News of Radio Prague

Czech medical team leaves for Kabul

A team of Czech doctors and nurses will leave for Afghanistan on Monday to begin the process of setting up a field hospital in Kabul. A logistics unit and the remaining staff of 200 field hospital employees will travel to Kabul in a phased out operation over the next five to six weeks. The hospital is to serve both troops and civilians for a period of 6 months. It will be under British command within the framework of the International Security Assistance Force.

EC welcomes Czech civil service bill

The European Commission has welcomed the approval of a civil service bill by the Czech Parliament, describing it as a "strong and positive signal". "It is a step in the right direction, an EC official is quoted as saying, the Czech Republic badly needed a framework for reform in the public sector". The bill was narrowly approved by the Lower House earlier this week and still needs to gain approval in the Senate, and be signed by the President. The bill envisages better pay and improved work conditions for civil servants in return for higher skills and improved performance. It created plenty of controversy in the Lower House where MPS for the Civic Democratic Party said they saw no reason for civil servants to be elevated to what they called "special status".

Baby found unhurt

A missing 8 month old baby, believed to have been kidnapped, is back with her parents after being borrowed by a little girl "to play with". The police launched a nationwide search for the child who disappeared along with her pram which her parents left unattended in the street. The baby was found unhurt two hours later. A police spokesman said a little girl from the neighbourhood has borrowed the baby to play with –parking her own pram and doll around the corner – and taking off with what she deemed was a much better toy.

Czech Airlines voted Best Airline Eastern Europe

Czech Airlines was voted Best Airline Eastern Europe in a poll involving more than 4 million passengers world wide. Deutsche Lufthansa was named Best Airline Central Europe, SAS Scandinavian Best Airline Northern Europe. The Dubai based airline Emirates was voted Airline of the Year.

And finally a quick look at the weather forecast

The nigh is expected to be partly cloudy to overcast with nighttime temperatures between 5 and 1 degs C. On Monday morning fog should give way to partly cloudy skies and temps between 13 and 17 degs C.