• Czech Republic not to veto EU-wide sales tax
    01/28/2006

    The Czech Republic says it will probably not veto a European Union-wide sales tax, raising chances that a row between some new member states and the older members could be resolved. The Czech Republic, Poland and Cyprus had come out against an agreement that would allow value added tax on some services in several member states to be kept below EU norms. They said the plan, put forward by Austria, discriminated against newcomers, which have cut-off dates to abolish tax breaks and meet higher rates in line with EU requirements.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Condoms no longer produced in Czech Republic
    01/28/2006

    The only Czech condom maker has halted manufacturing. Vulkan Intim Brands, based in north Bohemia, has decided to import and package German-made condoms under the company's traditional Primeros brand name. A spokesperson told Mlada fronta Dnes that German-made condoms were cheaper and of a higher quality.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Czech Damm and partner Paes beaten in Australian Open doubles final
    01/28/2006

    The Czech Republic's Martin Damm and his Indian partner Leander Paes have been beaten in the doubles final at tennis's Australian Open. In a dramatic match in Melbourne on Saturday, they lost to twins Mike and Bob Bryan of the United States in three sets.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Number of 'gymnasiums' could double under new plan
    01/27/2006

    The number of 'gymnasiums' - secondary schools which prepare students for university - could double under a new plan by the Czech Ministry of Education. The proposal comes in response to increasing numbers of applications in recent years.

    Deputy Prime Minister for the Economy Jiri Havel said the number of Czechs taking university degrees would increase from the present 50 percent to 80 percent in the future. Mr Havel and Education Minister Petra Buzkova are to put the new plan to the leadership of their party the Social Democrats next week.

    Meanwhile, Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek says one or two international universities should be created in the Czech Republic in the years ahead. He said on Friday that existing Czech universities - which already operate at international standards - could be upgraded.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Cuba to explain detention of former Miss Czech Republic, psychologist
    01/27/2006

    Cuba's embassy in Prague is next week to explain to the Czech Foreign Ministry why two Czech women were detained on the island. Former Miss Czech Republic Helena Houdova and psychologist Mariana Kroftova were held for 11 hours earlier this week after taking photographs in a poor part of Havana.

    They were released after signing a statement promising not to engage in counter-revolutionary activities. Ms Houdova, who runs a foundation for disadvantaged children in New York, said she had been looking for ways to help children in Cuba.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Hruda: Holland's LG Philips should return incentives if it leaves Czech Republic
    01/27/2006

    If the Dutch company LG Philips Displays pulls out of the Czech Republic it should return investment incentives it received from the Czech state, says the head of CzechInvest, Tomas Hruda. The company's factory in south Moravia shut down on Friday as it filed for bankruptcy protection. It employs 1,300 people.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • European Commission should look into state supported free internet, says office
    01/27/2006

    The anti-monopoly office says the European Commission should investigate whether free internet paid for out of public coffers is legal. The office said this could constitute unauthorised support to the detriment of commercial operators. The district of Prague 5 has introduced free wifi internet for all residents, a move which has been criticised by existing suppliers.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Terezin drawings go on show at UN in New York
    01/27/2006

    Drawings by children interned at Terezin ghetto in Bohemia during World War II have gone on show at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day. The pictures are normally housed in Prague's Jewish Museum.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Slovakia among countries Czechs must play to reach football's Euro 2008
    01/27/2006

    The Czech Republic will play Slovakia, Germany, Ireland, Wales, Cyprus and San Marino in qualifications for the 2008 European football championships. The top two teams from the group will qualify for the championships, which are being jointly hosted by Austria and Switzerland. The Czechs are currently focusing on the World Cup, which begins in Germany in June.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Czech Republic behind in drawing EU funds
    01/26/2006

    Information released by the European Commission on Thursday has shown the Czech Republic lagging behind in drawing money from European Union funds. According to European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Danuta Huebner, the country has used roughly 20 percent since joining the union in 2004, from resources available until the end of 2006. The EU allocated the Czech Republic 2.6 billion euros, the equivalent of 3 billion US dollars, for 2004 - 2006. Last year, the country drew only around 258 million US dollars' worth. Only one country - neighbouring Slovakia - drew less.

    Commissioner Huebner has pointed out that most newcomers to the EU fall behind in drawing subsidies, but stressed the situation has gradually been improving.
    Author: Jan Velinger

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