Monday News Briefing

News

PLANE CRASH Two people were killed Aug. 28 in a small-engine plane crash near Karlovy Vary, west Bohemia. Police and aviation inspectors are still investigating the cause of the accident. It is the second fatal small-plane crash in the region this summer. In May, a woman crashed her plane during the Karlovy Vary Cup international aerobatics competition.

NO CONFIDENCE The opposition Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSČM) is seeking support in the Chamber of Deputies to initiate a vote of no-confidence in the tripartite governing coalition of the Civic Democrat (ODS), TOP 09 and Public Affairs (VV) parties. The coalition has survived two no-confidence votes since it formed in May 2010.

VIOLENCE Czech Police Chief Petr Lessy is considering setting up a riot unit of about 170-200 police officers in the Ústecký region to help combat growing ethnic tension between the region's white and Roma residents.

Business

BANKS The newly-opened Air Bank will be the first bank to allow customers to choose the size of bills dispensed at the ATM, the daily Hospodářské noviny reported. The bank plans to offer the service at its 12 ATMs when other banking services open for customers in September. UniCredit is also reportedly following suit, and GE Money Bank and ČS are considering launching the service.

CONTRACTS Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda has suspended an IT contract with Oracle worth 160 million Kč after an independent evaluation suggested the contract was only worth 97 million Kč ($5.78 million). The mayor has also suspended three Opencard contracts and in total has halted eight agreements worth 300 million Kč.

RESORT Mladá fronta dnes reported the wealthiest business people are clamoring to buy the ski resort at Špindlerův Mlýn from ČSTV, mostly for the advantage of giving away free passes to business partners and clients, the daily said, also reporting that the first company in line to buy the area is J&T Banka.

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news@praguepost.com