News

Czech government to resume regular sessions on Wednesday

The Czech government will resume regular sessions again starting this Wednesday, following a two-week summer break. The representatives of the three-party government coalition are set to work on the final version of next year’s draft budget, which has to be presented to the lower house of Parliament for approval by the end of September. In July, the government had drafted a first version of the budget with a planned state budget deficit of 105 billion Czech crowns, to be achieved by a change in Value Added Tax rates. However, junior coalition partner Public Affairs opposes this solution.

Head of Czech Helsinki Committee criticizes police removing protesters from blockade in national park

The Czech Helsinki Committee has criticized some the actions of police towards environmental activists holding a blockade in the Šumava National Park. According to the committee’s president, Anna Šabatová, who visited the site, some police officers are too brutal in removing protesters from the blockade. The committee has called on the police to adjust their intervention methods. She said that in some cases, the behavior of the police may be in violation of the law. Police have previously denied allegations of brutality against the activists, who have been holding a blockade to prevent the felling of bark-beetle infested trees in a protected area of the park since July 15. Park management has marked some 5000 trees for felling.

Customs officers confiscated thousands of knock-offs in raid

Customs officers have confiscated thousands of knock-offs at a market place in the Znojmo region, in South Moravia. Among the goods found in the raid, which took place on Saturday, were fake designer watches, perfumes, and clothing with brand name logos. The exact retail value of the confiscated products will be determined on Monday, when experts evaluate the fake designer goods.

Police: Subutex main factor in public drug abuse

Police have identified the prescription drug Subutex, which is used for the treatment of drug addiction, as one of the main factors for public drug abuse in the city. According to a spokeswoman of Prague’s drug-related crimes unit, many addicts are able to obtain multiple doses of the drug, which contains high doses of buprenorphine, within a day, due to the fact that pharmacies do not monitor the dispensing of Subutex prescriptions closely enough. She added that up to 80 percent of dealers who operate on Prague streets sell Subutex rather than street drugs. Public substance abuse has been a problem especially in the Wenceslas Square area of the city, where some junkies inject drugs in broad daylight.

Over 1,300 caravan aficionados gather in Prague

The 77th international camping and caravanning rally kicked off in Prague on Saturday, drawing over 1,300 caravan aficionados from 31 countries. The meeting was opened with a parade and live music. Participants, who arrived in the Czech capital with more than 650 vehicles, will be visiting several cities, towns and a number of sights across the country before leaving on August 14. However, they will be traveling by bus while their caravans are parked at the exhibition ground in Prague’s Letňany neighborhood. Participants come from countries such as the UK, US, Australia, Taiwan, China and a number of European countries.

Štěpánek reaches final in Washington after victory over Young

The Czech player Radek Štěpánek has reached the final of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington. Štěpánek displayed strong holds of serve to overcome Donald Young of the United States 6-3 6-3 on Saturday and set up a meeting with Gael Monfils. The Czech has lost to the Frenchman on five of the seven occasions they have faced one another in the past.

Young Czech striker Peckhart scores in Bundesliga debut

The Czech striker Tomáš Pekhart scored in his debut in the Bundesliga on Saturday, helping his club Nuremberg to a 1:0 victory over Hertha Berlin on the opening day of Germany’s football season. Peckhart, who is 22 and has previously had spells at Slavia Prague, Tottenham Hotspur, and Sparta Prague, joined Nuremberg last month. The tall forward has one cap for the Czech national team.

Weather

The start of next week will be overcast, with rain showers and occasional storms. Daytime highs should range between 24 and 28 degrees Celsius.