English news July 6th

Italy grappled with aviation paralysis on Friday when a series of overlapping strikes by pilots and traffic controllers hit the country. Italian flag carrier Alitalia was expected to cancel about 200 flights. Foreign airlines, including British Airways and Air France, were forced to drop some flights into Italy. Air traffic controllers from the CILA-AV union and other unions went on strike from 0800 GMT to 1600 GMT. Controllers belonging to other unions were also due to strike during the same period. Problems were compounded by strikes by some Alitalia pilots and flight attendants between 1000 GMT and 1600 GMT. The strikes were being held to press demands for contract renewals.

In Indonesia today, President Wahid repeated a threat to declare a state of emergency if political opponents push ahead with efforts to oust him during an impeachment hearing early next month. The People's Consultative Assembly will hold the impeachment session over Wahid's 20-month shaky rule and two financial scandals. The hearing is widely expected to result in his downfall. Wahid has repeatedly threatened to impose a state of emergency and call snap elections if the Assembly demands he account for his rule.

US President Bush and President Zemin of China talked to each other today for the first time, and Mr. Bush brought up the recent arrests of American citizens and green-card holders by Chinese security forces, administration officials said. Mr. Bush's overall message in the telephone call, a senior official said, was that "we now have to build a better relationship" between the two nations. It was unclear how tightly he linked the future of that relationship to the release of the arrested scholars, journalists and businessmen, but one official said Mr. Bush had made clear that they should be "treated fairly and returned promptly."

A defiant Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon brushed off international criticism of his strong-arm policies against the Palestinians during a European tour designed to drum up support amid a faltering ceasefire. Sharon met French premier Lionel Jospin in Paris today and said that Israel has "the right to defend itself". United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Israel's closest ally, the United States, have criticised an Israeli cabinet decision on Wednesday to step up a policy of deliberate killings of Palestinian militants wanted for attacks against Israelis. And U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell reiterated Washington's opposition to the practice, in which Palestinians say more than 40 activists have been killed since a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation erupted last September. The United States has decided to hand over to Japan a U.S. airman suspected of raping a Japanese woman on Okinawa. Japanese irritation had also been mounting because of the U.S. delay over a decision on handing over Staff Sergeant Timothy Woodland, the suspect in last Friday's alleged crime. Woodland has denied any crime and has not been charged.

The 36th International Film Festival opened last night, as Nastassia Kinski introduced her new film., American Rhapsody. When asked if she felt the film would appeal more to Europeans or Americans, she replied that both sides will be interested because lot of Americans came in second half of 20th century from Europe.

Tonight at the Thermal, Amelie from Montmarte, directed by Jean Pierre Juenet followed by Ivan Reitman's SCI-FI comedy, EVOLUTION.

In the US, stocks fell Thursday in very light trading as investors returned from the U.S. Independence Day holiday.

However, surprisingly upbeat economic news lifted the dollar to its strongest levels in eight months against the. The euro finished the U.S. session near 83.60 U.S. cents, its weakest level since Oct.

For visitors to Karlovy Vary this morning, the approximate exchange rate for the US Dollar = =39.5Kc, while the Brittish Pound = 55.3Kc. and the Euro is at 33Kc.

At Wimbledon today, it's the Mens Singles Semis with Andre Agassi taking on Pat Rafter in their third consecutive Wimbledon semi final clash. Tim Henman takes on Goran Ivanisevic, making a great comeback on a wild card entry.

Filmžurnál Frequency (in Karlovy Vary area): 102.6 FM

English Broadcast Times (Tentative): 9:45, 11:45, 14:45, 16:45, 19:45, 21:45

Internet Address: www.rozhlas.cz/filmzurnal