News

Price of foodstuffs in Czech Republic should rise by at least ten percent this year, says farmers leader

The price of foodstuffs in the Czech Republic is likely to increase by at least ten percent this year, the president of the country’s Agricultural Chamber Jan Veleba said on a TV debate programme on Sunday. Mr Veleba said world demand for foods would always outstrip production, adding that rapid price rises were also caused by speculators. Czech consumers have seen record price increases; for instance, flour costs more than 50 percent more now than it did last May, while bread rolls, rice, milk and dairy products have all gone up by nearly a third in the last twelve months.

Pervitine makers moving out of Prague, says police report

The production of the illegal drug pervitine has moved from the capital to the central Bohemian region, according to a report produced by the Prague police for the city’s Town Hall. The report, which focuses on drugs in the city in 2007, says producers of pervitine are now making the meta-amphetamine outside Prague to lower the risk of detection and then taking it to the city to sell. That said, eleven pervitine making labs were uncovered in Prague last year. Meanwhile, there has been an increase in marijuana growing in the capital, with more and more production in the hands of Vietnamese gangs, the report says. One official said the production of marijuana in the Czech capital was now extremely professional.

Fourteenth Prague International Marathon takes place

Runners from around the world took part in the Prague International Marathon on Sunday. Up to 5,000 runners were expected to sign up for the 14th Prague marathon, which got underway on the city’s Old Town Square at 9am. Unlike during a half-marathon earlier this year, participants crossed Charles Bridge, which is currently undergoing extensive reconstruction. A number of tram lines were diverted and traffic restrictions were in place. The race was won by the Kenyan runner Kenneth Mungara in a time of 2:11:06. The first Czech to cross the line was Róbert Štefko, who completed the race in 2:23:53.

Nearly two thirds of Czechs opposed to planned US radar

Nearly two thirds of Czechs are opposed to the planned building of a United States radar base in central Bohemia, suggests a fresh opinion poll conducted by the Median agency. Forty-four percent of respondents in the survey said they were definitely opposed to the installation, while 21 percent said they were rather opposed. Four percent were strongly in favour, while 14 percent were rather in favour. The findings of the latest poll are in line with previous surveys. Prague and Washington have reached agreement on the radar base, which would be part of a global missile defence system, though the Czech Parliament is yet to vote on whether to allow US soldiers on Czech soil.

Parents fear missing nine-year-old may have been kidnapped

The parents of a nine-year-old boy who went missing a week ago say they fear he may have been kidnapped. Extensive police searches have failed to find Jakub Šimánek, who is from Havlíčkův Brod and was last seen eight days ago. Police have released an identikit image of a man believed to have been in the vicinity of the spot where the boy was last spotted. His parents, who have not been contacted by anybody claiming to be holding Jakub, say they are afraid he could have been taken out of the country or become the victim of sexual deviants.

Man in serious condition after shooting near Prague

A man is in a serious condition in hospital after being shot in the head at Hostivice near Prague on Sunday. Witnesses said unknown perpetrators first drove into a car in which the victim and a woman were sitting, before opening fire on the man. Police have mounted a search for the attackers.

Large fire breaks out at dump

A large fire broke out at a rubbish tip in Košťálov, east Bohemia on Sunday. There were flames of up to 20 metres high at the fire, which affected an area of 2,500 square metres. Eleven professional and volunteer fire brigades were called out to deal with the blaze.

Czechs beat Belarus in latest game at Ice Hockey World Championships

The Czech Republic beat Belarus 3:2 after penalties in their latest Group E game at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Quebec. That result guarantees the Czechs a place in the next stage of the competition, the quarterfinals. Coach Alois Hadamczik’s team play their last Group E game against Sweden on Sunday.

Weather

It should remain quite sunny with some rain in places over the next few days. Temperatures will reach up to 23 degrees Celsius.