News
Investigation begins into whether leaking of controversial police report was illegal
The supreme state attorney, Renata Vesecka, has begun an investigation into whether the leaking of a secret police report was illegal. The report, by the head of the organised crime unit Jan Kubice, accuses Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek and other senior government officials of having ties with the mafia. The confidential report appeared on the internet shortly after Mr Kubice presented it to the Chamber of Deputies defence and security committee on Monday. Police president Vladislav Husak said on Thursday a four-member group of police specialists would start checking the content of the confidential report.
Prime Minister Paroubek reacted angrily to the allegations, saying they were politically motivated and designed to damage his Social Democrats ahead of elections this weekend.
Paroubek sues senior police officer over allegations in secret report
The Prime Minister has decided to file a lawsuit against Jan Kubice, the head of the police organised crime squad, saying he and his wife Zuzana Paroubkova are outraged at the allegations contained in Mr Kubice's secret report that Mr Paroubek sexually abused the teenage daughter of a family friend. Mr Paroubek and his wife said on Thursday they saw behind the report the effort of the right-of-centre Civic Democratic Party to influence the forthcoming general elections.
New Skoda Roomster goes on sale in Czech Republic
Skoda's new car the Roomster has gone on sale in the Czech Republic. A spokesman for Skoda Auto said the company expected to sell 1,800 Roomsters in this country by the end of the year. The multi-purpose vehicle will be launched in neighbouring Germany and Austria next month.
Tesco takes over Carrefour supermarkets in Czech Republic
Eleven former Carrefour supermarkets in the Czech Republic have begun trading under the name of their new owners, Tesco. France's Carrefour decided to pull out of the Czech Republic and swapped its shops here and in Slovakia for a number of outlets in Taiwan.
Actor Boris Rosner dies at 55
The actor Boris Rosner has died at the age of 55. Rosner joined the National Theatre in 1987 and went on to win several prestigious theatre awards in a successful stage career. He also appeared in a number of films, did occasional work for Czech Radio and taught drama students at Prague's AMU faculty.
Smicer out of World Cup squad
Vladimir Smicer has been ruled out of the Czech Republic's squad for the World Cup after failing a fitness test. Doctors found a blood clot in his thigh muscle last week. The Bordeaux midfielder, who has been capped 81 times, is likely to be replaced by Libor Sionko of Glasgow Rangers. The Czechs' opening game in Germany is against the USA on June 12th.
Weather
Temperatures should gradually rise over the next couple of days, reaching around 18 degrees Celsius at the weekend. It will be quite bright with rain in places.
