Prague - The Czech Republic's inflation and jobless rates were down in October as the central European country braced for a fallout of the global financial crisis, government data showed Monday.

The annual inflation rate dropped to 6 per cent in October, from 6.6 per cent in September, mainly due to a slower rise in transport and food costs, the Czech Statistical Office said.

Analysts expect the country's inflation to drop by half next year, which would allow the central bank to further cut borrowing costs that have been the lowest in the European Union.

Prague/Vienna  - Contracts were signed Friday for the takeover of 92.4 per cent of the Prague stock exchange by the Vienna bourse, Vienna Bourse AG announced.

The bourses were mum on the price paid for the takeover, but Czech media estimated the value of the Prague exchange at between 200 and 400 million euros (257-514 million dollars).

"The Prague bourse is an important partner for us and strengthens the already existing Budapest-Ljubljana-Vienna bourse axis," said Michael Buhl, the chairman of Vienna Bourse AG.

Prague - The Czech central bank Thursday slashed its key interest rate by 75 points in seeking to fight a slowdown in one of eastern Europe's leading economies.

The cut to 2.75 per cent from 3.5 per cent was deeper than analysts had expected and left Czech Republic with the lowest rates in the 27-nation European Union.

The Czech National Bank's decision came hours before the European Central Bank cut the lead rate by 50 points to 3.25 per cent for nations using the euro.

Prague - Eastern European leaders congratulated US president-elect Barack Obama on Wednesday, but some allies appeared cautious about America's shift to the left.

Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek invited Obama to Prague, where Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice signed a deal in July to place part of a US missile defence radar in the ex-communist nation.

Obama's victory "does not change relations" between Washington and Prague, said Topolanek, a centre-right leader and one of President George W Bush's strongest allies in the former Warsaw Pact area.

Prague - South Korean car

Sallu may be the one that is ruling over Katrina Kaif’s heart, but it’s impossible to get Katz to talk about her love-life.

And this time, Bollywood hottie has not fallen in love with a person, rather it’s the lovely ‘Prague’ where she is shooting for Subhash Ghai’s upcoming movie ‘Yuvraaj.’

Katrina exclaimed, “I think it’s one of the most romantic places I’ve been to. It’s so calm, serene and beautiful. I’ve had some lovely experiences there.”

Katrina did not reveal much about her endearing experiences.