August 1, 2024

A roundup of domestic and international news

Newsroom, 01.08.2024, 13:55

Warning. The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns that, in the context of recent security developments and the increased risk of escalation, a travel warning is in force for the State of Israel, level 8/9 – AVOID ANY TRAVEL. The ministry strongly recommends rescheduling for a later date, depending on the evolution of the security situation, all trips for tourist or pilgrimage purposes. The security situation is volatile, significant damage can occur suddenly, without prior warning, with the consequence of closing the land and air borders of the State of Israel – warns the MFA. A similar warning, level 8/9 – AVOID ANY TRAVEL, is also in place for the entire territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The MFA points out that, against the background of the recent developments in the security situation in the Gulf area, several air transport companies have taken the decision to introduce a detour route for flights transiting the Gulf, the Gulf of Oman or the Strait of Hormuz, given the real risk to passengers and crews’ safety.

Commissioner. The Social-Democratic Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has stated that his colleague, MEP Victor Negrescu, is one of the options regarding the proposal that Romania is to make for the position of European Commissioner in the future European Commission. He specified that the Social-Democratic MEP Mihai Tudose refused a possible nomination for this position. August 30 is the deadline by which each member state of the European Union must propose two candidates for the post of European Commissioner in the future Community Executive. Re-confirmed for the second term as president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen emphasized, in a letter, that she wants each country to propose a man and a woman. In the former community executive, Romania was represented by the liberal Alina Vălean, who held the Transport portfolio.

Fiscal Code. The Romanian Ministry of Finance has released into public debate the amendment to the Fiscal Code. Among other things, the draft provides for the introduction of a personal fiscal code for natural persons, to be used for shopping and taxes. The code will allow the National Fiscal Administration Agency to verify the transactions carried out and, in the case of the purchase of expensive products, if the person can justify the money used. Practically, the unique fiscal identification number would be used by natural persons in fiscal statements and invoices, as an alternative to the personal numerical code. The purpose is to protect personal data by avoiding the use of the CNP in various systems.

Government. The agenda of today’s meeting of the Executive in Bucharest includes a draft ordinance meant to regulate some measures for the management of European funds allocated to Romania through the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism. The document also includes provisions necessary for the fulfillment of milestones and targets within the NRRP. According to the explanatory note, the normative act aims, among other things, to regulate the possibility of extending public procurement contracts.

Anniversary. On the 105th anniversary of the establishment of the Romanian administration in Banat, events are starting today in the city of Timisora, western Romania. On August 3, 1919, the troops of the Romanian Army entered Timișoara, realizing de facto the union with the mother country, proclaimed on December 1, 1918 in Alba Iulia, by the majority Romanian population in Banat, Transylvania, Crișana and Maramureș, the provinces which, until then, had been under the rule of the Austrian – Hungarian Empire. The city celebration aims to express the free and nonconformist spirit of Timisoara, through music, film, technology and by honoring the valuable people of the place. Starting today until Sunday, every evening, there will be operetta, opera, rock, pop and folklore musical performances. The program also includes film screenings about Timișoara.

Olympic Games. Romanian swimmer David Popovici won the bronze medal in the 100-meter freestyle, on Wednesday evening, at the Olympic Games in Paris, in a final in which the Chinese Zhanle Pan won the gold with a new world record. According to the specialized press, the final was a formidable one, the fastest in history. On Monday, Popovici (19 years old) won gold in the 200 meters freestyle. Today, Romanian athletes compete in rowing, artistic gymnastics, polo, table tennis, archery and yachting. In rowing, the men’s double sculls team formed by Marian Enache and Andrei Cornea won the Olympic gold. Ancuța Bodnar and Simona Radiș, Olympic champions in Tokyo, won the silver medal in the women’s double sculls event. (…) In gymnastics, Ana Maria Bărbosu and Amalia Ghigoartă have reached the finals of the women’s individual event.