A bill in the Romanian Senate aims to grant insured patients the right to pain therapy as part of their healthcare services. The legislation, if passed, would include pain therapy among the rights to medical services for disease treatment, complication prevention, and recovery. The Ministry of Health and other institutions are tasked with developing strategies for pain management training and patient education. The bill has received a favorable opinion from the Senate Health Committee and will be voted on in the plenary session on April 29.

In the last 12 months, food prices in Romania increased by 5.8%, non-food goods by 5.5%, with the highest price increases seen in fish, beer, fresh fruits, and meat. Edible oil prices significantly decreased by 27.5%. Service charges for water, sewage, sanitation, postal services, and medical care saw some of the highest increases. Among non-food goods, detergents, medicines, and footwear topped the list of price hikes. The European Commission's forecast for 2024 predicted a 9.8% inflation rate for Romania in 2023, while the National Bank of Romania's latest estimate from the previous November expected a year-end inflation rate of 7.5% for 2023. Experts and financial institutions anticipate a decrease in the inflation rate for 2024, albeit at a slower pace than previously estimated due to new taxes and duties introduced at the end of 2023, which will also be reflected in prices.

The High Court of Cassation and Justice (ICCJ) overturned the Central Electoral Bureau's (BEC) decision to reject the United Right Alliance's registration for the June 9 elections, deeming it an abuse and a direct attack on democracy. Leaders from the Save Romania Union (USR), Force of the Right Party, and People's Movement Party (PMP) praised the decision, accusing the Social Democratic Party (PSD) of attempting to eliminate the alliance from the elections. The ICCJ also ruled that PMP must have a representative in the BEC, following a successful challenge against the BEC's initial decision.

Cătălin Cherecheş, former mayor of Baia Mare, Romania, was extradited from Germany to Romania to serve a five-year prison sentence for bribery. After his conviction on November 24, Cherecheș fled the country under a false identity but was apprehended by police in Augsburg. His lawyer, Răzvan Doseanu, stated that Cherecheș would undergo a 21-day quarantine at Rahova Penitentiary, followed by transfers to Aiuid and then Baia Mare. Legal proceedings, including an annulment contestation at the Cluj Court of Appeal, will continue. Cherecheș's escape led to the dismissal of the head of the Border Police, Victor Ştefan Ivaşcu. The Munich Regional Court decided on March 13 to extradite Cherecheș after his lawyers unsuccessfully attempted to halt the extradition, citing poor detention conditions in Romanian prisons.

Liviu Maha won the rector position at the University of Iași against Tudorel Toader, who criticized the election process as atypical and filled with intimidation and falsehoods. Toader, a former Justice Minister and judge at the Constitutional Court, was previously contested for promoting laws that would have politically subordinated the judicial system. Maha, a professor of economics, emphasized the legitimacy and responsibility his victory represents. His mandate as rector will last until 2029, pending official confirmation by the Ministry of Education.

US President Joe Biden warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that an Israeli military operation in Rafah would deepen anarchy in Gaza. They agreed to meet in Washington to discuss strategies to target Hamas without a major ground operation. Biden called for an immediate ceasefire as part of a hostage release agreement, while Netanyahu reiterated Israel's commitment to its war objectives. The US and Israel are concerned that a full offensive on Rafah could worsen the already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Meanwhile, Israel killed Marwan Issa, a top Hamas leader, and US forces destroyed Houthi weaponry in Yemen. USAID Administrator Samantha Power highlighted an imminent famine in Gaza and urged Israel to open more land routes for aid. The Romanian Foreign Ministry reported the evacuation of 11 Romanians from Gaza.

The Rabla Clasic and Rabla Plus programs in Romania will be conducted in two stages, starting on March 19 and August 19, 2024, with a budget of 300 million lei for Rabla Clasic and 1 billion lei for Rabla Plus. The Ministry of the Environment emphasizes the importance of financing environmentally friendly vehicles, including electric and plug-in hybrid cars. Subsidies for the Rabla Plus program have been halved compared to 2023, but Minister Mircea Fechet believes the interest in electric vehicles will remain high. The government plans to gradually shift funds from Rabla Clasic, which supports the renewal of combustion engine vehicles, to Rabla Plus, which promotes electric and hybrid vehicles.

The European Union and several Western leaders have condemned the recent Russian presidential elections, citing political repression and lack of genuine opposition. The EU also denounces the illegal elections held in occupied Ukrainian territories, declaring them null and void. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and leaders from Germany, the UK, Romania, and Lithuania echoed these sentiments, criticizing the elections as neither free nor fair. In contrast, leaders from Turkey, China, India, North Korea, and Iran congratulated Vladimir Putin on his victory, emphasizing their ongoing bilateral relations and strategic partnerships.

The film 'Libertate', produced by Oana Giurgiu and Tudor Giurgiu, won the Best Feature Film award at the 2024 Gopo Awards Gala, receiving a total of 10 awards. Alex Calangiu was named Best Actor for his role in 'Libertate', while Ilinca Manolache won Best Actress for her role in 'Nu aștepta prea mult de la sfârșitul lumii'. Other notable winners include 'Spre nord' for Best Debut Film, Iulian Postelnicu for Best Supporting Actor, and Maria Popistașu for Best Supporting Actress. The event also honored individuals with special awards, including Dan Nuțu and Rodica Mandache for their lifetime achievements.

The article covers a range of international and local news topics. It discusses the ongoing war in Gaza, marking 100 days with significant destruction and displacement, and the international calls for Israel to reduce its military offensive. Taiwan has elected a pro-independence president, William Lai Ching-te, which may intensify Beijing's efforts to intimidate the island. The conflict in Gaza is escalating tensions between the US and Houthi rebels. In Romania, protests by farmers and transporters continue, with failed negotiations and accusations against the police for suppressing the protests. The article also touches on the challenges Europe faces in arming Ukraine and itself, North Korea's foreign minister visiting Moscow, and the doubling of wealth for the world's five richest men since 2020.