October 22, 2026
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 22.10.2026, 13:55
DEFENCE The Supreme Defence Council convenes today in the first meeting attended by PM Luca Niculescu and the new ministers of the Cabinet that took office on Tuesday. According to the Presidency, the meeting will focus on the security implications of recent incidents at the Black Sea and measures to strengthen response capabilities for the protection of Romania’s territorial waters and critical maritime infrastructure. President Nicuşor Dan recently said that security at the Black Sea is critical not only for Romania and the other countries around it, but for all of Europe and for international trade. Meanwhile, NATO is reinforcing its presence in the Black Sea, following requests from Romania and Bulgaria in the wake of recent drone attacks within their exclusive economic zones or even their territorial waters. NATO sources indicate that several member states, including the US, France, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, have so far responded to the call. Colonel Martin O’Donnell, spokesperson for the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), stated that, in addition to the American aircraft already operating over the Black Sea, the assets being deployed include sea patrol aircraft, radar systems, drones, intelligence personnel, and explosives analysis teams.
DEFICIT Romania, which has been subject to an excessive deficit procedure since 2020, recorded the highest deficit in the EU last year as well, at 7.8% of GDP, according to data released on Wednesday by the EU’s statistical office. Next come Poland (7.2%), Belgium (5.2%), and France (5.1%). According to Eurostat, 11 EU member states had deficits equal to or greater than 3% last year. Also, Romania’s government debt-to-GDP ratio rose to nearly 60% in 2025, up from approximately 55% in 2024 and about 50% in 2023.
FORUM The Arts and Disability Forum takes place in Bucharest as of today. Organised by EUNIC Romania, the network of European Union national cultural institutes, in collaboration with UNITER and the National Theatre Festival, the forum brings together professionals from Romania and abroad seeking concrete solutions to make the arts more accessible and inclusive. Building a cultural sector in which people with disabilities are not merely viewers but also creators, artists, and partners with an active role in shaping cultural life, turning accessibility from an exception into a standard practice within cultural institutions and organisations are some of the topics discussed at the Arts and Disability Forum held as part of the National Theatre Festival.
IRAN The US and Israel are preparing a new military offensive against Iran following the U.S. midterms on November 3. This comes after the U.S. president Donald Trump postponed an attack in October, at a time when both militaries had their forces on high alert, as reported by The New York Times. According to the newspaper, the two countries are working on a short, intense operation that could include strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, missile and drone depots, and energy infrastructure. The U.S. secretary of defence Pete Hegseth met with PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel this week to discuss potential new strikes, according to U.S. officials cited by the NYT. Some military strategists believe that a 3-day offensive campaign could inflict enough economic damage to compel Tehran to make diplomatic concessions. However, a previous offensive, carried out between February and April, failed to lead to significant progress in negotiations and contributed to a global rise in energy prices and inflation, news agencies say.
SPORTS Romania’s football champions Universitatea Craiova take on the Andorran side Inter Club d’Escaldes away from home this Thursday evening, in the second round of the Conference League. In their first game of the competition’s main phase, Universitatea drew 1–1 at home against the Spanish team Getafe CF. Craiova is the last remaining Romanian team in European club competitions. (AMP)
