Local Briefs
Regional court denies Ludmila Brožová-Polednová's appeal
A regional court denied an appeal by Ludmila Brožová-Polednová, a communist-era prosecutor who is serving a six-year jail sentence for judicial murder, to be freed on the grounds of three amnesties that apply to her case, Radio Prague reported March 8. She played an instrumental role in sending democratic politician Milada Horáková to the gallows in 1950.
A regional court denied an appeal by Ludmila Brožová-Polednová, a communist-era prosecutor who is serving a six-year jail sentence for judicial murder, to be freed on the grounds of three amnesties that apply to her case, Radio Prague reported March 8. She played an instrumental role in sending democratic politician Milada Horáková to the gallows in 1950.
Protektor wins highest Czech Lion film award
The film Protektor, directed by Marek Najbrt, triumphed at the 17th annual Czech Lion Awards, picking up six trophies, the Czech News Agency (ČTK) reported March 7. The Film and Television Academy nominated the film to represent the country at the Oscars. Three Seasons in Hell, directed by Tomáš Mašín, collected three awards. The special award for outstanding contribution to national film went to actress Jana Brejchová.
The film Protektor, directed by Marek Najbrt, triumphed at the 17th annual Czech Lion Awards, picking up six trophies, the Czech News Agency (ČTK) reported March 7. The Film and Television Academy nominated the film to represent the country at the Oscars. Three Seasons in Hell, directed by Tomáš Mašín, collected three awards. The special award for outstanding contribution to national film went to actress Jana Brejchová.
President meets with PM, defense minister over Army changes
President Václav Klaus held talks with the prime minister and defense minister on organizational changes to the Army, Prague Radio reported March 8. Klaus said last year the armed forces should be primarily used to defend the country, describing international missions as a "supplement."
President Václav Klaus held talks with the prime minister and defense minister on organizational changes to the Army, Prague Radio reported March 8. Klaus said last year the armed forces should be primarily used to defend the country, describing international missions as a "supplement."
Celebrations mark T.G. Masaryk's 160th birthday
Celebrations marking the 160th anniversary of the birth of Czechoslovakia's co-founder and first president, T.G. Masaryk, were held, Prague Radio reported March 8. The celebrations started at Masaryk's birthplace, Hodonín, in south Moravia, with the arrival of a historic steam-powered train once used by Masaryk.
Celebrations marking the 160th anniversary of the birth of Czechoslovakia's co-founder and first president, T.G. Masaryk, were held, Prague Radio reported March 8. The celebrations started at Masaryk's birthplace, Hodonín, in south Moravia, with the arrival of a historic steam-powered train once used by Masaryk.
Kocab criticizes Czech TV's airing of communist news
Human Rights and Minorities Minister Michael Kocab criticized Czech Television for broadcasting communist TV news from the 1980s, ČTK reported March 3. Kocab compared it to German television broadcasting news programs from the Third Reich with Adolf Hitler's speeches 20 years after World War II.
Human Rights and Minorities Minister Michael Kocab criticized Czech Television for broadcasting communist TV news from the 1980s, ČTK reported March 3. Kocab compared it to German television broadcasting news programs from the Third Reich with Adolf Hitler's speeches 20 years after World War II.
Academy of Design hands out annual awards
The Academy of Design handed out its annual awards for 2009, Prague Radio reported March 8. The Grand Designer of the Year award went to Petr Babák for work on the interior of the National Technical Library. Fashion Designer of the Year award went to Jakub Polanka for his collections Stardust, Re-evolution and Simple.
The Academy of Design handed out its annual awards for 2009, Prague Radio reported March 8. The Grand Designer of the Year award went to Petr Babák for work on the interior of the National Technical Library. Fashion Designer of the Year award went to Jakub Polanka for his collections Stardust, Re-evolution and Simple.
