News

Foreign Minister Schwarzenberg: Russia could become threat to Europe

Russia could become an imminent threat to Europe in five to ten years' time, said Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg in an interview for the Financial Times on Friday. According to Schwarzenberg, Russia seeks to regain the same status in relations to the U.S. that the Soviet Union once had. He said that investments into a prestige-oriented strategy and military power instead of civil infrastructure may once again leave Russia as "a giant with feet of clay." Mr. Schwarzenberg's statements were criticized by Czech opposition as well as by the Green Party which nominated him for the post of the foreign minister.

Czech Republic wants to become non-permanent member of UN Security Council

The Czech Republic wants to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in 2008. The Czech ambassador to the UN Radim Palous said the Czech Republic has a lot of support from other UN countries and in the vote later this year, it has a great chance of beating Croatia, the other candidate for the post. However, the Czech Republic will at the same time also assume the European Union chairmanship which might put the Czech government bodies in a difficult position.

Techno parties in Czech Republic slowly finishing

Two techno parties taking place in the Czech Republic at the moment are coming to an end. One of them, held in the village of Udrc near Karlovy Vary, western Bohemia, still has about 1500 still dancing at the site and it should be over by Tuesday. No complaints have been filed with the police so far. Meanwhile, the other gathering of techno music lovers that is taking place near Ceska Lipa in North Bohemia has provoked complaints by local inhabitants who said loud music has been bothering them since Saturday night. This party is expected to finish on Sunday.

Czech Republic ranks fourth in PwC Services Index

The Czech Republic ranks fourth in the services index published by the consultancy Price Waterhouse Coopers, making it the fourth most attractive market for foreign investments into the service sector. It also ranked 16th in the manufacturing index by the same agency. According to the PricewaterhouseCoopers' Czech manager Petr Hajek, this means the Czech Republic should focus on attracting more foreign investment in the service sector by improving local labour market conditions.

Chemicals leak in Karvina swimming pool

About a thousand visitors to a public swimming pool in Karvina, North Moravia, had to be evacuated on Saturday due to a leak of chlorine and sulphuric acid, a spokesperson for the Moravian-Silesian fire-fighters said. One person inhaled the dangerous substance and had to be taken to the hospital. The accident happened after the staff poured chlorine into a tank with sulphuric acid by mistake. The police are investigating the accident for suspicions that the criminal act of public danger was committed.

Rolling Stones kick off in Brno

The Rolling Stones are giving a concert in Brno on Sunday night, a part of their world-wide A Bigger Bang Tour. The concert was supposed to take place last year, but had to be postponed due to Mr Richards' accident. About 30,000 people are expected to attend including the Brno Mayor Roman Onderka who wants to present the rock'n'roll legends with gift of four hand-made walking sticks. Traffic on the Brno-Prague motorway is expected to be quite dense on Sunday night also due to the fact that the Brno racing circuit is hosting a Superbike championships event.

Missing Czech tourist found dead in Austria

A Czech tourist reported missing in Austria was found dead. The 58-year-old got lost when descending of the Schneeberg Mountain in Lower Austria, about 90 km south of Vienna, on Saturday afternoon and was found dead the following day. According to an Austrian rescue team, the Czech tourist probably fell of a rock.

Two die in motorway accident

Two people died in an accident involving two cars and a van on the D8 motorway near Melnik, northern Bohemia. Thirty-seven- year-old women died at the site of the accident while he co-driver passed away in an ambulance. Two other people suffered serious injuries and were taken to the hospital.

Stepanek reaches final in Los Angeles

Czech tennis player Radek Stepanek reached the Los Angeles Classics final after his semi-final opponent Nicolas Kiefer from Germany withdrew because of a knee injury. In the final on Sunday, Stepanek will face James Blake, seeded second.

Weather

It is expected to be somewhat cloudy with some clear spots at the beginning of the next week with occasional rain showers and storms and temperatures of 25 to 29 degrees Celsius.