• President congratulates Poland's president-elect
    10/24/2005

    President Vaclav Klaus congratulated Polish president-elect Lech Kaczynski on Monday following his weekend victory, inviting him to visit Prague at the first opportunity following his inauguration. Mr Kaczynski the 56-year-old conservative co-founder of the Law and Justice party, gained just over 54 percent of the vote in Sunday's poll, beating his liberal rival, Donald Tusk of the Civic Platform party. In a statement on Monday the Czech president, Mr Klaus, said the Czech Republic and Poland shared "many political and economic priorities".
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • Former Sparta president cleared of wrongdoing
    10/24/2005

    Former president of the Sparta Prague football club, Petr Mach, has been cleared of criminal charges by a Prague court. The prosecution had been trying to find Mr Mach guilty of fraud for failing to pay back a 160 million crown bank loan, but could not pin the charge on the defendant, found guilty in an earlier ruling later that was later struck down by the high court. The prosecution has appealed the ruling.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • Driver who killed three released on parole
    10/24/2005

    A 31-year-old driver who killed three police officers in a hit-and-run two years ago, has been released on parole, shortening by half his four year sentence. The driver was released on grounds of good behaviour and the fact he had no previous criminal sentence. He will be on probation for the next seven years.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • Aero Vodochody announces its first order to supply parts for the Ariane 5 space rocket
    10/24/2005

    The Czech aircraft company Aero Vodochody announced Monday its first order to supply parts for the Ariane 5 space rocket. The company will provide a German subcontractor for the rocket programme, MT Aerospace, based in Augsburg, with aluminium sheet metal components for the rocket, the company said in a statement, adding the contract was worth hundreds of thousands of crowns. Aero Vodochody is state owned but slated for privatisation by the current Social Democrat-led government.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • Cech, Nedved, among candidates for Golden Ball
    10/24/2005

    The prestigious soccer magazine France Football has listed two Czech players among the fifty in the running for the annual Golden Ball award for European Footballer of the Year. Petr Cech, netminder for FC Chelsea and Pavel Nedved, midfielder for Juventus Turin are both included on the list. Petr Cech has now been nominated twice by the magazine; Pavel Nedved, who has been nominated eight times, won the award in 2003.
    Author: Jan Velinger

  • PM to cooperate with TI in curbing corruption
    10/23/2005

    Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek has said his Cabinet will cooperate with the international watchdog Transparency International in curbing corruption in the Czech Republic. Mr. Paroubek said in a TV debate on Sunday that he would welcome input from Transparency International on laws which are considered essential tools in fighting corruption, such as an effective conflict of interest law, a law on public tenders and an insolvency law relating to bankruptcy procedures. A recent report by Transparency International suggests that the Czech Republic has a serious problem fighting corruption.
    Author: Daniela Lazarová

  • Rath promises to suspend all private enterprise while in office
    10/23/2005

    David Rath, the prime ministers' controversial nominee for the post of health minister has promised to suspend all his private enterprise activities during his time in public service. Mr. Rath was appointed deputy health minister last week after President Klaus refused to approve his nomination for the top job citing conflict of interest. The Prime Minister renominated him for the post on Friday, threatening legal action to push the appointment through. A lightening survey indicates that the majority of Czechs support President Klaus' argument. Mr. Rath has said he would suspend his chairmanship of the Czech Medical Chamber for the duration, if he were appointed to the post of health minister.
    Author: Daniela Lazarová

  • Collins ill, Prague concerts re-scheduled
    10/23/2005

    The British singer and songwriter Phil Collins has had to cancel next week's concerts in Prague due to ill health. The concerts have been re-scheduled for November 23 and 24th. The agency Interconcerts said Mr. Collins had fallen ill on his world tour and would be unable to meet his obligations in Prague next week. All tickets remain valid.
    Author: Daniela Lazarová

  • More preventive measures against spread of bird flu
    10/23/2005

    The Czech Agriculture Ministry has stepped up bird-flu controls, introducing a series of new measures effective immediately. The ministry announced a ban on the sale of poultry and live birds at markets and exhibitions and has cancelled pigeon racing contests and budgerigar exhibitions across the country. Czech breeders have also been requested not to take part in any international events. There is a ban on outdoor breeding for poultry farms and small breeders.
    Author: Daniela Lazarová

  • Rift over health minister deepens
    10/22/2005

    The clash of wills between the president and prime minister over who should lead the health sector continues. President Klaus refused to appoint the Prime Minister's nominee David Rath on Thursday, citing conflict of interests since Mr. Rath heads of the main doctors' association, the Czech Medical Chamber. The Prime Minister first sought a way around the rejection, appointing Mr. Rath deputy health minister, then re-nominated him for the post of health minister on Friday, threatening legal action to push the appointment through. Both the prime minister and president have said they are ready to call in the Constitutional Court to resolve the dispute.
    Author: Daniela Lazarová

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