News of Radio Prague

Traffic accidents: an average of one fatality every seven hours in the Czech Republic in 2002

Statistics released by the Interior Ministry have shown that the first 11 months of 2002 saw a rise in traffic accidents that saw an average of one person killed every seven hours, almost 1,200 fatalities overall, 63 more than the same period last year. According to the information, released on the Interior Ministry's web site, speeding was the to blame in almost half of the fatal accidents. The second most common factor were poor driving skills, the third, the failure to yield at intersections. Overall 2002 saw 173, 000 traffic accidents, 5, 800 more than last year.

Meteorologists warn of return of icy conditions in Moravia, north Bohemia

Meteorologists are warning drivers that Sunday evening will see a build up of icy conditions on roads in Moravia due to freezing rain. Northeast Bohemia is also likely to be affected, as showers move from the south-west. Recently the Czech Republic was hit by extreme weather conditions that led to hundreds of traffic accidents, several of them fatal, and car pile-ups, as well as pedestrian injuries due to falls on the ice. Saturday and Sunday saw an improvement in conditions with full accessibility to Czech roads. Currently expected showers are likely to be replaced by snowfall on Tuesday.

2003 will not start well for some 1, 600 workers in the Liberec region, lay-offs expected

2003 will not start well for at some 1, 600 workers in the Liberec region in the north of the Czech Republic are likely to be laid-off. That is the indications of statistics released by the work bureau in the area. The end of November saw some 18, 600 people in the region out of work and that number is expected to grow over the first few months of the new year. Unemployment there is currently at 8.8 percent. Three local firms have announced they will cease production, while other companies are reducing staff to reduce production costs.

Czechs downed by Team Canada's strong offence in lop-sided game

The Czech Republic's Men's Under 20 ice hockey team has lost in its second outing at the World Junior Hockey Championships in Halifax, Canada. The Czechs were defeated solidly by Team Canada by a score of 4 - 0. Upshall, Tootoo, Wellwood, and Parenteau all notched up goals. The Czech's loss comes on the heels of their 3 - 0 opener over Germany; two matches remain in the first round against Finland and Sweden. The Czechs need to win at least one game if they hope to advance in the championships to defend back-to-back gold medal titles. Of the two remaining teams they face Finland first on Monday.

Czech tennis team victorious over Slovaks in Perth

Members of the Czech tennis team taking part in the Hopman tennis tournament in Perth, Australia both got off to a good start Sunday: Daja Bedanova beat Slovak rival Daniela Hantuchova while Czech Jiri Novak beat Slovak Dominik Hrbaty to give the Czechs two points so far. In other matches on Group B Sunday Australia easily defeated Italy, who the Czechs will face next.

Weather

Monday will see overcast weather with showers and daytime temperatures reaching highs between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius. Temperatures in mountainous areas will hover at around 2 degrees.