News

Poll: Paroubek loses support but still most popular politician

The prime minister, Jiri Paroubek, is the most popular politician in the country, suggests a poll taken earlier this month by the STEM agency. Some 54 percent of respondents said they regarded Mr Paroubek positively; that represents a fall of nine percent since before the summer, and his controversial backing of the police break-up of a techno music festival.

Krejcir cannot be deported from Seychelles, says local official

Fugitive businessman Radovan Krejcir has Seychelles citizenship and cannot be deported from the country, a local official said on Wednesday. The statement followed reports in the Czech press that Mr Krejcir had used a false passport to enter the country and could therefore be expelled for breaking Seychelles law. Mr Krejcir is wanted in the Czech Republic on charges of fraud and plotting to kill a customs officer.

Lower house approves points system for driving offences

The lower house has passed a bill introducing a points system for driving offences, rejecting amendments proposed by the Senate. If the bill is signed by the president, drivers will lose their license if they acquire a certain number of punishment points. The Czech Republic has one of the worst rates of road deaths in Europe.

President Klaus opens exhibition of Czech Gothic art in New York

The Czech president, Vaclav Klaus, has opened a unique exhibition of Czech Gothic art from the 14th and 15th centuries at New York's prestigious Metropolitan Museum of Art. The president, who is on a six-day working visit to the United States, also visited the city's Czech National Building, which is undergoing major reconstruction. He also held talks with New York's mayor, Michael Bloomberg.

Pravo: Grebenicek to step down at Communist Party meeting next month

The chairman of the Communist Party, Miroslav Grebenicek, is going to step down at a meeting on October 1, a party source told the daily Pravo. Mr Grebenicek recently announced that he planned to resign, but has not made the details of his departure clear. So far the only candidate to replace him is the Communists' deputy chairman, Vojtech Filip.

Suspended sentence for conman who flew around world on government planes

Lukas Kohout, a young man who pretended to be an assistant of the foreign minister and travelled the world on government planes, has received a two-year suspended sentence. Two co-defendants were also given suspended sentences by the Prague 1 district court on Wednesday.

Czech boxer wins WBO title in Prague

Czech boxer Lukas Konecny has won the WBO junior middleweight intercontinental title, knocking out Anderson Clayton of Brazil in the third round of their bout at Prague's T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday. The win means Konecny could compete for the European title in the spring, opening the way to a lucrative fight in the United States.

Poborsky steps down as Sparta Prague captain

Karel Poborsky, the biggest star in the Czech football league, has resigned as captain of Sparta Prague. There has been some speculation recently that Poborsky does not see eye to eye with the club's manager, Jaroslav Hrebik.

Weather

The next few days should be quite sunny, with temperatures of up to 22 degrees Celsius.