Prague - The Czech Republic assumed the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union on Thursday, nearly two decades after communism collapsed in the central European country of 10 million.

The second formerly communist nation after Slovenia took over at EU's helm at a time when Europe is facing an economic crisis, Israel is attacking the Gaza Strip and Russia and Ukraine are embroiled in a gas row.

Nove Mesto, Czech Republic  - Axel Teichmann of Germany got his second stage win on Wednesday while Swiss Dario Cologna retained the overall lead in the Tour de Ski cross-country series.

On the women's side, the 2007 winner and 2008 runner-up Virpi Kuitunen of Finland won the stage and claimed a slim Tour lead with it.

The former world champion Teichmann, who had dominated Saturday's prologue, won the 15-kilometres classic style stage in 39 minute 3.7 seconds.

Martin Johnsrud Sundby of Norway finished 5.0 seconds behind and Kazakh Nikolay Chebotko was third on the podium, 10.5 seconds off the pace.

Prague - As the Czech Republic takes over at the helm of the European Union on Thursday, the country's diplomats already face a big test - The EU response to Israeli air-strikes on the Gaza Strip.

Prague, a proponent of deeper EU ties with Israel, still hopes to stage the first top-level meeting between the EU and Israel in the final days of its presidency ending on June 30, officials said.

But instead of paving way for an upgrade in EU-Israeli relations, Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg is likely to lead an EU delegation to deal with the latest Middle East conflict as soon as Sunday.

Nove Mesto, Czech Republic - Axel Teichmann of Germany got his second stage win on Wednesday while Swiss Dario Cologna retained the overall lead in the Tour de Ski cross-country series.

The former world champion Teichmann, who had dominated Saturday's prologue, won the 15-kilometres classic style stage in 39 minute 3.7 seconds.

Martin Johnsrud Sundby of Norway finished 5.0 seconds behind and Kazakh Nikolay Chebotko was third on the podium, 10.5 seconds off the pace.

Prague  - Skoda has launched its most expensive and fastest production car, the Superb V6 four-wheel drive, powered by a 3.6-litre FSI with an output of 191 kW/260 hp and prices starting at 34,790 euros (48,521 dollars).

With the cheapest Skoda costing only 8,092 euros in 1997, the latest Superb is the "most expensive Skoda ever built," according to the car maker. The Elegance version including all extras cost 45,229 euros including seven airbags and an array of assistance systems, leather upholstery and sunroof.

Prague  - The Czech parliament's lower house Friday struck down direct fees for medical care, an unpopular public finance reform of Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek's government designed to curb waste in healthcare.

The leftist opposition, helped by several government lawmakers and independents, voted 97-92 to strike down the fees that were introduced in January. Four lawmakers abstained.