October 25, 2026 UPDATE
The latest news from RRI
Newsroom, 25.10.2026, 20:00
Army Day – The Army is a symbolic institution of Romania, one in which Romanians place the greatest trust; in a world marked by uncertainty, it continues to inspire the very values that society so desperately needs, seriousness, discipline, and the fulfillment of duty, stated Nicușor Dan on the occasion of the Army Day, which was observed this Sunday. “My message to the Romanian people is one of confidence in our ability to build a stable, solid country, one firmly anchored in the values of the greater European family, where we can live in safety, protected by our strategic partnership with the United States and our membership in NATO,” Nicușor Dan emphasized. For his part, the Prime Minister Luca Niculescu has remarked that we live in a world where peace can no longer be taken for granted; he noted that cyber threats, hybrid attacks, and disinformation campaigns put us to the test, while Romania’s position on the Black Sea demands constant vigilance. Defense Minister Ștefan Radu Oprea stated that his priorities include developing capabilities to detect and counter threats posed by drones, as well as operationalizing a security hub for the Black Sea region. In a message marking Romanian Army Day, the United States Embassy in Bucharest said that American and Romanian military work shoulder to shoulder to ensure the security of NATO’s eastern flank.
Coalition of the Willing – The German armed forces will participate in the first military exercise of the “Coalition of the Willing for Ukraine,” which is set to take place in November across Poland, Romania’s airspace, and the western Black Sea, DPA reported on Sunday. A spokesperson for the Berlin-based Ministry of Defense has told the news agency that Germany will contribute ten officers, aerial refueling aircraft, and logistical support. The exercise will serve as the first test of the operational readiness of the multinational force, established by Ukraine’s allies under the leadership of France and the United Kingdom, with the aim of securing a future peace agreement with Russia. The “Coalition of the Willing,” agreed upon last December during a summit on Ukraine in Berlin, comprises approximately 35 states.
Vaccination – An emergency immunization campaign for sheep and goats began on Sunday in two counties in southeastern Romania, Constanța and Tulcea, one day earlier than originally scheduled. This follows the arrival in the country of the final batches of vaccines from the European Union’s strategic stocks, as announced by the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA). According to the Authority, every hour gained is significant, as it means more livestock protected and brings the country one step closer to resuming the export of live animals to third countries. ANSVSA notes that, while vaccination has started in these two counties, temporary restrictions on the movement of sheep and goats remain in effect throughout Romania to prevent the spread of disease. On October 20, the European Commission announced that Romania would receive 1.1 million vaccine doses against sheep and goat pox and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR). On June 18, the European Commission decided to extend the ban on the export of sheep and goats from Romania to third countries until December 31, 2026, while also maintaining existing restrictions on shipments to EU member states.
Energy – The new Energy Minister, Dumitru Chisăliţă, has set out to take the necessary measures in the energy sector for the upcoming cold season, to protect vulnerable consumers, and to find concrete solutions to combat energy poverty. He has stated on Facebook that he will prioritize a highly practical approach to energy, with decisions based on data and constant dialogue with energy sector experts, trade unions, and representatives of civil society organizations. “We need to increase energy production capacities, accelerate investments, and develop a balanced energy mix, supported by diversified storage solutions,” the Minister conveyed.
Winter time – Romania switched to winter time overnight from Saturday to Sunday. Clocks were set back by one hour, making Sunday the longest day of the year, at 25 hours. The practice of changing the time was introduced in Europe during the last century as a way to save energy. In 2019, the European Parliament voted to abolish this measure, but no final decision has been reached to date. Doctors warn that the time change can affect the body, impacting sleep in particular for a period of time, as well as mood, stress levels, and the ability to concentrate.
Protests – Large-scale demonstrations took place on Saturday in Paris and other major French cities. According to the Interior Ministry, over 400,000 people took to the streets, while organizers reported a figure twice as high. Although the demonstrations in Paris and several other cities were generally peaceful, they were hijacked in the evening by violent groups who attacked police officers and attempted to incite disorder toward the end of the protests. The police intervened with tear gas and water cannons, successfully dispersing the unruly groups. The Interior Minister announced that more than 1,000 people had been detained, though he emphasized that the incidents were far less severe than those that occurred a week earlier. A new nationwide mobilization is already planned for next Saturday, October 31, while labor unions are preparing for a day of strikes and protests on November 5. Italy also experienced a tense weekend, with clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement in Turin, Bologna, and Rome. Across the country, more than 370 people were detained during protests against the rising cost of living and housing. (LS)
