July 14, 2024 UPDATE
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 14.07.2024, 20:00
HEAT WAVE – With the exception of a few counties in the center, north and southeast, the entire Romanian territory is under a code red alert against extreme heat, the widest such warning issued so far in Romania. A new code red alert is expected to take effect on Monday, targeting the entire country with the exception of nine counties in the north, where a code orange alert will be in place. Highs during the interval are expected to reach or exceed 42 degrees, with heat persisting throughout the night and the THI exceeding the critical level of 80, thus creating severe thermal discomfort. Central and local authorities are making efforts to cope with the effects of the heat wave. First aid and water supply tents have been set up in several towns and villages. Road and rail traffic are subject to certain restrictions. Doctors recommend the population observe special rules, particularly vulnerable categories such as elderly, children, pregnant women and people suffering from chronic diseases. People are urged to avoid going out at noon, wear light clothing and drink lots of water. Some outdoor events have been cancelled, and only means of public transport with air conditioning will remain in service in Bucharest during the interval.
TRUMP SHOOTING – World leaders reacted on Sunday to the attempted assassination of former US president Donald Trump. European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, expressed her “deep shock” at the news. Germany’s Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, said the attack on Donald Trump is a despicable act. In turn, the president of France, Emmanuel Macron, labeled the attack as “a tragedy for our democracies”, while the head of Italy’s ultraconservative government, Giorgia Meloni, expressed “solidarity” with Trump, hoping that “dialogue and responsibility will prevail over hatred and violence”. In turn, UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, “unequivocally” condemned the assassination attempt. “Violence and aggression are not the attributes of a democracy”, Romania’s president, Klaus Iohannis, said in turn, condemning the horrific attack. Donald Trump was shot in the ear on Saturday at a rally in Pennsylvania. The gunman and one person in attendance were killed, while another two people sustained critical injuries. This was the last rally ahead of the Republican Convention scheduled next week, where Donald Trump is expected to be officially designated the Republican candidate in the US presidential election. The FBI have identified the shooter as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, a native of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, registered as a Republican voter.
BUSINESS – Over 9,000 companies in Romania suspended their activity in the first five months of the year, up by a third compared to the similar period of 2023. According to data published by the Trade Registry, most such companies are operating in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Brașov and Iași. Broken down in fields of activity, most companies that suspended their activity operated in wholesale and retail, car and motorcycle repairs, but also in scientific, technical and construction fields. This year a number of measures adopted by the government at the end of last year took effect, prompting criticism from the business sector and leading to tax hikes and new bureaucratic obligations for businesses.
BACCALAUREATE – High-school graduates who failed to pass the Baccalaureate exam in the first session can sign up for the August session, set to take place over August 8-22. The registration phase will take place over July 15-22, according to the timetable approved by the Education Ministry. Digital and linguistic skill tests will first take place over August 8-14, with the written exams scheduled for August 19-22.
VOTE – MEPs next week are voting on Ursula von der Leyen’s candidacy for a second term at the helm of the European Commission. A debate will also be held ahead of the vote. To get re-elected, the 65-year-old German president of the European Commission needs at least 361 of the total number of 720 eligible votes. This week, two new far-right parties were set up in the European Parliament, one of them totaling enough members to become the third political force of the current legislature. The EPP, S&D, RENEW and the Greens together hold 454 seats and are planning to isolate the two extremist groups – The Patriots for Europe and the Europe of Sovereign Nations. Both oppose support for Ukraine, are viewed as friendly towards Moscow and accused of comprising authoritarian parties. Also next week, MEPs will also cast their votes to elect the new president of the European Parliament, as well as 14 vice-presidents and quaestors. Born in 1979, Roberta Metsola of Malta is favorite to secure a new term in office. (VP)
