January 19, 2026 UPDATE

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsroom, 19.01.2026, 20:00

NATO – President Nicușor Dan, received on Monday in Bucharest the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) and the United States European Command (USEUCOM), General Alexus G. Grynkewich, on the occasion of his visit to Romania. During the discussions, the head of state highlighted the security challenges in the Black Sea region, generated by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which also affects Romania through drone incursions into national airspace. In this context, he appreciated the launch of NATO Operation Eastern Sentry, which will strengthen the deterrence and defense posture of the North Atlantic Alliance on the entire Eastern Flank, from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. At the same time, Nicușor Dan assured that Romania will remain a credible and responsible Ally within NATO, which will respect its commitments, both operationally, by participating in Allied missions and operations, and in terms of allocations for the Defense budget, according to the target assumed at the NATO Summit in The Hague in 2025. In his turn, Alexus G. Grynkewich appreciated Romania’s essential role for security and stability in the Black Sea region, as well as its important contribution to European and Euro-Atlantic security as a whole. On Tuesday, the American general will pay a working visit to the National Joint Training Center ‘Getica’ in Cincu and to the South-East Multinational Corps Command in Sibiu (central Romania), together with General Gheorghiţă Vlad, Chief of the Defense Staff.

ACCIDENT – At least 39 people died and over 120 were injured in Sunday’s train accident between two high-speed trains in southern Spain. Authorities say the toll is not final. Over 70 people are still hospitalized, some in serious condition. The accident occurred when the rear carriages of a train heading to Madrid derailed. They were hit head-on by a second high-speed train coming from the opposite direction. Both trains were travelling at a speed of about 200 kilometers per hour and a total of 484 passengers were affected. The Romanian Foreign Ministry states that two Romanian citizens were slightly injured in the train accident in the Cordoba region, and are out of danger. Romanian President Nicuşor Dan sent his condolences to the Spanish people and King Felipe for the victims of the accident. Nicusor Dan expressed his deep sorrow and wished the injured a full recovery. Sunday’s accident is one of the biggest railway tragedies to have ever occurred in Spain.

MEASURES –The parties in the ruling coalition in Bucharest decided in their meeting on Monday that the Government will take responsibility for the package of measures regarding the administration reform together with the economic recovery measures proposed by the Social Democratic Party (PSD). According to political sources, there will be separate draft laws, so that there are no potential problems in the event that any of the packages is challenged at the Constitutional Court. The date on which the Executive will go to Parliament for these packages of measures has not yet been decided. Regarding the 2026 budget, according to the cited sources, the coalition decided to create a committee consisting of representatives of the Ministry of Finance, representatives of each party and representatives of the mayors of municipalities, cities and communes. The sources mention that the PSD insisted on the establishment of this committee, which will be coordinated by Deputy Prime Minister Tanczos Barna (UDMR), in which it will be established how the amounts from the VAT quotas will be distributed. The budget is to be adopted at the beginning of February, must take into account a deficit of 6.4% and include projects from the NRRP, important for the development of the economy and national infrastructure.

BERLIN – The European Union could respond firmly to US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose, as of February 1, additional customs duties of 10% on goods from 6 member states, including Denmark, France and Germany, plus Norway and the United Kingdom. The increase could be 25% from June 1, if the countries concerned oppose Trump’s move to acquire the Danish territory of Greenland. The first instrument at the Union’s disposal is the imposition of tariffs of around 93 billion euros on US imports, a measure already adopted in the Council 6 months ago, but frozen when the US and the EU reached a trade agreement in August 2025. However, this instrument expires in February, at which point it would have to be re-approved in the Council. A second possibility is the European anti-coercion instrument, provided by the Union when a partner imposes unjustified economic sanctions, uses political pressure or violates international trade rules. Called the “European bazooka”, it is an anti-coercion tool that includes a range of countermeasures ranging from tariffs to restrictions on trade in services and aspects of intellectual property rights, to restrictions on access to foreign direct investment and government procurement. The instrument has never been used in full by the Union against a state. However, certain measures have been applied in relations with China, which has violated the rules in relations with the community bloc. On Monday, the French and German finance ministers met in Berlin to establish a common position, and the President of the European Council, António Costa, announced that he would convene an emergency meeting of heads of state and government.

TENNIS – Romanian tennis player Jaqueline Cristian was defeated by Czech Karolina Muchova, 6-3, 7-6 (8/6), on Monday, in Melbourne, in the first round of the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year. Jaqueline Cristian will continue, in Melbourne, in the women’s doubles event, alongside Hungarian Anna Bondar. On Sunday, Romanian Gabriela Ruse qualified for the second round in Melbourne, and Sorana Cîrstea will play in the first round against German player Eva Lys on Tuesday. (EE)