News of Radio Prague
Police to face trial for breaking into Romany family's home, attacking them
Two policemen who allegedly attacked a Romany family in May this year are to face trial, the newspaper Mlada fronta Dnes reported on Friday. The state attorney says that after around 30 Prague-based police officers had been drinking in a pub near the central Bohemian town of Jicin, a group of them forced their way into the Davis family's home, shouted racist abuse and beat up some family members. The Interior Ministry has already conducted an inquiry into the alleged incident; it found no evidence of racism. If found guilty in court, the two officers could face five up to years in prison.
Unions at Dukovany nuclear power station to strike over pay dispute
Trade unions at the Dukovany nuclear power station in south Moravia are planning to go on strike in January in support of a demand for higher wages, a spokesman said on Friday. The unions are demanding a 12.5 percent pay rise, while the plant's operator, CEZ, is offering them a five percent increase. Staff at the Czech Republic's only other nuclear power station, Temelin, are making similar pay demands.
Health system could collapse in 2004, says health workers union
Meanwhile, the Health and Social Care Trade Union are warning that the country's health system could collapse next year. Union chairman Jiri Schlanger said on Friday that problems would arise because government moves to remedy a financial crisis in the health sector would not come into effect until 2005. Mr Schlanger said the authorities had displayed an inability to make use of the country's 80 years of experience of how to regulate health insurance.
Czechs interested in investing in Tajikistan, Svoboda tells Dushanbe
The Czech foreign minister, Cyril Svoboda, has been discussing opportunities for Czech investors in Tajikistan and the situation in the neighbouring Afghanistan on a visit to the Tajik capital, Dushanbe. Speaking after talks with the Tajik president, Emomali Rahmonov, Mr Svoboda said the Czech Republic would co-operate in the reconstruction of a cement works in Dushanbe, and would be interested in further investments.
Australian police step up hunt for Czech woman missing since Tuesday
Police in Australia have stepped up a hunt for a young Czech woman who has not been seen Tuesday. The woman, who is 23, broke away from a group of hikers, which included her sister and two friends, near a skiing resort in the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales.
Weather
Saturday is expected to be cloudy with rain in some parts of the country. The maximum temperature will be 5 degrees Celsius. Sunday should also be cloudy and wet, but slightly warmer at up to 8 degrees Celsius.
