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17. 11. 09. - 17:00

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17. 11. 09. - 17:00

Romania named most corrupt country in EU

Romanian Times

Romania is the European Union’s most corrupt country, anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International said today (Tues) as it unveiled its 2009 Corruption Perceptions Index today (Tue).

The organisation said policy decisions since the start of negotiations for EU accession had undermined the country’s political institutions and contributed to the perception that the risk of corruption in the country had increased.

"Being in the EU ironically appears to reduce pressure for anti-corruption reforms. As a consequence, Romania is facing a degradation of its public integrity climate, marked by the lack of strategic coordination of legislative and institutional anti-corruption measures," it said.

Romania came 71st in the group’s list of 180 countries and was seen as more corrupt than Bulgaria, Macedonia and Greece as well as Namibia, ranked 56th, Cape Verde, ranked 46th and Botswana ranked 37th.

New Zeeland, Denmark and Singapore were seen as having the lowest levels of corruption.

Eurovision´s greatest Brit
British Eurvision hopeful David Bryan's song for his adopted Romania has become a massive Internet hit after the TV company running the contest out it online.

Schools to be closed for another day tomorrow
Kindergartens and schools are going to be closed for a second day tomorrow (Tues) in capital Bucharest, the local school inspectorate decided today.

EC may extend deadline for reduction of Romania´s budget deficit
The European Commission (EC) today (Mon) recommended that Romania be given until 2012 to bring its budget deficit down to three per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP).

Man who feared surgery fled from hospital in his pyjamas
A man fled from a hospital in his pyjamas because he was afraid of being operated on, but cops caught him and took him back, police in Bistrita said today (Mon).

Romania may modify its IMF agreement
Romania’s standby arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) could be changed into a "precautionary" agreement, Finance Minister Sebastian Vladescu said today (Mon).

De Zerbi signs with Romanian team
Italian player Roberto De Zerbi has transferred to Romanina League I leader CFR Cluj, according to SportItalia.

Public-sector employees stop protests
Public-sector employees have stopped protests as the Labour Ministry has agreed to respect all the provisions in collective labour contracts.

Companies that hire the unemployed will be exempt from social-security tax
Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc said today (Mon) the government would issue a normative act by the end of the month temporarily exempting companies hiring unemployed people from paying social-security tax.

Over 40 trains cancelled because of bad weather
Over 40 trains were cancelled today (Mon) and tomorrow (Tues) because of bad weather, national railway passenger company CFR Calatori announced.

Policeman plays mid-wife during snowstorm
A policeman helped a woman to deliver a baby as the ambulance was stranded and couldn't get to her home in time due to bad weather, according to Realitatea TV.