Radio România Internațional

Tag: Eurostat

June 8, 2024

Elections – Today is a day of reflection in Romania, before the European Parliament and local elections that take place on Sunday. The polling stations will open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 10:00 p.m., compared to 9:00 p.m. in the previous elections. The presidents of the polling stations can decide to extend the vote until 23:59, if there are people who did not have the time to exercise this right, but are inside or in the immediate vicinity of the station. Approximately 19 million Romanians are called to the polls in the nearly 19,000 polling stations in the country. Abroad there will be 915 polling stations, twice as many as compared to the EP elections five years ago, most of them being opened in Italy (150), Spain (147) and Great Britain (104). In the elections for the European Parliament, there are 15 candidates for one seat, and Romania will send 33 representatives to the EP. According to the data presented by the Permanent Electoral Authority, there are 20% fewer competitors in the local elections compared to four years ago. For both elections, over 102 million ballots were printed, and the Romanian authorities claim that they have taken all the necessary measures regarding the smooth running of the electoral process. For the first time, the data on voter turnout will be presented in real time, online, on election day, for each separate election, on the website of the Permanent Electoral Authority. We remind you that this year the presidential election is scheduled in September and the legislative elections in December.

EP elections – The elections for the 720 members of the European Parliament are already taking place in several states of the EU. In the Netherlands, the vote took place on Thursday, and exit polls showed an increase in the popularity of the extreme right, which would have obtained seven seats in the future European Parliament, compared to only one in the current legislature. In Ireland, the electoral process took place on Friday, as well as in the Czech Republic, where voting will continue today. Italian citizens will also vote for two days. Also today, voters in Latvia, Malta and Slovakia will go to the polls to nominate their future MEPs, while the rest of the EU countries will hold European Parliament elections on Sunday. Over 370 million voters are expected to go to the polls throughout the European Union.

GDP – The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the euro zone and the European Union registered an advance of 0.3% in the first quarter of 2024, compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, according to data published by Eurostat. According to statistics, Romania’s economy recorded an evolution slightly above the European average, with a GDP growth of 0.4% in the first three months of the year, after a contraction of 0.6% in the last three months of 2023. The Eurostat data are similar to those previously announced by the National Institute of Statistics, which revised downwards Romania’s economic growth in the first three months of this year, to 0.4%, from 0.5% as previously estimated.

Salaries – Almost 1.9 million employees in Romania will receive their salary increased by 284 lei (approx. 57 Euros), net value, from July 1, after the Romanian Government approved the increase of the gross minimum wage from 3,300 lei (approx. 660 Euros) to 3,700 lei (approx. 740 Euros) and raised from 200 lei (approx. 40 Euros) to 300 lei (approx. 60 Euros) the monthly amount exempt from the payment of the income tax. The executive believes that this approach will have positive effects on economic growth, the purchasing power of employees and will contribute to the reduction of undeclared work. However, the decision does not apply to employees in agriculture and the food industry, as legal provisions in force apply to these categories. The government representatives said that this increase is a step towards the adoption, as of November, of the minimum wage at the European level.

Attack – The Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu conveyed a message following the attack on his Danish counterpart, Mette Frederiksen, which took place on Friday in a Copenhagen square. “I am shocked by the news of the attack on the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Violence has no place in our societies”, Marcel Ciolacu wrote on the X platform today. Mette Frederiksen was attacked by a man on Friday, but no signs of injury are reported. The police announced that a man was arrested and the incident is being investigated, but did not provide further details. The incident took place two days before the Danes went to the polls in the European Parliament elections. Three weeks ago, the Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was seriously injured in an assassination attempt.

Fraud – The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is conducting investigations in Romania and Spain, in a case involving a fraud in public procurement of 10 million Euros. EPPO specifies in a statement that it is about European funds for the modernization of the water infrastructure and the improvement of energy efficiency. Several searches have been carried out so far in Hunedoara county (west), at a hospital and another public institution, thee beneficiaries of the funds, as well as in the Spanish region of Andalusia. The European prosecutors show that a group of companies from Romania, which also included a company from Spain, presented false documents and statements in order to receive the contracts for the execution of the works. (LS)

8 June 2024
May 5, 2024 UPDATE

EASTER – The Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the greatest holiday in the Christian calendar, was marked on Sunday by Orthodox and Eastern-Catholic Christians around the world, including in Romania. In his Easter sermon, Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church said that healing the world of passing illnesses was not the ultimate design of Jesus Christ, but rather saving mankind from sin and death. The Patriarch urged Romanians to pursue good deeds. “During these days of celebration, light and joy for our Christian way of life, let us pray for global peace, let us convey a message of brotherly love to all Romanians living abroad”, the Patriarch went on to say. “The Resurrection of Christ recalls the Christian appeal to love thy neighbor and live in peace and understanding”, Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis also said in his Easter message.

MINI-HOLIDAY – Some 150,00 people are these days attending hundreds of events across the country for the Easter mini-holiday. The Interior Ministry has deployed additional forces to ensure public order. Gendarme patrols are on standby in mountain resorts and are mobilized in the main seacoast resorts, with the mission of combating drug abuse, particularly in Mamaia and Vama Veche. The Sunwaves electronic music festival is underway in Mamaia until May 7. Dozens of DJs will be mixing music day and night. No major incidents were reported during Saturday’s Easter Vigil, the Interior Ministry reports. On the other hand, the National Directorate for Cyber-Security warns that people are less vigilant around the holidays in terms of online shopping and are exposed to online scams.

WAR IN UKRAINE – Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, addressed the nation on Easter, saying the Ukrainian people will get down on its knees only to pray. He said Ukrainians are holding a common prayer for the servicemen celebrating Easter in the trenches and on the frontline. Russia on Saturday night launched 24 Shahed drones, of which 23 were shot down, the Ukrainian Air Forces announced on Sunday. The attack followed Russian attacks on Saturday on the Kharkiv and Dnipro regions and the port of Odesa, which killed at least two civilians, destroyed a food factory and damaged other civilian infrastructure targets, residential and commercial buildings, regional officials say. President Zelenskyy said Russia used eight different types of missiles and nearly 70 guided missiles to strike settlements and positions on the frontline. In turn, Moscow persuaded Cuban citizens to join the Russian army, offering monthly wages of approximately 2,000 USD plus Russian passports, to be delivered within months of signing up.

