News
Czech court rejects Mein Kampf publisher conviction
The Czech Supreme Court has overturned a previous conviction of a man who published a Czech language translation of Adolf Hitler's "Mein Kampf", ruling he had not aimed to propagate the book's racist ideas. Publisher Michal Zitko was originally convicted in January 2004 for having translated and published Hitler's book, a document which foreshadowed the dictator's intentions leading to the Second World War and the Holocaust. Previously Michal Zitko was given a three year suspended sentence for promoting "a movement aimed at suppressing human rights". But, the Supreme Court said on Thursday the publisher's actions had not been an active attempt to support those who followed Hitler's book.
GDP growth up in 2004
The Czech Statistical Office has released figures showing the Czech Republic's GDP grew by 4.0 per cent in 2004, up from 3.7 percent the previous year. The growth was pulled by investment which added 9.1 percent on the year, and by foreign trade which had acted as a drag in 2003. Czech exporters also benefited from the country's accession to the European Union, the Statistical Office said. Meanwhile, Martin Jahn, the deputy prime minister for economic affairs, has said the Czech economy is at its strongest in ten years, leaving room for further government reforms in the social and tax spheres.
Average income grows by over 1,000 crowns per month
The Czech Statistical Office has also reported the average income grew by slightly more than 1,000 crowns last year to roughly 18,000 crowns per month, or about 820 US dollars. In real terms that represents a rise of 3.7 percent, the lowest in four years.
Minister for regional development: regulated rent could be raised up to 12 percent
The minister for regional development has said that districts and towns should be allowed to raise regulated rent from between 6 to 12 percent per year for a period of five or six years. He added tenants whose rent exceeded 30 percent of their net income would be eligible for social support. The minister is confident his plan could gain support in Parliament, though coalition partner the Christian Democrats, and the country's largest opposition party, the Civic Democrats, are calling for a quicker increase. Around 750, 000 apartments in the Czech Republic are subject to regulated rent, of which roughly 300, 000 are privately owned.
Top cyclist unhurt after collision with car
One of the Czech Republic's top road cyclists Jan Svorada got a scare when he collided with a car at an intersection on Wednesday. Svorada was thrown over the car's hood when the driver failed to yield right of way, but suffered only minor injuries. The cyclist had been travelling at a speed of about 50 kilometres per hour. Mr Svorada has been dominant in Czech cycling for the past decade, winning a total of 74 races.
Weather
Meteorologists are warning of exceptionally poor weather conditions throughout the Czech Republic on Friday and at the weekend: heavy snowfall mixed with rain in lower regions and strong winds of up to 90 kilometres per hour. Meteorologists say that snowfall is expected to begin on Friday around noon.
