A roundup of domestic and international news
COVID-19 IN ROMANIA - The coronavirus death toll in Romania stands at 1.223 people. 165 new cases have been reported in the last 24h, bringing their total number to some 18.600, the Group for Strategic Communication announced. Over 90% of the victims had at least one other medical condition, the National Institute for Public Health reports. Over 3.000 Romanians abroad have tested positive for SARS CoV-2, the highest numbers being reported in Italy, Spain, Germany, Great Britain and France. Of them 100 have died. 30 hospitals in Romania have been aproved for taking part in a study on plasma-based treatment. Plasma taken from patients who have recovered after being infected with COVID can be administered to patients in critical condition only in certain circumstances.
COVID-19 WORLDWIDE - The total number of people infected with coronavirus has reached 5.7 million globally. 352.000 people have died to the virus, while over 2.4 million patients have recovered. The death toll in the United States has exceeded 100.000, while Brazil has reported 1.000 deaths in 24h. The death toll has risen to 37.000 in Great Britain, while the virus has killed 33.000 people in Italy. Spain has begun a 10-day mourning period for the victims of COVID-19, some 27.000 people. On the other hand, European countries continue to ease restrictions. As of today, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary have reopened their common borders with special travel conditions. Beaches have reopened in Spain and the United States, while Japan has lifted the state of emergency. Mosques in Iran are now open, while people in Greece can again eat in taverns and restaurants. Austria has authorized sports activities with a maximum number of 300 people, while in Moscow shops will reopen and people can go for short walks around the city. Poland has sanctioned public gatherings with a maximum number of 150 people.
DEFENSE - Public policies in the field of national security will be conceived and implemented to the benefit of the citizen only, so Romanians should feel safe and trust the institutions are there to defend and protect them, President Klaus Iohannis said on the sidelines of the country's Supreme Defense Council meeting. On Tuesday the Council adopted the 2020-2024 National Defense Strategy. The strategy was devised to deal with a pandemic that affected the entire world and has generated a profound economic crisis, the President pointed out. The strategy also tackles foreign policy, public order, education, healthcare, the economy, the environment, energy security and cyber security. The Strategic Partnership with the US as well as our country's NATO and EU membership have been confirmed as pillars of Romania's foreign policy. The Council also decided to deploy 1.940 military and civilians for external operations and missions.
RECOVERY PLAN - The European Commission wants Member States to back a €2.4 trillion economic recovery plan, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. The bailout package consists of loans under three financial chapters as well as non-refundable aid. One instrument, dubbed Next Generation EU, amounts to €750 billion, will address the countries the most affected by the pandemic. Romania has been allotted €33 billion. The plan has been met with reluctance in the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria and Sweden, the so-called Frugal Four, who are reluctant to give away money as grants. The Commission will discuss the plan at the EU Summit of June 18-19.
ECONOMY - The Government has adopted several measures to help the business sector recover after the COVID pandemic. One measure is meant to simplify a financial rescue plan addressing SMEs. The measures adopted in the last two months and a half have had a huge impact on the budget, tantamount to 1.5% of the GDP, Finance Minister Florin Citu has said. The Government has also greenlit the disbursement of additional funds to cover lockdown-related costs and other measures in the field of healthcare.
MOTION - In Bucharest the Chamber of Deputies passed the simple motion against Education Minister Monica Anisie. Filed by the Social-Democratic Party and the leftist Pro Romania Party, both in opposition, the document claims Minister Anisie has brought the education system on the verge of chaos due to her incompetence or disinterest. The opposition wants the Education Minister gone, saying she lacks vision and strategy. In turn, Monica Anisie claims the education system cannot navigate the challenges faced by the current generation, as it is held back by conservative canons that undervalue students' skills. The Minister rebuked former Social-Democratic Education Minister for their failure to implement e-schooling.
(Translated by V. Palcu & E. Enache)
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