News of Radio Prague
Snow and high winds bring roads to a standstill
The Czech Republic's regions of Bohemia and North Moravia are experiencing the first signs of winter. Heavy snow and high winds on Friday night brought much of the country to a standstill. Many minor roads became impassable and trains had difficulty avoiding getting trapped in snow drifts. One train derailed in the Karlovy Vary region, after a fallen tree that was covered with snow blocked the railway tracks. Drivers were caught unawares, leading to traffic chaos around the country.
Czech budget draft approved, Marvanova abstains from vote
The Czech lower house has approved the state budget draft for 2003 in a first reading. The budget sets a record-high deficit of over 111 billion crowns, or 4.6 percent of the GDP, the highest ever for the Czech Republic. One hundred deputies of the three-party ruling coalition voted in favour of the draft, while ninety-nine opposition MPs voted against. The passing of the first of three required readings on the budget draft has ensured the government's continuation in its present form. Strongly opposed to the high deficit, MP Hana Marvanova from the right-of-centre junior coalition member the Freedom Union, abstained from the vote. Her decision helped to avert the government collapse that would almost certainly have occurred, had the budget draft been rejected.
Bush to arrive in Prague for NATO summit earlier than planned
The U.S. President, George W. Bush, is expected to arrive in Prague on November 20th. This will be one day earlier than originally planned as Mr Bush wants to link the trip to Prague for the NATO summit with an official visit to the Czech Republic to meet with his Czech counterpart Vaclav Havel and Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla. Mr Bush will arrive with his wife Laura, and a delegation, which is to include U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and Defence Minister Donald Rumsfeld. Leading representatives from 19 NATO member states, about 2,000 delegates and some 3,000 journalists are expected to meet in Prague's Congress Centre for the NATO summit that will be held on November 21st to 22nd.
Case against owner of pornographic website named after Havlova to go to court
More than a year after Czech President Vaclav Havel filed a criminal complaint against the owner of a pornographic website named after his wife, Dagmar Havlova, the case may go to court. Mr Havel's lawyers claim the aim of the website's owner was to make a profit out of the name of the president's wife. According to President Spokesman Ladislav Spacek the website could lead Internet users to believe that the content is related to Dagmar Havlova and this could seriously harm her personal rights. The case is now to go to court on November 26th. If found guilty, the website's owner could face up to three years in prison.
Weather
More snow throughout the country is forecast for the rest of the week-end. Day-time temperatures on Sunday will stay above zero, ranging between 1 and 5 degrees Celsius.
