Huge protest in Romania over spending cuts

Blowing whistles and chanting in protest at a plan to cut public sector wages in the hope of shoring up Romania's ailing economy, a crowd of 40,000 marches through Bucharest.

The civil servants and pensioners blocked traffic in the city centre yesterday as they protested outside government offices. The Economy Minister Marcel Hoara was booed and pelted with water and stones.

Union leader Iacob Baciu said a general strike will be called on 31 May if the wage and pension cuts go ahead.