PENDOLINO - National rail operator České dráhy (ČD) certified the high-speed Pendolino trains for use throughout the entire Czech railway system June 26. Since the trains first began operation in December, all seven of them suffered software problems which cost ČD 48 million Kč ($2.1 million). The trains are now cleared for a possible high-speed connection to Bratislava.
MISSILE - Civic Democratic Chairman Mirek Topolánek said June 26 that he supports U.S. plans to build an anti-missile base in the Czech Republic. Topolánek, who is forming a new government following the June elections, said he doesn't think a referendum on the base is necessary. The U.S. government expects a decision on the base from the Czech Republic by September.
HEALTH - The Czech Republic has one of the least consumer-friendly healthcare systems in the European Union, coming in 22nd out of 25 countries, according to a report by the Health Consumer Powerhouse (HCP) published July 26. The HCP index took into account factors like patients' right to information, waiting time for treatments and access to medication. France scored the highest.
POLICE - New evidence indicates that Communist Party chairman Vojtěch Filip collaborated with the State Police (StB) during communism. Filip signed an agreement with StB in 1986, promising his loyalty to the police. The agreement was unearthed in Interior Ministry archives. Until now, Filip has maintained that the StB used him to gather information without his knowledge.
EXPENSIVE - Prague is the 50th most expensive city in the world, according to a ranking of 144 cities by Mercer Human Resource Consulting. Moscow sits atop the rankings, followed by Seoul and Tokyo. Mercer determined the rankings by looking at the cost of more than 200 items, including housing, transportation, food, clothing and entertainment.
POLAND - Authorities in Katowice arrested three men June 26 on charges of endangering lives after they allegedly ignored building codes at an exhibition hall whose roof collapsed in January, killing 65 people. The men, ages 46, 48 and 69, helped design the building and will be questioned over the course of two days, authorities said.
GERMANY - Police are investigating a case of three teenage boys arrested after allegedly filming the rape of a 17-year-old girl in Offenburg and transmitting the images on their cell phones. The June 20 arrest followed a series of attacks in which young Germans used their phones to film separate sexual assaults, including the rape of a 14-year-old boy in Goslar earlier this month and a 16-year-old girl in Berlin last month.
SPAIN - Twelve people are being held on charges of acting as intermediaries between the Basque separatist group ETA and various businesses. Arrested in Spain and France during raids June 20, they are accused of charging businesses a so-called revolutionary tax through which the ETA finances its operations, including terrorist attacks on the Spanish government. The group has led a decades-long movement for independence in the north of Spain, but formally laid down its weapons this year.
MONTENEGRO - The United Nations Security Council backed the bid June 26 for Montenegro to join the UN, which is expected to formally approve the country's membership in the next week. Montenegro was formerly united with Serbia, a member of the UN, but declared independence June 3 during a referendum.
FRANCE - Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin is apologizing to the country's Socialist Party for calling its leader a coward during an unusual angry outburst in the National Assembly June 22. Francois Hollande, the party's leader, accused the government of corruption and poorly managing a crisis over the delayed delivery of French company Airbus' newest super-jumbo jet. Hollande's criticism prompted de Villepin's terse rejoinder.
VATICAN - Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone of Italy was tapped June 26 to be the Vatican's new secretary of state, a position akin to Pope Benedict XVI's prime minister. In other changes, Cardinal Edmund Szoka, former head of the Archdiocese of Detroit, is stepping down as the governor of the Vatican City and will be replaced by Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, the Vatican's foreign minister.
POLAND - Zyta Gilowska, Poland's finance minister, resigned June 26 over charges that she lied about her past ties to the country's communist-era secret police. Collaboration with the Communist Party does not engender penalties to public office holders in Poland, but lying on so-called vetting statements does. Gilowska denies any wrongdoing.
GERMANY - The brown bear that wandered into Bavaria, southern Germany, last month — the first wild bear spotted in the county since 1835 — was shot and killed June 26, authorities said. Dubbed "Bruno" by the German media, the bear had been hunted by authorities for weeks after killing livestock along the Italian border. Authorities feared it was a threat to local homes.
AUSTRIA - The Austrian European Union rotating presidency ends June 30. Austria called the six-month presidency a success, saying it has helped lay the groundwork for a common energy policy and revived the image of Europe in public opinion. Finland will take over the presidency July 1.
News
Live news feed
Business
Exchange Rates
Banking & Finance
Movers & Shakers
10 Questions
Tech & Telecom
Opinion
Commentary
Postview
Reader comments
Night & Day
Prague Fringe weblog
Cinema Review
Restaurant Review
Search restaurants
Gallery Review
Tempo
Special Sections
Real Estate
Schools & Education
Health & Wellness
Business Listings
Business Listings
Login / register
Purchase online
Projects
U.S. Election Night NEW
Charity golf cup
Playwriting contest 2009
Best of Prague
Information
eShop
Sponsored events
Visitor Information
Dining Guide
Luxury Hotel Guide
Galleries
Photo galleries
Multimedia galleries
Classifieds
For Rent
Job Offers
Reservations
Hotels
Tickets
Services
Subscribe
Archives
Photo Service
Related Sites
About Us
Contact Us
ADVERTISE with us
Classifieds
Online and Print
Live daily news feed
