News
Police planning to prevent unauthorised far-right march
Fourteen hundred police officers will be deployed around Prague's Jewish Quarter on Saturday to prevent an unauthorised demonstration planned by far-right extremists. The neo-Nazi group lost a legal battle to hold a march through the Jewish Quarter on November 10, the anniversary of the 1938 Kristallnacht Nazi pogrom. The Jewish Liberal Union have organised a counter-event, while other anti-fascist demonstrators are also expected to turn out. In a statement, Prague Mayor Pavel Bem said the city's authorities had to prepare for the worst possible scenario, including the possible participation of foreign far-right activists.
Czechs would have own team at US radar base and headquarters, under new agreement
Under an agreement reached by Czech and US diplomats, a Czech general and his team would be permanently based at a planned US radar base in central Bohemia. There would also be Czech military personnel at the headquarters of the US global anti-missile defence system in Colorado Springs, the chief Czech negotiator Tomas Pojar said after talks between representatives of both countries in Prague. The Czech Parliament is set to decide next year on whether to allow the Americans to build the radar, which would be linked to a missiles base in neighbouring Poland.
Communists and Christian Democrats considering whether to back Svejnar presidential bid
Both the Communists and the Christian Democrats say they are still considering whether to support the possible candidature of Jan Svejnar for the post of president of the Czech Republic. The economist met representatives of both parties in Prague on Tuesday, days after both the Social Democrats and the Greens said they would back in him in February's elections. Mr Svejnar would need the votes of both the Communists and the Christian Democrats to beat the incumbent Vaclav Klaus, the only candidate in the race so far.
Jan Svejnar, who is 54, has spent most of his life in the United States. He was an economic advisor to former president Vaclav Havel for almost a decade.
Czech Airlines in profit for first time in three years
Czech Airlines is in the black for the first time in three years. The president of CSA, Radomir Lasak, told reporters on Tuesday that the airline had made a profit of over CZK 550 million in the first three quarters of this year. Mr Lasak said much of the profits in the first nine months of 2007 were down to the sale and leasing back of five Boeing planes, though he said the Czech national carrier would have gone into the black even without that deal.
Czechs would have own team at US radar base and headquarters, under new agreement
Under an agreement reached by Czech and US diplomats, a Czech general and his team would be permanently based at a planned US radar base in central Bohemia. There would also be Czech military personnel at the headquarters of the US global anti-missile defence system in Colorado Springs, the chief Czech negotiator Tomas Pojar said after talks between representatives of both countries in Prague. The Czech Parliament is set to decide next year on whether to allow the Americans to build the radar, which would be linked to a missiles base in neighbouring Poland.
Czech and Austrian interior ministers discuss Euro 2008 policing
The Czech and Austrian interior ministers have signed an agreement on co-operation during next year's European Football Championship, which is being hosted by Austria and Switzerland. Though the Czech Republic will then be in the Schengen zone, Vienna would have the right to carry out border controls during Euro 2008. However, that possibility was not discussed at Tuesday's meeting in Mikulov, said the Czech interior minister, Ivan Langer. Czech police will help their Austrian and Swiss counterparts monitor Czech fans when the Czech Republic is playing.
Czech crown sets another new record against dollar
The Czech crown has again set a new record against the United States dollar. On Tuesday evening the Czech currency was trading at 18:48 to the dollar, after further weakening of the latter on world markets.
Deputy mayor hospitalised by angry citizen
The deputy mayor of the south Moravian town of Trebic was taken to hospital on Monday after being attacked at the local town hall by a citizen. Milos Masek sustained injuries to his head, wrist and chest in the attack, which is believed to have been carried out by a man who was angry about the poor soundproofing in his municipality-owned apartment building. Mr Masek said he had shown the man the door when he began speaking offensively, whereupon the man jumped on his back and began hitting him.
Nedved defends himself against charges of violent conduct after breaking Figo's leg
The Czech football star Pavel Nedved has reacted angrily to accusations of violent conduct directed against him after he broke the leg of Luis Figo in a game between his Juventus and Inter Milan. A letter by Nedved defending himself against condemnation by the newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport appeared on Juve's website on Tuesday. The player said he had not intended to hurt Figo, and had apologised to him after the incident.
Sparta Prague target hooligan fans
Sparta Prague football club have taken a stand against hooligan elements among their supporters. Sparta on Tuesday announced a raft of measures aimed at bringing to an end anti-Semitic chanting and the letting off of forbidden flares. The club is also planning to bar some individual fans, and keep a record of those who gather in the "ultras" section at their Prague stadium.
Weather
Forecasters have warned of strong winds in the next few days. It will also be cloudy with rain or snow in places, and temperatures of up to around 8 degrees Celsius.
