• Tennis legend Navratilova out of Prague Open
    05/12/2006

    Czech-born tennis legend Martina Navratilova has been knocked out of the Prague Open. Navratilova and doubles partner Barbora Strycova were beaten in the quarter finals by Americans Ashley Harkleroad and Bethanie Mattek. Navratilova, who is 49, and is a former World No. 1 as well as nine-time Wimbledon champion, emigrated from her native Czechoslovakia in the mid 1970s. Her appearance in this year's Open was the first time she took part in competition in Prague since 1986.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • Klaus vetoes proposed new Labour Code
    05/11/2006

    President Vaclav Klaus has vetoed the proposed new Labour Code. Mr Klaus said the bill in its current form lacked important reforms and failed to tackle problems facing the modern work environment. The bill was pushed through parliament by the Social Democrats with the help of the opposition Communist Party. Right-wing parties oppose the bill, saying it gives trade unions too much power and threatens business competitiveness.
    Author: Rob Cameron

  • Saudi Foreign Minister welcomes Quartet move to restore Palestinian aid
    05/11/2006

    The Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal, currently on a visit to Prague, has welcomed a decision by the Quartet of Middle East peace negotiators to restore some humanitarian aid to the Palestinians. Mr al-Faisal, speaking to reporters after meeting his Czech counterpart Cyril Svoboda, said he welcomed the move by the United States, United Nations, European Union and Russia. The Saudi foreign minister is also set to meet President Vaclav Klaus and Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek.
    Author: Rob Cameron

  • Czech crown reaches new record against euro
    05/11/2006

    The Czech crown has reached its highest ever level against the euro. The crown was trading at a record 28.19 to the euro on Thursday. Analysts said the increase was linked to a rise in all Central European currencies.
    Author: Rob Cameron

  • Court orders compensation for British Christmas tree victim
    05/11/2006

    A court has ordered the city of Prague to pay more than 110,000 dollars in compensation to a British tourist who was seriously injured when a Christmas tree fell on him in December 2003. Malcolm Tuffin's spine and femur bones were fractured when strong winds brought down the 30-metre tree in a crowded Christmas market on Prague's Old Town Square. Mr Tuffin is now confined to a wheelchair.
    Author: Rob Cameron

  • Czech journalist faces prison for hiding mobile phone in Slovak PM's office
    05/11/2006

    A Czech journalist faces a prison sentence in neighbouring Slovakia after hiding a mobile phone in the prime minister's office. Slovak officials claim the phone could have been used as a listening device, and have called for the journalist to be prosecuted. Vaclav Nekvapil has admitted attaching the mobile to the underside of the prime minister's desk during a recent open day. But he says he was merely testing the Slovak government's security measures.
    Author: Rob Cameron

  • Two killed in ultralight plane crash
    05/11/2006

    Two people were killed on Thursday when their ultralight plane crashed in fields near the town of Cheb in West Bohemia. Firemen discovered two charred corpses at the scene of the crash. Police are trying to identify the victims.
    Author: Rob Cameron

  • Prague Spring festival due to start at Obecni Dum
    05/11/2006

    The famous Prague Spring classical music festival is due to start on Thursday evening, with a concert at Prague's Obecni Dum hall. The concert celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, and to commemorate the event the Czech Philharmonic will play the same three pieces of music that were performed at the inaugural concert in 1946.
    Author: Rob Cameron

  • Villa midfielder Berger to retire from football if injuries persist next season
    05/11/2006

    In football news the Aston Villa midfielder Patrik Berger says he will retire from the game if he suffers another season marred by injury. The former Czech international has been dogged by problems with his knee and has played just nine times since joining the Premiere League club last summer.
    Author: Rob Cameron

  • Police heads removed from office following May Day beating
    05/10/2006

    Heads will roll in connection with last week's police action against the head of the government's human rights section, Katerina Jacques, the Czech Police chief Vladislav Husak announced on Wednesday. Ms Jacques, a candidate for the opposition Green Party in the upcoming parliamentary elections, says she was beaten by a police officer when she refused to stop protesting against a May Day neo-Nazi demonstration in the Prague 2 district. The police officer will most likely be charged with the abuse of power, causing bodily harm, and limiting personal freedoms.

    As of May 15, the head of the Prague 2 police headquarters and his deputy will no longer hold their posts; disciplinary proceedings against the representative of the Prague Police have been launched. The incident has also cost police president Husak his promotion to the rank of General. Police psychologists will be present at all major operations in order to prevent similar incidents in the future.
    Author: Dita Asiedu

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