EXERCISE – Romania hosts the Swift Response 24 multinational exercise over May 5-24. According to the Defense Ministry, the exercise will comprise one of the biggest airdrop exercise ever held in Europe after WWII, with units from France, Germany, Romania, Spain, the USA and the Netherlands taking part. Thousands of servicemen and technical equipment from seven NATO and partner states will be involved in the exercise, organized by the United States Command Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF). Romania will deploy 2,300 military and 220 technical equipment and will prep several airbases and shooting ranges. The exercise is coordinated by the German Air Forces, in partnership with the Romanian Land Forces command and the Romanian Air Forces.

LIFE EXPECTANCY – Spain has the highest life expectancy rate at EU level – 84 years, above the EU average of 81.5 years. According to a Eurostat report, Romania has the third-lowest life expectancy in the EU, 76.6 years, followed only by Latvia with 75.9 years and Bulgaria with 75.8 years. However, the biggest increase in life expectancy rates across the EU over 2019-2023 was reported in Romania. 15 of the 27 EU Member States exceed the EU life expectancy average. Countries with lower rates are those in Eastern Europe and the Baltics, whereas countries in the Mediterranean, Scandinavia and Central Europe have higher life expectancy rates.

GYMNASTSTICS – The Romanian women’s gymnastics team ranked 4^th in the team event at the European Gymnastics Championships hosted by Rimini, Italy. Italy ranked first, followed by the UK and France. Sabrina Maneca Voinea grabbed both silver medals for Romania in the beam and floor events. (VP)

5 May 2024
May 5, 2024

EASTER – The Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the greatest holiday in the Christian calendar, is marked on Sunday by Orthodox and Eastern-Catholic Christians around the world, including in Romania. In his Easter sermon, Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church said that healing the world of passing illnesses was not the ultimate design of Jesus Christ, but rather saving mankind from sin and death. The Patriarch urged Romanians to pursue good deeds. “During these days of celebration, light and joy for our Christian way of life, let us pray for global peace, let us convey a message of brotherly love to all Romanians living abroad”, the Patriarch went on to say. “The Resurrection of Christ recalls the Christian appeal to love thy neighbor and live in peace and understanding”, Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis also said in his Easter message.

AWARD – Romania’s president, Klaus Iohannis, has been designated as one of the recipients of the 2024 Atlantic Council Distinguished Leadership Awards, which will be bestowed in a special gala held on May 8 in Washington. The Romanian president will be honored for his remarkable career, exemplary leadership of Romania, and his transatlantic and European leadership role. The other recipients of the award are U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Christopher G. Cavoli, and Academy Award-winning actress and producer Michelle Yeoh. Each year, the Distinguished Leadership Awards convenes a high-level international audience of more than six hundred policy, business, military, artistic, and civil-society leaders to celebrate individuals, including policy leaders, business executives, military brass and artistic and humanitarian champions, who best represent the pillars of the global relationship. Past recipients include US presidents George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and then-Vice President Joe Biden, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, current and former International Monetary Fund managing directors Kristalina Georgieva and Christine Lagarde. Set up in 1961, the Atlantic Council is a non-profit organization whose staff must observe high standards of personal and professional integrity, candor and honesty in communications and interactions with one another as well as with other organizations, government officials, the media and the public.

WAR IN UKRAINE – Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, addressed the nation on Easter, saying the Ukrainian people will get down on its knees only to pray. He said Ukrainians are holding a common prayer for the servicemen celebrating Easter in the trenches and on the frontline. Russia on Saturday night launched 24 Shahed drones, of which 23 were shot down, the Ukrainian Air Forces announced on Sunday. The attack followed Russian attacks on Saturday on the Kharkiv and Dnipro regions and the port of Odesa, which killed at least two civilians, destroyed a food factory and damaged other civilian infrastructure targets, residential and commercial buildings, regional officials say. President Zelenskyy said Russia used eight different types of missiles and nearly 70 guided missiles to strike settlements and positions on the frontline. In turn, Moscow persuaded Cuban citizens to join the Russian army, offering monthly wages of approximately 2,000 USD plus Russian passports, to be delivered within months of signing up.

LIFE EXPECTANCY – Spain has the highest life expectancy rate at EU level – 84 years, above the EU average of 81.5 years. According to a Eurostat report, Romania has the third-lowest life expectancy in the EU, 76.6 years, followed only by Latvia with 75.9 years and Bulgaria with 75.8 years. However, the biggest increase in life expectancy rates across the EU over 2019-2023 was reported in Romania. 15 of the 27 EU Member States exceed the EU life expectancy average. Countries with lower rates are those in Eastern Europe and the Baltics, whereas countries in the Mediterranean, Scandinavia and Central Europe have higher life expectancy rates.

GYMNASTSTICS – Romanian athlete Sabrina Maneca Voinea won silver in the floor final on Saturday at the European Gymnastics Championships hosted by Rimini, Italy. The gold went to Manila Esposito of Italy, whereas another Italian, Angela Andreoli, scooped bronze. Sabrina Maneca Voinea previously won gold in the beam finals. Last year, Sabrina won bronze in the floor final at the European Championships in Antalya, Turkey. Romania is competing in the team final on Sunday, after ranking 4^th in the qualifiers. (VP)

5 May 2024
May 4, 2024 UPDATE

HOLY WEEK – Orthodox and Eastern-Catholic Christians in Romania on Sunday are celebrating Easter. On Saturday, Jerusalem hosted the Holy Fire special service in the Holy Sepulcher, a unique ritual whereby the Greek Patriarch of Jerusalem entered the Tomb of Jesus to receive the light of the Resurrection, lit by the Holy Spirit, which he then shared with the faithful. In his Easter sermon, Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church said that healing the world of passing illnesses was not the ultimate design of Jesus Christ, but rather saving mankind from sin and death. The Patriarch urged Romanians to pursue good deeds. In turn, Cardinal Lucian of the Eastern-Catholic Church said that, although temptation is always lurking due to passion, evil, conflict, violence, breaches of human dignity or freedom, the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord strengthens our faith and kindles a hope that no one and nothing can destroy. The high-ranking Eastern-Catholic cleric also said that intellectual creativity and technological progress, including artificial intelligence, should be put to good use with the observance of ethical standards, in order to make society more humane and change it for the better. “The Resurrection of Christ recalls the Christian appeal to love thy neighbor and live in peace and understanding”, Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis said in his Easter message, highlighting them as our cardinal values.

