News

Homeless man injured in Wenceslas Square shooting

Police have been investigating a shooting which took place in the early hours of Saturday on Prague’s Wenceslas Square - an incident which left one person injured. According to reports, a 60-year-old man on the square drew a firearm and shot after being accosted by a group of unknown assailants. The incident took place sometime around 1 am. The bullet struck no one but deflected off of the pavement, hitting a homeless man who had been sleeping nearby. He suffered only a slight injury. The attacking group immediately dispersed, leaving the 60-year-old shooter unharmed. Police have not said whether the man fired on purpose or whether it was an accident.

Daily: police investigate suspicious money transfers in Janoušek case

The Czech daily Mladá fronta Dnes has reported that police are investigating money transfers across five countries in a case of suspected money-laundering involving businessman Roman Janoušek. Mr Janoušek is being investigated by the Swiss. Mladá fronta Dnes reported the transfers included Switzerland, Panama, Liechtenstein, Great Britain, and Cyprus – a system that had drawn suspicion. It was reported this week that earlier the Swiss had frozen Mr Janoušek's Geneva account in which he had a reported 13 million Swiss francs (the equivalent of around 12 million USD). Other sources said the account had since been unblocked. Experts are looking into the source of the funds and whether they could be related to Czech state commissions. Roman Janoušek is a close friend of Prague Mayor Pavel Bém. The connection has raised concern among some leading Civic Democrats, including party leader Mirek Topolánek. Mayor Bém said he would not comment on Mr Janoušek's activities, which he said had nothing to do with the city.

Anarchists march in Svitavy

Around 70 left-wing radicals and anarchists demonstrated in Svitavy on Saturday in protest of growing right-wing extremism. The aim of the event was to commemorate victims of neo-Nazi violence in the country since 1989. Dozens of police monitored; there were no incidents. The march was meant to counter a planned neo-Nazi demonstration in August in support of a skinhead sentenced in 2003 to 17 years in prison. The man, Vlastimil Pechanec, murdered a Romany man in 2001, stabbing him twice in the stomach; the victim died in hospital.

16-year-old drowns in kayaking accident

A 16-year-old boy drowned in a kayaking accident on the Labe River in the Trutnov area on Saturday. He and a friend were thrown into the water when their kayak overturned as the two were attempting a sluice. The other boy was able to make it to shore. Fire fighters found the missing boy’s body some 700 metres downstream, after searching for over an hour.

Unknown perpetrators injure child by throwing rocks at express train

Unknown assailants on Friday evening injured a child in Česká Třebová, near Pardubice east of Prague, when they threw rocks at a departing express train. Czech Railway spokesman Radek Joklík confirmed the incident but did not elaborate on details. The incident took place on Friday just before 8 pm. The case is being investigated by the police.

Poll: only 17 percent of Czechs say it is possible to live quality life in old age

Only 17 percent of Czechs are convinced it is possible to live a quality life, with dignity, in old age, a new poll has suggested. The survey, conducted by Insoma, questioned more than 1,000 respondents over the age of 15. 12 percent viewed old age as a period of threat and risk; 45 percent said it was a regular part of life. Regarding fears, 78 percent said they worried most about illness in old age, while 55 percent worried they would be unable to get by financially. At the bottom end of the poll, 21 percent of respondents worried that as pensioners they would not have enough influence in society.

Kreuziger in 9th spot in Tour de France

Czech cyclist Roman Kreuziger has moved up to 9th spot in the Tour de France – a day before the gruelling race wraps up. In the 20th stage on Saturday riders tackled a famous climb on Mont Ventoux; Kreuziger finished seventh on the day. US cycling legend Lance Armstrong was fifth, the stage was won by Juan Manuel Garate of Spain. The 23-year-old Kreuziger, who rides for Liquigas, stated at the beginning of this year’s Tour that he hoped to finish in the top ten. It is his second appearance in the famous race. The overall leader is Spain’s Alberto Contador.

2009/2010 football season underway

The new football season has gotten underway: the first match-up took place on Friday between clubs Sparta Prague and Teplice. Some 15,000 fans turned up in Teplice for the start of the season. The game saw careful tactics and numerous opportunities but ended scoreless. For Sparta the opener was a chance to get back in action ahead of its match on Tuesday against Greek side Panathinaikos in the third qualifying round of the Champions League.

Weather

Cloudy conditions are expected throughout the weekend. Daytime temperatures on Sunday are expected to reach highs of 21 degrees Celsius.