Wednesday News Briefing

NEWS

STRIKE Trade unions have announced they will stage a rally during their one-day strike Dec. 8 at a green space known as Prague's Hyde Park, the Czech News Agency (ČTK) reported Nov. 23. The noon rally on Palackého náměstí will coincide with a number of regional rallies at venues to be decided. Unions are holding the one-day strike in protest of the government's 10 percent reduction in the public wage budget for next year and changes to the Labor Code on how pay raises are awarded to public workers.

THREAT Czech intelligence services have reinforced their counter-terrorism efforts in reaction to the terror threats in neighboring Germany and warnings from U.S. secret services, daily Lidové noviny reported. Foreign secret services recently intensified their warnings that Berlin might become a target of a terrorist attack, and experts believe the Czech Republic could be used as a transit point for potential attackers.

RELIQUARY A gilded artifact containing the bones of St. Maur is to go on display today at Prague Castle after a nine-year restoration, ČTK reported Nov. 23. The 800-year-old box of copper and silver is decorated with almost 200 precious stones. Hidden under the floor of Prague Castle chapel during World War II, it was uncovered in 1985 after a painstaking search. The reliquary will be displayed until February in a large air-conditioned glass case near the room where copies of the Czech coronation jewels are presented.

BUSINESS

AUSTERITY President Václav Klaus signed three of four major austerity measures into law yesterday that affect welfare, state subsidies to political parties and income tax. The four bills, which also include one that reduces state support to people's home-building savings, were approved by Parliament Nov. 12. Laws that are neither vetoed nor signed by the president become law by default after two weeks. The government estimates the four laws will save 35 billion Kč in 2011.

TAXIS GlamourCars, a service that provides luxury cars driven by women, has entered the Czech market, according to ČTK. The service will be available only in Prague and will cost twice that of normal taxi fares. 

CONSTRUCTION The Foreign Affairs Ministry has earmarked 70 million Kč for construction projects next year, according to ČTK. The money will be used to fund new buildings both in the Czech Republic and abroad, a spokesperson said. According to the 2011 budget, the Foreign Affairs Ministry also expects repairs to Černínský Palace, the ministry's seat in Prague, to total 581 million Kč over the next three years.

WEATHER

Prague, Czech Republic Nov. 24. Chance of rain. High: 2 C. Low: -2 C.