FRANCE – ROMANIA COOPERATION – The Romanian Foreign Minister, Luminița Odobescu, on Friday had a bilateral meeting with the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Séjourné. Talks focused on the robustness of bilateral dialogue, the close diplomatic cooperation between Bucharest and Paris regarding European topics, as well as a mutual desire to advance cooperation at both bilateral and European levels. The two foreign ministers agreed to continue joint efforts to consolidate the Strategic Agenda with a view to promoting the European project and boost resilience at EU level. Minister Odobescu thanked France for its remarkable contribution to the consolidation of the NATO Eastern Flank and for taking on the role of a framework nation in the NATO Battlegroup deployed to Romania. In addition, the Romanian official expressed gratitude for France’s growing interest in the Black Sea region, particularly in the context of Russia’s acts of aggression against Ukraine and regional challenges generated by the conflict. The two ministers highlighted the need to continue to provide multidimensional support to Ukraine and to coordinate actions to help the Republic of Moldova, a country faced with multiple security threats from the Russian Federation.

LIFE EXPECTANCY – Spain has the highest life expectancy rate at EU level – 84 years, above the EU average of 81.5 years. According to a Eurostat report, Romania has the third-lowest life expectancy in the EU, 76.6 years, followed only by Latvia with 75.9 years and Bulgaria with 75.8 years. However, the biggest increase in life expectancy rates across the EU over 2019-2023 was reported in Romania. 15 of the 27 EU Member States exceed the EU life expectancy average. Countries with lower rates are those in Eastern Europe and the Baltics, whereas countries in the Mediterranean, Scandinavia and Central Europe have higher life expectancy rates.

HANDBALL – The Romanian women’s champions, CSM Bucharest, on Saturday failed to qualify to the EHF Champions league Final Four after losing to Metz of France away from home in the return leg of the quarterfinals. In the first leg Metz had won 27-24 in Bucharest. In men’s handball, Dinamo Bucharest has qualified to the EHF European League Final Four, where it will play SG Flesburg Handewitt of Germany. In the other semi-final, Fuchse Berlin, the defending champions, will go up against Rhein-Nekar Loewen in an all-German match. The Final Four tournament is hosted by Hamburg over May 25-26. (VP)

4 May 2024
May 4, 2024

HOLY WEEK – Orthodox and Eastern-Catholic Christians in Romania are making the final preparations ahead of Easter Sunday. Holy Saturday marks the last day of Holy Week and the last day of Lent, a solemn day that ends in the evening with the Easter Vigil. On Saturday, Jerusalem hosts the Holy Fire special service in the Holy Sepulcher, a unique ritual whereby the Greek Patriarch of Jerusalem enters the Tomb of Jesus to receive the light of the Resurrection, lit by the Holy Spirit, which he then shares with the faithful. The Holy Light is also expected to reach Romania. In his Easter sermon, Patriarch Daniel of the Romanian Orthodox Church said that healing the world of passing illnesses was not the ultimate design of Jesus Christ, but rather saving mankind from sin and death. The Patriarch urged Romanians to pursue good deeds. In turn, Cardinal Lucian of the Eastern-Catholic Church said that, although temptation is always lurking due to passion, evil, conflict, violence, breaches of human dignity or freedom, the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord strengthens our faith and kindles a hope that no one and nothing can destroy. The high-ranking Eastern-Catholic cleric also said that intellectual creativity and technological progress, including artificial intelligence, should be put to good use with the observance of ethical standards, in order to make society more humane and change it for the better.

FRANCE – ROMANIA COOPERATION – The Romanian Foreign Minister, Luminița Odobescu, on Friday had a bilateral meeting with the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Séjourné. Talks focused on the robustness of bilateral dialogue, the close diplomatic cooperation between Bucharest and Paris regarding European topics, as well as a mutual desire to advance cooperation at both bilateral and European levels. The two foreign ministers agreed to continue joint efforts to consolidate the Strategic Agenda with a view to promoting the European project and boost resilience at EU level. Minister Odobescu thanked France for its remarkable contribution to the consolidation of the NATO Eastern Flank and for taking on the role of a framework nation in the NATO Battlegroup deployed to Romania. In addition, the Romanian official expressed gratitude for France’s growing interest in the Black Sea region, particularly in the context of Russia’s acts of aggression against Ukraine and regional challenges generated by the conflict. The two ministers highlighted the need to continue to provide multidimensional support to Ukraine and to coordinate actions to help the Republic of Moldova, a country faced with multiple security threats from the Russian Federation.

WAR IN UKRAINE – Russia on Friday night launched a massive drone attack on Kharkiv and Dnipro regions, wounding at least six people and hitting critical infrastructure, commercial and residential buildings, regional officials announced on Saturday. According to the Ukrainian Air Forces, Russia launched 13 Shahed drones, targeting regions in northeastern and central Ukraine. Local air defenses shot down all the drones, the commander of Ukrainian air forces announced. In another development, the Ukrainian Energy Ministry said that energy supplies have been covered in the last 24 hours using domestic energy production, energy imports, as well as emergency energy aid delivered by Romania, Poland and Slovakia.

ATTACK – Poland too announced it was targeted by alleged Russian cyber-attacks, which may also have been directed against Germany and Czechia, Reuters reports. Warsaw expressed solidarity with the two countries in light of the cyber-attacks targeting democratic institutions and political parties, the Polish Foreign Ministry said in a press release. Germany too accused Russia on Friday of launching cyber-attacks against the Social-Democratic Party in power, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and local defense and airspace companies, but also targets from other countries, warning the attack will not remain without consequence.

LIFE EXPECTANCY – Spain has the highest life expectancy rate at EU level – 84 years, above the EU average of 81.5 years. According to a Eurostat report, Romania has the third-lowest life expectancy in the EU, 76.6 years, followed only by Latvia with 75.9 years and Bulgaria with 75.8 years. However, the biggest increase in life expectancy rates across the EU over 2019-2023 was reported in Romania. 15 of the 27 EU Member States exceed the EU life expectancy average. Countries with lower rates are those in Eastern Europe and the Baltics, whereas countries in the Mediterranean, Scandinavia and Central Europe have higher life expectancy rates.

