News

Latest round of talks on radar base concludes

The latest round of talks between Czech and US negotiators on American plans to build a radar base in central Bohemia ended on Wednesday. Among the issues on the agenda during the three-day meeting at the Czech Defence Ministry were legal jurisdiction over US soldiers based in the Czech Republic, and whether US vehicles would have Czech or American number plates. The Czech prime minister, Mirek Topolánek, is due to discuss the planned base with President George Bush on a visit to Washington in four weeks’ time. Mr Topolánek has previously indicated that the Czech Parliament would vote on the matter after a NATO summit in Romania in April. The radar base would be part of a US global anti-missile defence system and would be linked to a planned rocket base in Poland.

Drunken police officer stabs US man to death in Prague

A Prague police officer has been charged with the stabbing to death of an American man in the city on Tuesday night. Police arrested the officer, who was drunk, shortly after the incident, which occurred near the Sazka Arena in Prague 9. The internet news site Deník.cz reported that the American had stopped his car after the policeman made vulgar gestures. Following an argument the two began to fight, during which the officer stabbed the man three times. The American, who was based in Germany, died at the scene.

Havel documentary premieres in Prague

The premiere of the documentary Občan Havel (Citizen Havel) is taking place at Prague’s Slovanský Dům on Wednesday evening. The film was 15 years in the making and offers a behind-the-scenes look at Václav Havel’s tenure as Czech president. When original director Pavel Koutecký died during the making of another film in 2006, Občan Havel was completed by Miroslav Janek. The former playwright and dissident, who is 71, will not be attending the premiere; Mr Havel has been in hospital for nearly two weeks after suffering from minor heart problems.

Prague apartment owners win noise reduction case

Nearly 1,000 owners of apartments beside the magistrála road which runs through Prague have won a court case they brought against the city authorities over excessive noise levels. The Prague Municipal Court has given the city one year to reduce the noise level in the vicinity of the Prague 4 flats to 45 decibels during the day and 35 decibels after 10 pm. The decision overturns a previous ruling by a district court. Court experts recorded noise levels of nearly 70 decibels during the day and 60 decibels at night on the magistrála.

War hero General Jan Paroulek dies at 85

The Czech World War II hero General Jan Paroulek has died at the age of 85. General Paroulek fought in the Battle of Britain and the Battle of Normandy and received a number of honours including the Czechoslovak War Cross and the French Legion of Honour. However, after the communist takeover of 1948 he was expelled from the army; two years later he received a 12-year prison term in a political trial. General Paroulek later played an active role in the 1989 Velvet Revolution in his home town of Přerov. He will be buried on Monday with military honours.

Čunek welfare abuse investigation dropped

An investigation into alleged welfare abuse by the Christian Democrat leader Jiří Čunek has been shelved, the Havířov state attorney said on Wednesday. Mr Čunek had been accused of accepting social welfare payments while at the same time allegedly having millions of crowns in various bank accounts. In November he stood down as deputy prime minister and minister for regional development over another case, in which he was accused of accepting bribes while mayor of a town in Moravia. Since the shelving of that investigation he has been demanding to be reinstated to the cabinet.

US group which bought Čedok also interested in Czech Airlines

The American company which bought the Čedok travel agency is also interested in buying Czech Airlines, Aktuálně.cz reported. A spokesperson for Odien Group told the news website the firm wanted to take part in the privatisation of the Czech national carrier. No date has been set for the sell-off, though the Czech Finance Ministry has said it could take place this year.

Athens silver medallist in yachting Šmídová reaches Beijing Olympics

Athens silver medallist in yachting Lenka Šmídová has qualified at the very last opportunity for this summer’s Olympic Games. Šmídová and her new partner Lenka Mrzílková made the cut for Beijing after the two Czechs finished 22nd in the World Championships for the Olympic 470 class in Australia’s Melbourne.

Weather

It should remain cloudy in the next day or two with some bright spells expected at the weekend. Temperatures will reach a maximum of 5 degrees Celsius.