Czech Update

Over a third of Czechs consider themselves poor

Dominik Lukeš — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 11:02:28 +0000

Although two thirds of Czechs have a problem making ends meet on their monthly earnings, only a third consider themselves poor. read more »

Czech Republic experiencing biggest Baby Boom in 25 years

Dominik Lukeš — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 10:10:10 +0000

More than 10,000 more people were born in the Czech Republic than died which is the most since 1983. The 114 thousand newly borns take the total number of inhabitants to 10 million 381 thouthsand. This upward trend has been going on for the last 5 years. read more »

Czechs no longer shrink shy

Dominik Lukeš — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:41:51 +0000

According to new stats, the number of Czechs seeking the services of a shrink has grown by almost a third since 2000. Experts claim that one of the reasons for that is more information about psych treatments. Supposedly almost half a million Czechs ended up on the couch in 2006 including 17500 hospitalisations due to mental illness. read more »

Czech real estate more popular with foreigners

Dominik Lukeš — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 19:40:18 +0000

More and more properties are being snapped up by foreigners residing in the Czech Republic. What exactly that means for the economy and culture is not clear yet. More readers for this blog perhaps.

More foreigners now keen on buying Czech real estate - Czechnews - Aktuálně.cz read more »

Czech inventor of the 'drunk tank' dies aged 91

Dominik Lukeš — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:07:26 +0000

Záchytka is a wonderful Czech word that stands for the institution for the collection of drunken (and possibly disorderly) individual wondering city streets occasionally referred to in English as 'drunk tank' or ' read more »

Czech taxes 113th in the world

Dominik Lukeš — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:15:01 +0000

In a strange imaginary league table of worldwide taxation, Czech Republic came in the 113th place. That is not good! read more »

Příkopy - Prague street in Top 20 most expensive in the world

Dominik Lukeš — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 10:20:39 +0000

The Prague street that joins into the bottom of Wenceslas square came 20th in the world ranking of the most expensive streets in the world (down from 18th a year ago). Rents there reach 2000 EUR per square meter a year. Paradoxically, the Czech name translates literally as "on the ditches". read more »

Czechs bought 350 000 bicycles in 2006 for Sport not Commute

Dominik Lukeš — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 23:43:00 +0000

Lots of cycling stories in the Czech press this last week. Czechs seem to be buying lots of cycles but don't like to think of them as a commuting device but rather one for getting some exercise in. Prague is becoming a bit more cycle-commute friendly but it's still more the exception than the rule. read more »

Fewer claim asylum in Czech Republic

Dominik Lukeš — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 11:08:27 +0100

Czech Republic is one of the less popular countries in the EU in the number of Asylum Claims with only about 0.3 claims per 1000 inhabitants compared to 1.6 of neighboring Austria or 2.7 of Sweden (Cyprus leads the chart with 6). In total 3016 people claimed asylum in the Czech Republic last year which is almost 25% down on the 4000 claims in 2003. read more »

Czech views on smoking ban

Dominik Lukeš — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 11:00:59 +0100

The latest survey shows that 57% of Czechs are in favor of a ban on smoking in public spaces. Women oppose smoking more than men (67%). Even more (60% - most often smokers) believe that a ban would be good for public health and 37% think it would be a case of discrimination. read more »

EU causes Czech pig crisis

Dominik Lukeš — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 16:18:24 +0100

I don't know what's more interesting about the story: that there is a crisis in pork production in the CR or that there is a publication called PigProgress.net? read more »

The 10 best Czech breweries - And travelling outside Prague

Dominik Lukeš — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 19:02:39 +0100

The 10 best Czech breweries -Life & Style - Travel - Destinations - Europe - TimesOnline Prague's status as a destination for beer lovers is undisputed: the Czech Republic is home to the original Pilsner, the original Budweiser and boasts the world's highest beer consumption, 160 litres per person each year. In Prague, great pubs are found on every corner, and it is not uncommon to see people drinking one or more of the country's outstanding lagers with breakfast. Ounce for ounce, beer is cheaper than water here, and often appears to be consumed more widely. However, if you really want to sample Czech brewing, you need to leave the capital. This is far easier and less expensive than in many neighbouring countries, with excellent public transportation to nearly every Czech brewpub and regional brewery within a few hours.

Two wonderful pieces of advice. How to get to some great lesser known beers (remember you each pub only has one or at most two brands of beer) and how to travel outside of Prague to get more enjoyment out of Czech lands. read more »

Czech population highest in 10 years, foreigners help

Dominik Lukeš — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 12:43:50 +0100

Čechů je nejvíce za posledních deset let - www.lidovky.cz
Česko mělo na konci letošního prvního čtvrtletí nejvíc obyvatel za posledních deset let. V zemi žilo 10,306.700 lidí. Za první čtvrtletí se jejich počet zvedl o 19.500, a to hlavně díky příchodu cizinců.

