• President signs bill on accident insurance into law
    05/12/2006

    The obligation to pay compensation for work-related accidents will be transferred from commercial insurance companies to the state, namely the Czech Social Insurance Administration, under a new law signed by the Czech president on Friday.

    Until now, employers have paid accident insurance to one of two insurance companies set down by the Labour Code: the Kooperativa and Ceska pojistovna companies. But, the situation was criticised by the European Union, which proposed two solutions: either to include all insurance companies in the system, or to transfer the insurance - as the new bill does - to the state.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • Sculptor Opocensky released from prison
    05/12/2006

    The sculptor Pavel Opocensky has been released from prison after serving three years in prison - roughly half of his sentence. Mr Opocensky was found guilty of sexually abusing teenage girls, but was released early for good behaviour; he will, however, remain on probation for four years. Speaking to the judge who ruled in favour of his release, Opocensky said on Thursday that he had learned from his mistakes and that he had no desire to return behind bars.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • "Czech Days in China" underway
    05/12/2006

    The state agency CzechTourism has kicked-off an event titled as "Czech Days in China" in China, aimed at attracting tourists from that country to the Czech Republic. The "Czech Days" event - funded from EU structural funds - will last until June 25th. The agency has described the event as a 'road show' highlighting the Czech services industry, presenting Czech regions and professional associations.

    CzechTourism initially began keeping track of Chinese statistics last year. While Chinese visits formed just 0.3 percent of the overall number of visitors to the Czech Republic in 2005 (roughly 18,000 visitors out of 6.4 million), experts point to China's enormous potential. By some estimates in fifteen years 100 million Chinese will have the necessary funds to travel to Europe.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • Ice Hockey World Championship: Czech Rep 3 - 1 Norway
    05/12/2006

    The Czech Republic has won its first match in the qualifying round at the Ice Hockey World Championship in Riga, Latvia. Norway took an early one goal lead in the first period but the Czechs came back in the 2nd on a goal from Jan Hlavac, while Jaroslav Balastik got the winner in the third. Petr Tenkrat scored a final goal for the Czechs late in the third to secure the win. The Czechs next face Canada on Sunday.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • Tennis legend Navratilova out of Prague Open
    05/12/2006

    Czech-born tennis legend Martina Navratilova has been knocked out of the Prague Open. Navratilova and doubles partner Barbora Strycova were beaten in the quarter finals by Americans Ashley Harkleroad and Bethanie Mattek. Navratilova, who is 49, and is a former World No. 1 as well as nine-time Wimbledon champion, emigrated from her native Czechoslovakia in the mid 1970s. Her appearance in this year's Open was the first time she took part in competition in Prague since 1986.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • Klaus vetoes proposed new Labour Code
    05/11/2006

    President Vaclav Klaus has vetoed the proposed new Labour Code. Mr Klaus said the bill in its current form lacked important reforms and failed to tackle problems facing the modern work environment. The bill was pushed through parliament by the Social Democrats with the help of the opposition Communist Party. Right-wing parties oppose the bill, saying it gives trade unions too much power and threatens business competitiveness.
    Author: Rob Cameron

  • Saudi Foreign Minister welcomes Quartet move to restore Palestinian aid
    05/11/2006

    The Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal, currently on a visit to Prague, has welcomed a decision by the Quartet of Middle East peace negotiators to restore some humanitarian aid to the Palestinians. Mr al-Faisal, speaking to reporters after meeting his Czech counterpart Cyril Svoboda, said he welcomed the move by the United States, United Nations, European Union and Russia. The Saudi foreign minister is also set to meet President Vaclav Klaus and Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek.
    Author: Rob Cameron

  • Czech crown reaches new record against euro
    05/11/2006

    The Czech crown has reached its highest ever level against the euro. The crown was trading at a record 28.19 to the euro on Thursday. Analysts said the increase was linked to a rise in all Central European currencies.
    Author: Rob Cameron

  • Court orders compensation for British Christmas tree victim
    05/11/2006

    A court has ordered the city of Prague to pay more than 110,000 dollars in compensation to a British tourist who was seriously injured when a Christmas tree fell on him in December 2003. Malcolm Tuffin's spine and femur bones were fractured when strong winds brought down the 30-metre tree in a crowded Christmas market on Prague's Old Town Square. Mr Tuffin is now confined to a wheelchair.
    Author: Rob Cameron

  • Czech journalist faces prison for hiding mobile phone in Slovak PM's office
    05/11/2006

    A Czech journalist faces a prison sentence in neighbouring Slovakia after hiding a mobile phone in the prime minister's office. Slovak officials claim the phone could have been used as a listening device, and have called for the journalist to be prosecuted. Vaclav Nekvapil has admitted attaching the mobile to the underside of the prime minister's desk during a recent open day. But he says he was merely testing the Slovak government's security measures.
    Author: Rob Cameron

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