting from the Trans-Dniester War.
TV travel programme - Romanian National Television, TVR 1
TV investigation - Romanian National Television, TVR 1
TV social feature - broadcasted by Romanian National Television, TVR 1 & Deutsche Welle
TV feature - Romanian National Television, TVR 1
How teddy 'meditech' can play nurse to your toddler
The article discusses the potential dangers of individuals self-diagnosing and self-medicating based on information they find or interpret on their own. It highlights the risks associated with taking the results of self-diagnosis lightly, as well as the opposite scenario where individuals may underestimate the severity of their symptoms. The journalist seems to be cautioning against the reliance on self-assessment for medical issues, implying that professional medical advice should be sought.
How teddy 'meditech' can play nurse to your toddler
The filmmaker who swapped communism for Hollywood
The article discusses the personal history of Mr. Paunescu, who has an estimated net worth of €11 million. It contrasts his current wealth with his early days under a communist regime, where he worked as a filmmaker for the government but earned so little that he had to drive a taxi to make ends meet.
Don't tell Lenin: making money from communist nostalgia
The article discusses the story of a 35-year-old individual who, reminiscing about his fond childhood memories associated with a particular bike, speculated that other Romanians of his generation might share the same nostalgic feelings. This led him to consider the potential of reviving the brand that produced the bike, tapping into the collective nostalgia and possibly re-launching a once-loved product.
TV travel programme - Romanian National Television, TVR 1
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