November 8, 2025 UPDATE (2)
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 08.11.2025, 20:00
UNITED STATES – TROOPS IN ROMANIA
American troops will remain stationed in Romania, though some adjustments will be made in troop rotation, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters.
The statement came after President Donald Trump was asked during a White House press briefing about reports of a partial withdrawal of US troops from Romania.
“Nothing was uncoordinated with the White House. Everything is part of our vision for Europe. Troops will remain in Romania, but there will be some adjustments”, Hegseth said, after being invited by President Trump to clarify the matter.
“No, they’re not ignoring anything I say. What they’re doing is making changes, moving them around. It’s the same number, the same total, but we’re relocating people,” Trump explained. “I like the Romanian people, I think they’re wonderful,” he added, assuring that “Relations with Romania are very good, and relations with Europe are very good.”
CONTRABAND
Over 180 million contraband cigarettes have been seized by Romanian authorities in the first ten months of this year, over three times the total amount confiscated in 2024, according to data provided by the Border Police.
The value of the confiscated goods is estimated to stand at over 170 million lei (approximately €34 million). The counties of Suceava (northeast), Constanţa (southeast) and Timiş (west) top the list of areas with the largest volumes of cigarette captures destined for illicit trafficking this year.
According to specialized research, the black market for cigarettes in Romania reached 12% of total consumption in July 2025, the highest level recorded in the past five years, before stabilizing at 9.6% in October, compared to an annual average of 9% in 2024.
The rise in this phenomenon is attributed to the intensification of trade flows following Romania’s accession to the Schengen Area, free movement, significant price differences in tobacco products between neighboring countries, declining local purchasing power and the repeated increases in taxation levels.
GRIGORE GHICA
The remains of Grigore Alexandru Ghica, the last ruler of the Romanian principality of Moldavia, have been brought to Bucharest, having been repatriated from France, where he died in exile in the mid-19th century, Romanian media reported on Saturday.
The relics of the ruler are now kept at the Church of Saints Archangels Michael and Gabriel, located at the headquarters of the Romanian Gendarmerie Inspectorate General. On Sunday, they will be placed in the Union Hall of the Presidential Palace, at the initiative of President Nicuşor Dan, as a gesture of national homage.
The ceremonies, including military honors and moments of remembrance, will then continue in Focşani and later in Iaşi, where the ruler will be reinterred.
The ruler of Moldavia over 1849-1856, Grigore Alexandru Ghica is described by historians as one of the most visionary figures of the 19th century. He was a pro-union advocate, paving the way for the Union of the Romanian Principalities in 1859, and promoted values essential to modern society: freedom, social justice and dignity.
He supported bold reforms, from the emancipation of the Roma population and the abolition of censorship, to the development of public services and the introduction of a governance model inspired by major European democracies. He also founded the first maternity hospital in Moldavia using his own funds.
His repatriation represents not only a symbolic act of restoration, but also a gesture of national gratitude toward a leader who laid the foundations of the modern Romanian state, Bucharest authorities point out.
FUNERAL
Legendary football coach Emerich Jenei was buried on Saturday with military honors in Oradea, western Romania.
An ethnic Hungarian, born March 22, 1937, in Agrișu Mic, Arad County, Jenei played for Steaua Bucharest between 1954 and 1969 (254 matches, 7 goals). As a coach, he won multiple domestic trophies and, in 1986, led Steaua Bucharest to victory in the European Champions Cup, a unique achievement in Romanian football history.
For this accomplishment, he was decorated in March 2008 with the “Sports Merit” Order, 2nd Class. On May 8, 1998, The Ministry of Defense promoted Colonel (ret.) Emerich Jenei to the rank of brigadier general (one star).
As national team coach, he led Romania to the 1990 World Cup in Italy (after a 20-year break) and to Euro 2000 in Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as managed Hungary’s national team.
At club level, he also coached FC Bihor, CS Târgoviște, MOL Fehérvár (Hungary), Panionios (Greece), and FCU Craiova. As a player, he also played for UTA Arad and Kayserispor (Turkey). Numerous Romanian football figures have conveyed their public condolences.
RUGBY
Romania’s national rugby team on Saturday won 31-21 a friendly match against Canada in Bucharest. They will next face the United States (November 15) and Uruguay (November 22), both at home.
All four teams, Romania and the three from the Americas, have already qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. (VP)(VP)
