September 21, 2025
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Newsroom, 21.09.2025, 13:55
IAEA – Romania was elected a member of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency for a two-year term, from 2025 to 2027, in the September 19 elections, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) announced. In this capacity, Romania will actively contribute to the Agency’s decision-making process regarding both the development of the peaceful use of nuclear energy and the strengthening of nuclear security standards, radiological safety and guaranteeing compliance with non-proliferation obligations. According to the MAE, the decision recognizes the expertise accumulated by Romania in over 60 years of activity in the civil nuclear sector. Our country’s last presence in this forum was in the period 2008-2010.
Bucharest Days – The events dedicated to Bucharest Days continue in the capital today. Guided tours are organized in the center of the capital, and an international rally is taking place in Constitution Square, in which over 100 cars, driven by Romanian and international celebrities and business leaders, take part. Thousands of people visited the thematic exhibitions prepared on Saturday, participated in guided tours or rode the “Bucharest City” buses for free, all on the occasion of the 566th anniversary of the first documentary attestation of the city. Also on Saturday, hundreds of people visited the Capital City Hall building, and in the evening, iMapp, the festival of multimedia projections on buildings in Constitution Square, took place, which continues today. Today, a unique running race is also organized in Romania – Crosul Arenelor, the only 10-kilometer running race in Bucharest, with a route in only one direction. A central point of the attractions is Calea Victoriei, which has become pedestrian again this weekend, on the occasion of the “Open Streets” event. The event includes dozens of artistic and community events, and a spectacular parade on this boulevard recreated, on Saturday, the atmosphere of yesteryear: horses, period costumes, artists and historical figures. A photography exhibition that captures the atmosphere of the Capital during the interwar period can be visited at the Arc de Triomphe (Triumphal Arch), and the Brancovenești Palaces at the Bucharest Gates organize historical-military reconstructions and ceremonies to pay tribute to heroes.
Enescu festival – The 27th edition of the George Enescu International Festival closes its gates today in Romania. Throughout the festival, almost 100 concerts and performances were scheduled. The audience was able to listen to interpretations of George Enescu’s works, from the famous Romanian Rhapsodies to Symphonies, Orchestral Suites, rare chamber works and the monumental opera “Oedipus”, presented in a production signed by the visionary director Stefano Poda, and also works signed by important composers such as Dmitri Shostakovich, Pierre Boulez and Maurice Ravel. This year, the festival also marks the 70th anniversary of the great composer’s passing, paying tribute to his artistic legacy and profound impact on universal classical music. Since the first edition, Radio Romania has been alongside the Enescu Festival as a co-producer.
Cyber attack – Half of the flights scheduled to take off from Brussels International Airport today will be canceled following a massive cyber attack on Saturday that targeted check-in and boarding systems. A total of 12 European airports were affected, including those in Berlin and London’s Heathrow, with dozens of flights canceled and hundreds delayed. Air transport experts say full recovery could take several days, and the Romanian Foreign Ministry is advising citizens planning to travel to Britain, Belgium and Germany – the countries most affected by the cyber attack – to check flight status before going to the airport. Reuters notes that this was the latest in a wave of cyber attacks that have targeted companies and public institutions around the world.
Palestine – The British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to announce today that the United Kingdom will recognize the state of Palestine. Starmer’s decision marks a major shift in London’s policy, the BBC reports, which recalls that previous British governments have said that recognition must be part of the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians and come at a time of maximum impact. However, Starmer warned in July that he would recognize Palestine if Israel did not meet several conditions, including a ceasefire in Gaza and a commitment to participate in a comprehensive peace process based on a two-state solution. Israel, as well as some British conservatives, have criticized Starmer’s intention to recognize Palestine, and the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that recognition means rewarding terrorism. Other Western countries – France, Portugal, Belgium, Australia and Canada – have also announced their intention to recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly, which begins on Monday in New York. In fact, this state is already recognized by almost 150 of the 193 UN member states. Among them are 10 EU member states, including Romania, which, like other ex-communist countries, recognized Palestine before joining the Union. (LS)
