Insight Central Europe News

LOT to launch flights to Iraq

Polish Airlines, LOT, is said to be among six carriers that will start international flights to the Iraqi city of Basra. LOT hopes to start two flights a week on the Warsaw-Beirut- Basra route from September 14.

Austrian Chemical plant accident injures 14

A strong explosion at a chemical plant in the Austrian city of Linz has left 14 people injured, two of them seriously. Environmental experts who've visited the scene say there appears to be no threat to the surrounding area.

Court slashes sentence for publisher of Czech translation of 'Mein Kampf'

A court in Prague has reduced the sentence of Michal Zitko, the publisher of the Czech translation of Hitler's manifesto "Mein Kampf". On Monday Mr Zitko was given a 22-month suspended sentence and three years probation for defaming the Jewish people. The move follows a ruling by the Czech Supreme Court, overturning his original sentence.

Slovenia and Croatia argue over Adriatic Sea

Slovenia has rejected a plan by Croatia to create an exclusive economic zone' in the eastern part of the Adriatic Sea. The Slovene government says other Croatian-Slovenien border questions must be resolved first.

Slovakia to open Hungarian university in 2004

Slovak cabinet advisors have endorsed a proposal to set up the first Hungarian-language University in Slovakia. The university is due to open in 2004.