Paroubek suggests top-earning companies donate
Social Democratic Party leader Jiří Paroubek suggested companies with revenues of more than 5 billion Kč a year should contribute 1 percent of their taxable profits to the development of sports and culture, Radio Prague reported March 5. Political parties agreed the present system of funding is inadequate and needs to be amended.
Social Democratic Party leader Jiří Paroubek suggested companies with revenues of more than 5 billion Kč a year should contribute 1 percent of their taxable profits to the development of sports and culture, Radio Prague reported March 5. Political parties agreed the present system of funding is inadequate and needs to be amended.
Environment minister says air cleanup necessary
Environment Minister Jan Dusík said it is necessary to improve air quality in the industrialized city of Ostrava and its surroundings, Prague Radio reported March 6. He said he has drafted a long-term strategy for improvement based on cooperation between the ministries of environment, transportation, industry and regional development.
Environment Minister Jan Dusík said it is necessary to improve air quality in the industrialized city of Ostrava and its surroundings, Prague Radio reported March 6. He said he has drafted a long-term strategy for improvement based on cooperation between the ministries of environment, transportation, industry and regional development.
Karviná takes action against noise pollution
The Moravian town of Karviná is taking action against noise pollution after receiving complaints from residents, Prague Radio reported March 6. The town's council has approved a set of regulations according to which discos, pubs and restaurants will have to reduce noise levels after 10 p.m. The new regulations will come into force March 17. Repeat offenders could be fined up to 200,000 Kč.
The Moravian town of Karviná is taking action against noise pollution after receiving complaints from residents, Prague Radio reported March 6. The town's council has approved a set of regulations according to which discos, pubs and restaurants will have to reduce noise levels after 10 p.m. The new regulations will come into force March 17. Repeat offenders could be fined up to 200,000 Kč.
Iranian police question Czech filmmakers
Two Czech documentary filmmakers were interrogated for several days after being arrested by police in Iran, the news Web site iDnes.cz reported March 3. Martin Šíma and Jan Šibík were in the country making a film about a lawyer defending a woman condemned to death. They were arrested last month after recording some shots of young people in a park. Both are now back in the Czech Republic.
Two Czech documentary filmmakers were interrogated for several days after being arrested by police in Iran, the news Web site iDnes.cz reported March 3. Martin Šíma and Jan Šibík were in the country making a film about a lawyer defending a woman condemned to death. They were arrested last month after recording some shots of young people in a park. Both are now back in the Czech Republic.
Austrian president lashes out against Beneš Decrees
The Austrian president, Heinz Fischer, has lashed out against the Beneš Decrees, legislation that sanctioned the expulsion and confiscation of property of some 2.5 million ethnic Germans from postwar Czechoslovakia, Radio Prague reported March 4. In an open letter to the Sudeten German Landsmannschaft in Austria, Fischer said the decrees had been a gross injustice imposed on the Sudeten German community in postwar Czechoslovakia and should not be sanctioned by the European Union.
The Austrian president, Heinz Fischer, has lashed out against the Beneš Decrees, legislation that sanctioned the expulsion and confiscation of property of some 2.5 million ethnic Germans from postwar Czechoslovakia, Radio Prague reported March 4. In an open letter to the Sudeten German Landsmannschaft in Austria, Fischer said the decrees had been a gross injustice imposed on the Sudeten German community in postwar Czechoslovakia and should not be sanctioned by the European Union.
Ornithologists report successful eagle reintroduction
Ornithologists who are trying to reintroduce the Golden Eagle to the Beskydy Mountains reported the first success in four years, according to Radio Prague March 4. Two of 14 golden eagles released into the wild since 2006 have finally started building a nest, the first on Czech territory in more than a century.
Ornithologists who are trying to reintroduce the Golden Eagle to the Beskydy Mountains reported the first success in four years, according to Radio Prague March 4. Two of 14 golden eagles released into the wild since 2006 have finally started building a nest, the first on Czech territory in more than a century.
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