October 3, 2023 UPDATE

NOBEL - Researchers Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne L'Huillier are the winners of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics. They were awarded for "experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron dynamics in matter", according to a press release  by the Nobel Committee. In 2022, the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to researchers Alain Aspect, John F. Clauser and Anton Zeilinger for revolutionary discoveries in the field of quantum mechanics. 

EXERCISE - The Valahia 2023 exercise is taking place as of Tuesday at the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant (south-eastern Romania). The exercise, which simulates a nuclear accident, is organized by the National Commission for the Control of Nuclear Activities and benefits the support of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna and the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority. By simulating a nuclear accident at the Cernavodă power plant, the emergency intervention capacities of all actors involved will be tested, as well as the assistance received from international partners. Valahia 2023 aims to improve nuclear security and safety in Romania, increase  resilience to disaster and prepare to respond to nuclear and radiologic events. The exercise is funded through the Norwegian financial mechanism.

KYIV - The Romanian Foreign Minister, Luminita Odobescu, emphasized in Kyiv, the importance of continuing the European Union's multidimensional support for Ukraine, which was invaded by Russian troops, including through the creation of a military fund within the European Peace Facility. She expressed her strong dissaproval of Russia's attacks on the civil infrastructure in Ukraine, in the close vicinity of Romania, and emphasized the need for a long-term strategic regional approach, in which the Republic of Moldova would be included. Luminiţa Odobescu participated, on Monday, in the informal meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU member states - the Council of Foreign Affairs (CAE), organized in Kyiv. 

DRUGS - The Interior Ministry has drawn up special measures to combat drug trafficking in schools, Minister Cătălin Predoiu said Tuesday, in Parliament. He was invited to the Government Hour, at the request of the opposition party USR, to present the actions taken to combat the consumption of high-risk substances. Predoiu also said that the fight against drug and human trafficking and organized crime is a priority of his mandate, and that, during the last three months, 44 organized  groups were dismantled and hundreds of kilograms of prohibited substances were confiscated. USR MPs, however, were unsatisfied with the answers received, arguing there are drugs in schools and no large network is being destroyed. They also told Minister Predoiu that he had corrupt people under his command. The Liberal minister responded to these accusations by saying that USR uses the drama caused by drug use for their election agenda.

GYMNASTICS – The Romanian women's gymnastics team qualified for the 2024  Olympic Games in Paris, after coming out 8th in the qualifications of the 52nd edition of the World Championships in Antwerp (Belgium). Romania thus returns to the Olympic Games after a 12-year break, its last participation being in London in 2012. As many as 12 gymnastics teams will take part in the 2024 Olympics. The US, Britain and Canada already had their participation secured. Romania now has 60 athletes qualified for next year’s Olympic Games. (EE)