News of Radio Prague

Czech-Austrian nuclear row looms before EU expansion

Social Democrat leader Vladimir Spidla, who is expected to become the new prime minister, dismissed on Friday Austrian hopes he would close the controversial Temelin nuclear power plant, reviving threats by Austria's far-right to block Czech accession to the EU. In Friday's edition of the Austrian weekly Format, Mr Spidla said he would stick by safety monitoring agreements reached with Austria and the EU last year. Austrian political parties had been hoping that Mr Spidla would reverse the previous government's loyalty to the Temelin power plant. Temelin, a Soviet-designed plant with U.S. safety controls, has been a major source of tension between Prague and the fervently anti-nuclear Austria.

Representatives of world religions to discuss role of religion in Prague

Representatives of world religions are to meet in Prague next week to discuss the role of religion in the modern world. The multi-religious meeting is organised by the Forum 2000 Foundation under the auspices of President Vaclav Havel. Among the expected guests are the Iraqi opposition leader, Sheikh Mohammed Mohammed Ali, the Swedish secretary of the Interreligious Relations Office, Hans Ucko, and a representative of the Patriarch of the oldest Buddhist School in Japan, Kakuhan Enami. The Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama is expected to arrive in Prague on Saturday on what is going to be his fourth visit to the Czech capital.

Mladkova donates art collection to Prague

The Czech-born American art historian and collector Meda Mladkova donated 215 drawings and paintings by the Czech pioneer of abstract art, Frantisek Kupka, to the city of Prague on Thursday. The art is to be displayed at the renovated Sovovy mlyny Museum in the historic centre of Prague. The museum, run by the Meda Mladkova Foundation, will open to visitors in September.

Ninety Czechs and 70 Slovaks given British citizenship in 2001

Ninety Czechs were given British citizenship last year. Thirty people changed their citizenship by marriage, 55 had had long-term residence permits. The remaining five were minors who changed their citizenship along with their parents. The number of Slovaks who received British passports last year was 70.

Crown reaches new record level against Euro

The Czech crown kept on strengthening against the Euro on Friday and reached a new record level when it traded at 29.19 crowns against the Euro. Trading closed at 29.16 crowns to the Euro and 29 crowns 60 hellers against the US dollar.

Weather

And finally a quick look at the weather. Saturday is expected to be partially cloudy with isolated showers. Daytime temperatures should range between 15 and 19 degrees Celsius. Sunday should see more of the same with daytime temperatures reaching highs of 22 degrees Celsius.