News

Domestic violence is the most widespread form of violence in the Czech Republic a police psychologist reported on Wednesday. According to the Bily Kruh Bezpeci victim support group, three in five domestic violence cases occur in middle and high class families. A recent opinion poll conducted by the STEM agency suggests that 23 percent of the population have experienced physical harassment and mental torture. A new law, which will come into effect in January, defines domestic violence as a criminal act and is expected to help reduce the number of cases significantly.

Czech farmers will have to brace themselves for a severe drop in cereal harvests, according to figures released by the Czech Statistical Office on Wednesday. With an expected 6 million tonnes of crops, this year's harvest would be 13 percent lower than last year's. The number of potatoes is to drop by 34.4 percent. The decrease in harvest is expected to result in an increase in prices in foodstuffs like baked goods and meat.

The US Embassy in Prague has launched a new section on its web site devoted to the American missile defense system and Washington's plans to build a base in Europe. The pages include basic information about the project, answers to frequently asked questions, and statements of US Ambassador to Prague William Cabaniss and other representatives of the administration of President George W. Bush. The webpage is in both Czech and in English.

The municipal court in Prague has ruled against a decision made by the country's broadcasting council to issue six licenses for digital television broadcasting. The court says the council's reasoning for approving or rejecting license applications has been obscure and contradictory. The case was taken to court by the country's biggest commercial station TV Nova, which protested against the rejection of a license for four of its projects.