January 9, 2026
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 09.01.2026, 13:55
Emergency response interventions
Romanian firefighters worked nonstop over the past 24 hours to support authorities and residents tackling emergencies from severe weather, the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations said Friday.
Gale-force winds, heavy snow and blizzards hit 32 communities across 15 counties, in addition to the capital-city Bucharest. Fire crews, alongside other Interior Ministry units and local authorities, pumped water from homes, yards, basements and several streets. They also cleared 18 fallen trees and two toppled power poles, which damaged six cars.
As of Friday morning, power outages lingered in five communities across two counties, affecting over 1,000 users.
Economic growth statistics
Romania’s economy grew from January through September 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, according to revised data published today by the National Statistics Institute. Economic growth went up 0.9% on the raw series and 1.5% on the seasonally adjusted series. The estimated GDP for the period came in at 1.416 billion lei, up by 1.5% from last year. Agriculture, forestry and fishing boosted their share by 0.6%, whereas growth was also reported for wholesale and retail trade, vehicle repairs, hotels and restaurants.
EU set to approve Mercosur trade deal
The European Union is expected to greenlight a trade agreement with South America’s Mercosur bloc, wrapping up over 25 years of negotiations. The deal needs backing from at least 15 of the EU’s 27 member states to pass.
French President Emmanuel Macron said France will vote against, invoking anger among farmers across Europe who fear tariff cuts will flood markets with cheap South-American food imports. French farmers rolled their tractors into central Paris Thursday to protest, while similar demonstrations are planned soon in France, Belgium, Poland and Greece.
EU Commission officials insist the deal includes strong safeguards and opens doors for European exporters to Latin America.
Russia hits Ukraine with massive strike
Russia’s Defense Ministry said its forces launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine in response to an unverified Ukrainian strike on a Russian presidential residence in the Novgorod region overnight January 9. The barrage used long-range high-precision land- and sea-based missiles, including the mid-range Oreshnik systems, in addition to drones targeting drone production facilities.
Ukrainian authorities reported at least four killed and dozens wounded in Kyiv Friday, with police saying residential buildings were hit by drones. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a doctor was reported dead and four emergency responders were injured; critical infrastructure took hits, leaving some areas without power or water.
USA declares war on cartels
US President Donald Trump announced Thursday that, after attacks on vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, the USA will launch “boots-on-the-ground” strikes against cartels, without specifying locations. We recall that last summer, the USA deployed major naval forces in the Caribbean and bombed Venezuelan-linked boats in its drug war.
Experts, NGOs and UN officials questioned the legality of those operations. Late December, Trump said US forces destroyed a Venezuelan drug boat anchorage.
Meanwhile, the Senate agreed to vote on a resolution urging the president to seek Congress’s approval for any future military action in Venezuela.
Massive street protests rock Tehran
Protests raged on for the 12th consecutive day on Thursday in Iran, peaking with the largest rally in Tehran. Authorities nationwide cut Internet and phone service. The unrest broke out December 28th at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar over a brutal economic crisis and the Iranian Rial’s plunge, spreading to over 50 cities across all provinces, the BBC reports. Slogans have turned antigovernment. Iranian NGOs in exile say 34 to 45 protesters (including children) have been killed.
Romania at U20 Ice Hockey Worlds
Romania’s team lost 2-1 to Great Britain Thursday night at the U20 Ice Hockey World Championship, Division II Group A tournament in Bucharest. Croatia beat China, while South Korea crushed Spain. South Korea tops the standings with 12 points, followed by Great Britain with 9, Romania with 6, Croatia with 5, China with 4 and Spain with no points. Final matches are scheduled for Saturday: Great Britain vs. China, Croatia vs. Spain and South Korea vs. Romania. (VP)
