News

Paroubek and Topolanek have come out against the proposed doubling of the 'parental' subsidy

Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek and opposition leader Mirek Topolanek of the Civic Democrats, have agreed to join forces to try to block a doubling of the so-called "parental" subsidy. The lower house of Parliament had voted to increase to 7200 crowns per month the non-means tested subsidy as of next January. The subsidy is paid to families with children between 6 months and 4 years of age. The prime minister said the measure is too costly, as it would mean 12 billion crowns more in annual spending. He instead proposed spreading out the increase over a four year period. The Senate has yet to debate the proposal.

Police have charged deputy Vladimir Dolezal with assisting in a bribery attempt

Police have charged the Civic Democrat deputy Vladimir Dolezal with assisting in attempted bribery. Mr Dolezal, who was stripped of his parliamentary immunity last month, denies any wrongdoing. He is accused of demanding the equivalent of some 35,000 US dollars from businessmen on behalf of a Prague district councillor on a local zoning development commission. Police reportedly have recordings of conversations of the alleged bribery attempt.

Fewer bankruptcies noted in 2005 than in the previous eight years

About 1200 companies went bankrupt in the year 2005 - the lowest rate in eight years, according to the Chamber of Specialists for Crisis Management and Insolvency. The business daily Hospodarske noviny said the lower bankruptcy rate was evidence of a healthy economy.

Winston Churchill wanted to 'flatten' German villages in retaliation for Lidice massacre

Winston Churchill wanted the British Royal Air Force to wipe out German villages in retaliation for the 1942 massacre of Czech civilians in the village of Lidice, The Guardian newspaper reported on Monday. Newly declassified wartime cabinet documents show Churchill wanted to attack small German villages "on a three-for-one basis." The plan, voted down by his Cabinet, was formed five days after German forces murdered most of the 450 occupants of Lidice, a village north of Prague. The Lidice massacre came in retaliation for the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, the Nazi governor of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.

Czech supermodel Eva Herzegova of Wonderbra fame is to direct a film - about herself

The Czech supermodel Eva Herzigova, who became a household name as a Wonderbra model, will make her directing debut in a new movie about her life. She told the Los Angeles Daily News the film would be a frank portrayal of her tough upbringing, wild life as a model, and brief marriage to the drummer of the rock band Bon Jovi.

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