HANDBALL – The Romanian women’s champions, CSM Bucharest, are today taking on Metz of France away from home in the return leg of the EHF Champions League quarterfinals. In the first leg Metz won 27-24 in Bucharest. In men’s handball, Dinamo Bucharest has qualified to the EHF European League Final Four, where it will play SG Flesburg Handewitt of Germany. In the other semi-final, Fuchse Berlin, the defending champions, will go up against Rhein-Nekar Loewen in an all-German match. The Final Four tournament is hosted by Hamburg over May 25-26. (VP)

4 May 2024
March 10, 2024 UPDATE

ROȘIA MONTANĂ – Romania has won the legal dispute against the Canadian miner Gabriel Resources, launched in 2015, following a ruling of the Washington-based International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), made public on Friday. The Romanian state is thus under no obligation to pay damages to the Canadian mining company, and instead must receive over 7 mln EUR and another 1 mln USD in court fees and other arbitration-related costs. The decision can be appealed over the next four months. Gabriel Resources sought damages worth 6.7 bln USD, invoking huge losses caused by the Romanian authorities’ decision not to start exploitation works at the Roșia Montană gold mine, where the Canadian miner had allegedly invested sizable amounts of money. In 2021, Roșia Montană was included on the UNESCO World Heritage list, which blocked any further attempts at resuming mining operations. The team of Romanian lawyers explained Romania made constant efforts to observe the rights of both investors and of Romanian citizens, arguing the court of arbitration factored in the numerous challenges related to environment protection and other social, cultural and economic challenges facing the mining project, ruling that the Romanian authorities fulfilled their regulation obligations as best as possible in a very difficult context.

ELECTIONS – The Government of Romania has adopted an emergency decree on the timetable of the elections in Romania. The document stipulates the joint organization of the local election with the European Parliament election on June 9. The election campaign is set to begin on March 12. Lawmakers say hosting the two ballots on the same date will spell numerous benefits and will boost voter turnout. The president of the Permanent Election Authority, Toni Greblă, says the measure sought to observe the Constitution, the provisions of the Venice Commission and the relevant legislation. The election will occasion the use of a special automated system, administered by the Special Telecommunications Service, to monitor voter turnout and prevent illegal voting. The presidential election will be held in September while the election for the Romanian Parliament will be held in December.

TOURISM – In 2023, tourism in the EU exceeded pre-pandemic levels, according to the latest Eurostat report. The number of nights spent in EU tourist accommodation reached 2.9 billion, accounting for a 1.4% increase compared to 2019. Slovakia and Czechia recorded the highest growth in terms of nights spent by international guests, with both countries experiencing an increase of 29% in 2023 compared to 2022. The Netherlands and Romania followed, each with a 23% increase, while Croatia recorded a modest growth of 2%. Eurostat data points to a rebound in tourism nights from spring 2022 onwards. The overall trend for 2023 indicates an increase in total number of nights spent, reaching a record number of nights spent and approaching 3 billion annual nights.

PROTEST – Over 5,000 members of the Sanitary Solidarity Trade Federation will be staging a protest in front of the Government, Parliament, Health and Labor Ministries buildings on Monday. Their top demand is the increase of salaries above the rate of inflation. Trade unionists also want a sensible increase in purchasing power and proper pay for hard working conditions. The trade federation says the protests are also targeted against the government’s latest emergency decree on certain salary increases which, federation representatives say, would introduce new inequities while deepening existing ones. (VP)

10 March 2024
March 10, 2024

ROȘIA MONTANĂ – Romania has won the legal dispute against the Canadian miner Gabriel Resources, launched in 2015, following a ruling of the Washington-based International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), made public on Friday. The Romanian state is thus under no obligation to pay damages to the Canadian mining company, and instead must receive over 7 mln EUR and another 1 mln USD in court fees and other arbitration-related costs. The decision can be appealed over the next four months. Gabriel Resources sought damages worth 6.7 bln USD, invoking huge losses caused by the Romanian authorities’ decision not to start exploitation works at the Roșia Montană gold mine, where the Canadian miner had allegedly invested sizable amounts of money. In 2021, Roșia Montană was included on the UNESCO World Heritage list, which blocked any further attempts at resuming mining operations. The team of Romanian lawyers explained Romania made constant efforts to observe the rights of both investors and of Romanian citizens, arguing the court of arbitration factored in the numerous challenges related to environment protection and other social, cultural and economic challenges facing the mining project, ruling that the Romanian authorities fulfilled their regulation obligations as best as possible in a very difficult context.

ELECTIONS – The Government of Romania has adopted an emergency decree on the timetable of the elections in Romania. The document stipulates the joint organization of the local election with the European Parliament election on June 9. The election campaign is set to begin on March 12. Lawmakers say hosting the two ballots on the same date will spell numerous benefits and will boost voter turnout. The president of the Permanent Election Authority, Toni Greblă, says the measure sought to observe the Constitution, the provisions of the Venice Commission and the relevant legislation. The election will occasion the use of a special automated system, administered by the Special Telecommunications Service, to monitor voter turnout and prevent illegal voting. The presidential election will be held in September while the election for the Romanian Parliament will be held in December.

TOURISM – In 2023, tourism in the EU exceeded pre-pandemic levels, according to the latest Eurostat report. The number of nights spent in EU tourist accommodation reached 2.9 billion, accounting for a 1.4% increase compared to 2019. Slovakia and Czechia recorded the highest growth in terms of nights spent by international guests, with both countries experiencing an increase of 29% in 2023 compared to 2022. The Netherlands and Romania followed, each with a 23% increase, while Croatia recorded a modest growth of 2%. Eurostat data points to a rebound in tourism nights from spring 2022 onwards. The overall trend for 2023 indicates an increase in total number of nights spent, reaching a record number of nights spent and approaching 3 billion annual nights.

