Putin: Russia has 'moral responsibility' for 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia
Russian President Vladimir Putin who is on a two-day visit to the Czech Republic has said Russia has a "moral responsibility" for the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968.
Mr Putin, who was greeted at Prague Castle by his Czech counterpart Vaclav Klaus on Wednesday, acknowledged the sensitivities surrounding the military crack-down of the liberalisation of 1968, known as the Prague Spring, that left dozens dead. Czech President Vaclav Klaus told a news conference that the two countries must now look to the future and not let the past hinder relations. Just prior to the news conference, officials signed several bilateral agreements aimed at bringing closer cooperation between Russia and the Czech Republic.
Havel denounces Russian 'return to autocracy', ahead of Putin visit
Just hours ahead of President Putin's arrival, former Czech president Vaclav Havel and several world-renowned statesmen launched an attack on Mr Putin and his policies in a text published in a Czech newspaper. The group, led by Mr Havel and including former UN Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson and Nobel Prize winner Desmond Tutu, sharply accused Mr Putin of "censorship" of information from Chechnya and called for the world to stop "closing its eyes" to atrocities taking place in Chechnya.
Cesky Telecom to merge with mobile operator Eurotel
Czech fixed-line operator Cesky Telecom, whose majority owner is Spanish phone giant Telefonica, has announced that it will merge with its wholly owned mobile-telephone business, Eurotel. The merged company to be named Telefonica O2 faces increased competition on the converging Czech telecoms market. T-Mobile, owned by Deutsche Telekom, jousts with Eurotel for the top spot among mobile operators and Vodafone is third, following its acquisition of Oskar Mobile from Canada-based TIW last year.
Poll: Social Democrats' popularity falling, Greens' rising
A poll carried out by the CVVM agency suggests that 23 percent of Czechs would vote for the ruling Social Democrats if elections were held tomorrow, 4 percent less than last month. On the other hand, support for the Green party has increased to 6 percent compared to 2.5 percent in January. The opposition Civic Democrats lead the poll with 28.5 percent of public support. The Communists would get some 11.5 percent and the Christian Democrats are supported by 7.5 percent of voters, according to the poll.
Czech owner of Semtex name targets Madonna over trademark misuse
The Czech company Explosia, which produces the plastic explosive Semtex and owns the rights to the trademark, has said it launched legal action to prevent American pop-star Madonna from misusing its most valued and internationally-recognized asset. The pop singer was revealed to have registered a company in Britain called "Semtex Girls Limited". Production of Semtex began in the 1960s but only became widely known in the 1980s as a favourite tool for terrorists because it was virtually undetectable. Because of the threat of global terrorism, the company has added a substance to make it easily detectable and now makes only small amounts of Semtex for use by the army and a number of Czech companies.
Czechs draw with Turkey in football friendly
The Czech football team drew 2:2 in a friendly match with Turkey in Izmir on Wednesday night. Karel Poborsky and Jiri Stajner scored for the Czech Republic, who appeared to be heading for victory until the Turks scored two goals in the last four minutes. Earlier a team of Czech reserves had been beaten 3:1 by their Turkish counterparts.
Weather
We can expect partly cloudy skies and snow in the next couple of days. Daytime temperatures should range from plus 1 to plus 3 degrees Celsius.
(radio-Prague)
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