October 26, 2025 UPDATE
The latest from domestic and world news
Newsroom, 26.10.2025, 17:00
Consecration. In the presence of tens of thousands of believers and official guests, the consecration of the painting of the National Cathedral took place in Bucharest this morning. The service was officiated by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, and Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church, together with a congregation of 65 hierarchs, 70 priests, and 12 deacons. Started 15 years ago, the huge construction, which sets several records, cost over €250 million, money that came from donations, contributions from the Patriarchate, and public funds. The National Cathedral is the tallest Orthodox church in the world, measuring 127 meters, with a capacity of 5,000 people, and has the largest iconostasis in the world, as confirmed by the World Record Academy. Two-thirds of the cathedral’s walls are covered with mosaics, on which more than 200 specialists in Byzantine mosaic art worked for seven years. The other architectural decorations have been completed, which means that, after its consecration, the cathedral can be visited. The Church wanted to consecrate the painting this year, when it celebrates 100 years since the Romanian Orthodox Church was elevated to the rank of Patriarchate. “The construction and consecration of the mosaic painting of the National Cathedral – dedicated to the Ascension of the Lord – Heroes’ Day and Saint Andrew the Apostle, the first called, Patron Saint of Romania – is in fact the fulfillment of a national ideal of almost a century and a half of the Romanian people, between 1881 and 2025. The Centennial Year of the Romanian Patriarchate is thus crowned by an event of profound spiritual significance for the life of the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Romanian people as faithful believers,” said Patriarch Daniel. Among the 2,500 official guests were the president of the country, Nicuşor Dan, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, and the president of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu.
Commissioner. The European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Implementation, and Simplification Valdis Dombrovskis will pay a formal visit to Romania on October 27 and 28 to discuss Romania’s budgetary and economic developments, the implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, and the EU’s main political priorities, according to an announcement by the European Commission’s Representation in Romania. On Monday, the European Commissioner will visit projects funded by the PNRR, together with the Minister of Investment and European Projects, Dragoş Pîslaru, and will meet with the Governor of the National Bank of Romania, Mugur Isărescu. On the last day of his visit, Commissioner Dombrovskis will meet with Romanian President Nicuşor Dan, Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare, and members of the joint committees for budget, finance, and European affairs of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies. On Monday, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jorgensen will arrive in Bucharest to discuss energy infrastructure and security, as well as energy prices, with the Romanian authorities. The European official will participate in the ministerial meeting of the High-Level Group for Energy Connectivity in Central and South-Eastern Europe, organized in Bucharest by the European Commission together with the Ministry of Energy. Commissioner Jorgensen has scheduled meetings with Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan.
Visit. European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jorgensen arrives in Romania on Monday to discuss with Romanian authorities energy infrastructure and security, as well as energy prices. The European official will participate in the ministerial meeting of the High Level Group for Energy Connectivity in Central and South-Eastern Europe, organized in Bucharest by the European Commission together with the Ministry of Energy. The European Commissioner has scheduled meetings with Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan.
Defense. Amendments to the National Defense Law and the bill introducing voluntary military service are on the agenda of the Bucharest Parliament in the coming days. The Senate is even considering an emergency procedure for the bill initiated by the Minister of Defense, which gives young people the opportunity to apply for paid military service. The bill, which has been adopted by the Chamber of Deputies, stipulates that young people between the ages of 18 and 35 will be able to voluntarily apply to enroll in a four-month basic military training program. Volunteers will receive free accommodation, equipment, food, medical care, and medication, as well as monthly allowances similar to those received by conscripts, and at the end of the internship, they will remain in the operational reserve of the Romanian Army. The Senate has the final say in this case. In the specialised committee, MPs are set to debate amendments to the National Defence Law. Among other things, the document establishes the mechanisms and institutions responsible for defending the national territory.
Tour. US President Donald Trump is in Malaysia at the start of an Asian tour that also includes Japan and South Korea, where he is set to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in an attempt to resolve trade disputes between the world’s largest economies. According to a US official, teams of negotiators are finalising the details of an agreement for the two leaders to review at their summit on Thursday. Donald Trump told reporters aboard the presidential plane that he could also discuss with Xi Jinping the reduction of Russian oil imports, which, according to him, is already happening. The United States recently imposed penalties on the major Russian oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil in an effort to get Russia to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. The US president also said he does not intend to meet with Vladimir Putin until he believes an agreement is in place.
Louvre. Two men suspected of involvement in the spectacular jewelry theft at the Louvre Museum in Paris on October 19 have been arrested, French police announced. One of the suspects was arrested at Charles-de-Gaulle Airport near Paris as he was preparing to board a plane bound for Algeria, and the second shortly thereafter in the Paris region. The two men were detained for organized theft and criminal conspiracy. The commando that stole eight jewels from the French crown, estimated at 88 million euros, consisted of four people.
Winter time. Romania, along with most European countries, switched to winter time on Saturday night. Clocks were set back one hour, so 4:00 a.m. became 3:00 a.m., making Sunday the longest day of the year. Winter time is part of a seasonal time adjustment system first introduced in Europe in the 20th century with the aim of optimizing the use of natural light and reducing energy consumption. However, doctors have consistently warned that the measure has a negative effect on the body. The seasonal time change continues to be a topic of debate at the European level. Although the European Commission has proposed eliminating this practice, member states have not yet reached a consensus, and the final decision on the permanent adoption of summer or winter time remains at the national level. (MI)