OSCARS – The 96th Oscars Awards Gala will be hosted on Sunday night in Los Angeles. The biographic thriller “Oppenheimer”, written, directed and produced by Christopher Nolan and staring Cilian Murphy in the male lead, has received the most nominations in 13 categories. The film tells the story of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his contribution to the development of the atomic bomb. Yorgos Lanthimos’s “Poor Things”, staring Emma Stone as Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter, has received 11 nominations. The western drama “Killers of the Flower Moon”, produced and directed by Martin Scorsese, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Lily Gladstone in the main leads, is ranked 3rd in terms of nominations, competing in 10 categories. With five nominations, Justine Triet’s “Anatomy of a Fall” hopes to upset all odds after winning the Palme d’Or at Cannes 2023. The nominees for best picture also include Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro”, a chronicle of the life of composer Leonard Berstein, Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers” as well as Jonathan Glazer’s “The Zone of Interest”, a spine-chilling chronicle of the careless life of a family of Nazis, living the life of their dreams in a villa next to the Auschwitz camp. (VP)

10 March 2024
România, cel mai mic preț al bunurilor de consum din UE

România şi Bulgaria au înregistrat au cel mai scăzut nivel al preţurilor pentru bunurile de consum şi serviciile din componența consumului final al gospodăriilor populaţiei, potrivit Institutului Național de Statistică și Eurostat. Astfel, prețurile din cele două state vecine a fost cu 41% mai mic decât media UE .

Indicii nivelului preţurilor exprimă câte unităţi din aceeaşi monedă sunt necesare pentru a cumpăra un volum identic de bunuri şi servicii în ţări diferite, pentru fiecare grupă de bunuri şi servicii. În anul 2022, pentru bunurile de consum şi serviciile din componenţa consumului final se plătesc 100 euro la nivelul Uniunii Europene, iar la cele două extreme, 149 euro în Danemarca şi respectiv 59 euro în România şi Bulgaria, explică INS.

La polul opus, statele membre cu cel mai mari preţuri pentru consumul final al gospodăriilor au fost Danemarca (49% peste media UE), urmată de Irlanda (42% peste media UE) și Luxemburg (37% peste media UE).

Potrivit Eurostat, România a avut în 2022 cele mai scăzute prețuri pentru grupa Alimente şi băuturi nealcoolice (72%), urmată de Polonia (73%). Din nou Danemarca şi Luxemburg, au avut cel mai ridicat nivel al prețurilor (121%). De asemenea. România a înregistrat cel mai scăzut nivel al preţurilor dintre ţările UE pentru grupa Articole de mobilier, echipamente de uz casnic şi întreţinerea curentă a locuinţei (71%), la egalitate cu Bulgaria.

Bulgaria mai înregistrează cel mai reduse prețuri pentru categoriile Băuturi alcoolice şi tutun (66%), Îmbrăcăminte şi încălţăminte (80%) şi Întreţinerea locuinţei, apă, electricitate, gaz şi alţi combustibili (38%).

Nivelul prețurilor pentru bunuri și servicii din componența consumului per gospodărie / Sursa: Eurostat

De cealaltă parte, Irlanda are cele mai prețuri produsele din grupele Băuturi alcoolice şi tutun (216%) şi Întreţinerea locuinţei, apă, electricitate, gaz şi alţi combustibili (195%), iar Danemarca pentru grupa Îmbrăcăminte şi încălţăminte (133%)

Ungaria este cel mai ieftin stat membru pentru grupa Transport (70%), Polonia pentru Recreere şi cultură (62%), iar Bulgaria înregistrează cel mai scăzut nivel la grupa servicii de cazare şi restaurante (50%).

Luxemburg are cel mai mare nivel al preţurilor pentru Articole de mobilier, echipamente de uz casnic şi întreţinerea curentă a locuinţei (128%) dintre statele membre, iar Danemarca este cea mai scumpă ţară din UE la grupele “Transport (129%) , Recreere şi cultură “(143%) precum şi la serviciile de cazare şi restaurante (154%).

România împreună cu Ungaria înregistrează aceeaşi valoare a indicelui de volum al PIB pe locuitor, calculat pe baza PPC, şi se situează la nivelul de 76% faţă de media Uniunii Europene.

În ceea indicelui de volum al PIB pe locuitor, calculat la Paritatea Puterii de Cumpărare (PPC), România se afla la 76% din media Uniunii Europene în 2022. Cea mai mică valoare s-a înregistrat în Bulgaria (38% din media UE), în timp ce Luxemburg a avut cel mai ridicat nivel (156%).

2 February 2024
Zona euro evită la limită recesiunea

Rezultatele anunțate de Eurostat, deşi nu sunt finale, depășesc așteptările analiștilor, care anticipau o scădere de 0,1 la sută a Produsului Intern Brut din zona euro în ultimele trei luni din 2023 și intrarea într-o recesiune tehnică, definită prin două trimestre consecutive de declin.

Pe parcursul întregului an trecut, cele 20 de țări ale zonei euro au avut o creștere economică de 0,5 la sută comparativ cu 2022, conform datelor biroului european de statistică. Această creștere este ușor sub estimarea de 0,6 la sută, făcută în noiembrie de Comisia Europeană.

Unele state au avut performanțe mai bune. De exemplu, Spania a beneficiat de un impuls din turism și a înregistrat o creștere de 2,5 la sută anul trecut, în timp ce Franța a avut o creștere de 0,9 procente, depășind media zonei euro.

Pe de altă parte, Germania, cea mai mare economie din zona euro, dar şi din întreaga Uniune, a consemnat o scădere de 0,3 la sută, afectată de criza din sectorul industrial, agravată de costurile ridicate ale energiei.

Peste două săptămâni, Comisia Europeană va publica noile sale previziuni legate de creșterea economică pentru acest an. Estimările de până acum indică un avans de 1,2 procente pentru zona euro, dar comisarul european pentru afaceri economice, Paolo Gentiloni, a avertizat că tensiunile geopolitice din Orientul Mijlociu sporesc riscul unei revizuiri în scădere a acestei perspective.

De altfel, Fondul Monetar Internaţional se aşteaptă ca în acest an creşterea economică în zona euro să nu depăşească un procent, iar unul din motive ar fi Germania, în cazul căreia progresul ar urma să fie de doar 0,5 la sută.

