News

Topolanek wants minority cabinet with broad support

The leader of the Civic Democrats, Mirek Topolanek, is now considering trying to establish a minority government supported by the Social Democrats, the Christian Democrats and the Green Party, Mlada fronta Dnes reported on Saturday. Mr Topolanek has been trying in vain to form a government since elections two months ago.

The chairman of the Social Democrats, outgoing prime minister Jiri Paroubek, said the new plan was innovative but would not find support either in his party or the two smaller ones.

President Vaclav Klaus has given Mr Topolanek until the first week of August to form a government.

Around 40,000 at this year's CzechTek free music festival

Around 40,000 people from the Czech Republic and elsewhere in Europe have gathered at the CzechTek free techno music festival, which is being held on Czech Army land in north Bohemia. Last year's CzechTek became the subject of political debate when around 1,000 riot police used truncheons, tear gas and water cannons to break the festival up, after complaints from landowners.

Summer schools of Slavonic studies underway in Prague

The 50th Summer School of Slovanic Studies began at Prague's Charles University on Saturday. A record 210 students from almost 40 countries are attending the month-long school, which features 25 different specialised courses. Schools of Slovanic Studies are also underway in Brno and Olomouc.

Father of UK chess player who fell to death facing rape charges

The father of Jessie Gilbert, a young British chess player who was found dead in the Czech Republic, is facing rape charges, the news agency AP reported. UK police confirmed that one of Ian Gilbert's alleged victims had died, but refused to name her. Jessie Gilbert fell from the eighth-floor window of a hotel in Pardubice, where she was attending an international chess tournament. It was not clear whether she had committed suicide or had an accident while sleepwalking.

Czech police search for woman wanted in Canada over abduction of children

Czech police are searching for a woman believed to be in hiding with her three young children. After a court in Canada awarded custody of the children to their father, Romana Dittrichova abducted them and brought them to the Czech Republic in June.

Croatian prime minister receives award in Prague

The Croatian prime minister, Ivo Sander, received an award in Prague on Friday from the Vasek and Anna Maria Polak Foundation. The award has been presented for services to democracy and the free market since 1994, and has previously been won by Vaclav Havel and Lech Walesa. Vasek Polak had a bicycle repair shop in Prague before later building up an extremely successful car dealership business in the United States.

Jehovah's Witnesses gather in Prague for weekend of ceremonies

A mass baptism of Jehovah's Witnesses is being held at a football stadium in Prague on Saturday. Organisers say around 20,000 of the faith group's members from around the world are in the Czech capital for a weekend of religious ceremonies. There are over 15,000 Jehovah's Witnesses in the Czech Republic.

Budvar alcohol-free beer sees big sales increase due to new road law

The Budejovicky Budvar brewery reports says it has sold 60 percent more of its alcohol-free beer in July than in the same month last year, Mlada fronta Dnes reported. The surge in sales is attributed to new traffic regulations which have stiffened punishments for drink driving.

New, lighter robes for Czech judges

Czech judges have received new, lighter gowns made by the well-known Czech clothing company OP Prostejov. They had complained that their old gowns were too heavy and there had been reports that some judges were fainting due to recent tropical temperatures.

Vaidisova to face Clijsters in California

The Czech tennis star Nicole Vaidisova has reached the semi-finals at the Bank of the West Classic in Stanford, California. The 17-year-old beat Australia's Samantha Stosur 6-4 6-2 to set up a clash with top seed Kim Clijsters of Belgium.

Czech footballer Skacel joins Southampton

The Czech football player Rudolf Skacel has signed a four-year contract with the English Championship club Southampton. Skacel was a great success at Scotland's Hearts last season and is reunited with the club's former manager George Burley at Southampton.

Weather

It should be quite sunny with the chance of rain over the next few days. Temperatures are expected to reach up to 30 degrees Celsius.