Section Archive Current Affairs
National Theatre celebrates its 125th birthday
Tuesday marks exactly 125 years since the opening of the National Theatre,
one of the most important cultural institutions in the Czech Republic. The
building was first opened in June 1881, but it was destroyed by fire and
re-opened two years later, on the 18th of November 1883, to the sound of
Bedřich Smetana’s Libuše. One year ago, the National Theatre launched
an extensive renovation project; its first stage has just been completed.
Earlier today, I asked the general director of the National Theatre,
Ondřej Černý, to tell me what exactly was accomplished over the past 12
months.
More
Czechs top the list of Europe’s biggest shoplifters
Shoplifting is a serious problem in the Czech Republic. Last year, almost
ten billion crowns worth of goods was stolen from shops across the country.
Despite a slight drop from the previous year, shoplifting together with
thefts by shop employees accounted for nearly 1.4 percent of total retail
sales, making Czechs Europe’s biggest shoplifters.
More
Sex therapists criticise criminal code’s lowering age of consent
The new criminal code passed by the lower house this week has come under
fire from many of the country’s sex therapists for one simple reason:
lowering criminal responsibility from the age of 15 to 14, the code also
lowers the age of consent. Critics contend that is a serious mistake, which
will put young teens at far greater risk.
More
Irish ire as Klaus causes diplomatic row over dinner with anti-Lisbon “dissident”
The Czech president Václav Klaus has caused a diplomatic upset this week
on his state visit to Ireland. His Irish hosts didn’t take kindly to
comments at a press conference following a private dinner with British-born
businessman Declan Ganley, who spearheaded the “No” campaign against
the EU’s Lisbon Treaty. Reacting to the criticism, Mr Klaus accused the
Irish foreign minister of “hypocrisy”.
More
Government unveils logo for upcoming EU presidency
On Wednesday the Czech government unveiled the new logo representing the
country during its EU presidency, which its takes up for a six-month period
on January 1. The logo – which features colourful block letters – was
unveiled in a special ceremony by the prime minister. Radio Prague has more
on the new design.
More
Chamber of Deputies approves new criminal code
An historic moment: that is how Justice Minister Jiří Pospíšil
described a
vote in the lower house on Tuesday approving the country’s new criminal
code, which will fully overhaul existing legislation from 1961. Over the
last 47 years the existing code was only partially amended but its
replacement will see major changes in how crimes are assessed. More
Substitution treatment for drug addicts to become more widely available
Substitution treatment for hard drug users in the Czech Republic may become
more widely available in the future. For instance, methadone, a substitute
drug used to break heroin addiction, is so far available only in 13
specialised centres in the Czech Republic. The National Monitoring Centre
for Drugs and Drug Use now wants to make the substance accessible to
addicts around the country. If it gains approval from the State Institute
for Drug Control, methadone could in future be prescribed by GPs and
available on prescription from chemists. I asked the director of the drug
monitoring centre, Viktor Mravčík, to explain the reasons behind the
proposal.
More
“Finished” Topolánek gathering support ahead of hotly anticipated party leadership vote
After a whitewash for the Civic Democrats in regional and Senate elections,
Mirek Topolánek’s days as party leader appeared to be numbered. Now,
however, as a leadership vote draws ever nearer, it seems that every other
day another local Civic Democrats organisation pledges to back the prime
minister. So can Mr Topolánek win the toughest battle of his political
career and retain the post of party chairman?
More
Culture minister stokes controversy with lifelong marriage proposal
The Christian Democrat Culture Minister Václav Jehlička has stoked
controversy by suggesting an amendment to the countries marriage code that
would allow for what appear to be binding religious marriages with no
option of divorce.
More
Major electricity provider ČEZ accused of blackmailing problematic customers
The country’s top electricity producer ČEZ has been accused of bullying
and blackmailing customers who it said had been tapping electricity
illegally.
If convicted, 32 of the energy giant’s employees may face up to 12 years
in jail for forcing these clients to pay disproportionately high sums of
money in damages. More
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