News
Czech politicians express solidarity with Britain
Czech politicians have expressed their condolences and solidarity with Britain, in reaction to the terrorist attacks on London on Thursday. In a letter to the Queen, Czech President Vaclav Klaus, who is currently at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in west Bohemia, said the Czech Republic would join Britain to face those who, with cowardly practices, are trying to destroy the values that our civilization is based on. Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek as well as the speakers of both houses of the Czech Parliament have said the attacks on the European continent prove that the international fight against terrorism has been imperative and must continue.
Security heightened at RFE/RL, public transport, and strategic buildings
During its session on Thursday, the Czech government decided to increase the number of police patrols at various locations in Prague. Both the interior ministry and the Czech secret police say the enforcement is just a precaution and they have no reason to believe that there is a threat of attack against the Czech Republic. According to Interior Minister Frantisek Bublan, security is to be heightened aaround the headquarters of the US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in the city centre, department stores, the public transport network, and all strategic buildings. A special telephone hotline has also been opened by the foreign ministry for Czechs who have not been able to get in touch with their relatives in London.
Plans underway to open International Centre for Clinical Research
A state-funded international centre for clinical research will most likely be opened in the Moravian capital of Brno, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Martin Jahn said on Thursday. The plan is part of the National Innovation Policy, under which results of research are to be put into practice by 2010. This goal is to be reached by putting one percent of the GDP into research and development, making it easier to acquire grants, and making technology and mathematics subjects more attractive at universities. The policy was approved by the government on Thursday. Mr Jahn's office expects to present a more detailed plan on the establishment of the clinical research centre in the next month.
Closer Czech-Austrian police cooperation hopes to clamp down on criminals
The Czech cabinet also discussed a bilateral agreement with Austria on Thursday that would increase police cooperation. With the agreement, which is to be signed in mid-July, the interior ministries of both countries hope to join forces and combat crime more effectively. The document makes it easier to search for suspects across the borders and introduces joint border controls, in order to reduce the high number of illegal migrants believed to cross the borders every year.
Weather
The next few days should have partially clear skies with occasional showers. Day-time temperatures will range from 20-24 degrees Celsius.
