News of Radio Prague

Supreme Audit Office to file lawsuit over Education Ministry's Internet for schools project

A spokeswoman for the Supreme Audit Office has said the bureau will file a lawsuit over the Education Ministry's controversial 'Internet for Schools' project. On Tuesday Ms Sebelova revealed that police would be required to investigate just who was responsible for using at least 884 million crowns in the project wrongly. The Education Ministry, meanwhile, is waiting for legal analysis of the Audit Office's report, and is expected to make a decision on the future of the Internet project in the coming days. It will also consider filing charges with the police over the mismanagement of funds. The Internet for Schools project cost the state some 7 billion crowns, but was criticised early on by some teachers and opposition politicians for ineffective spending. The Supreme Audit Office has allegedly also found that the Education Ministry violated a law on budget regulations, and signed contracts disadvantageous to the state.

Police used DNA sample to hunt down suspect of multiple rapes, sexual abuse

Police in north-east Moravia are holding a man in custody suspected of having raped four women and sexually abused a child in the Prerov region in separate incidents over the last three years. The last incident is said to have taken place at the beginning of May, with the suspect luring an 11-year-old boy to a wooden railway shack, where he sexually assaulted him. Police spokeswoman Dagmar Bednarikova revealed on Tuesday that a DNA sample had helped police track down the suspect. He has apparently been held since May. His case had not been made public due to additional charges and an on-going investigation; if found guilty the suspect could face up to 8 years in prison.

Future uncertain for several dozen Skoda workers in Kvasiny

Union representatives and representatives from Skoda Auto in Mlada Boleslav have been meeting to discuss the future of several dozen workers whose jobs are being phased out at Skoda's Kvasiny plant. The streamlining comes in response to an overall reduction in the number of manufactured luxury sedans, known as the Skoda Superb, which the plant currently produces. While Skoda has offered its Kvasiny workers relocation to its Mlada Boleslav plant interest remains low even though the workers could lose their jobs entirely. Skoda spokesman Jaroslav Cerny said talks are likely to continue throughout the week. However, it remains unclear whether a consensus will be reached: some Kvasiny workers have complained relocation to the Boleslav plant would require living away from home, while others have expressed dissatisfaction with the offered wages.

South Moravian regional governor weighs safety measures in light of continuing dry spell

South Moravian regional governor Stanislav Juranek is weighing whether or not to call for extraordinary safety measures in light of the continuing dry spell in southern Moravia, which has increased the possibility of forest fires. On Tuesday Mr Juranek said the situation was being continually monitored, adding he was in regular contact with the regional fire chief. Extraordinary measures would mean a ban on building open fires in nature as well as on private property. South Moravia has been hit by a heavy dry spell over the last few weeks, witnessing very few light and scattered showers; the coming days are not expected to offer much respite.

Insurance not yet renewed for Fischer Air jets

The Atlantik financial group, which bought up debts held by the Czech Republic's largest travel agency Fischer Travel just over a week ago, has yet to reach agreement with the Allianz insurance company over insurance coverage for the travel agency's three leased passenger jets. Allianz spokesman Milan Kana made the announcement on Tuesday, saying talks would continue. Meanwhile Atlantik has declined to comment. The Allianz insurance company cancelled the travel agency's contract in late July over unpaid debts, meaning that unless a new contract is renegotiated, the Fischer agency's planes will only be allowed to fly until the end of August. The Atlantik financial group is reportedly negotiating to pay off several million crowns in debt and to have a new contract extended as of September.

Weather

Wednesday should see sunny periods alternating with cloudiness and a chance of showers in Prague. Daytime temperatures should reach between 29 to 33 degrees Celsius.