WHO Issues Special Advisory For Tourists Traveling To Brazil
The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised tourists returning from Brazil against donating blood for at least four weeks to avoid the spread of the Zika virus, which is usually transmitted by the bite of a mosquito.
The WHO published a document advising all people who participate or attend the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, which will take place in August and September 2016.
The WHO has also advised national authorities and blood banks to establish “proper procedures aimed at reducing the risk of Zika virus transmission through blood transfusions.” (Romania Libera)
Education Minister Mulls Introducing High School Entrance Examination
Education Minister Adrian Curaj does not rule out the possibility of introducing a high school entrance examination, but does not know whether he will be able to carry through such a project during his short term in office.
Curaj said pupils in Romania can get into high school even with bad grades, which is not at all good.
The minister pointed out that youths must enjoy several opportunities and they ought to get professional counselling. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Hidroelectrica Exits Insolvency After Four Years
The Bucharest Court on Tuesday ruled on the exit from insolvency of Romania’s state-owned hydropower producer Hidroelectrica after a four-year insolvency process during which the company’s production costs fell to RON110/MWh from RON184/MWh.
The ruling opens the way for a previously planned initial public offering of a 15% stake on stock exchanges in Bucharest and London.
The court’s ruling is not final and may be appealed.
Hidroelectrica went insolvent in June 2012 after it had sold electricity outside the energy exchange at prices below market levels. The company was court-ordered into a second insolvency process in February 2014, less than eight months after completing a one-year reorganization process.
In 2015, Hidroelectrica, controlled by the state through the Ministry of Energy. budgeted investments of EUR1.3 billion for the next five years. (Puterea)
Romanian Leu Would Depreciate By 5% At Most In Case Of Brexit
If Great Britain votes to leave the European Union, this would lead, on the short term, to a depreciation of the Romanian leu by 5% at most, and to a decrease of the gross domestic product by 0.5 percentage points, in coming years, according to an analysis by UniCredit Bank.
„In case of Brexit, we think Romania will resist shocks better than most countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). On the short term, the aversion to risk on international markets will most probably be limited to a maximum depreciation of 5% (of the Romanian leu – e.n.), and volatility will be temporary,” according to the macroeconomic and strategic analysis of UniCredit Bank.
A referendum is being held on Thursday, 23 June, to decide whether Britain should leave or remain in the European Union.(Evenimentul Zilei)
Liberal Sources: UNPR On The Verge Of Sealing Fusion With PNL
According to liberal sources, the National Union for Romania’s Progress (UNPR) is close to sealing the fusion through absorption with the National Liberal Party (PNL).
Liberals said they only wanted Gabriel Oprea out of UNPR so that the fusion could be carried through.
The congress for unification through absorption with UNPR was scheduled for July 16, the same sources said. (Evenimentul Zilei)