August 28, 2025
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 28.08.2025, 13:55
MEETING – Defense Minister Ionuţ Moşteanu is representing Romania, on Thursday and Friday, at the informal meeting of EU Defense Ministers, hosted by Copenhagen, Denmark. Talks will focus on strengthening the military support offered to Ukraine. According to a Defense Ministry press release, the meeting will also occasion an exchange of views on the implementation of the White Paper for European Defense – Readiness 2030. The Defense Ministers will also discuss the adaptation of operational commitments within the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) to the new geopolitical context and the evolution of current security threats. According to the Defense Ministry, Minister Moşteanu’s participation in the Copenhagen meeting reaffirms Romania’s commitment to actively contribute to strengthening European security and to continuing its firm support for Ukraine.
INCIDENT – A young man from Bucharest was arrested after assaulting an Asian male working for a food delivery company. The incident took place at a pedestrian crossing and was filmed by the attacker. The perpetrator invoked racial motives and punched the delivery man from Bangladesh. An off-duty police officer passing by noticed the incident and restrained the 20-year-old attacker as he was trying to flee the scene. The attacker was taken into police custody pending an inquiry.
STATISTICS – The number of employees in Bucharest has reached approximately 1.1 million people at the end of May, according to data published by the National Statistics Institute. Compared to 2024, the number of employees increased by 1.2%, accounting for 13,300 people. Net salary earnings stood at nearly €1,400 in the same period, compared to €1,280 last year. On the other hand, at the end of May 2025, about 7,700 unemployed people were registered in Bucharest, and the unemployment rate stood at 0.6%, compared to 0.8% in May 2024. As for pensioners, their number stood at 464,000 at the end of the first quarter of 2025, while the average pension was some €700, the Institute reports.
MOLDOVA – French President Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk traveled to Chişinău yesterday, where they attended ceremonies marking the 34th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Moldova. The visit, described by the French media as “a symbolic show of force” aimed once again at showing Europe’s support for the Republic of Moldova and its president, Maia Sandu, took place on the eve of the official start of the campaign for the parliamentary election due in September, which many see as vital for the future of the Moldovan state. Both the Republic of Moldova and its European allies say that the election process is affected by interference from Moscow, which wants to divert Moldova from the European path and bring it into its sphere of influence. The three European leaders reaffirmed their support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova and for its European trajectory. They were joined by Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and president Nicuşor Dan, who conveyed messages of support for Chișinău’s reforms and European initiatives.
ENESCU FESTIVAL – Concerts part of the “George Enescu” International Music Festival continue, both in Bucharest and across the country. The Ad Libitum Quartet will perform in Iaşi (northeast), the National Chamber Orchestra of the Republic of Moldova will hold its second concert in Braşov (center), and the Belcea Quartet will perform in Cluj-Napoca (northwest). In Bucharest, the show Onirius, directed by choreographer Gigi Căciuleanu, is scheduled for tonight, and the Philharmonia Orchestra will accompany acclaimed pianist Alexandra Dariescu in a separate event. Over 80 ensembles, symphonic orchestras, choirs and chamber groups from 28 countries are taking part in this year’s edition of the “George Enescu Festival, co-produced by Radio Romania.
FOOTBALL – Romanian football champions, FCSB, are tonight playing the Scottish side FC Aberdeen at home in the return leg of the Europa League play-offs. Last week, in the first leg, in Scotland, the Romanians led 2-0, but were tied near the end, after playing the better part of the second half with one man down. Also today, the vice-champions CFR Cluj are looking for a win after the unprecedented away defeat, 2-7, to the Swedish club BK Haecken, in the first leg of the Conference League play-offs. Following this result, CFR’s coach, the former great footballer Dan Petrescu, resigned and was replaced by Italian Andrea Mandorlini. Also playing at home tonight is Universitatea Craiova, which in the first leg defeated the Turkish side Istanbul Başakşehir, score 2-1, in the first leg of Conference League play-offs. (VP)
