• January warmest since 1961
    02/02/2007

    This January was the warmest in this country for 46 years, according to figures released by meteorologists. While the average temperature in January is usually almost 2 degrees Celsius below freezing point, last month's average temperature was almost 3.5 degrees above zero. There was only one day when temperatures were below zero around the whole country - January 26.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Those who believe people caused global warming naïve, says president's spokesman
    02/02/2007

    President Vaclav Klaus's spokesman Petr Hajek has hit out at an event on Thursday evening in which lights in several European capitals were turned out for five minutes as a protest against the wasting of energy and global warming, the iDnes website reported. Mr Hajek told reporters the event was ridiculous, saying that people who believed the warnings of scientists about global warming were naïve. President Klaus has himself questioned whether human civilisation is responsible for global warming.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • 1928 Bata canal to be extended
    02/02/2007

    A waterway known as the Bata canal is to be made longer, Pravo reported. The canal was built in 1928 by Tomas Bata, founder of the world famous Bata shoe company. It now runs from Otrokovice to Rohatec in south Moravia. Once the project wins approval from the Environment Ministry it will be extended to Hodonin, and will measure 66 km. Formerly used to transport coal, the canal is now used for water tourism.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Former head of PM's office released from custody
    02/02/2007

    A Prague court has decided to release the former head of the prime minister's office Zdenek Dolezel from custody. He was remanded in October on charges of blackmail and corruption in the handling of EU money channelled via the Ministry for Regional Development. The court acknowledged the complaint of Mr Dolezel's defence counsel that he can no longer influence witnesses.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Catholic Church to screen priests for collaboration
    02/01/2007

    The Czech Roman Catholic Church is to screen its priests for collaboration with the communist-era secret police. The country's senior Catholic cleric, Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, agreed on the setting up of a joint commission on the issue with Interior Minister Ivan Langer on Wednesday. Cardinal Vlk has called for a measured and objective approach to the issue.
    Author: Pavla Horáková

  • Public health officer: listeria infection came from one source
    02/01/2007

    The recent outbreak of illnesses caused by the listeria bacteria can be traced to a single source, the country's chief public health officer Michael Vit said on Thursday. He did not disclose the name of the company but said it was a dairy factory and production has been halted there. Last year, 80 people were diagnosed with illnesses caused by the bacteria, five times more than in the previous year; thirteen of them died.
    Author: Pavla Horáková

  • Police divers find part of vandalised statue in Vltava River
    02/01/2007

    Police divers have found a part of the bronze Hebrew lettering that was broken off by a vandal last weekend from one of the Baroque statues on Prague's Charles Bridge. A spokeswoman said they will continue searching the bottom of the Vltava River for the remaining bits of the artefact. The statue depicting the crucifixion of Christ dates from the mid-17th century. The Hebrew words were added to it in 1696, and paid for by a Jewish citizen of Prague, as a punishment for defaming Christianity.
    Author: Pavla Horáková

  • Trade and Industry Ministry plans to merge CzechTrade, CzechInvest
    02/01/2007

    The Trade and Industry Ministry says it plans to merge two state agencies: CzechInvest which is charged with attracting investment and CzechTrade which promotes Czech exports. A ministry spokesman said the two agencies employ some 270 people and have dozens of offices both in the Czech Republic and abroad. Shadow trade minister Milan Urban has criticised the plan saying it might prove harmful to Czech businesses as well as foreign investment.
    Author: Pavla Horáková

  • Prague launches boat hostel for homeless
    02/01/2007

    The city of Prague has opened an unusual shelter for the homeless: a cargo boat converted into a hostel providing 250 beds. The boat, anchored on the Vltava River in the centre of Prague, opens for business to Prague's estimated 5,000-6,000 homeless on Thursday. The city authorities say it is the first homeless boat hostel of its kind in Europe. For 20 crowns (around a dollar) the homeless will be given a bunk bed, a cup of tea and access to sanitary facilities.
    Author: Pavla Horáková

  • January warmest in 46 years
    02/01/2007

    Meteorologists have confirmed that this January has been the warmest in 46 years in this country. They say the average temperature in the month was plus 3.5 degrees Celsius while the long term average is minus 1.7 degrees. Temperatures fell below freezing point only once, on January 26th. On the other hand, a number of temperature records were broken around the country.
    Author: Pavla Horáková

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