• Czech Roman Catholic missionary taken hostage in Haiti
    12/09/2005

    A Czech missionary, Roman Musil, has been taken hostage in Haiti. His kidnappers are demanding that the Czech Roman Catholic agency he works for pay a ransom of 50,000 US dollars for his release. Mr Musil, who is 34, has been living in Haiti for several years.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Growth of Czech economy slows but trend still healthy
    12/09/2005

    The Czech economy grew by 4.9 percent in the third quarter of this year, a slowdown from 5.2 percent in the second quarter, according to figures released on Friday. That deceleration was due to a decline in agriculture, while foreign trade has remained the driving force of growth.

    In spite of the slowdown, the Czech economy has remained the second-fastest growing in central Europe, after Slovakia, and this year's growth in gross domestic product is set to be the fastest since 1995.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Deal on site for Hyundia car plant must be struck by end of month, says Urban
    12/09/2005

    The minister of industry and trade, Milan Urban, says a deal on securing a site for carmaker Hyundia in Moravia must be struck very soon. Speaking after talks with a Hyundia representative on Friday, Mr Urban said December 31st was the deadline for finding a site. Three places are in consideration for the car plant, which would provide a major boost for the economy in the region.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • German companies apply for permission to burn waste in Prague suburb
    12/09/2005

    Two German companies have applied for permission to burn 80,000 tonnes of waste in the Prague district of Malesice, Lidove noviny reported on Friday. A Czech Environment Ministry spokesperson said it was currently unclear whether permission would be given.

    There is a shortage of incinerator capacity in Germany, while incinerators in the Czech Republic are working at 55 percent of capacity, the daily said.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Thieves make off with complete ATM machine
    12/09/2005

    A complete bank ATM machine was stolen from a branch of Komercni banka in Desna, south Moravia on Wednesday night. The thieves used welding equipment to remove the ATM in what was the third such robbery in the Czech Republic.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Cats, dogs killed for fur in Czech Republic, says wife of former Beatle
    12/09/2005

    The wife of former Beatle Paul McCartney, Heather Mills McCartney, says cats in the Czech Republic are being snared on the streets for their fur and then skinned alive, the Czech Press Agency reported. Speaking at an anti-fur demonstration in Brussels, Ms Mills McCartney said dogs were also being killed for their skins in the Czech Republic. Cat and dog fur was being used to make little figures of pets as well as scarves, stoles and blankets, she said.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Skoda pulls out of world motor rally competition
    12/09/2005

    The Czech auto maker Skoda has withdrawn its team from the World Rally Championships. However, Skoda will provide vehicles for the Czech team of Jan Kopecky and Austria's Red Bull Skoda team for the 2006 championships. Skoda, owned by Volkswagen, scaled back its operations during the 2005 season and finished sixth in this year's competition.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Czech band Chinaski play to 11,000 in capital
    12/09/2005

    Czech rock band Chinaski appeared before 11,000 fans at a sold-out T-Mobile Arena in Prague on Thursday night. Chinaski, who are currently the biggest concert draw in Czech music, are in the middle of an 18-date tour of the country in support of their album Music Bar.
    Author: Ian Willoughby

  • Dagmar Havlova - the former First Lady - is being treated for heart problems and a chronic thyroid gland condition
    12/08/2005

    The wife of former president Vaclav Havel is being treated for a chronic thyroid gland condition and unspecified heart problems. Dagmar Havlova, aged 52, acknowledged in a statement that she was seeking treatment, after a series of reports on her health appeared in the Czech tabloid Blesk. She said doctors had recommended extensive rest and asked that the media respect her privacy and allow her to recover in peace. A film and theatre actress before she became First Lady, Dagmar Havlova had announced plans to return to the stage in March. Friends of the family were quoted as saying that was still her intention.
    Author: Brian Kenety

  • Senators have agreed on a candidate judge - Vladimir Kurka - to fill the last vacant seat on the Constitutional Court
    12/08/2005

    The upper house of Parliament has nominated a candidate to fill the last vacancy on the 15-member Constitutional Court. The nomination of Judge Vladimir Kurka, aged 57, was supported in a secret ballot by 61 of 65 senators present for the Thursday, the state news agency CTK reported. Judge Kurka has worked with the Supreme Court since 1996 and specialises in civil proceedings. He has never been a registered member of a political party. Czech President Vaclav Klaus is expected to approve Judge Kurka's appointment to the Constitutional Court this month.
    Author: Brian Kenety

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