News

After several days of heavy smog in the far east of the Czech Republic, conditions have worsened in the capital as well. Prague monitoring stations on Tuesday moved the air-quality rating to five on a scale of six, with inversion preventing an improvement. 14 out of 15 stations in Prague reported that flue dust levels had exceeded the limit as of Tuesday evening. Meanwhile, a station in the industrial area of Třinec has recorded flue dust levels of seven times the limit, which is 50 micrograms per cubic metre; polluters in that region were ordered to reduce production. Senior citizens, children and the chronically ill have been advised to restrict their time out of doors in the areas in question.

New radar scans conducted in the Church of St. Haštal in Prague have ignited anticipation that a hole in the floor near the altar may hold the lost remains of St. Agnes of Bohemia. The scans showed a crevice bearing a slab that corresponds to the dimensions of the tomb being sought, though the surveyor emphasised that the result was in no way conclusive of anything definite. Interest in the church became intense in November of last year, when an initial radar scan was said to show a casket beneath the altar. The current scan showed similar results, though in a slightly different location. The respective parish has said it would like the part of the floor in question to be raised as soon as possible so as to clear up the speculation. The remains of the 13th century saint were allegedly hidden during the Hussite Wars and have never been found. St. Agnes was canonised by Pope John Paul II just before the Velvet Revolution, and is considered a symbol of that event.

Former Czech President Václav Havel has been forced to cancel his engagements for the coming days because of breathing difficulties, his office announced on Monday. Spokeswoman Sabina Tančevová said Mr Havel was taking antibiotics to counter respiratory problems. Havel was due on Monday to take part in a press conference of a new book by journalist Karel Hvižd’ala which includes interviews with Havel and fellow communist era dissident Pavel Landovský. Mr Havel, a former heavy smoker whose health suffered during imprisonment under the Communist regime, had part of his right lung removed in the late 1990’s when cancer was diagnosed.

Average Czech unemployment rose in January to 9.8 percent from December’s 9.2 percent, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs announced on Monday. The unemployment rate in January 2009 stood at 6.8 percent. The latest figures represent a five year high in the jobless rate last seen at this level in January 2005. Continuing lay-offs and the end of seasonal work are factors contributing to the higher rate. Some analysts expect the worst is now over and that the Czech unemployment rate might not push through the 10 percent barrier. Others, however, warn that further rises in unemployment could occur in the first quarter of the year and that the rate will only then stabilise given expected economic growth of around 1.5 percent this year.