April 5, 2025 UPDATE (2)
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 05.04.2025, 20:00
DISINFORMATION – The Romanian Intelligence Service announced it is permanently monitoring disinformation and propaganda online activities, in order to combat risks and threats to national security. The announcement comes after a journalistic investigation showed that the number of Romanian-language propaganda accounts on TikTok promoting Putin and criticizing the European Union has significantly increased of late. At the same time, the National Audiovisual Council is preparing a decision calling on TikTok to immediately remove such content. The institution stated that, in the last week, it has issued 10 such decisions regarding content published on TikTok and Facebook. The decisions targeted, among other things, disinformation and incitement to violence. According to the Council, the posts in question were followed by over 400,000 people and had collected 2.6 million likes. We recall that the campaign for the May 4 presidential election started on Friday.
ENERGY – “Romania comes with solutions, partnerships and dialogue, with active energy diplomacy. Together we build a secure, accessible and sustainable energy future for the region and Europe”, Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja wrote on Facebook on Saturday. On the sidelines of the ministerial meeting in Baku devoted to the Southern Gas Corridor, Burduja had a series of bilateral meetings regarding Romania’s involvement in the region’s strategic energy projects and the development of the sector at national level. The Energy Minister also met with EBRD representatives, discussing support for green energy investments.
PROJECT – Expanding the exploitation of the Roşia Poieni deposit (west), where 60% of Romania’s copper reserves are stored, is a priority for the Ministry of Investments and European Funds in Bucharest. The line minister Marcel Boloş, who discussed the issue with representatives of local administrations and the relevant industry, described the project as strategic. Recently, the European Commission approved a list of 47 projects in the field of so-called critical materials, essential for cutting-edge technologies. Total investment is estimated at approximately €22 billion. Romania is listed with three projects aimed at the exploitation of copper, magnesium and graphite. The projects will benefit from simplified access to funding, while the period for granting permits will be reduced from 10 to 2 years.
WAR IN UKRAINE – The French and British chiefs of general staff discussed ways of strengthening the Ukrainian army as well as reassurance options that will be offered once the ceasefire is implemented, French General Thierry Burkhard said Saturday, after visiting Kyiv with British Admiral Tony Radakin the day before, AFP reports. Together, we want to guarantee a lasting and solid peace in Ukraine, an essential condition for the security of the European continent, the French Chief of Staff wrote on X. The two military leaders held talks in particular with the Ukrainian commander-in-chief, General Oleksandr Syrsky, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The aim of the joint visit was to discuss the needs and objectives of the Ukrainian army in order to support it in the long term in the reconstruction and evolution of its model, the French chief of general staff said in a statement. Talks focused on ensuring continuous support for the Ukrainian army to allow it to continue the fight against Russia, General Burkhard said.
TENNIS – The top seed Sebastian Baez of Argentina will play third-seed Flavio Cobolli of Italy in Sunday’s final of the Ţiriac Open (ATP 250) tournament in Bucharest, offering some €600 thousand in total prizes. In the semi-finals, Baez ousted the defending champion, Marton Fucsovics of Hungary, whereas Cobolli knocked out Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia, who eliminated Romania’s Filip Jianu in the round of 16. (VP)
