News
Polluters allowed to emit 107 million tonnes
Under a new plan approved by the government Czech industries will be allowed a margin of air pollution emissions of up to almost 108 million tonnes per year as of January 1. Companies will receive permits, which are transferable in all 25 EU member countries, with the European Commission checking on the number of permits issued and monitoring the overall system. By the end of each year firms will be required to provide a total for the amount of pollutants actually released. The Environment Ministry demanded on Monday that permits for only up to 100 million tonnes be issued; as a result a hearing will now be held in Brussels to explain the compromise.
Boeing to leave Aero for symbolic sum of 2 crowns
The American company Boeing has decided to give up its share in the aircraft manufacturer Aero Vodochody for a symbolic amount of 2 crowns to the Czech state. The move proposed by the Finance Ministry was approved by the government on Wednesday. Both sides had been holding talks on a settlement since last winter and the contracts were completed only several weeks ago. Boeing first entered Aero in 1998 with a promise to help it enter foreign markets. However, it failed to keep the promise and the Czech government decided in February that the strategic partnership with Boeing would be terminated.
Armed men rob bank in Prague
Two armed men robbed a Prague branch of the Ceska sporitelna bank on Wednesday afternoon. No one was injured during the robbery in which the two men allegedly stole some 300,000 crowns - the equivalent of 10,000 euros. According to police statistics, the number of bank robberies in the first six months of this year increased almost tenfold compared to the same period in 2003.
Austrian police detain Czech woman wanted for murder
Austrian border police have detained a Czech woman wanted in Italy for murder. The 30-year-old Czech had been sentenced in Italy to 23 years in prison and was arrested on Tuesday as she was trying to cross the Austrian-Czech border. A court in the Austrian city of Linz will decide whether the woman will be extradited to Italy.
Social Democrats to use newspaper ads, internet banners in election campaign
The Czech new agency CTK has reported that the senior government Social Democrats are planning to use banners on popular internet portals and large print advertisements as part of their election campaign before November's regional and Senate elections. The party has already launched a massive billboard campaign coupled with huge concerts to take place in 14 cities with major Czech pop stars. The party says that the total cost of the campaign will be 30 million crowns (1 million euros) but has been reluctant to answer questions on the fees being paid out to the pop stars for their performances.
Government to improve condition of busiest motorway
The government says it wants to improve the condition of the country's busiest motorway, the D1, where the number of traffic accidents has risen sharply in recent months. The Transport Minister Milan Simonovsky is to submit a proposal in two weeks on how to solve the situation. The D1 has recently been the scene of serious accidents. The latest was on Tuesday when two lorries loaded with flammable material collided and caught fire, halting traffic for five hours on the motorway.
Czech-born supermodel starts fashion brand
The Czech-born supermodel Eva Herzigova unveiled her first clothing collection in Paris on Tuesday, joining the growing ranks of celebrities seeking to parlay their famous names into fashion brands. The blonde supermodel, who made her name with sexy advertising campaigns for Wonderbra and Guess jeans, launched her label with a swimwear line a year ago.
Weather
Thursday should be partly cloudy with occasional rain. Daytime temperatures are expected to range from 16 to 18 degrees Celsius.
