• Czech group PPF signs deal to buy Ukrainian bank
    05/02/2006

    The Czech financial group PPF has signed a preliminary agreement to buy the Ukrainian bank Privatinvest, the business daily Hospodarske Noviny reported Tuesday. PPF, which owns the Czech Republic's biggest insurer, Ceska Pojistovna, wants to enter Ukraine following a successful foray in Russia with its company Home Credit, which has become one of the top three specialists in consumer loans in Russia. PPF spokeswoman, Dita Fuchsova, told Hospodarske Noviny that PPF intends to start offering financial services in Ukraine before the end of this year.
    Author: Daniela Lazarová

  • Large anti-Communist rally held on Prague's Letna Plain
    05/01/2006

    People of all different political persuasions have been attending a series of May Day rallies in towns and cities across the country. In Prague's Letna Plain, a large open-air space where the Communist Party have traditionally held their rallies, several thousand people attended a large anti-Communist gathering. The rally was organised by a group called the Confederation of Political Prisoners, and politicians from several right-of-centre parties spoke to the crowds.
    Author: Rob Cameron

  • Evicted from Letna, Communists meet at Vystaviste
    05/01/2006

    After being denied their traditional venue, the Communists - who are currently in opposition - held their rally in Prague's 19th century Vystaviste exhibition grounds. An estimated 8,000 mostly elderly Communist supporters gathered at the venue, to hear speeches from leading Communist officials, including party leader Vojtech Filip. Also attending was Milos Jakes, leader of the totalitarian Communist Party until 1989, and Jiri Dolejs, the party's deputy leader who was beaten up last week in what he said was a politically-motivated attack.
    Author: Rob Cameron

  • Minor clashes between neo-Nazis, anti-fascist demonstrators
    05/01/2006

    Elsewhere in Prague several hundred neo-Nazi youths attempting to march through the city centre clashed with groups of anti-fascist demonstrators. The two groups threw tomatoes, bottles and rocks at each other but serious clashes were prevented by police in riot gear.
    Author: Rob Cameron

  • Government human rights official beaten, arrested by riot police
    05/01/2006

    Meanwhile a senior official from the government's human rights section says she was beaten and arrested by police during the demonstration. Katerina Jacques, a candidate for the opposition Green Party in the forthcoming parliamentary elections, had to be treated in hospital after the incident. Mrs Jacques, who was with her two young children, says she was thrown to the ground, kicked and beaten with a truncheon before being handcuffed and taken away for questioning. Police have refused to comment.
    Author: Rob Cameron

  • Ministry - Hyundai plant to go ahead despite Chung arrest
    05/01/2006

    In other news, the Czech Trade and Industry ministry says the South Korean car-maker Hyundai still intends to go ahead with a new assembly plant in North Moravia despite the arrest last week of the company's chairman Chung Mong-Koo on embezzlement charges. Minister Milan Urban said the signing ceremony would now be held in Seoul, and not the town of Nosovice, where the one-billion-plant will be built. Mr Chung and Hyundai are accused of creating slush funds to pay politicians and officials for business favours.
    Author: Rob Cameron

  • Youth killed in maypole tragedy
    05/01/2006

    A centuries-old May Day tradition ended in tragedy on Monday when a 20-year-old man was killed by a falling maypole after he and other youths from a neighbouring village cut it down. The tragedy took place in the village of Volduchy, West Bohemia, at around 7am. So far it is unclear whether anyone will be charged with the young man's death.
    Author: Rob Cameron

  • Saturday's heavy rain raises water levels
    04/30/2006

    Water levels of some rivers in Moravia have risen extensively following heavy rain on Saturday. Some areas in southern Moravia were put on the highest degree of flood alert. Meteorologists say the worst is over in most parts of the country, where only light showers are expected in the next few days. The Czech Republic is still recovering from a week of heavy flooding, which paralysed many regions earlier this month.
    Author: Dita Asiedu

  • Forced administration at VZP to end on Tuesday
    04/30/2006

    The forced administration that was put in place last November at the country's biggest state-owned health insurer, VZP, will be terminated on Tuesday, says Health Minister David Rath. In a televised debate on Sunday, Mr Rath said VZP's close to 14 billion crown debt has now been reduced to under 7 billion crowns. The insurer will also have a new director, Pavel Horak, as of Tuesday May 2.
    Author: Dita Asiedu

  • Government sponsors Yemen development projects
    04/30/2006

    Yemen has received one million US dollars from the Czech government to help sponsor two development projects. The donation was presented by Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda, who is currently on an official visit to the Arab state. The money will be used to supply clean water to Abdal Kuri Island and to recycle water for a hospital on the island of Sokotra.
    Author: Dita Asiedu

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