În faţa acestor provocări şi din dorinţa ca Uniunea Europeană să rămână una dintre cele mai deschise și mai atractive destinații pentru afaceri și investiții, Comisia Europeană a prezentat recent mai multe propuneri de consolidare a securității economice.

Executivul comunitar vrea o îmbunătățire a examinării investițiilor străine în Uniune pentru a preveni orice risc.

Comisia vrea totodată o abordare mai coordonată a exporturilor de produse cu dublă utilizare – adică bunuri care pot fi utilizate atât în scopuri civile, cât și militare (cum ar fi produsele electronice avansate) – pentru a garanta că nu ajung în mâinile cui nu trebuie.

RadioRomaniaInternational · Europa la zi 02.02.2024

2 February 2024
Automobilele electrice și rata de motorizare în UE

Aproape trei milioane de autovehicule alimentate exclusiv cu baterii erau înregistrate în statele membre ale UE, arată datele Eurostat pentru anul 2022. Aceasta înseamnă o creștere de 55% față de anul precedent când erau înmatriculate 1,9 milioane de unități în spațiul comunitar.

Luxemburg, statul UE cu cea mai mare pondere a autoturismelor noi

Rata anuală de creștere este mai mică decât cea din anii trecuți. Între 2019 și 2020 numărul mașinilor electrice a crescut cu 85%, iar 2021 a adus un avans de 78% comparativ cu 2020. Este de așteptat ca ponderea să crească din nou în anii următori, în contextul interzicerii vânzărilor de automobile noi cu motoare pe combustie, din 2035.

Numărului total de autoturisme noi din Uniunea Europeană – alimentate cu combustibili fosili, hibride sau electrice a crescut în aproape toate statele membre. Circa 253 de milioane de unități au fost înmatriculate în 2022, ceea ce înseamnă o creștere de 14% față de anul 2013.

Cea mai mare pondere a autoturismelor noi, cu o vechime de maximum doi ani, s-a înregistrat în Luxemburg, cu o pondere de 18% din totalul parcului auto. Creșteri semnificative s-au mai înregistrat în Suedia și Germania ambele cu 15% din totalul vehiculelor, urmate de Irlanda, Austria și Belgia, fiecare cu un avans de 13%.

Numărul total al mașinilor electrice din statele UE / Sursa: Eurostat

România, cea mai mare creștere a numărului de autoturisme

România ar al doilea cel mai învechit parc auto din UE cu o pondere a vehiculelor mai vechi de 20 de ani de 31%. Doar Estonia a înregistrat o pondere mai mare 34%, iar în urma țării noastre se situează Finlanda (30%), Polonia (29%) și Portugalia cu 26%.

Totodată, România a înregistrat cea mai mare creștere din UE a numărului de autoturisme la mia de locuitori între 2012 și 2022. Avansul este de 86,2% sau 193 de autovehicule în plus la mia de locuitori. Creșteri importante ale numărului de autoturisme s-au înregistrat și în alte state din Europa Centrală și de Est: Croația (44,8% sau 152 la mia de locuitori), Ungaria (40,9%, 123), Slovacia (40,1%, 135) şi Estonia (39,7%, 181).

În pofida numărului tot mai mare de mașini înmatriculate, România continuă să aibă una dintre cele mai mici rate de motorizare din spațiul comunitar cu 414 autoturisme la mia de locuitori. Cifre asemănătoare au mai înregistrat Letonia (414) și Ungaria (424). La polul opus, cele mai multe autoturisme la mia de locuitori s-au înregistrat în Italia (684), Luxemburg (678), Finlanda (661) şi Cipru (658).

Tot pentru perioada 2012-2022, datele Eurostat mai arată că România a înregistrat cea mai mare creștere a ratei de motorizare la tractoare (127,4%), peste Croația (121,5%) și Lituania (101,8%).

Rata de motorizare a autoturismelor în statele UE (2012 vs 2022) / Sursa:Eurostat

23 January 2024
Muncind în Europa – 22.01.2024

În
contextul în care, conform datelor Eurostat, România are printre cele mai mari
rate ale șomajului în rândul tinerilor dintre statele membre ale UE – internshipul
este un pas important pentru integrarea acestora pe piaţa muncii, o modalitate
reală de a căpăta experienţă practică, dar şi şansa de a cunoaşte profesionişti
din domeniul în care vor să activeze.

RadioRomaniaInternational · Muncind în Europa – 22.01.2024

22 January 2024
15.12.2023 (mise à jour)

Elargissement – L’élargissement de l’Union européenne, la révision du cadre financier pluriannuel 2021-2027, l’appui à l’Ukraine, la situation au Proche Orient, la sécurité et la défense, la migration ainsi que le futur agenda stratégique de l’UE ont figuré parmi les thèmes de la réunion du Conseil européen auquel a participé aussi ces jeudi et vendredi le président roumain Klaus Iohannis. Il a félicité la République de Moldova et l’Ukraine pour le début des négociations d’adhésion à l’UE et a souligné que la décision du Conseil européen était « historique ». Le chef de l’Etat a également réitéré le soutien de Bucarest à ses deux voisins. Le Conseil européen a décidé, ce jeudi, d’entamer des négociations d’adhésion avec la République de Moldova et l’Ukraine, sur proposition de la Commission Européenne. Dans le même temps, le Conseil a décidé d’accorder à la Géorgie le statut d’Etat candidat, et a donné une évaluation positive à la Bosnie Herzégovine pour son début de parcours européen.

Schengen – Egalement au Conseil européen, le premier
ministre espagnol Pedro Sanchez a déclaré vendredi qu’il aimerait voir la
Roumanie et la Bulgarie dans l’espace Schengen avant la fin 2023. Ce thème est compliqué
et qu’il y a « beaucoup à négocier » dans ce dossier a précisé également à Bruxelles le président
roumain Klaus Iohannis. Il a eu une réunion informelle à l’invitation de la
présidente de la commission européenne Ursula von der Leyen, à laquelle ont
participé aussi le chancelier autrichien Karl Nehammer et le premier ministre
bulgare, Nikolai Denkov. Par ailleurs, les Pays-bas ont officiellement annoncé
vendredi leur accord sur l’entrée de la Bulgarie dans l’espace de libre
circulation européenne. Dans ce contexte, l’Autriche est unique Etat qui
devrait changer sa position et accepter l’adhésion de la Roumanie et de la
Bulgarie à Schengen – les deux Etats remplissent techniquement les critères
nécessaires. Les autorités de Vienne se sont prononcées depuis une année contre
l’élargissement de l’espace de libre circulation, invoquant le fait que
celui-ci ne fonctionnait pas puisque de nombreux migrants non-enregistrés
arrivent dans le centre et l’ouest de l’Europe. A la fin de l’année dernière,
l’Autriche a voté dans le cadre du sommet Justice et Affaires Intérieures
contre l’accès des deux Etats à l’espace Schengen, alors que les Pays-Bas se
sont opposés uniquement dans le cas de la Bulgarie, mais les deux Etats sont
analysés dans un dossier commun.

