Press Review - October 16, 2018

10.16.2018 By Oana Gavrila

African Swine Fever Spreads in Europe and Asia

Global health officials are preparing for African swine fever, which has been spreading in pigs across borders since 2014, reaching Western Europe last week

The most recent cases, however, were reported September 25 in a Chinese slaughterhouse in Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia, according to the organization. There have been 29 outbreaks in China since the first case was reported August 3. China has culled nearly 40,000 pigs in response.

The virus reached China this summer and arrived in Western Europe for the first time in September in a separate simultaneous outbreak.

The disease is characterized by pigs developing hemorrhaging lesions on their skin and internal organs. All cases can result in death within 10 days of infection, according to the World Organization for Animal Health.

Financial consequences of an outbreak are substantial. Once the virus has been detected on a pig farm, the entire population must be culled.

Romania's Total External Debt Grows to RON98B in January-August

Romania's total external debt grew by EUR648 million from end-December 2017, standing at EUR98.009 billion at the end of August, central bank data showed Monday.

Long-term debt stood at EUR67.395 billion, accounting for 68.8% of the total external debt.

The country's current account balance posted a deficit of EUR5.83 billion in January-August, compared with a deficit of EUR4.23 billion in the same period last year.

Foreign direct investment stood at EUR2.863 billion in January-August, compared with EUR2.955 billion in the same period last year.

Special Pensions Four Times Higher Than Regular Pensions

Regular pensions paid to 4.68 million pensioners in Romania totaled RON5.02 billion in June 2018, while special pensions paid to 139,000 pensioners amounted to 590 million.

In the first half of the year, the 139,000 former defense and secret service employees had pensions totaling RON3.45 billion.

The average special pension stands at RON4,136 a month compared with an average RON1.073 a month paid to 4.68 million regular pensioners.

Weather in Romania Warmer than Season Average

Romanian weather authorities announced Romania is in for a heat wave and the weather will stay sunny, with maximum temperatures of up to 24 degrees Celsius.

On Tuesday, maximum temperatures will range between 19 and 24 degrees Celsius and minimum temperatures will range between 2 and 12 degrees.