News of Radio Prague

Austrians demonstrate against Temelin nuclear power plant

Austrian anti-nuclear activists staged another demonstration at the Wullowitz Czech-Austrian border check point in South Bohemia on Friday. They are protesting against the controversial Temelin nuclear power station located just 50 kilometres from the Austrian border. At a meeting in the town of Melk in December, Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman and his Austrian counterpart Wolfgang Schuessel signed an agreement, according to which the Czech Republic will carry out an environment impact study at the plant by June. But - the Austrians say - three months of testing are not enough. The Austrian Vice Chancellor Susanne Reiss-Passer has expressed her support for the activists, saying the Czech Republic must comply fully with the Melk agreements.

Austrian haulage companies do not support blockades

Meanwhile, Austrian haulage companies have criticised the possibility of further blockades of border crossings. They say they are aware of the seriousness of the issue of nuclear safety, but at the same time - they say - goods cannot be held up at the border.

President Havel to be released from hospital next week

President Vaclav Havel underwent final medical tests on his lungs on Friday, and doctors say he could be released from hospital on Monday. President Havel had to cut short a visit to Kuwait earlier this week and return to Prague because of heavy bronchitis and early signs of pneumonia. Havel was operated on back in 1996, when part of his right lung was removed because of a malignant tumor. The president will spend next week at the Lany chateau outside Prague, before returning to office and a full work schedule.

Green light to a new highway in nature reserve

On Friday, the Czech Environment Minister, Milos Kuzvart, granted an exemption for the construction of a new motorway that will lead through the nature reserve of Èeské stredohori in Northern Bohemia. The minister, however, did so only on the condition that the building companies will fulfill 30 rules outlined by the Ministry of the Environment for nature and landscape protection. Environmental activists are likely to protest the decision, but, Mr. Kuzvart said - they have every right to do that.

Weather

And finally the weather: We expect a cloudy weekend with snow in the mountain areas, and daytime highs between 1 and 5 degrees Celsius.