Section Archive Current Affairs
Czechs welcome results of EU's Brussels summit
A two-day summit of the European Union in Brussels, which concluded on
Friday, was the last before the Czech Republic assumes the rotating EU
presidency. Leaders of 27 EU member states agreed on a common energy and
climate policy, a recovery plan for the European economy and approved a
number of Irish-inspired concessions on the Lisbon treaty. All this was
good news for the Czechs who will soon be in the spotlight as the next
country presiding over the European Union.
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A parliament delegation meets with Czech troops in Afghanistan ahead of crucial vote on boosting Czech military presence in the country
A delegation of Parliament’s Foreign and Defense Committee left for
Afghanistan on Sunday ahead of a decisive vote on reinforcing the
country’s foreign missions. They will be meeting with troops serving in
the country’s provincial reconstruction team in southern Logar and the
US-led Operation Enduring Freedom in order to ascertain how badly the
proposed reinforcements are needed.
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Czech governing coalition weakened by departure of independent MP
The fragile balance of forces on the Czech political scene has tipped
slightly in favour of the opposition parties, after Social Democrat
renegade and later independent Michal Pohanka announced on Thursday that he
was giving up his mandate in the lower house of Parliament. This is bad
news for Prime Minister Topolánek’s shaky coalition government which now
has just 96 certain votes in the lower house. Once Mr. Pohanka is replaced
by an MP loyal to the Social Democrats the opposition will have 97 votes at
its disposal.
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Hundred-year history of Czech ice hockey focus of new National Museum exhibition
“One Century of Czech Ice Hockey” is the title of an exhibition which
has just opened at Prague’s National Museum. It features photographs and
documents from the history of the sport in this country, as well as
valuable medals, jerseys and other memorabilia. More
“Unrealistic” state budget for 2009 approved by lower house
Despite its minority support in the lower house the centre-right governing
coalition on Wednesday pushed through the state budget for 2009, securing
the votes of all five rebel deputies and overriding protests from the
opposition Social Democrats and the Communists. This could be seen as a
major victory for Prime Minister Topolánek’s government, but there’s a
hitch. The budget, which operates with a deficit of some 38 billion crowns,
or more than 1.9 billion US dollars, is based on a 4.8 percent economic
growth forecast which critics say is simply “unrealistic”. They claim
that the deficit is inevitably going to be much higher. Analyst Jan
Macháček, from the Czech weekly Respekt, says that data for the 2009
state budget are simply out of date.
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Czech box-office hits premiere in New York
Several Czech films made their New York debuts at The Brooklyn Academy of
Music recently. The New York cultural institution's annual Czech film
series is now it its ninth year - and is the longest running series at the
Academy. This year's roster of films included Bohdan Sláma’s ‘The
Country Teacher,’ Vladimir Michálek's 'Of Parents and Children', and Jan
Svěrák's 'Empties'. Kate Barrette has this report from New York where she
spoke with Czech directors and actors, as well as the co-curator of the
series Irena Kovářová:
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Lisbon ratification still on ice
Czech ratification of the Lisbon Treaty has essentially been on ice for
eight months as the Constitutional Court weighed in on whether such an
agreement was in any way at odds with the nation’s constitution. The
court eventually found that it was not – but far from marking the
beginning of smooth sailing towards the treaty’s ratification, fresh
squabbles and delays are threatening to cast a shadow over the Czech EU
presidency.
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Computer game puts Czech students in European leaders’ shoes
Not everyone has been happy with how the Czech government has planned for
the country’s fast-approaching EU presidency, but have you ever wondered
what, in such a situation, you would do differently? Well, now a new
computer game is giving Czech high school students the chance to try out
their own approach. Europe 2045 sees students trying on the shoes of Angela
Merkel, Gordon Brown and Mirek Topolánek, and finding out, by extension,
how the EU works. Early feedback points to the game being a success, with
students reportedly promising to do each other’s homework in exchange for
support in virtual Common Agricultural Policy talks. Earlier today, the
game’s creator, Vít Šisler, gave me a demonstration:
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Akord project aims to improve doctors’ services
Endless queues at the doctors’ have long been a major complaint by Czech
patients. Especially during the flu season, it’s not uncommon to wait an
hour or more. But now that could change. In January the country’s largest
insurer, VZP, will launch a project, entitled Akord (Accord), aimed at
improving doctors’ services. That could cut down on time spent in the
waiting room. Soon, many will be able to call ahead for appointments at
participating practitioners, guaranteeing waiting times of just 15 minutes.
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Czech economy begins to feel the pinch
Ever since the onset of the global economic crisis, the Czech Republic has
been spared some of the stronger side-effects of the financial slowdown,
particularly when compared to its western neighbours. However, a new set of
economic data suggests that the country’s period of economic upswing is
over. Although talk of an actual recession is still rare, the forecast,
with job losses, a growing trade deficit and decreased consumer demand, is
becoming increasingly gloomy.
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