News

Policy programme completed

The three parties of the coalition government have completed work on the government's policy programme. The Cabinet is to meet on Thursday to give it an official stamp of approval, before its expected publication. Over the past few days the three parties of the coalition government debated several controversial points pertaining to child benefits, foreign policy and weirs on the river Elbe. The Social Democrats laid emphasis on helping the socially weaker groups of the population, in particular young families with children, but the Christian Democrats and Freedom Union urged restraint pointing out the need to curb public spending. The government is expected to ask Parliament for a vote of confidence on August 24th.

Recruitment ad withdrawn

A recruitment ad for the Czech military which used the theme of the Olympic Games without permission has been withdrawn from radio broadcasting. The ad, which began in conjunction with the Olympics, draws a parallel between the Olympic Games and service in the military, saying both require similar traits such as physical endurance, teamwork and dedication. However the Defence Ministry which commissioned the ad failed to get permission from the Czech Olympic Committee to use the theme. A new ad is now being created without any mention of the Olympics.

Czech women released on bail

Two Czech women arrested in a drugs bust in Mexico last week have been released on bail. The women were arrested along with several other inhabitants of a luxury residence in the cellar of which the police found a big cocaine laboratory. The lab produced 60 kilograms of cocaine a day. The Czech women said they were simply staying at the house and had no idea this was going on on the premises. The bail was set at 2,000 US dollars, i.e. around 50,000 Czech crowns.

Czech shooter Lenka Hykova wins silver medal

Czech shooter Lenka Hykova won a silver medal in the 25 metre pistol event at the Olympic Games on Wednesday. It is the country's second medal at the games. The first was a bronze won by shooter Katerina Kurkova in the ten metre air rifle event.

Hilgertova finishes fifth

There was disappointment for Czech medal hopeful Stepanka Hilgertova at the Olympic Games in Athens, when she came fifth in the women's kayak slalom on Wednesday. Hilgertova took gold in the event at the last two Olympics, in Atlanta and Sydney.

Weather:

Thursday is expected to be partly cloudy with day temperatures between 29 and 33 degrees Celsius.