PNRR – La Roumanie a envoyé ce vendredi à Bruxelles la troisième demande de paiement du Plan National de Relance et de Résilience – a déclaré le Premier ministre Marcel Ciolacu lors de la réunion du Comité interministériel pour la gestion du Plan National de Relance et de Résilience. La valeur de celle-ci s’élève à 2,7 milliards d’euro, ce qui représente le montant moins le préfinancement qui a été déjà reçu, et couvre 74 objectifs et jalons correspondants aux trimestres 3 et 4 de l’année 2022.

Eurostat – La moitié de la population de l’Union Européenne âgée de 16 à 74 ans possède au moins des compétences numériques de base, selon les chiffres rendues publics vendredi par l’Office européen de la statistique. Selon l’Eurostat, le taux le plus bas est enregistré en Roumanie. La situation est meilleure en Bulgarie et en Pologne mais ces deux Etats sont également en dessous de la moyenne européenne. En tête du classement se trouvent les Pays-Bas et la Finlande, avec 80% de la population ayant des connaissances numériques de base, suivies par le Danemark avec un taux de 70%. L’indicateur des compétences numériques est un des facteurs clé qui établit la vision de l’Union européenne pour la transformation numérique. L’objectif pour l’année 2030 est d’arriver à un taux de 80 % des citoyens européens âgés de 16 à 74 ans ayant au moins des compétences numériques de base.

Gaza – La Roumanie se joint à la communauté internationale dans le
but de soutenir les efforts d’Israël pour libérer les personnes prises en
otages par Hamas – a transmis le Premier ministre Marcel Ciolacu. Celui-ci a
rencontré à Bucarest le ministre de la Défense israélien Moshe Arbel, et les membres des familles de quelques citoyens
israéliens d’origine roumaine qui avaient été kidnappés dans la Bande de Gaza.
Dans le même contexte, le chef de l’Exécutif a réitéré que « la désescalade
est une solution viable pour rétablir la sécurité dans la région ».

Météo – Au cours
des prochaines 24 heures, la météo sera assez normale pour la mi-décembre en
Roumanie avec des maxima allant de -1 à 7 degrés. Il y a des nuages sur la
moitié sud, où des pluies et des chutes de neige isolées sont constatées. Ciel
variable sur le reste du territoire.

15 December 2023
România, prima în UE la locuințele aflate în proprietate personală

Șapte din zece europeni locuiau anul trecut în locuințe proprietate personală, arată datele publicate de Oficiul European de Statistică (Eurostat). În medie 69% din populația Uniunii Europene locuia în locuințe achiziționate, iar restul de 31% în locuințe închiriate.

Doar 5% dintre români plătesc chirie, potrivit datelor oficiale

România înregistrează cea mai mare pondere în rândul celor 27 de state membre, cu 94,8% din populație care trăia în locuințe aflate în proprietate personală. Doar 5,2% dintre români erau chiriași în 2022. Ponderea este în scădere față de 2020 când 96,1% din populație trăia în locuințe achiziționate.

Cifre aproape la fel de mari s-au mai înregistrat în Slovacia (93%), Croaţia (91%) şi Ungaria (90%). Germania este singura țară din blocul comunitar în care procentul de chiriași a fost mai mare (53%) decât cel al proprietarilor. Un număr mare de chiriași s-a mai înregistrat anul trecut în Austria (49%) şi Danemarca (40%).

Datele Eurostat au vizat și spațiul de care beneficiază cetățenii europenii, după numărul mediu de camere per persoană. În medie, un european avea la dispoziție 1,6 camere în 2022. Românii aveau cel mai puțin spațiul la dispoziție cu doar 1,1 camere persoană, la fel ca cei din Polonia și Slovacia. La coada clasamentului se mai situează Letonia şi Croaţia (ambele cu 1,2 camere per persoană). De cealaltă parte, cele mai mari cifre le-au înregistrat Malta (2,3 camere per persoană), Luxemburg (2,2 camere per persoană), Belgia, Irlanda şi Ţările de Jos (fiecare cu câte 2,1 camere per persoană).

Ponderea poulației care trăiește în locuințe proprietate privată (albastru) vs chiriași / Sursa: Eurostat

4 din 10 români trăiesc în locuințe aglomerate

În ceea ce privește numărul de persoane care trăiesc în aceeași locuință, datele oferite de Eurostat împart spațiile de locuit în aglomerate și sub-ocupate. România pe lista statelor membre cu cele mai aglomerate locuințe cu o rată de aglomerare de 40,5%. Doar Lituania are o rată puțin mai mare decât țara noastră (41,7%), cele două state fiind urmate de Bulgaria (36,2%). La polul opus rata de aglomerare cea mai scăzută se înregistrează în Ţările de Jos (2,9%), Malta (2,8%) și Cipru (2,2%).

Locuințele sub-ocupate sunt cele mai mari decât nevoile celor care trăiesc în acestea. De cele mai multe ori, aceste locuințe sunt ocupate de vârstnici sau cuplurile care continuă să trăiască în acel spațiu după ce copiii părăsesc domiciliul. Astfel, anul trecut, o treime din populația Uniunii (33,6%) trăia într-o locuință sub-ocupată.

România are cea mai scăzută rată a locuințelor sub-ocupate (7,3%), sub Letonia (9,4%) şi Grecia (11,3%). Cel mai ridicat procent de locuinţe sub-ocupate era în Malta (72,3%), Cipru (70,9%) şi Irlanda (67,3%).

