News of Radio Prague
Lower house passes bill on access to StB secret police files
The lower house of the Czech parliament passed a bill on Friday allowing for almost complete public access to the files of the Communist era secret police the StB. As well as individual files, the names of StB collaborators and agents would also be disclosed under the bill. While most former dissidents welcome the idea of the files being made available, some have warned that they might contain lies and fabrications. Currently people can only see their own StB files.
Fault at Temelin nuclear plant more serious than previously thought
The electrical fault at the Czech Temelin nuclear power plant is more serious than previously believed and will have to be investigated for at least a week, the Office for Nuclear Safety said on Sunday. The fault in a non-nuclear part of the circulation system in the first reactor led to a complete shutdown of the power plant on Thursday. The plant has been shut down several times since its launch in October 2000. Critics of the plant say it is unsafe as it combines Soviet design and Western operating technology.
Italy's Enel out of bid for Czech power utility CEZ
On Saturday, the Italian company Enel announced it would not be participating in the privatisation of the Czech power utility and operator of the Temelin nuclear power plant CEZ. Enel says the Czech government's asking price is too high. The government is asking 200 billion Czech crowns for its majority stake in CEZ and six regional distribution companies.
Czech Katerina Neumannova wins first bronze at Winter Olympics
The Czech cross-country skier Katerina Neumannova won bronze in the first event at the Winter Olympics on Saturday - the 15- kilometre cross-country ski mass-start race. Katerina Neumannova was 8.3 seconds behind first place Stefania Belmondo of Italy. It was the first mass-start cross-country ski race in Olympic history.
Czechs beat Brazil 4:1 in Davis Cup
The Czech Republic has beaten Brazil 4:1 in their Davis Cup world group first round in Ostrava, north Moravia. In Sunday's singles Jan Vacek lost to Flavio Saretta 1:6 6:7 and Bohdan Ulihrach beat Andre Sa 6:1 6:2. The Czechs are due to face France in the Davis Cup quarterfinal.
Weather
And finally a look at the weather forecast for Sunday night and Monday. Sunday night is expected to be cloudy with rain in places and snow showers in mountainous regions. Nighttime temperatures will range between 4 and 0 degrees Celsius. Monday should also be cloudy with rain in places and snow in mountainous areas. Temperatures are expected to range between five and nine degrees Celsius.
