A former Romanian prime minister who shot himself in the neck in an apparent suicide attempt is to undergo surgery.

THE Romanian government was in an uproar yesterday over austerity protests – the interior minister resigned, the opposition demanded the prime minister go as well and top police officials held emergency talks with the president.

The Romanian government was thrown into turmoil today over public strikes against cuts, with the interior minister resigning, the opposition demanding the prime minister go too and top police officials holding emergency talks with the president.

Brienz at the foot of the picturesque Bernese Alps in Switzerland – normally packed with tourists and hikers at this time of year – is instead coated with mud and debris today after days of devastating flooding.

FLOODING in Romania has killed 66 people this year and caused more than €1.5 billion in damage as rising waters smashed dams, swept away roads and collapsed bridges, Interior Minister Vasile Blaga said.