4 December 2023
November 30, 2023 UPDATE

COP28 The president of Romania Klaus Iohannis travels to Dubai on Friday, to attend the UN Climate Change Conference, COP28, with 140 heads of state expected to take part. The conference started on Thursday with the adoption of a historic decision to finance losses and damages for the countries affected by global warming. The year 2023 has been the hottest on record, with an average global temperature approx. 1.4°C above pre-industrial levels, the World Meteorological Organization announced.

DEFENCE Romanias new Army Chief of Staff is the general lieutenant Gheorghiţă Vlad. At the swearing in ceremony on Thursday, president Klaus Iohannis said gen. lt. Vlad was entrusted with the responsibility of carrying on the Armys process of adapting to new challenges and of maintaining a high level of battle training for the troops. We need more determined measures to re-launch the national defence industry, the president also said, including through industrial cooperation, so that a larger share of the ammunition and equipment we need may be produced domestically. This and the high level of military training, will ensure a strong and credible defence capacity, adapted to the new security challenges, the head of state added.

RECYCLING In Romania, the deposit and return scheme for beverage containers became operational on Thursday. Romania will run the second-largest programme of this kind in Europe, after the one in Germany, in terms of the number of containes processed. Romanians who pay a 10-Eurocent deposit on purchasing bottled beverages from retailers will be able to return the container to drop-off centres organised by retailers, and will be refunded their deposits without having to produce the receipt for the original purchase. Deposit-carrying containers will be introduced gradually, with a transition period until current stocks in shops are sold out.

DIPLOMACY The Romanian foreign minister Luminiţa Odobescu took part on Wednesday in an informal dinner ahead of the OSCE ministerial council in Skopje, organised by the rotating chairmanship holder, North Macedonia. Talks focused on Russias war of aggression against Ukraine and the need for an efficient OSCE in times of conflict. In her address, the Romanian diplomat emphasised the difficult circumstances in which the Organisation operates, in the context of Russias unjustified and unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine. She also reiterated Romanias solidarity with the Ukrainian people, emphasising the multi-dimensional support given to Ukraine. Luminiţa Odobescu also highlighted the negative impact on the Republic of Moldova, the social and economic difficulties facing Moldova as a result of Russias various pressures, as well as the relevance of Moldova in the security dynamics of the region.

UNEMPLOYMENT The unemployment rate in Romania was 5.4% in October, below the 6% EU average, the European Statistics Office announced. According to data released on Thursday, the Eurostat puts the number of unemployed people in the EU at nearly 13 million. The unemployment rate was 14.8% among youth, 6.4% among women and 5.8% among men. The lowest figure in October was reported in Malta – 2.5%, and the highest in Spain – 12%.

HOLIDAY On Thursday Christians celebrated St. Andrew the Apostle, the patron saint of Romania. Historical records indicate that Saint Andrew preached in Scythia, in the north and west of the Black Sea, including present-day Dobrudja, where he ordained priests and bishops who took the word of Christ to the Dacian population between the Danube and the Carpathians. As such, he is recognised as the patron saint of Romania. He was martyred by crucifixion in the city of Patras, in Greece. (AMP)

30 November 2023
România, cea mai scăzută producție de lapte din UE

România are cea mai mică producție de lapte Uniunea Europeană, raportată la numărul de vaci din. Potrivit datelor publicate de Eurostat, România a produs doar 3.367 de kilograme de lapte pe cap de vacă în 2022, o cantitate mai mică decât cea raportată de Bulgaria (3.621 de kilograme). De cealaltă parte se situează Danemarca și Estonia, ambele cu o producței de peste 10.000 de kilograme pe cap de vacă.

Producția de lapte din România nu atinge nici jumătate din cantitatea medie înregistrată în cele 27 de state membre (7.653 de kilograme). Per total, producţia de lapte crud a Uniunii Europene este estimată la 160 milioane de tone în 2022, ceea ce înseamnă o ușoară scădere de 0,3 milioane de tone față de 2021. Este prima oară după 2010 când producția înregistrează un declin, mai precizează Eurostat.

Producția de lapte crud scade după mai bine de un deceniu

Laptele crud produs în Uniunea Europeană a mers în cea mai mare parte către fabricile de produse lactate. O cantitate de numai 9,8 milioane de tone au rămas la fermieri pentru a fi consumate în gospodărie, pentru a fi vândute direct consumatorilor sau procesate direct. Din cele 149,9 milioane de tone de lapte livrate către producătorii de lactate, 145,6 milioane de tone au fost lapte de vacă, restul de oaie, capră sau bivoliţă.

Fabricile de lactate au produs anul trecut circa 22,5 milioane de tone lapte de vacă de consum. Totodată, au mai fost produse 7,7 milioane de tone lapte fermentat care au necesitat şase milioane de tone lapte integral şi 1,7 milioane de tone lapte degresat. Fabricile din blocul comunitar au mai scos 2,3 milioane de tone unt care au necesitat 46,4 milioane de tone lapte integral şi 10,4 milioane de tone brânză pentru care s-au utilizat 59,2 milioane de tone milioane de tone lapte integral, dar şi 16,9 milioane de tone lapte degresat. În total, producţia de brânză şi unt a folosit 70% din întreaga cantitate de lapte disponibilă pentru fabricile de lactate din UE.

Datele Eurostat publicate în luna iunie arată că România a produs numai 387 de mii de tone lapte de consum în 2021

Germania și Franța, primele la producția de unt și brânză

În rândul statelor membre UE, Germania a fost anul trecut cel mai mare producător de lapte de vacă de consum cu aproape o cincime din totalul Uniunii (19%). De altfel, Germania este pe prima poziție și la producția de unt (20% din totalul UE), de produse din lapte fermentat, cum ar fi iaurtul (29%) şi producția de brânză (22%).

Franţa a fost al doilea mare producător atât de unt cât şi de brânză (18% din total la fiecare produs), în timp ce Ţările de Jos sunt pe a doua poziție la produsele din lapte fermentat (peste 15%). Spania este al doilea cel mai mare producător de lapte de consum (15%).

Cei mai mari producători de lapte de consum / lactate fermentate / unt / brânză în 2022

Sursa infografice: Eurostat

26 November 2023