News of Radio Prague
Klaus planning to official visit Russia, China
Czech president Vaclav Klaus is attending a landmark Russian-EU summit in St. Petersburg, expected to overcome differences between European nations that emerged due to the war in Iraq. Czech president Vaclav Klaus said he would like to officially visit the Russian Federation in the future to become the first Czech president to do so after 1993. He has also accepted invitation to visit China. Mr. Klaus is representing his country at the Russian-EU summit, attended by leaders of the 15 EU nations, candidate countries and Russia. The summit is taking place in St. Petersburg as part of celebrations marking the 300th anniversary of the city.
Spidla looking for new defence minister
Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla has been looking for a new defence minister. Although he has a few suitable candidates, he declined to reveal them. Defence Minister Jaroslav Tvrdik resigned on Friday over spending cuts that he said jeopardised efforts to bring the Czech forces up to standards set by NATO. President Klaus is expected to decide whether he will accept the resignation later on Sunday.
Health care workers go on strike alert
Trade unions in the health care sector have announced they were going on a strike alert because of the planned reform of state finances. Health care workers joined other trade union organisations which are ready to go on strike should the planned reforms seriously affect their members. Besides other things, the reforms envisage a slower wage growth in the public sector, a tax hike and major changes in the health insurance and pension systems.
Renewed Bedrich Smeatana memorial opens in Jabkenice
A museum dedicated to famous Czech composer Bedrich Smetana opened on Saturday in the town of Jabkenice, Central Bohemia. The memorial and museum was closed for 16 years. It is located in a house where Smetana spent the last years of his life and composed some of his greatest works there, including operas the Kiss and the Devil's Wall, as well as the Bohemian Dances and famous My Country.
Czech weather forecast
We are expecting a cloudy day, with rain and thunderstorms during the morning. Afternoon should be sunnier; the highest daytime temperatures should range from 21 to 25 degrees Celsius.
