January 14, 2026
A roundup of domestic and world news
Newsroom, 14.01.2026, 13:55
Reform – The draft reform of the Romanian public administration, which provides, among other things, for a 10% reduction in personnel costs, has been put into public debate by the Ministry of Development. The bill amends several laws and contains articles referring to the functioning of public institutions, traffic fines or building taxes. According to the text, the 10% reduction in personnel costs in the central public administration will be done through institutional reorganization, by reducing bonuses or by cutting jobs, without affecting the basic salaries of employees. In contrast, a 10% reduction in the number of occupied positions is provided for at the level of local administrations. The draft is expected to be transformed into law by the government’s assuming responsibility in Parliament.
Justice – A new meeting of the Committee for the Analysis and Revision of Legislation in the justice field is taking place in Bucharest today. This forum first met on December 23 last year, with Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan also attending the meeting. The Committee’s objective is to establish concrete normative solutions for problems recently identified in the public debate, including through journalistic investigations and petitions by magistrates. In this context, we recall that a pending reform is that of the special pension system for magistrates, on which access to European funds also depends. The outcome could come on Friday, when the judges of the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) are expected to rule on the bill for which the Executive took responsibility in Parliament last year. The reform – which provides for the reduction of pensions and the increase in the retirement age – is delayed due to repeated challenges by the High Court of Cassation and Justice, but also due to the lack of a quorum at the Constitutional Court.
Culture – Every year, on January 15, Romania celebrates the National Culture Day. This day coincides with the birthday of Mihai Eminescu (1850-1889), a poet, prose writer, playwright and journalist, considered by posthumous literary critics as the most important poetic voice in Romanian literature. The National Culture Day was established by law in December 2010. Throughout the country and also abroad, events are held on this occasion that promote Romanian academic effort, art and culture. This year, Radio Romania will launch a new version of the free platform eteatru.ro – the largest on-demand collection of radio drama in the country. Those interested will have access, thanks to a modernized digital experience, to thousands of productions from the National Radio Drama department archive, from classic shows and legendary productions to contemporary creations. The first theater broadcast on Radio Romania took place on February 18, 1929. Over the decades, until today, the National Radio Drama Department has built a heritage sound archive, bringing together great texts of Romanian and universal dramaturgy, prestigious directors and some of the most important voices of the Romanian stage.
Iran – The Human Rights Activists NGO announced that approximately 1,850 people, including minors, have lost their lives as a result of the protests against the government in Iran. Also, over 16 thousand people have been arrested. The situation remains extremely tense, amid the demonstrations that continue in several regions of the country. The protests, which initially erupted due to economic dissatisfaction, quickly acquired a political dimension, turning into a direct challenge to the authorities in Tehran. In the capital and other major urban centers, security forces have intensified interventions against the demonstrators, with news agencies reporting on the massive use of force, large-scale arrests and an increased military presence in key areas. The Iranian authorities have imposed severe restrictions on access to the internet and mobile communications, which makes it difficult to independently verify information.
Tennis – The Romanian tennis player Jaqueline Cristian has today qualified to the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 tournament in Adelaide (Australia), with total prizes up for grabs worth over 1.2 million US dollars, after defeating the Russian-born Australian player Daria Kasatkina, 6-4, 6-0. Jaqueline Cristian (37 WTA), coming from the qualifiers, won after 1 hour and 31 minutes of play, taking full advantage of the 9 double faults committed by Kasatkina. The Romanian had lost all three previous direct meetings with her. For a place in the semifinals, Jaqueline Cristian will face the Australian Kimberly Birrell. (LS)
