Czech Republic may back financial rescue plan for EU
The Czech Republic will back the rescue plan put forward by euro zone countries in Brussels if some of its objections are taken into account, Czech Deputy Premier Alexander Vondra told journalists at a summit in Brussels late Wednesday.
Mr. Vondra said it was vital for the EU to 'No advantage' for Irish bankers ...
Hurricane Ike weakens over Cuba ...
Polish President to pay working visit to Prague next week ... respect basic rules as regards fair competition and state support. He said he deemed it necessary that guarantees for bank deposits be equal in all EU member states. The Czech government previously criticized the extent of EU crisis intervention, arguing that it could lead to distortions on the market and Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek even threatened to use his right of veto to oppose any proposal that he thought went beyond the framework of “basic common sense”.
Social Democrats ask for no-confidence vote in centre-right government
The opposition Social Democrats have tabled a proposal for a no-confidence vote in Prime Minister Topolánek’s centre-right government. Lower house chairman Miloslav Vlček said the vote would most likely take place next Wednesday, October 22. The main opposition party has already forced three votes of no-confidence in the government but failed to overturn it each time. Now it is hoping that party infighting within the coalition and a highly publicized corruption scandal involving the ruling Civic Democrats could turn the scales in its favour. The no-confidence vote is to take place after the first round of Senate and regional elections due to be held this weekend.
RAF pilot Stanislav Hlučka dies at 88
One of the country's Second World War heroes, RAF pilot Stanislav Hlučka has died at the age of eighty-eight. Brigadier Hlučka, who received a number of state awards and distinctions for bravery, was arrested after the 1948 communist coup in Czechoslovakia and sentenced to a year in prison. After being released he was not allowed to return to the military and earned his living by manual labour. He was rehabilitated in the 1960s and allowed to return to the military. After the fall of communism he assisted in the rehabilitation of pilots who had been persecuted by the communists and received the Order of T. G. Masaryk.
Christian Democrats to raise awareness of Cuban political prisoners
The Christian Democrats of the Czech governing coalition have unveiled an internet project designed to increase awareness of the plight of political prisoners in Cuba. The project is called “prisoners of conscience -we know about you” and every day the party’s web site will profile the fate of one political prisoner. Although the Czech Republic approved the lifting of sanctions against Cuba in June of this year some Czech politicians consider this to have been a mistake, believing that diplomatic and business ties should not be reintroduced without democratic reforms in Cuba.
Cuba's Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque warned on Tuesday that President Raul Castro would never renounce socialism, just days before Havana is to hold landmark talks with European Union leaders. The EU delegation will include French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, his Czech counterpart Karel Schwarzenberg and EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel.
President Klaus to visit Ireland
President Vaclav Klaus is to pay a three day official visit to Ireland, the president’s office announced on Wednesday. Mr. Klaus is scheduled to meet with his Irish counterpart President Mary McAleese and Prime Minister Brian Cowen. The Lisbon treaty, rejected by Irish voters in a referendum this year, is expected to be high on the agenda of the talks. President Klaus who remains strongly opposed to the treaty, welcomed the outcome of the Irish referendum saying “liberty and reason had defeated elitist plans and European bureaucracy”.
Stock prices down by 7.95 percent
Stock prices on the Prague Bourse sank by 7.95 percent on Wednesday, pulling the PX index back below the 1,000-point mark after two days on the upside. The PX slumped to 998.8 points in another sell-off after an aggregate 21 percent gain on Monday and Tuesday caused by a global recovery in reaction to steps taken by governments and central banks to combat the financial crisis. All blue chips in Prague retreated on Wednesday, led by used-car dealer AAA Auto, down 14.84 percent, and developer Orco, off 14.57 percent.
Čech to miss match against Slovenia
Czech goalkeeper Petr Čech will miss Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Slovenia because of a thigh injury. The team’s spokesman said Wednesday morning’s practice had showed that the injury to Petr Čech's thigh muscle limited him to such a point that couldn't play at 100 percent. The Chelsea keeper, 26, sustained the injury during the Czech Republic's 2-1 loss to Poland on Saturday.
Weather
The next few days are expected to be partly cloudy to overcast with rain in places and day temperatures ranging from 10 to 15 degrees Celsius.
(radio-Prague)
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