• CZK 32 million in fines for overcharging and other transgressions imposed in 2014
    05/10/2015

    Czech authorities last year increased checks on the provision of goods and services and levied more fines than previously, according to a report the government is to put before the Chamber of Deputies quoted by the Czech News Agency on Sunday. Financial authorities imposed a total of CZK 32 million in fines for overcharging for waste collection, water and sewage fees, and funeral services, as well as a range of other transgressions.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • New production of Smetana’s Libuše premieres in Plzeň
    05/10/2015

    A new production of Bedřich Smetana’s opera Libuše premiered at Plzeň’s New Theatre on Saturday night. The title role is filled by Eva Urbanová, alternating with Ivana Veberová, while Vratislav Kříž and Martin Bárta are sharing the part of Přemysl. The opera is one of the highlights of Plzeň’s year as European City of Culture.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Zeman discusses economic cooperation with Putin in Moscow
    05/10/2015

    Czech President Miloš Zeman discussed economic cooperation with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a meeting in Moscow on Saturday evening. Among the issues discussed was CZK 5 billion owed to a Czech firm for building a power plant in northern Russia. Mr. Putin praised his guest, who is opposed to sanctions against Moscow, saying there were still politicians capable of putting forward independent policies and speaking directly. Mr. Zeman was in the Russian capital to take part in events marking the 70th anniversary of WWII.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Plzeň edge closer to title with away win over Sparta
    05/10/2015

    Viktoria Plzeň have taken a major step towards lifting the Czech soccer league title by beating Sparta Prague. After Saturday night’s 2:0 victory in the capital, with the goals coming from ex-Sparta players Jan Holenda and Roman Hubník, Plzeň are now six points ahead of the reigning champions with three rounds remaining. The West Bohemians can wrap the title race up next weekend if they beat Jihlava.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Kvitová takes Madrid Open with win over Kuznetzova
    05/09/2015

    Czech tennis player Petra Kvitová has won the Madrid Open after outclassing Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetzova 6-1 6-2 in Saturday’s final. It was the 16th WTA title for Kvitová, who notched up a first ever victory over world number one Serena Williams in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, the leading Czech men’s player Tomáš Berdych lost 6-7 1-6 to Rafal Nadal in the men’s semi-finals in Madrid on Saturday.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Mourniho against Čech leaving Chelsea for other Premier League club
    05/09/2015

    The manager of Chelsea football club, Jose Mourinho, says he would prefer for Petr Čech to either remain at the club or move abroad this summer. Premier league clubs such as Arsenal have been linked to the Czech goalkeeper, who has become Chelsea’s second choice between the posts. Mourinho has suggested, however, that club’s owner Roman Abramovich may sanction Čech - who has one year left on his contract - moving to a rival after 11 successful years at the London club.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Document suggests Zeman mistaken in saying Peroutka called Hitler gentleman
    05/09/2015

    A document has been uncovered suggesting President Miloš Zeman may have been mistaken in accusing the inter-war journalist Ferdinand Peroutka of writing an article headlined “Hitler is a gentleman”. The Institute for Czech Literature has made public a piece penned by writer Jan Drda in 1958 saying that Peroutka had used the term gentleman to describe Ernst Eisenlohr, who was a pre-war German ambassador to Prague. Supporters of Ferdinand Peroutka have strongly denied Mr. Zeman’s assertion, which the head of state has to date been unable to substantiate.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Zeman lays wreath at memorial to WWII dead in Moscow
    05/09/2015

    Czech President Miloš Zeman was among around 30 Russian and foreign politicians to take part in a memorial event to the victims of WWII in Moscow on Saturday. Mr. Zeman laid a wreath of red carnations at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Alexander Park by the walls of the Kremlin. After the memorial the Czech head of state attended a reception hosted by President Vladimir Putin, speaking informally with the presidents of China, India, Egypt and Vietnam, according to his spokesman. He did not attend a Victory Day parade in the Russian capital. Later on Saturday Mr. Zeman had a half-hour meeting with Mr. Putin.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Hundreds honour war dead at Communist-organised memorial
    05/09/2015

    Several hundred people honoured those who died during WWII at an event at Prague’s Olšany cemetery on Saturday organised by the Communist Party. Chairman Vojtěch Filip paid tribute to the Red Army soldiers who had died during the liberation of Czechoslovakia, adding that whichever armies had freed particular parts of the country had no impact on the results of elections in 1946. Czechs used to mark May 9 as the end of WWII but in the early 1990s switched to May 8, in line with Western Europe.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Wins over France and Austria no proof of improvement, says Jágr at Worlds
    05/09/2015

    Beating France and Austria does not necessarily mean the Czech Republic’s form has improved at the Ice Hockey World Championship, according to star player Jaromír Jágr. After defeats to Sweden and Canada and a win over Latvia, the Czechs have dispatched the two relative minnows in recent days. However, Jágr told journalists that he and his teammates had to play as much as possible outside their own defensive zone and rediscover the form in power plays that they displayed in their opening two games. The Czechs next game is against another unfancied team, Germany, on Sunday.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

Pages