Czechs, Poles react with rancor, relief at US decision to pull out of missile defense shieldPRAGUE — Czechs and Poles expressed rancor and relief Thursday that President Barack Obama had scrapped plans for a U.S. missile defense shield on their territories, reflecting deep divisions over a proposal that had also enraged Russia. European Union tries to draw ex-Soviet republics closer into EU orbit with Prague summitPRAGUE — The European Union extended its hand to former Soviet republics on Thursday, holding a summit to draw them closer into the EU orbit despite Russia’s deep misgivings. At annual meeting, Bank of America delays release of shareholder votes on Lewis, directorsCHARLOTTE, N.C. — Ken Lewis was ousted as chairman of Bank of America Corp. Wednesday after shareholders angry about the company’s acquisition of Merrill Lynch & Co. voted to separate the job from that of chief executive. |