News

The world’s largest software producer Microsoft is in talks to buy the biggest Czech Internet web site Seznam.cz, the daily Hospodářské noviny reported on Monday. The founder and owner of Seznam.cz Ivo Lukačovič is to meet Microsoft head Steve Ballmer, who will be lecturing in Prague in May. Mr Lukačovič has denied the news on the sale.

The Association of Czech GPs has expressed support for the introduction of fees for medical services within the health care reforms introduced at the beginning of this year. GPs say that the symbolic fee of thirty crowns per visit has reduced the number of patients who seek medical attention for minor problems, allowing doctors to devote more time and attention to people who truly need it. Doctors keep the money they collect in fees and generally use it to modernize their surgeries or waiting-rooms. The introduction of fees has come under severe criticism on the grounds that a visit to the doctor should be covered by health insurance.

Finance Minister Miroslav Kalousek of the Christian Democrats has said he would be prepared to accept some changes to the proposed bill on a settlement between the state and churches if it was unacceptable to part of the Civic Democratic party in its present form. However Mr. Kalousek said the changes would have to be discussed with church representatives. Under the proposed bill, which would compensate churches for property lost under the communist regime, the state would have to pay close to 270 billion crowns in restitution money plus interest over the next 60 years.

Seven people were injured on Saturday in a collision between a bus and several cars during the filming of “G.I.Joe” in the centre of Prague. The accident happened in a closed area that was rented out to filmmakers for the weekend. Seven people were taken to hospital for treatment but their injuries are reported to have been light and all are said to be doing well. According to unofficial reports it appears that one of the cars doing a stunt scene had trouble breaking.