News of Radio Prague

Iraqi children arrive in Prague to undergo operations

Nine seriously ill Iraqi children arrived in Prague on Sunday afternoon to get free medical care. The five girls and four boys will undergo heart operations at Prague's Motol hospital. The children aged between one and ten years are accompanied by their relatives and arrived in Prague as part of a humanitarian programme under which seriously ill Iraqi citizens are offered free medical care in the Czech Republic. The programme was approved by parliament in July.

European Jewish Culture Day

Twenty-three countries across Europe, including the Czech Republic, organised events to mark the European Day of Jewish Culture on Sunday. This year saw an emphasis on art with exhibitions around the country concentrating on Jewish education, customs, and traditions. Some towns and cities offered visits to Jewish sights as well as lectures and concerts. Last year the event drew more than 120,000 visitors in 21 countries.

Spidla visits Egypt and Tunisia this week

Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla is expected to travel to Egypt on Monday morning for a three-day official trip. Mr Spidla will be meeting with senior politicians such as his Egyptian counterpart Atef Ebeid, President Hosny Mubarak and representatives of the Egyptian parliament to discuss political and economic bilateral relations. Closer Czech-Egyptian military co-operation will be discussed during a meeting with Defence Minister Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, who is reported to have shown interest in acquiring Czech L-159 fighter jets. The Czech Prime Minister shall be accompanied by Trade and Industry Minister Milan Urban, Education Minister Petra Buzkova, and a delegation of Czech entrepreneurs. On Wednesday evening, Mr Spidla is scheduled to leave for Tunisia, where he plans to stay until Friday.

Association of European Senates to hold next meeting in Prague

The Association of European Senates has decided to hold its next meeting in Prague. The meeting, which will take place from October 6-8, will be the fifth since the association's establishment in 2000. It is currently represented by fourteen European Senates and the Conseil d'Etat of Luxembourg, which holds an observer status. At the meeting, the presidents of the various senates will discuss whether a different composition of the chambers in bicameral parliaments is a precondition for their efficiency.

Weather

Monday has been forecast with overcast skies and temperatures between 21-25 degrees Celsius.