• Unions plan 'demonstration' in favour of Labour Code draft
    10/10/2005

    Union leaders say they are planning extensive demonstrations in Prague in support of a new Labour Code draft submitted by the Social Democrats, promising significant changes to the labour laws. Union leaders say they will try to drum up support of at least 25,000 in favour of the bill, which has drawn criticism from businesses and entrepreneurs. Areas of contention include greater jurisdiction by unions, and stricter conditions for laying-off employees. The ruling Social Democrats agreed on the bill at the government level despite objection by the Christian Democrats. The draft has yet to be passed in Parliament.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • Driver given suspended sentence for accident leading to hockey coach's death
    10/10/2005

    Frantisek Veleta, the driver of a small truck involved in an accident last year that killed ice hockey legend and national team coach Ivan Hlinka, has been given a two-year suspended sentence. On Monday a regional court found Mr Veleta guilty of not granting right of away, leading to the collision. The driver has also been banned from getting behind the wheel for five years. Mr Veleta's defence has appealed the decision, and will be seeking a full acquittal.

    The Czech national ice hockey coach Ivan Hlinka was 54 when he died. He is best remembered for leading the Czechs to Olympic Gold in Nagano, Japan, in 1998.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • Czech Republic ready to help quake-stricken countries in Asia
    10/09/2005

    Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek has said the Czech Republic could donate 25 million crowns (over 1 million dollars) to the earthquake-stricken countries in Asia. The amount will be discussed by the government on Wednesday. The Foreign Ministry has earmarked 5 million crowns. Czech rescue workers are ready to leave for the affected regions as soon as the local authorities specify their needs. A number of Czech charities have said they are going to open special accounts for public donations towards the renewal of the damaged areas.
    Author: Pavla Horáková

  • Group of Czech mountaineers missing in Pakistan
    10/09/2005

    Although there are no reports of casualties among Czech nationals in the earthquake-stricken regions, according to the Czech Embassy, a group of Czech mountaineers are unaccounted for in Pakistan. The group are believed to be near Nanga Parbat mountain, some 300 kilometres from the epicentre of the quake.
    Author: Pavla Horáková

  • Combat helicopter crashed, no one injured
    10/09/2005

    A combat Mi-35 helicopter crashed at the Prerov military base in North Moravia on Saturday, while the pilots were practicing emergency landing. No one was injured in the accident but the helicopter was badly damaged. The causes of the crash are being investigated. The Czech military received the new helicopter as part of the repayment of Russia's debt to the Czech Republic amounting to billions of crowns.
    Author: Pavla Horáková

  • Czechs beaten by Netherlands in World Cup qualifier
    10/09/2005

    The Czech Republic were beaten by the Netherlands 2:0 in Saturday's Group One qualifier, which secured the Dutch a place in next year's World Cup finals. The Netherlands, who have 31 points from 11 games, are certain to finish top of the group. The third-placed Czechs with 24 points cannot afford to lose in Finland on Wednesday if they hope to clinch a playoff berth.
    Author: Pavla Horáková

  • Vaidisova wins in Tokyo after Golovin retires
    10/09/2005

    Czech teenager Nicole Vaidisova won the Japan Open on Sunday after France's Tatiana Golovin was forced to retire with a leg injury in the second set. The victory was second seed Vaidisova's biggest title to date and her fourth overall. It was also her second in successive weeks having won in Seoul last week.
    Author: Pavla Horáková

  • Rescue workers ready to leave for quake-stricken Asia
    10/08/2005

    Czech rescue workers are ready to leave for earthquake-stricken regions in Asia as soon as the local authorities specify their needs. Czech fire-fighters as well as special rescue teams are ready to leave within 24 hours, spokespersons said. A number of Czech charities have said they are going to open special accounts for public donations towards the renewal of the damaged areas.
    Author: Pavla Horáková

  • No Czechs reported dead or injured in Asia
    10/08/2005

    According to Czech embassies in the afflicted countries there are no reports of Czech casualties. The Defence Ministry has said the Czech military contingent in Afghanistan has not been affected. The Czech humanitarian workers in the country are also reported to be safe.
    Author: Pavla Horáková

  • The Times: IRA investigators follow money to Eastern Europe
    10/08/2005

    According to Saturday's edition of The Times, British financial investigators believe that the property empire built up by the IRA's chief of staff Thomas Murphy extends from Britain and Ireland into the economies of Eastern Europe, including the Czech Republic. Mr Murphy who has amassed a personal fortune estimated at 40 million pounds mainly from cross-border smuggling, is alleged to have begun laundering his money by investing in property and legitimate businesses in Bulgaria, Spain, Slovenia and also the Czech capital Prague.
    Author: Pavla Horáková

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