NEWS WATCH: Angry Czechs Vote Amid Expected Return Of Communists

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By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife prague PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC (BosNewsLife)--  Czechs have voted in early parliamentary elections, punishing the center-right government following massive corruption and spying scandals. The Communists are expected to play a key role in national politics, for the first time since the collapse of Communism in 1989.

Pope Benedict Urges Czechs to Rediscover Christian Roots

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By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife ap_pope_prague_-czech_republic_26sep09_eng_2103PRAGUE/BUDAPEST (BosNewsLife)-- Pope Benedict XVI began a three day visit to the Czech Republic Saturday, September 26, with a call for the nation to rediscover its Christian roots. Forty years of communist rule in the country stifled religious activities and left the number of Catholics in decline and religious practice in general at historic lows.

NEWS WATCH: Czechs, Slovaks Mark 20 Years of Bloodless Divorce

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Listen to BosNewsLife News report via Voice of America CzechoslovakiaBosNewsLifeRadio By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife CZECHOSLOVAKIAPRAGUE/BRATISLAVA/BUDAPEST (BosNewsLife)-- Czechs and Slovaks have begun observing the 20th anniversary of the break up of Czechoslovakia into two independent states, amid concerns over economic differences.

NEWS WATCH: Former PM Wins Czech Presidency In First Direct Race

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Listen to a BosNewsLife shorter version via Vatican Radio: RealAudioMP3 By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife zemanwinsBUDAPEST/PRAGUE (BosNewsLife)-- Left-leaning former Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman has won his country's first direct presidential elections with about 55 percent of the vote. The international community was closely watching the voting as it will impact the Czech Republic's future relations with the European Union.

Czechs Mourn Bischop, Symbol of anti-Communist Resistance

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By BosNewsLife News Center in Budapest PRAGUE/BUDAPEST (BosNewsLife)-- Catholic Christians have been mourning Archbishop Karel Otcenasek, who became a symbol of church resistance against atheist, Communist rule.

NEWS WATCH: Czech Republic Detains Two Over Deadly Poisoning Wave

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RealAudioMP3 Listen to the BosNewsLife News story via Vatican Radio By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife PRAGUE/BUDAPEST (BosNewsLife)-- Authorities in the Czech Republic have detained two men for their alleged involvement in a deadly wave of alcohol poisoning that killed at least 19 people and injured 24 others.  

Czech Government Resigns; Churches Concerned

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Listen to the shorter BosNewsLife News report via Vatican Radio: RealAudioMP3primeministerBy Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife PRAGUE/BUDAPEST (BosNewsLife)--- The Czech Republic is facing uncertainty after the government headed by Prime Minister Jiří Rusnok resigned, paving the way for early elections. Tuesday's official announcement comes while churches were seeking compensation for properties that were nationalized by the previous Communist regime when devoted Christians and their leaders were persecuted.

NEWS WATCH: Weary Czechs Voted Amid Economic Concerns

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By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife czech-election-300x206BUDAPEST/PRAGUE (BosNewsLife)-- Voters in the Czech Republic are choosing a new government amid concerns about the country's economic crisis and widespread corruption. Some surveys indicate none of the main parties will have a majority in the lower house of parliament. For the first time in two decades the Communist Party is expected to play a role in the general elections.

NEWS WATCH: Czech Prime Minister Resigns Amid Scandal

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Listen to this BosNewsLife News report via Vatican Radio: RealAudioMP3 By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife PMPIC PRAGUE/BUDAPEST (BosNewsLife)--Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas resigned on Monday following a massive espionage and bribery scandal involving his government.

NEWS WATCH: Colorful Candidates In Czech Presidential Race

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Listen to BosNewsLife's News via Voice of America BosNewsLifeCzechUpdate By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife vladimirfranzPRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC (BosNewsLife)-- Polling stations have reopened in the Czech Republic for the country's first direct presidential elections since the breakup of Czechoslovakia in 1993, with a fully tattooed artist and two former prime ministers among the hopefuls.