January 31, 2026 UPDATE
A roundup of local and world news
Newsroom, 31.01.2026, 20:00
WEATHER Temperatures continue to drop in Romania, most sharply in the eastern part of the country. Weather experts forecast precipitation across the country and strong wind until Sunday night. The extreme weather is expected to last until Wednesday, February 4, when temperatures are likely to start rising gradually.
ENERGY Romanian and Ukrainian authorities Friday discussed ways to strengthen energy interconnection and increase electricity exchange capacity, the Romanian energy ministry announced. Earlier, the Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on social media that he had discussed with the Romanian president Nicuşor Dan about strengthening the energy security of the two states, an announcement also confirmed by the Romanian presidency. Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine announced on Friday that they had stopped mutual attacks on energy infrastructure, but there were differences over the time frame of the moratorium and uncertainties regarding the next step in the talks to end the almost 4-year long war, Reuters reports. The next round of the US-brokered negotiations between Ukraine and Russia will take place on Sunday in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.
PARLIAMENT Romania’s Senate and Chamber of Deputies convene on Monday for the first parliamentary session of this year. Until the endorsement of the state budget, which must first be approved by the government, the parliamentary groups in the ruling coalition are to set their legislative priorities and discuss the measures to be initiated and implemented in the coming period. On the other hand, the opposition is drafting two simple motions against the ministers of foreign affairs and defence.
FILM The latest feature film by Romanian director Tudor Giurgiu, “3 Days in September”, is featured in the prestigious Limelight section of the 55th Rotterdam International Film Festival, which runs from January 29 to February 8. The section brings together award-winning films, box office hits and first screenings of works by established directors. “3 Days in September” is a romantic comedy that captures a woman’s unpredictable journey towards freedom and rediscovery. The film stands out thanks to its ambitious cinematic approach: a 65-minute long sequence shot without interruption by a team of over 70 members. Averaging on 275,000 viewers and over 2,000 film industry professionals from more than 100 countries, the Rotterdam International Film Festival is one of the most important in the world, recognized for both its size and artistic relevance.
EBRD The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development invested EUR 955 million in 37 projects in Romania last year, the largest amount since the EBRD started operations in the country in 1992. Over 80% of last year’s investments were channeled into the green economy. According to the institution, the most important projects include the EUR 192 million financing package signed in November for 3 solar farms and a EUR 180 million loan for a regeneration project in Cluj-Napoca, signed in May. To date, the bank has invested over EUR 12.3 billion in almost 600 projects in Romania.
POWER Much of the Republic of Moldova was left without electricity on Saturday following a power outage on the electricity transmission line through which the country imports electricity from Romania, via Ukraine. The massive power outage affected hospitals, border checkpoints and traffic. The failure originated in Ukraine, whose energy system has been severely affected by successive Russian bombings, which have left millions of Ukrainian civilians in the cold and darkness every winter. The energy problems also led to the suspension of Kyiv metro traffic on Saturday.
MISSILES The US government has approved the sale of 730 Patriot air defence missiles to its ally, Saudi Arabia, for a total of USD 9 billion, a decision that comes amid rising tensions over Iran, AFP reports. The Patriot systems, manufactured by the US company Lockheed Martin, are capable of intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles. According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the US government has also approved the sale of defence equipment worth nearly USD 6.7 billion, including new attack helicopters and armoured vehicles, to Israel. The US is Israel’s closest ally, including in terms of military support and weapons sales. No deadline has yet been set for the approved arms deals.
TENNIS The Kazakhstani player Elena Rybakina, number 5 WTA, won her first Australian Open with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 victory over the WTA leader Arina Sabalenka (Belarus), in the final at Melbourne Park on Saturday. (AMP)
