July 16, 2024
A roundup of domestic and international news
Newsroom, 16.07.2024, 13:55
HEAT WAVE – A code red alert remains in place in Romania, with severe thermal discomfort reported during the interval and the THI expected to exceed 80 units. Thunderstorms are expected to hit mountainous areas, accompanied by strong wind and hail. Temperatures are expected to reach and exceed 42 degrees Celsius during the interval. Restrictions for heavy road traffic have been set in place between 11 AM – 7 PM on all national roads, express roads and motorways, with the exception of four counties in the north. Trains are also running at lower speeds, the National Rail Company saying the measure will remain in force when temperatures at ground level reach 50 degrees Celsius. The authorities have called on the population to use drinking water responsibly. The heat wave has exacerbated the draught, which caused water supply restrictions in nearly 300 settlements. Romania’s 40 reservoirs are now at 80% capacity, and water levels are expected to further drop by the end of the month, authorities say. The Danube River is also reporting decreasing water levels, although no supply issues have so far been reported at the Cernavodă NPP. Extreme heat is also exerting additional pressure on Romania’s energy grid. Romania increased its electricity output by 400 MW amidst growing energy demand, Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja said at the end of the Energy Ministry Committee meeting. Despite high temperatures and the high demand for electricity at present, there is no risk of blackouts, the Romanian official pointed out
BEAR HUNTING – The Chamber of Deputies on Monday approved a draft law tabled by UDMR amending legislation on bear hunting, a document voted last year by the Senate. Under the new law, some 400 brown bears can be shot over 2024-2025, mostly in Covasna, Brașov, Harghita and Mureș counties. The initiative follows last week’s tragedy, when a 19-year-old girl was mauled down by a bear on a popular hiking trail.
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT – The new European Parliament starts its activity today. The first plenary session is scheduled today in Strasbourg. MEPs have three days to elect their president, vice-presidents and members of special committees. On Thursday, MEPs are voting on Ursula von der Leyen’s candidacy for a second term at the helm of the European Commission. Von der Leyen has already secured the support of heads of state and government from EU Member States, and needs at least 361 of the total number of 720 eligible votes. The European People’s Party remains the number one political force in the European Parliament, having won 188 seats in the June election. The Social-Democrats won 136 seats, while Renew grabbed 177. The three parties together hold enough votes to get von der Leyen re-elected. Not all MEPs representing these parties are expected to vote for her, which is why the former European Commission president is trying to secure the support of the Greens. The 720 MEPs are today voting to elect their new president, with Roberta Metsola of the EPP favorite to win a new term in office. Also today, MEPs will choose the structure of the Permanent Bureau, consisting of 14 vice-presidents and 5 quaestors. Two Romanian MEPs are running for the position for vice-president – Social-Democrat Victor Negrescu and Nicolae Ștefănuță, an unaffiliated MEP backed by the Greens.
TRUMP – The Republican Party on Monday nominated Donald Trump as the official candidate for the US presidential election, scheduled for November 5. The announcement was made at the Republican Convention in Milwaukee, held over July 15-18. In turn, Donald Trump nominated Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as his vice-president should he win the election. A former critic of Trump turned staunch supporter, J.D. Vance (39) is a former US serviceman and successful writer. As a Senator, he has constantly militated for topics close to Donald Trump, such as combating migration and defending economic protectionism. The Republican Convention is held after last weekend Trump survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania. The gunman fired a bullet at Trump, piercing his left ear and killing a member of the audience. Another two people were gravely injured before Secret Service staff killed the attacker. According to the FBI, the 20-year-old gunman had acted alone and used a legally bought firearm.
FOOTBALL – Romania’s football champions, FCSB are today playing Virtus AC of San Marino at home in the return leg of the Champions League first preliminary round. FCSB won 7-1 in the first leg. If it qualifies to the next round, FCSB will play Maccabi Tel Aviv of Israel. Romanian Cup winners Corvinul Hunedoara, CFR Cluj and Universitatea Craiova are the other teams representing Romania in European inter-club competitions. (VP)
