Romania
Eastern flank drone incidents test Nato's defences
Three drone incidents in 36 hours last week highlighted the growing security challenge facing Nato's Black Sea flank.
Romania steps up efforts to restart Cernavoda nuclear reactors
Romanian authorities are changing their approach to restoring water levels at the Cernavoda nuclear power plant, building a dam and releasing more water from inland rivers, after weeks of efforts proved insufficient.
Naval drone carrying explosives destroyed near Romania’s Neptun Alpha platform
Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu directly linked the incident to the broader security threat posed by Russia's war against Ukraine, but did not explicitly state that Russia had launched the drone.
Romania’s construction activity surges 18.3% y/y in Q2 on new projects
In the first half of 2026, construction work volume increased by 13.9% y/y, making the sector one of the main positive contributors to economic activity amid a contraction in Romanian GDP.
Romanian car factories to reopen after drought forced temporary nuclear power plant shutdown
Romania stopped operations at the Cernavoda nuclear power plant due to low Danube water levels.
Romania faces tighter spending rules after public debt exceeds 60% of GDP
Acting Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare says crossing the 60% debt threshold means Bucharest has a "very clear limit" on new budget commitments.
Europe's second inflation shock is arriving in two waves, energy now and food next year
Central bankers do not usually forecast the weather. The European Central Bank's chief economist has just put one into his.
Romania has over €2.5bn of RRF funding at risk as deadline approaches
Worst case scenario assumes the failure of at least two key reforms alongside delays in major investments.
Romania’s public debt rises to 61.4% of GDP at end-May
Increase in debt reflected both new borrowing and the impact of the Romanian leu's depreciation against the euro.
Britain's drones are hitting Russian refineries leading to retaliation fears
A British-built drone flying into a refinery outside Moscow is a different kind of object from a British-built missile doing the same thing, and both London and the Kremlin know it.
Danube hits record 31cm low as drought idles central European reactors
The Danube has dropped to a record low of 31 cm in Budapest, idling nuclear reactors in Romania and Hungary as a fierce drought parches central Europe.
The Global North's missile crisis
Washington's own stockpile is depleted and its arms industry is scrambling to catch up; Kyiv is chasing spare interceptors from allies who increasingly need their own; and a $300mn arms deal with Turkey, while welcome, does...
Ukraine's interceptor missiles run dry as Zelenskiy scours the world for more
Ukraine's stockpile of air-defence interceptor missiles is running down to zero this week, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's mounting desperation as the hunt for replacement ammunition fails is becoming impossible to hide, with the...
Ukraine faces $3bn grain export loss as Russia's blockade empties Odesa of ships
Ukraine's alternative grain export routes will not reach the capacity needed to compensate for Russia's blockade of Black Sea ports until the end of August at the earliest, and even then will cover only half the volume normally handled through...
Romanian manufacturing PMI reaches expansion territory for first time in two years
Romania’s manufacturing sector showed signs of stabilisation in July, with the BCR Romania Manufacturing PMI rising above the 50-point threshold.
Romania seeks to divert Danube water to keep Cernavoda nuclear plant online
Romania is taking emergency measures to divert more Danube water towards the Cernavoda nuclear power plant as severe drought threatens to force the shutdown of its remaining operating reactor.
Romania reaches political agreement on euro adoption, president says
President Nicusor Dan unexpectedly announces adopting the European single currency was part of a broader agreement on key national priorities, but Romania remains far from meeting adoption criteria.
Drought grips Central Europe, disrupting nuclear power, shipping and agriculture
Europe's worst drought in decades has brought shipping on parts of the Danube to a standstill, threatened nuclear power generation and exposed growing vulnerabilities as climate change pushes temperatures to unprecedented levels.
Romania clears four reforms tied to €3.5bn in EU recovery funds
But adoption of Integrity and Wage Laws critical for Romania to secure the remaining €1.54bn.
Record low Danube waters force Romania to shut both Cernavoda nuclear reactors
Nuclearelectrica said the controlled shutdown was required because of the "very low, unprecedented water level of the Danube", used for cooling.