August 12, 2019
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 12.08.2019, 13:32
BUDGET – In today’s session, the Romanian Government is to adopt the first adjustment in 2019 of the state and social security budget. The bill stipulates an increase in the amounts earmarked for the ministries of finance, development, labour, environment and the Romanian Intelligence Service. Less money will get the ministries of transport, business and education. The budget adjustment was on the Government’s table last week too, when it was presented to the ministers at first reading. Prime Minister Viorica Dancila has stated that the adjustment is a positive one, which ensures the payment of increased salaries and pensions and the continuation of investment in priority sectors. Also today, the Government would adopt a bill amending the Road Traffic Code, which will ban the use of mobile phones while driving.
INFLATION – In Romania, the annual inflation rate went up to 4.1% in July this year, from 3.84% in June, due to an increase in the prices of foodstuffs, services and non-food products, according to data made public today by the National Statistics Institute. The average rate of consumption prices in the past 12 months, as compared to the previous 12 months, is 4%. Last week, the Central Bank Governor Mugur Isarescu announced that the National Bank had maintained its inflation estimate for the end of the year at 4.2% and an estimated 3.4% rate for the end of next year. Basic inflation continues to grow, and the annual value of the consumption price index will exceed 3.5%, which is outside the range targeted by the Central Bank. After that, the value will come back within the range, Mugur Isarescu also said.
UNIVERSITY – The 17th edition of the Izvoru Mureşului Summer University starts today in Harghita County, central Romania. This year’s theme is Romania and the Romanians abroad, one year after the Great Union Centennial. The topics approached will include preserving the identity of the Romanians in Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova in the context of regional geopolitical development and the Romanian national interest, the policies of parliamentary parties and public institutions with respect to the Romanians abroad and the Romanians in the multi-ethnic regions in Romania. Attending the works will be participants from Romania and from the Diaspora, as well as from the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, Hungary, Serbia, and Bulgaria, mass media and civil society representatives, and members of the academic community in Romania and abroad.
WEATHER – The Romanian Meteorology Administration has issued a code yellow warning for extreme heat and severe thermal discomfort, in place across the entire country until Tuesday. In the southern and south-western areas thermal discomfort will be even higher, with a temperature – humidity ratio exceeding the critical threshold of 80 units. Temperatures are expected to rise up to 38 degrees Celcius in most regions. Also, over extended areas temperatures will not drop below 20 degrees during the night.
TENNIS – The young Romanian-born Canadian tennis player Bianca Andreescu (27 WTA) has won the Toronto tournament, with 2.8 million dollars in prize money. In the final, her opponent, the American Serena Williams (10 WTA) abandoned the match when the score was 3-1 for Bianca. Serena complained about back pain and stepped back after only 19 minutes. Bianca Andreescu, aged 19, has thus won her second WTA trophy, after the Indian Wells this spring. She also played the final at Auckland.
FOOTBALL – Romania’s football champion, CFR Cluj, on Tuesday is playing in Glasgow against the famous Scottish Celtic, in the second leg of the third preliminary round of the Champions League. A week ago, the two teams ended the match in a draw, 1-1. The winner will take on Slavia Prague in the play-off. Another two Romanian teams are playing on Thursday away from home, in the second leg of the third preliminary round of Europa League. Vice-champion FCSB (formerly known as Steaua Bucharest), will play against the Czecks from FK Mlada Boleslav, and Universitatea Craiova will take on the Greek squad AEK Athens. (translated by M. Ignatescu)
