PRAGUE, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press
reports and events to watch which may affect Czech financial
markets on Wednesday:
ALL TIMES GMT (Czech Republic: GMT + 1 hour)
======================== ECONOMIC DATA ========================
November money supply and Q3 foreign debt data at 0900 GMT
Real-time economic data releases....................<ECONCZ>
Previous stories on Czech data.............[]
Overview of economic data and forecasts..........<CZ/ECON15>
Updates on Czech currency.............................[]
========================= TOP NEWS =============================
CZECHS TO TAKE EU HELM: The Czechs have a tough act to
follow when they take the helm of the European Union on Jan. 1
after French President Nicolas Sarkozy's energetic stint, but
even still, anxiety in the bloc has risen to an unusual level.
Story: [] Related news: []
PM TOPOLANEK: Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek will take over
leadership of the European Union when the Czech Republic takes
over the bloc's rotating presidency in January. Here are some
key details about the Topolanek:
Story: [] Related news: []
CZECH REPUBLIC AT A GLANCE: The Czech Republic takes over
from France for a six-month stint at the rotating European Union
presidency on Jan. 1. Its government's wobbly position, sniping
by eurosceptic President Vaclav Klaus, and the latest economic
turmoil have all raised concerns about the small ex-communist
state's ability to lead the bloc effectively.
Story: [] Related news: []
EU TASKS: The Czech Republic will take over the six-month EU
presidency on Jan. 1 as the bloc struggles to address the
gathering economic crisis, revive a stalled reform treaty, and
overcome cool ties with Russia. Following are key tasks,
problems and events facing the EU and the Czechs in the first
half of 2009.
Story: [] Related news: []
CZECHS DEFEND ISRAELI ATTACKS: The Czech Republic, which
takes over the European Union's helm on Jan. 1, defended
Israel's strikes against Hamas on Tuesday, diverging from other
EU members' condemnation of the attacks.
Story: [] Related news: []
---------------------- MARKET SNAPSHOT ------------------------
Index/Crown Currency Latest Prev Pct change Pct change
close on day in 2008
Czech Equities <> 0,858.2 0,867.6 -1.08 -52.72
vs Euro <EURCZK=> 26.635 26.670 +0.13 -0.51
vs Dollar <CZK=> 18.820 18.830 +0.23 -3.28
U.S. Equities <> 08,668 08,484 +2.17 -34.65
Pvs close or current levels vs prior domestic close at 1500
=========================PRESS DIGEST==========================
GAZA CONFLICT: Czech Foreign Affairs Minister Karel
Schwarzenberg plans to travel to the Middle East to try and
broker a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict.
Hospodarske Noviny, page 1
Reuters has not verified the media reports, nor does it
vouch for their accuracy.
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For summary of economic data and forecasts <CZ/ECON01>
For diary of forthcoming Czech events []
For calendar of east European economic indicators []
TOP NEWS -- Emerging markets []
TOP NEWS -- Convergence watch []
For an economic indicator diary for the euro zone, the United
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