NEWS
Vít: Swine flu could reach ČR in five weeks
Michael Vít, the country’s chief public health officer, said the deadly swine flu strain that has broken out in Mexico could spread to the Czech Republic within four to five weeks if there is a mutation that enables human-to-human transmission. Czech health experts are preparing leaflets to be posted in airports with information on the flu’s symptoms and modes of transmission and how people can protect themselves.
most Czech press
Ex-Klan leader Duke arrested, expelled from ČR
Former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke, who was visiting the country at the invitation of extremist groups to promote the Czech translation of his book, My Awakening, was arrested Friday on charges of promoting the suppression of human rights. Police ordered Duke to leave the country by midnight Friday, which he did, according to far-right activist Filip Vávra, the organiser of the visit. Most Czech lawyers and politicians queried by ČTK agreed with the police action.
most Czech press
Interior Ministry wants to send more foreigners home
Interior Minister Ivan Langer plans to submit to the cabinet next week a proposal to earmark another CZK 90 million for free air tickets and EUR 500 bonuses to foreigners who have lost their jobs in the Czech Republic. So far, 1,400 people out of quota of 2,000 have used the government aid to return to their home country. Nearly 70,000 foreigners in Czech Republic have work permits that will expire in mid-2009.
HN 1, 4
Langer: Roma must help fight extremism
Interior Minister Ivan Langer said in an interview with Saturday’s Právo that the battle against extremism can only be successful if Roma, the main targets of neo-Nazi violence, play an active role. Langer said people who work hard to provide for their families are easily tempted toward extremism when they see people who refuse to work. A march Saturday by the extreme-right Workers’ Party in Krupka, north Bohemia, went off without major incident, as riot police were on hand to prevent confrontations between the demonstrators and local Roma.
most Czech press
Kocáb: Up to 90 neo-Nazis work for army
The Czech military employs up to 90 neo-Nazi sympathizers, who in turn use their know-how to help professionalise extremist organisations, Minister for Human Rights Michael Kocáb said on Czech Television Sunday. Kocáb said he aims to establish a commission of experts to help deal with the situation.
MfD A2, Právo 2
Collection launched for burned Roma family
As of Sunday people who want to donate money to help the Roma family that was the victim of an alleged arson attack in Vítkov can send donations to Komerční banka account number 43-4619960257/0100. The collection will run till the end of the year.
Právo 5, ČTK
C. Bohemian pharmacies to give out vouchers
Pharmacies in Central Bohemia will start giving out CZK 30 discount vouchers to customers as of 4 May. The move is a reaction to a court ruling earlier this month that the region is not allowed to directly cover the prescription fees.
Právo 4 Sat, LN 4 Sat, ČTK
Ministry to raise pay for hospital nurses
Departing Health Minister Daniela Filipiová said hospital nurses’ wages will likely be raised by 15% as of July. Health insurance companies have allocated CZK 1 billion for the pay hike.
LN 4 Sat, Právo 1, 4 Sat
Analysts: EU membership has benefited country
Political analysts polled by ČTK said membership has brought the country more benefits than disadvantages. The gains include the free movement within the EU, trade without borders, and better environmental and consumer protection. The downside is a number of regulations and quotas, such as emission restrictions. The country will mark the fifth anniversary of EU accession on 1 May.
ČTK
Pecina vows to donate salary if named minister
Antimonopoly office head Martin Pecina said that if he is appointed interior minister he will donate one of his salaries to charity. President Václav Klaus, who will appoint the new cabinet members 8 May, said he does not think holding both positions would be a conflict of interests, but many experts and political figures have argued otherwise.
most Saturday press
Jiřičná to build Kaplický’s concert hall in Č. Budějovice
Czech architect Eva Jiřičná said she will take over the project to build a concert hall in České Budějovice and will follow the late Jan Kaplický’s design.
MfD A1, A4 Sat
Tick season in full swing
The National Institute of Public Health warns that tick season has begun. People spending time outdoors are urged to use tick repellent and check their skin and clothing for ticks.
ČTK
BUSINESS
Ahold to close 21 shops in ČR
Grocery chain Ahold plans to shutter 21 of its Czech shops – 20 Albert supermarkets and one Hypernova hypermarket – at the beginning of summer due to the stores’ poor profitability.
LN 7 Sat, MfD A8 Sat, HN 18
Survey: Most Czech job-seekers willing to work for less
More than half of Czech job seekers would be willing to earn less than they did in previous employment, according to a March survey of 2,500 applicants by recruitment agency Grafton. Almost 80% of respondents said they would accept work for which they are overqualified, and more than half would commute an hour or more.
HN 15, 18
ČR seeks alliance of Druzhba pipeline operators
The Industry and Trade Ministry and MERO ČR, the state-owned operator of the Czech portion of the Druzhba pipeline, are laying the groundwork for an alliance of European Druzhba operators with the aim of simplifying and making more transparent the transport of oil from Siberia to the west. The project involves modernisation of the pipeline in some states and provision of Czech know-how for neighbouring states.
HN 16
LN: Insurance fraud on the rise
Citing data from Czech insurers Česká pojišťovna (ČP) and Kooperativa, Lidové noviny reported Saturday that insurance fraud is on the rise in the country. Kooperativa uncovered more than 100 fraudulent insurance claims in the first quarter of 2009, a year-on-year increase of 23%. ČP found 393 such cases during the same period. The Czech Insurance Association estimates that one in five reported claims is fraudulent.
LN 1, 7 Sat
Hyundai to export cars to Mexico
The Czech unit of South Korean automaker Hyundai is preparing a contract to supply cars to Mexico. The firm said neither the exact volume of supplies nor any dates have yet been set. Hyundai is planning to hire 600 people and produce 160,000 units in the Czech Republic by year-end.
HN 17
ČR, Slovakia to share IMF/World Bank reps
For the first time since the split of Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia have agreed on a common representation at the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. A Slovak will represent both countries at the IMF, and a Czech will do so at the bank. The countries will switch roles every four years.
ČTK
ÚOHS suspends non-bid ministry deals with O2
The antimonopoly office (ÚOHS) on Friday suspended two contracts worth CZK 570 million which the Agriculture Ministry was going to award to Telefónica O2 without a public bidding process.
MfD A8 Sat
Country drew 75% of EU subsidies in 2004-2006
The Czech Republic drew some CZK 90 billion in EU money from 2004 through 2006, nearly three-quarters of the subsidies to which the country was entitled in that period. Most of the money went to municipalities, regions and NGOs. The subsidies were most often used for highway repairs, waterworks projects, and construction of sports and recreational facilities.
ČTK
Albania OKs selling power supplier to ČEZ
On Friday the Albanian parliament approved selling 76% of the energy distributor DSO to Czech power giant ČEZ. ČEZ is expected to invest at least EUR 200 million to prevent energy theft from DSO.
ČTK
Poll: Elderly, disabled, moms suffer discrimination at work
Four out of five Czechs believe some groups experience discrimination in the workplace, according to an April STEM survey. The disadvantaged groups include the elderly, people with disabilities, pregnant women and the mothers of small children.
ČTK
