• Aero Vodochody last privatisation before elections, says Sobotka
    01/06/2006

    Between now and general elections in June the government is only planning one major privatisation, the sell-off of plane makers Aero Vodochody, Finance Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said on Friday. Mr Sobotka said the privatisation of the Czech national airline, CSA, would be a task for a future government.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Number of train conductors down as more passengers stamp own tickets
    01/06/2006

    Czech Railways is gradually decreasing the number of conductors on its trains, Mlada fronta Dnes reported. In an effort to save money, the company has increased the number of trains on which passengers stamp their own tickets in special machines. A quarter of Czech Railways routes - mostly in the regions - are now without conductors.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Jandak grants Cesky Krumlov revolving theatre at least two more years
    01/06/2006

    Culture Minister Vitezslav Jandak has signed a contract allowing a controversial revolving theatre in the park of Cesky Krumlov's castle and chateau to remain in place for at least two more years. It had been due to be removed this year after protests from preservationists, who say it does not belong in the Baroque park.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Accident causes blackout in Brno
    01/06/2006

    The centre of Brno was without electricity for two hours on Thursday night. The blackout was caused by an accident which had first been reported as a gas leak, but turned out to be connected with power distribution.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Man injured by falling tonne of snow and ice
    01/06/2006

    A man was injured when around a tonne of snow and ice fell on him from the roof of a building near the west Bohemian town of Jachymov. Rescue workers had to dig the man from under around half a metre of snow before taking him to hospital.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Hockey star Elias shines soon after return to ice
    01/06/2006

    The Czech ice hockey star Patrik Elias notched up two goals and two assists in New Jersey's 5:4 win over Montreal in the NHL on Thursday. It was only Elias's second game back after almost a year out of the game with jaundice.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Czech arms dealer arrested in Brussels
    01/05/2006

    Police in Brussels have arrested a Czech arms dealer Dalibor Kopp, wanted since 2004 on an international warrant for allegedly trying to illegally import munitions into Iraq. In the past Mr Kopp faced charges in Liberia and was accused of having ties to Arab terrorist organisations. His arrest Thursday took place at around 6:30 am at Brussel's international airport. The Czech Republic will reportedly now seek his extradition. If found guilty of illegal arms trafficking, Mr Kopp could face up to ten years in prison.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • Czech military health unit to wrap up mission in Pakistan
    01/05/2006

    Some 30 Czech soldiers, who are part of a NATO-led contingent providing humanitarian aid in Pakistan, are set to wrap up their mission and return to the Czech Republic next week. The Czechs have been in Pakistan for almost a quarter of a year, arriving roughly two weeks after the country was hit by a devastating earthquake in October. In tandem with Dutch health workers, Czech military health officials treated some 6,000 patients during their stay in Pakistan. When they depart next week, the Czech unit will escort 11 Pakistanis, mostly children, requiring special medical attention in the Czech Republic.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • Businessman wanted by court, Czech police, returns to the Czech Rep
    01/05/2006

    Czech businessman Tomas Pitr, sentenced to 8.5 years in prison for tax fraud in November, has returned to the Czech Republic for the first time since December 23rd. Last month a Prague court issued a warrant for his arrest for fear Mr Pitr might attempt to flee from justice during a holiday abroad. But, on Thursday, Mr Pitr and his defense team appeared before a Prague court reportedly to meet the court's terms. These are said to include Mr Pitr paying bail of an estimated 15 million crowns (around 627,000 US dollars), as well as surrendering his Czech passport and pledging not to leave the country ahead of upcoming legal proceedings. Earlier, Tomas Pitr appealed his sentence and until now has maintained he has no intentions of trying to escape.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • Germany's Fredi Bobic considers offer from football's Sparta Prague
    01/05/2006

    Former international striker Fredi Bobic of Germany has admitted he is considering an offer from Czech football club Sparta Prague. Mr Bobic told the Czech daily "Sport" he was not against the move, saying he was willing to sit down and discuss the offer. The 34-year-old player, a member of Germany's victorious team from Euro '96, is currently training with an amateur team in Stuttgart. Bobic racked up 37 caps playing for Germany's national side, and played 285 games in Germany's first division Bundesliga. Sparta Prague are currently looking for ways to vamp up their team after a disappointing fall season.
    Author: Jan Velinger

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