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In this week's edition: response to the tsunami disaster in South Asia, the
number of political parties in the Czech Republic, Radio Prague's
languages. Listeners quoted: Jitka Vomackova, Czech Republic; Gordon Blom,
USA; Mark, USA; Mostava Kamal, Bangladesh; Jaisakthivel, India.
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Current AffairsCzechs out in front when it comes to SMS aid donations
The Czech public has responded overwhelmingly to the Indian Ocean disaster,
giving almost 150 million crowns (five million euros) to date. What is
particularly interesting is how donations have been made, with mobile
phone text messages by far the most popular method. Indeed, Czechs have
made over one million SMS donations, very impressive for a country of 10
million inhabitants. I discussed this novel approach with Pavlina
Kalousova of Forum darcu, or the Czech Donors Forum. More
Current AffairsJazzman Jiri Stivin recounts narrow escape in Sri Lanka
It's not just the general public that have been raising money to help the
flood victims. Many well-known public figures have also been doing their
bit. Among them is the famous jazzman and flute player Jiri Stivin, who
had a special reason for helping. Mr Stivin was among the Czechs who
returned from the disaster-affected regions in recent days. He had planned
a long Christmas holiday in Sri Lanka with his girlfriend, but the tsunami
disaster brought all that to an end. I met Jiri Stivin after his return
and asked him about his personal experience of those appalling moments. More
Current AffairsCharities outline long-term aid projects for tsunami devastated countries
The Czech Republic has pledged over 300 million crowns in aid to the
tsunami devastated region. Over 200 million crowns will come from state
coffers, the rest from public donations to humanitarian aid organizations.
Several planeloads of emergency supplies have already been flown to the
region and now the government and charities are busy outlining longer-term
projects. We called Vojtech Ralek of the Czech Catholic Charity to find out
how their plans are taking shape.
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Current AffairsGovernment pledges more money for tsunami disaster victims
Across Europe, Wednesday was a day of mourning for the victims of the
tsunami disaster in south-east Asia. As sirens sounded across the country,
Czechs observed three minutes of silence as a mark of respect for the dead.
A wave of public sympathy for the plight of the afflicted region has
resulted in the biggest public collection since the devastating floods of
2002 which left thousands of people in central Europe homeless.
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Current AffairsCzech charities raise over 37 million crowns, most popular form are donor SMS messages
Over 37 million crowns, or over 1.2 million euros, that's how much Czechs
have raised so far in individual donations to help the stricken countries
in South Asia. Most of the money has been gathered on the accounts of
various aid agencies. Also, the Czech passion for sending SMS text
messages from their mobile phones has been used for a good purpose. More
Current Affairs200 Czechs missing after tsunami disaster, up to seven feared dead
As the full scale of the Indian Ocean disaster unfolds, there is still no
information about the whereabouts of over 150 Czechs. Meanwhile, the
Czech Republic is dispatching humanitarian aid to the region and Czech
charities have started public collections. More
Current AffairsAneta Langerova becomes the Czech Republic's first Pop Idol
When we reported in May on Cesko hleda superstar - the Czech version of the
hit show Pop Idol - it was clear, even then, that one of the front-runners
to take the prize would be 17-year-old Aneta Langerova, a student from the
town of Ricany near Prague. Aneta's easy-going manner, love for rock
music, and especially emotional and vocal intensity made her a clear
favourite from the outset. Well, she's done it, she's won the crown, and
as Jan Velinger reports, Czech music fans will now anxiously await the
release of her new album. More
