August 10, 2022 UPDATE

Loan. The Bucharest government approved, on Wednesday, a draft law on the ratification of the Loan Agreement between Romania and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) worth 600 million euros and the Agreement on non-reimbursable financial assistance between Romania and the IBRD in the amount of 24 million dollars, the Government spokesperson Dan Cărbunaru has announced. The money will be used for the reforms provided for in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and for the management of the current humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, in the fields of health, education and social assistance. Also on Wednesday, the Executive approved the allocation from the intervention fund of 9.5 million lei (almost 2 million euros) for the emergency implementation of dredging operations in the Danube River and other specific works needed to manage the risk situation caused by drought.

G7. The G7 foreign ministers call on Russia to immediately transfer the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, to Ukraine. The G7 communiqué reads that Ukrainian technicians at the plant must be able to perform their duties without threats and pressure, appreciating that, by exercising continuous control over the nuclear plant, Russia endangers the region. The situation in the area of ​​the plant remains tense. The Ukrainian authorities claim that the Russians bombed, at dawn, a locality that is on the bank of the Dnipro, right across the nuclear power plant, causing the death of 13 civilians. Also in the south of Ukraine, in the Kherson region, occupied by Russia, the Russian military began to evacuate families, fearing that the situation will worsen, especially since the Ukrainian army attacked two strategic bridges over the Dnieper. According to the Radio Romania correspondent, the Ukrainian regional administration of Kherson has announced that the Russian provisional administration of the region is speeding up preparations for the referendum on the region's independence from Ukraine.

Inflation. The National Bank of Romania has increased the inflation forecast for the end of this year to 13.9%, compared to 12.5% ​​as estimated in May. According to the Central Bank, after a flat period in the third quarter, inflation could take a downward trajectory, if the wholesale markets of energy and agri-food products relax. For next year, the NBR estimates an inflation rate of around 7.5%.

Corruption. The mayor of Bucharest's District 3, Robert Negoita and a number of employees with the mayor's office have been indicted by the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) in a case related to a sanitation contract. Negoita is accused, among other things, of abuse of office.  The damage was set by investigators at around 118 million euros. The sanitation company is also being investigated.

Covid-19. More than 7,300 new cases of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 were registered in Romania in 24 hours, after about 25,900 tests were taken, the Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday. 26 related deaths were also reported. Most new cases of COVID have been reported in Bucharest and in Timiş (west) and Cluj (north-west) counties. The infection rate over a period of 14 days, at national level, is 4.24 cases per one thousand inhabitants. The highest incidence is in Bucharest (9.46). In the specialized health units, the number of people hospitalized in the COVID-19 wards stands at almost 4,000. 300 patients are treated in intensive care units.

Rowing. Romania will participate with 11 crews and 39 athletes at the European Rowing Championships in Munich, which will take place from Thursday to Sunday. At last year's European Rowing Championships in Varese, Italy, Romania won six medals, two gold and four silver. (MI)