January 11, 2026 UPDATE
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 11.01.2026, 20:00
Cold weather in Romania: alert stays in place amid growing energy consumption
The weather in Romania will be unusually cold over the coming days, with snow and temperatures dropping to minus 10 degrees. A yellow code warning against severe cold is in effect until Monday morning across nearly the entire country, except southern regions. Highs will range from minus 10 to minus 2 degrees, with persistent cold even during the day, isolated in the north and center.
Amid the cold snap, Romanian authorities expect higher consumption of electricity and natural gas. Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan stated that the energy system is prepared to handle the low temperatures forecast. According to him, although natural gas consumption nationwide will rise by 20% early next week, the fact that storage facilities are 70% full (well above the European average) provides a safety net. The Energy Minister also noted that most of the consumption will be covered by domestic production and energy storage.
Response to Mercosur deal
The EU is set to sign the trade agreement with the Latin American Mercosur bloc in the coming days. This is a crucial step towards creating the world’s largest free trade area, though it’s not yet certain, as the document must still be ratified by the European Parliament. EU Member States secured a qualified majority for validation, allowing European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa to officially sign the pact on January 17 in Asunción, alongside representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay.
The agreement was approved despite negative votes from France, Poland, Austria, Ireland and Hungary, and Belgium’s abstention.
In Romania, coalition parties have had diverging reactions: PSD says the deal lacks clear clauses to protect Romanian farmers from Latin American imports. Meanwhile, USR Economy Minister Irineu Darău pointed out that Romania supported it only after tough negotiations that secured clear guarantees for industry and agriculture.
Increase in the minimum wage
In Romania, the bill to raise the minimum wage from €797.2 to €851.3 per month starting July 1 has been submitted to the Economic and Social Council, where it will receive an opinion – a mandatory step before government adoption. Over 1.7 million employees will benefit from this increase, per the explanatory note. The Labor Ministry expects the proposed increase to have positive social effects, boosting employment, strengthening purchasing power and curbing undeclared work.
Car production
National car production dropped slightly by 2.6% last year compared to 2024, reaching 545,000 units, according to the Romanian Automobile Manufacturers Association. In terms of new car registrations, association data show over 156,000 units, half hybrid-powered and nearly 9,000 fully electric vehicles, the latter dropping 10% from 2024. Meanwhile, second-hand car registrations in Romania last year totaled 360,000 units, up nearly 10%.
Protests in Iran
Reports from Iran indicate hundreds have been killed or injured by security forces in recent days as anti-government protests continue nationwide, the BBC reports. Massive crowds continue to take to the streets of Tehran and other cities, with mobilization growing and spreading despite bloody repression.
Iran faces unprecedented mobilization in the past three years and one of its biggest challenges since 1979.
Romania’s Foreign Ministry reminds that a level 8/9 travel warning (“Avoid all travel”) is in effect for all of Iran due to the demonstrations and the risk of escalation. The authorities urge Romanian citizens on the ground to avoid crowds and the stage of protests and to responsibly assess the need to stay in this country.
The EU, UN and other international organizations have criticized Tehran for its violent response to street protests driven mainly by economic woes.
Romanian tennis wins in Adelaide
Romanian tennis players Jaqueline Cristian, Sorana Cîrstea and Gabriela Ruse all qualified to the main draw of the WTA 500 Adelaide tournament (Australia), with total prizes over 1.2 million US dollars, after grabbing Sunday wins in the final qualifying round.
Jaqueline Cristian beat Russian-born Austrian Anastasia Potapova 6-1, 6-3. In the opening round, Cristian faces fourth seed Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova. Sorana Cîrstea defeated Uzbek Kamila Rakhimova 7-6, 6-3 and will play Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska. Gabriela Ruse defeated Czech Katerina Siniaková 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 and will face Russian Anna Kalinskaya.
Handball teams playing in European inter-club competitions
CS Rapid Bucharest drew 32-32 at home with Norway’s Tertnes Bergen on Sunday in Group C of the women’s EHF European League handball. Rapid faces Lokomotiva Zagreb away on January 17 in the second round.
On Saturday evening, CS Minaur Baia Mare (north) beat Larvik 28-26 away in their Group A debut in the same competition. Also Saturday, Gloria Bistrița (north) lost 38-34 at home to Montenegro’s OTP Group Budućnost Podgorica in Women’s Champions League Group A—after winning the away leg 29-26 in Podgorica; this was Budućnost’s first group win.
Win for the national polo team
Romania’s men’s water polo team beat Slovakia 16-8 on Sunday in their first Group D match at the European Championship in Belgrade. In the group’s other match, Italy defeated Turkey 19-8. Next up on Tuesday: Slovakia vs. Italy and Turkey vs. Romania. (VP)
