News of Radio Prague
Havel: Czechs forget about students' role in historic events
The Czech President Vaclav Havel has met former students to commemorate dramatic events in Czech history in 1939, 1968 and 1989 in which students played a significant role. Mr Havel said during a commemorative ceremony at the presidential chateau in Lany on Friday that Czechs tended to forget about students' key role in these historic events. November 17th is celebrated in the Czech Republic as the Day of Student Struggle for Freedom and Democracy. In November 1939, student resistance against the Nazi occupation resulted in the closure of all Czech universities. In 1968, students played a major role in protests against the Soviet-led invasion which crushed attempts at democratic reforms in the then communist Czechoslovakia, and in November 1989, a harsh suppression of a student demonstration by the communist police sparked the so-called Velvet Revolution which led to the removal of the totalitarian regime.
Russia's Gazprom may buy top Czech TV station
Russia's largest company Gazprom is reportedly interested in buying the Czech Republic's leading commercial television station, TV Nova. DPA news agency quoted a media report on Friday which cited "several sources" at TV Nova as confirming the information. Gazprom is the world's largest natural gas producer, but also has media holdings in Russia. TV Nova's owners have been involved in legal battles with American media tycoon Ronald Lauder, who invested in the TV station but was later shut out by Mr Zelezny. TV Nova spokesman Martin Chalupsky was quoted as saying Nova's owners have been seeking a strategic partner and held talks with several foreign interests. TV Nova is controlled and partly owned by Czech businessman and media magnate Vladimir Zelezny, who was detained this week and accused of financial fraud. Last week, police arrested Zelezny's lawyer and business partner, Ales Rozehnal, on the same charges.
CEFTA to further liberalise agrarian trade
Prime Ministers of the member states of the Central European Free Trade Agreement met in Bucharest on Friday to sign a new protocol on the liberalisation of agrarian trade between the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. The document, which the Czech government approved on Wednesday, is meant as a reaction to the division of opinion within CEFTA on further liberalisation of agrarian trade. While the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary support further liberalisation, other countries are considering the re-introduction of certain protectionist measures.
Czech weather report
And finally, the weather forecast. We are expecting a mostly clear or partially cloudy day, the highest daytime temperatures should range from 2 to 6 degrees Celsius. Sunday should be much the same, partially cloudy with afternoon highs up to 6 degrees Celsius.
