August 9, 2024

A roundup of domestic and international news

Newsroom, 09.08.2024, 13:55

Inflation. The National Bank of Romania has revised downwards the inflation forecast for the end of 2024 to 4.0%, from 4.9% previously, and anticipates that it will reach 3.4% at the end of 2025, according to the data announced, on Friday, by the Central Bank Governor Mugur Isărescu. According to the presentation, the tendency to reduce the inflation rate will continue for almost the entire projection interval, but the rate of disinflation is expected to slow down noticeably in the second part of it. It is also mentioned that the trajectory is marked by some rhythm oscillations, mainly induced by basic effects associated with past developments, such as increases in indirect taxes in January 2024, with a favorable effect in January 2025, or an increase in fuel excise duty in July 2024, with favorable effect in July 2025.

Ukraine. Ukrainian forces continue, for the fourth consecutive day, the land incursion launched in the Kursk region of Russia. The governor of Lipetsk, a region neighboring Kursk, said that last night the region was the target of a massive drone attack. According to Reuters, an air base in the area was also hit. This is the largest Ukrainian ground attack launched on Russian territory since the beginning of the large-scale invasion of Ukraine two and a half years ago. Unlike the previous incursions, in which Russian citizens fighting alongside the Ukrainian army were involved, this time regular Kyiv forces, supported by tanks and armored vehicles, including those received from the United States and Germany, are participating. Ukraine has not officially confirmed the attack, but President Volodymyr Zelensky alluded to it. According to the Financial Times, the Ukrainians have so far captured 11 villages and a total territory of 350 square kilometers.

Israel. The United States, Egypt and Qatar have asked Israel and Hamas to send representatives to talks, scheduled for August 15, in which the details of a cease-fire agreement in Gaza should be finalized. The talks mediated by the three countries have been suspended since the former leader of the Islamist group Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated on July 31 in Tehran. His assassination and that of Hezbollah’s military leader, Fouad Chokr, just a day earlier, heightened tensions in the East amid fears of a coordinated Iran-Hezbollah attack on Israel. That is why preparations for the eventuality of bombings continue in Israel.

Accusations. Two female doctors from the “Saint Pantelimon” Hospital in Bucharest, accused of intentionally causing the death of a patient, were arrested on Thursday, as a preventive measure. The investigators claim that, in April, a 54-year-old patient, who was in serious condition, went into cardio-respiratory arrest, after they allegedly reduced his dose of noradrenaline, a substance with the role of maintaining blood pressure. In the same case, a nurse was charged with perjury and placed under judicial control. Research continues in the case of other patients who died during that period in the intensive care unit of the hospital. The investigation was started after the prosecutors were informed about the death of 17 people.

Untold. The biggest music festival in Romania, Untold, started last night in Cluj-Napoca (north-west). It runs until Sunday and features important local and international artists. In addition to concerts, numerous themed events and parties have been prepared, and as a novelty, on the main stage, musical pieces are interpreted in sign language for people with hearing impairments. The authorities say they are ready to act to provide safety to the participants. Special attention is paid to the prevention of the sale and consumption of drugs.

Olympic Games. Today, Romanian athletes compete in three sports at the Olympic Games in Paris – weightlifting, kayak-canoeing and wrestling. Canoeist Cătălin Chirilă, world champion in 2022 and world vice-champion in 2023, has a good chance for a medal. On Wednesday, he qualified for the semifinals of the 1,000-meter single canoe event, after winning the third series with an Olympic record. Romania has so far won eight medals at the Olympic Games – three gold, four silver and one bronze. After Thursday’s races, the 13th official day of competitions, Romania remains in 14th place in the ranking of nations. (MI)