News
Kozeny may fight extradition to US, says lawyer
A lawyer for Viktor Kozeny says his client may fight extradition to the US, following his arrest by the FBI in the Bahamas. The controversial Czech businessman is accused of taking part in a scheme to fly millions of dollars into Azerbaijan to bribe officials there for control of the state oil company.
Mr Kozeny - nicknamed the Pirate of Prague - is also wanted in the Czech Republic, after he fled the country with millions obtained from small investors during the privatisation process of the 1990s.
Last Czech victim of tsunami disaster identified
The last Czech victim of last year's tsunami disaster was identified in Phuket, Thailand earlier this week, Mlada fronta Dnes reported. Vladimir Mandak, who was 17, was identified by means of DNA analysis. Both of his parents were also killed in the disaster. A total of nine Czechs died in the tsunami and its aftermath in Thailand and Sri Lanka.
Prague airport closed after bomb threat
Prague's Ruzyne Airport was closed for just over an hour on Friday afternoon, after an anonymous telephone bomb threat was received. The airport's main hall was evacuated, while passengers had to remain on planes which had just landed until a search was completed.
Austrians project anti-Temelin slogans onto nuclear plant's cooling tower
Austrian anti-nuclear activists projected slogans alleging the Temelin nuclear power station was unsafe onto one of its cooling towers on Thursday night. The protest marked five years since the launch of the plant, which is around 60 km from the border with nuclear-free Austria.
Supermarket manager charged with endangering public health
Police in Ceske Budejovice have charged a manager of a branch of the Julius Meinl supermarket chain with endangering public health; she is alleged to have ordered employees to place mouldy food on the shelves. The boss is also accused of herself changing the date on out-of-date meat and putting it back on sale. Poor hygiene and dubious practices at the supermarket were uncovered by inspectors at the end of last month.
Czech Radio considers licence fee for people who listen over internet
Czech Radio is considering the possibility of introducing radio licence fees for computers with a sound card and internet connection, Hospodarske noviny reported on Friday. The public service station has commissioned a study into whether such computers qualify as "radio receivers", the daily said.
Gay group using comic to persuade MPs to vote for registered partnerships
A homosexual rights group is hoping to persuade MPs to vote for registered partnerships by means of a comic book, Tereza Kodickova of the Gay and Lesbian League said on Friday. The comic features a cactus and a bonsai tree living together, and is intended to promote gay rights in a light-hearted way.
The lower house is due to vote on the issue later this month. Last year a bill on registered partnerships was defeated by just one vote.
Baros fit for crucial football game against Holland
Striker Milan Baros has given the Czech football team a boost by declaring himself fit ahead of an important World Cup qualifying game against the Netherlands in Prague on Saturday. The Czechs will be without several key players: Jan Koller, Vratislav Lokvenc, Marek Jankulovski and Vladimir Smicer are all ruled out with injury, while team captain Tomas Galasek is doubtful.
Jagr, Hasek start new NHL season in style
Two of the Czech Republic's biggest ice hockey stars started the new NHL season in style on Thursday: forward Jaromir Jagr notched up two goals and an assist for the New York Rangers in their victory over Philadelphia, while goaltender Dominik Hasek saved a penalty in Ottawa's win over Toronto.
Weather
It should be quite sunny over the next few days, with temperatures of up to 19 degrees Celsius.
