News of Radio Prague

20 % of Czechs older than 60, govt to adopt special action plan

The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has proposed a strategy to prepare for the ageing of the population. The plan is a reaction to the fact that every fifth Czech citizen is older than 60. Within 30 years, about one third of the population is expected to be over 60. The population ageing strategy, which is to be discussed by the government this week, aims to prevent age-based discrimination, and ensure better acceptance of senior citizens by the younger generations. At the same time, the plan supports active participation of senior citizens in the economic, social and political life of the country.

European socialists to meet in Prague

Leaders of the European Socialist Party headed by the speaker of the British lower house of parliament, Labour's Robin Cook, are meeting in Prague this week to discuss European integration. The meeting, hosted by the Czech Social Democrat leader Vladimir Spidla, will also be attended by the deputy chairman of the European Union Convent Giuliano Amato, Swedish deputy prime minister Lena Hjelm-Wallen and Austrian National Party leader Heinz Fischer. The European Socialist Party was established in 1992 by socialist and social democratic parties of the European Union.

Prague Spring Music Festival kicks off on Sunday

The 57th international music festival Prague Spring began on Sunday in Prague. The prestigious festival traditionally opens with Bedrich Smetana's symphonic poems "My Country", this year in a rendition by the Czech Philharmonic conducted by Japan's Ken-Ichiro Kobayashi. Established in 1946, the three-week festival is a showcase of the world's best musicians, symphony orchestras and chamber ensembles and offers 60 concerts of classical music and opera performances.

Gas explosion damage to house in Ostrava, two people injured

Two men were injured by an explosion which damaged a house in the North Moravian town of Ostrava on Saturday. There were five people inside the house at the time of the explosion, including a small child. Police say the explosion may have been caused by gas leaking from a broken cooker pipe but experts are still trying to establish the cause of the accident.

Tennis Novak loses to Agassi in Rome Masters

Tennis - Czech tennis player Jiri Novak has lost to American Andre Agassi 7-5 6-4 in the semi-final of the Rome Masters ATP Series. Agassi, seeded ninth, had to work hard against 14th seed Novak in the early stages of both sets. Novak proved himself able to deal with Agassi's powerful game but made several errors under the almost relentless pressure from the American.

Czech weather report

We are expecting a mostly cloudy day with showers and thunderstorms in places, the highest daytime temperatures should range from 18 to 23 degrees Celsius.