June 23, 2025
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 23.06.2025, 13:45
GOVERNMENT Romania’s new government, headed by the Liberal, Ilie Bolojan will be having 16 ministries, under a protocol on setting up the ruling coalition, signed today by leaders of the pro-European parties in the Romanian Parliament and those of the national minorities. Six ministerial seats will be occupied by the PSD; the PNL and USR will each have four, while UDMR, two. The new government will also include five deputy prime ministers, each one for every coalition party and an independent one in charge of the reform. The agreement also stipulates the rotating position of Prime Minister between the PNL and PSD. The Prime Minister designate, Ilie Bolojan, said the protocol ensures a stable Executive, focused on fundamental structural reforms, respect for citizens and the consolidation of democracy. He earlier said he would be focusing on curbing useless expenses and privileges, on decentralization, reducing red tape, digitalization as well as prioritizing European funds investment. All the cabinet members will today be interviewed in specialized committees. The Legislative’s joint session for the endorsement vote also takes place today. Last weekend the ruling parties designated those who will be taking over the minister portfolios.
FOOTBALL Romania’s national eleven tonight takes on the Dutch selection in the semis of the European Under-19 Championships underway in Bucharest. Romania has for the first time qualified for the semifinals of this competition after ending the group on the second position after Spain, but ahead of Denmark and Montenegro. The Romanians secured a 2-1 win against Montenegro and 3-0 against Denmark, but lost to Spain, 1-3. The Netherlands ended the group with three wins out of three games, 2-0 with Norway, 3-0 against Germany and 4-2 with England. The second semifinals of EURO 2025 U19 will be opposing Spain to Germany also today while the finals has been slated for June 26th.
USA-IRAN The US President, Donald Trump has mentioned the possibility of a regime change in Tehran, after the United States bombed the nuclear facilities in that country. Trump’s reaction comes only a couple of hours after high-ranking officials in the White House administration, including Vice President J.D. Vance and the US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, said that Washington was not trying to overthrow the Iranian government. According to the US President, the bombardments caused ‘monumental damage’ to the Iranian nuclear sites of Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. The Middle East crisis has caused concern inside the international community, which is waiting to see whether Iran is going to retaliate. International experts believe the toughest response would be attacks against the US bases in the region, where over 40 thousand US troops are stationed, the closing down of the Strait of Hormuz, which ensures the transit of 20% of the world’s crude or the rapid building of a nuclear weapon. The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the main concern of the Romanian authorities is the safety of the Romanian nationals in the Middle East. According to the Ministry, Iran’s nuclear programme is a threat to the entire global security and the latest US actions had as their main goal the elimination of a real threat to the world peace.
WEATHER Romania’s Meteorological Administration has issued another yellow alert for extremely hot weather in the country’s southern regions where the maximum temperatures are expected to shoot up to 38 degrees Celsius causing thermal discomfort and a Temperature-Humidity Index above the 80 unit threshold. Nights will be warm with temperatures between 17 and 20 degrees Celsius, while extremely hot temperatures are going to last for a couple of days mainly in the country’s southern half. The highs of the day were ranging between 28 and 34 degrees Celsius.
(bill)
