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05. 02. 10. - 12:00

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05. 02. 10. - 12:00

Toy gory

Kathryn Quinn

Cuddly toys of killer bugs like Swine Flu, HIV and Anthrax have become a bizarre online hit.

Makers Spielwaren of Karlsruhe, Germany, say sales are sweeping through Europe quicker than the Black Death.

"We think they're cute and we're delighted that so many other people out there do to," said company boss Tobias Dietrich.

"There's a serious side that they can be educational tools for children but mostly they're for having a cuddle," he added.

Best sellers include Ebola, Swine Flu and TB.

Protesters throw snowballs at prime minister
Unionists booed and threw snow balls at Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc today (Fri) in protest against the unitary pay law and the future pension law.

Romania still has problems, according to the US Human Rights report
Discrimination against the Roma and gays, Lesbians and transgender people is still happening in Romania, according to the Human Rights Report for 2009 issued by the US State Departament today (Fri).

Depeche Mode-inspired dance show in Bucharest
A dance show inspired by the lyrics and music of British rock band Depeche Mode is premiering today (Fri) at the Odeon Theatre in Bucharest.

Ikea buys its franchise in Bucharest
Swedish furniture retailer Ikea has bought its franchise in Romania, according to a statement by the company today (Fri).

MP proposes a ban on human cloning
A Romanian MP wants to ban human cloning by law.

Romanians bought fewer used German cars last year
Romanians bought 65.3 per cent fewer second hand cars from Germany last year, according to data released today (Fri) by the German Federal Statistics Office.

Bucharest-Bacelona flight interrupted by depressurisation
A plane owned by state-owned airline Tarom had to return to Henri Coanda airport today (Fri) due to technical problems.

Cigarettes factory found at farm
An illicit cigarette factory has been discovered by police at a farm in Mihail Kogalniceanu in Constanta county in southern Romania.

Traditional food fair in Bucharest this weekend
A traditional food fair is going to take place on Saturday and Sunday at the Romanian Peasant Museum in Bucharest.

Parents used their son to sell heroin
Two parents who used their teenager son to transport and sell heroin have been arrested by police in Bucharest.