News

Green Party leader says the Education Minister may resign

The head of the Green Party Martin Bursik has admitted that the Education Minister Dana Kuchtova may resign in the coming days. Speaking on a current affairs television programme on Sunday, Mr Busik said that Ms Kuchtova, who is also a member of the Green Party, had "received a yellow card" from him over her inability to obtain EU funds for government educational programmes. The Minister of Education has recently been facing calls to resign over her failure to avail of around 60 billion Czech crowns or 3 billion US dollars in EU money, which could be made available for the ministry's research and development programme. Mr Bursik said that Ms Kuchtova would remain in office if she convinced him that the problems preventing the use of the funds could be rectified.

International protest against US radar base to be held later this month

Opponents of a proposed US radar base in the Czech Republic have announced that they will be holding an international demonstration against the construction of the facility in the Brdy region, the projected location of the base. A spokeswoman for the "No to Bases" movement said that the protest will take place on 20 October and that delegations from Great Britain, Portugal, Hungary, Italy, Spain, France, Greece, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, the United States and Sweden would be attending the event. Invitees include the mayor of Hiroshima Tadatoshi Akiba and the mayor of London Ken Livingstone.

The proposed US radar base in the central Bohemian Brdy region is intended as part of a American missile defence system aimed at countering possible attacks from so-called rogue states such as Iran. Polls show that a majority of Czechs are against the proposal even though it has the tentative support of the centre-right government. A final decision on the base is expected early next year.

Communists to symbolically blockade Brdy on Friday

Meanwhile the Czech Communist Party has announced that it will symbolically blockade the Brdy military district on Friday, according to the Czech Press Agency (CTK). CTK reports that the Communist Party has also sent out a letter to all the mayors of municipalities in the region expressing support for any protest actions they might hold. The Communists are vehemently opposed to the proposed base and have repeatedly called for a referendum on the issue.

Celebrations to mark 100th anniversary of first Czech cinema

Celebrations have been held at Prague's Lucerna Cinema near Wenceslas Square to mark the 100th anniversary of the first ever Czech cinema. The celebrations included screenings of silent films from the early 1900s. Prague's first cinema was opened by the magician Viktor Ponrepo on Karlova Street near the Charles Bridge on 15 September 1907. The Lucerna Cinema, which was the venue for the celebrations, is only two years younger. It opened in 1909 and is the oldest continually operating cinema in Europe.

Thousands attend NATO Day near Ostrava

Around 60,000 people attended a special NATO Day at Ostrava airport on Saturday. Those in attendance were treated to a showcase of military technology from seven NATO armies, including the British air force's new Eurofighter Typhoon F2. It was the first time the annual NATO Day was held in central and eastern Europe. Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek was among the dignitaries at the event.

No injuries in slight collision between Czech fighter planes

Two Czech fighter planes were slightly damaged when they accidentally touched one another during a demonstration flight, which took place as part of the NATO Day programme. No one was hurt in the incident.

Austrians demonstrate against Temelin outside Czech embassies and consulates

Small groups of demonstrators protested on Sunday outside the Czech embassy in Vienna and Czech honorary consulates in Innsbruck, Salzburg, Sturm Graz and Linz against the Temelin nuclear power plant.

The Temelin plant, situated some 60 kilometres away from the Austrian border, has been widely criticised by certain Austrian politicians as well as Austrian and Czech environmentalists, who claim that it is dangerous.

Five injured in bus explosion

Five people were injured following an explosion on a bus on Strelnicna Street in Prague 8. A spokeswoman for the Prague transport authority said that five women were treated in hospital for scald burns after a cooler on a public bus they were travelling on suddenly exploded. The Prague transport authority is investigating the cause of the incident.

Football: top-of-the-table clash between Slavia Prague and Banik Ostrava ends scoreless

The eagerly awaited top-of-the-table clash between Czech football teams Slavia Prague and Banik Ostrava ended scoreless on Saturday. The result means that Slavia remain at the top of the Gambrinus league with 16 out of a possible 18 points after the first six games.

Weather

The weather is expected to be warm and sunny with occasional cloud. Highest temperatures should range between 21 and 25 degrees Celsius.