News of Radio Prague
No change in number of Czech officers working for NATO in 2003
The Czech Army command has said there will be no change in the number of Czech soldiers working for NATO's political and military structures in 2003. A spokesman said approximately 150 Czech military officers would be serving in NATO's command facilities in Europe and the United States. Czech officers will also continue to serve at the headquarters of the U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom in Florida.
Staff at Temelin re-launch first reactor
Staff at the Czech Republic's Temelin nuclear power station have re-launched the plant's first reactor, which was shut down in early December in order to save fuel. The reactor will reach full capacity in January, in order to meet increased demand for energy. Temelin's recently-launched second reactor was re-connected to the national grid on Sunday morning, after a four-month shutdown for repairs.
Police issue traditional New Year's Eve firework warning
Police have issued their traditional firework warning ahead of New Year's Eve. A spokesman said people should only buy fireworks which carry official safety certificates, and should purchase them in shops, rather than from street markets. Dozens of people are injured each year in firework accidents, and there have been several fatalities.
Czech actors, directors pay tribute to Julius Satinsky
Members of the Czech film and theatre world have been paying tribute to Julius Satinsky, the Slovak actor who died on Sunday at the age of 61. Among those paying tribute to Satinsky was the Oscar-winning director Jiri Menzel, who said the Slovak actor was an example of how to look at the world in a positive light.
Bus driver to appear in court over fatal road accident
A bus driver is to appear in court over the deaths of two elderly people in a road accident in September. The two died after their car was hit by the bus in the Karlin district of Prague. The driver faces charges of causing death by dangerous driving.
Police arrest armed robbery suspect
Police have arrested a man accused of carrying out an armed robbery of a bank in the Brno area in June. The 30-year-old man has been accused of two further armed robberies in the area. Five million crowns was stolen in June's armed robbery, which took place at a branch of Komercni banka in Vyskov, near Brno.
Weather forecast
Tuesday will see the arrival of a band of cold air from the north, bringing snow in mountainous areas. Temperatures in the daytime will hover around freezing, falling at night to lows of minus four degrees.
