News
President to appoint government of PM Topolanek on Monday
President Vaclav Klaus has said he will appoint the cabinet of Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek on Monday. Civic Democrat chairman and Prime Minister designate Mirek Topolanek met President Klaus on Friday at Prague Castle, and presented to him a list of the members of his minority government. The new cabinet is to have 15 ministers, 9 of them members of the Civic Democratic Party and 6 unaffiliated, and prepare the country for early elections. Owing to an even split between the leftist and rightist parties in the lower house after June's national elections, it is expected to have difficulties receiving a vote of confidence from the chamber. The vote is expected to take place on October 4th.
President meets outgoing cabinet
President Klaus has also met the members of the outgoing centre-left coalition cabinet and thanked them for their work. He said that although he did not always agree with the decisions of the government of Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek, the relations were always correct. The outgoing cabinet was appointed in April 2005 after Prime Minister Stanislav Gross stepped down following a financial scandal.
Record low number of deaths on roads in August
According to preliminary police statistics, August saw the lowest number of fatal traffic accidents on Czech roads in the last 36 years. The total number of road accidents decreased as well. In both July and August, 2006, 72 people died on Czech roads, that is 48 and 30 percent fewer than last year, respectively. The number of injuries has also dropped compared to previous years. According to the police and experts, the situation is a result of new traffic regulations which came into force last month and introduced tougher punishments for driving offences.
Czech cardinal attacks Madonna ahead of her Prague show
The archbishop of Prague has launched an attack on the American superstar singer Madonna, days before her "Confessions" world tour appearances in Prague, including a controversial mock crucifixion scene. Speaking of the singer as "the so-called Madonna", Cardinal Miloslav Vlk said in a statement of Friday that such megashows were absolutely unacceptable for Christians because they offended the religious sensibilities of believers. Cardinal Vlk also said that it was "scandalous" that "millions were earned thanks to a contempt for the Christian religion," and that in the future nobody would remember who the singer Madonna was, "but the true Madonna (Virgin Mary) will continue to be venerated." Madonna is due to perform in Prague on September 6 and 7 with tickets for her appearances sold out within two hours of going on sale.
Vaidisova, Novak advance to third round at US Open
Two well-known Czech tennis players - Nicole Vaidisova and Jiri Novak - have advanced to the third round at Flushing Meadows. In US Open action the seventeen-year old Vaidisova downed Russian player Alina Jidkova. Jiri Novak beat Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand in four sets.
Czech leaders Mlada Boleslav sign Ngasanya
Congolese defensive midfielder Ilongo Ngasanya has joined Czech league leaders Mlada Boleslav on loan until the end of the year. The 22-year-old had struggled to hold down a first team place at Lokomotiv Moscow and had been on loan at another Russian side, Nalchik. Mlada Boleslav's sporting director Zdenek Kudela said the team's aim was to improve its the quality and attractiveness.
Weather
The weekend should be partly cloudy with occasional showers and daytime temperatures reaching highs of 25 degrees Celsius.
