March 29, 2026
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 29.03.2026, 14:00
MEASURES The government in Bucharest is preparing a new series of measures aimed at capping fuel prices. The measures include reduced excises in petrol and diesel, while a working group has been created to assess how much the state can cover of these expenses and the period this measure can be applied. According to Prime Minister, Ilie Bolojan, the government is very likely to endorse a law on capped excises on Monday. The measures adopted several days ago allowing the government’s intervention on the fuel market are also going to come into effect on April 1. Under the document, the markup used by the economic operators, which are producing, importing or trading petrol and diesel will be adjusted to its medium value last year with the exception of intercommunity deliveries. Economic agents are also to cut down the content of biofuel in petrol from 8% to 2% by June 30, the period the aforementioned measures are being applied. At the same time companies exporting fuel without approval from the Ministries of Economy and Energy will be subjected to fines ranging from 5% to 10% of the turnover and have their revenues seized.
DAY Catholic believers, including in Romania, a country with an Orthodox majority, are today celebrating Palm Sunday, a week ahead of the Catholic Easter, this year celebrated on April 5th. On this occasion, Bucharest will be seeing a religious procession staged by the Roman-Catholic Archbishopric, which will end with the Holy Liturgy led by His Grace Aurel Perca.
DST Last night Romania switched to the Daylight Saving Time, moving clocks forward by one hour so that 3 o’clock became 4 o’clock. The measure has been applied in most of the EU countries every year in March to make better use of natural daylight and conserve energy.
PROTESTS Massive protest rallies were being held on Saturday all over the United States against the policies of President Donald Trump, from the forced deportations of immigrants to the war in Iran. This is the third massive anti-Trump demonstration since the Republican came to the White House staged by the No Kings movement, which says it has brought over 8 million people to the streets. According to Radio Romania correspondent in Washington, the protesters denounced the actions against democracy, the Constitution and the violent operations mounted by the immigration and custom agency ICE, which caused fear among the Americans and resulted in two people killed in Minnesota in winter. Protesters are also disgruntled with the significant price hikes, the potential of deploying ground troops in the Middle East without a clear vision of ending the war in Iran, the reduced support for Ukraine, the Republicans’ efforts to impact the voting rights and even against the Trump’s ballroom design.
IRAN The Pentagon prepares for weeks of ground operations in Iran, although it is still unclear that President Donald Trump will approve the deployment of ground troops, US press has reported. According to Washington Post, citing US officials, the plans may include special forces raids and conventional infantry operations. The US allegedly has over 4 thousand marines on ships bound for the Gulf area, paratroopers from the 82nd airborne division, and fresh backup is discussed besides the 50 thousand already involved in the war against Iran. In the meantime, Iran has continued to launch missiles and drones against various targets in the Gulf area. Night attacks against various objectives including major infrastructure have been reported in Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. The Foreign Ministry of Oman has condemned the Saturday’s attacks against its territory adding that no side has assumed responsibility yet.
(bill)