The commonly bemoaned decrease in population growth has been, at least termporarily, halted. There seem to more newly-borns than the sadly-departed and the minor influx of foreigners is also a positive factor. read more »

Czech university students use sex as a source of income

Dominik Lukeš — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 11:16:56 +0000

Sex jako výnosnější brigáda - www.lidovky.cz PRAHA 17. února 2007 | 10:59 Až čtvrtina studentek vysokých škol si podle odhadů minimálně jednou během studia vydělá komerčním sexem a točením či focením porna.
read more »

Prague has two hotels World Top 10

Dominik Lukeš — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 09:43:57 +0000

MF DNES Praha - Pražský hotel Riverside je osmý nejluxusnější na celém světě. Na osmé místo se dostal v prestižní anketě portálu Tripadvisor, který každý rok oceňuje nejlepší hotely z celého světa.
Two hotels in Prague made it to the top 10 in a survey of hotel visitors from around the world conducted by Tripadvisor. Riverside is 8th (4th in Europe) and Le Palais 10th. It should be of note that neither of these hotels has a Czech or even Czech sounding name and that one read more »

Czechs don't see change in politicians' honesty

Dominik Lukeš — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 11:34:03 +0000

Czech Unconvinced About Their Politicians: Angus Reid Global Monitor Many adults in the Czech Republic are disappointed with their current public servants, according to a poll by STEM. 72 per cent of respondents believe today’s politicians are not more honest than those from the communist era.
Of course, in most countries people don't have particularly high expectations of politicians' honesty. It might be dispiriting, though, that Czechs don't think theirs are any better now than when they were representing a totalitarian regime. But, on the other hand, there's a good chance that public representatives then were no more mendacious and self-serving as people and dismissive of their electorate then they are likely to be anywhere. Only, they were operating in a totalitarian context. read more »

Czech children not poor, but have emotional problems - UNICEF

Dominik Lukeš — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 09:45:00 +0000

Czech children not poor, but have emotional problems - UNICEF Czech children do not suffer from poverty and they have good health care and education as compared to children from some two tens of developed countries, but they have more problems in relations with parents and peers, according to a study that UNICEF released today.
Czech Republic came 11th in the overall score beating USA, France and UK (all three often featured as role models in socio-economic areas). Czechs were 11th, 10th and 9th in financial position, health and education respectively and it's infant mortality rates are one of the lowest but their overall ranking was brought down by "assessment of relations between children and their peers, and children and their parents." where CR scored 19th (ahead only of UK and US). Here are some other quotes from the article about the report. read more »

Fewer Czechs take longer sick leave

Dominik Lukeš — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 10:52:20 +0000

Average sick leave length in Czech Republic increased in 2006 - Prague Daily Monitor The average sick leave length of Czech employees increased to 36.5 days by about three days last year, compared to 2005, but the total number of people on sick leave has dropped, according to the Czech Social Authority (CSSZ).
And the most common illness was respiratory problems (the cough?). These numbers come from the agency administering the compulsory sick-leave and social security insurance whose budget is app read more »

Is vepřoknedlozélo in danger?

Dominik Lukeš — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 14:23:26 +0000

Pig Progress | News | Page content | Pig breeding down in Czech Republic Pig breeders are annually winding down activities in the Czech Republic. In the last five years, pig stocks have decreased by 600,000 to 2,840,000, says the Czech Statistical Office (CSU). read more »

Czechs practice unsafe sex

Dominik Lukeš — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 00:31:40 +0000

Czechs practice unsafe sex - Prague Daily Monitor Young Czechs practice unsafe sex, according to a Mladá fronta Dnes survey. Out of 139 young people questioned, 60 percent indicated that they don't use condoms. Most of them indicated that they are not afraid of contracting HIV, the virus which causes AIDS. There are currently 920 registered HIV cases in the country, but medical experts say that number could be five times higher. They say HIV cases continue to rise each year. There were 93 new cases last year.
read more »

More Czechs support gay adoptions

Dominik Lukeš — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 19:57:24 +0000

Přibývá Čechů, kteří by dovolili homosexuálům adopci - iDNES.cz Počet Čechů, kteří by homosexuálním párům umožnili adoptovat děti, vzrostl. Vyplynulo to z průzkumu společnosti RCA Research. Pro umožnění adopcí se vyslovilo 39 procent respondentů. V roce 2005 s ní souhlasilo o dvanáct procent méně.
The rate of Czechs supporting gay adoptions has almost doubled since 2005 from 27% to 39%. Against it are mostly men and people over 50. Only 35% of women are against read more »

Most Czechs won't trade base for visas

Dominik Lukeš — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 16:44:57 +0000

Češi zrušení víz za radar nevymění, ukázal průzkum - iDNES.cz Čechům nestojí zrušení víz do USA za to, aby souhlasili s umístěním amerického radaru v Brdech. Podle průzkumu RCA Research má takový názor 48,6 % lidí. Výměnu za víza by bralo 31,4 %. Radar nejčastěji odmítají Jihočeši a lidé bez maturity.
Two of the most significant sticking points in Czech American relations are the continued requirement for visas for Czechs visiting the US and now also the suggested military base with a Star Wars-like radar. read more »

Czech tax freedom day stays on 22 June in 2007

Dominik Lukeš — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 09:53:20 +0000

Patria: Češi budou na stát dělat do 22. června - iDNES.cz Češi budou letos pracovat na stát do 22. června, tedy stejně jako loni. Den daňové svobody připadne podle propočtů Patria Finance na 173. den v roce. Od onoho okamžiku si pomyslně budou Češi moci nechat svůj příjem pro sebe, do té doby jej budou odevzdávat státu.
Another example of American perspectives being imposed on Czech affairs. Czech newspapers now use the Tax Freedom Day concept to describe the Czech taxation system. But it makes it easier to compare the tax burden: read more »

Prague sixth most visited place in Europe, first most crowded

Dominik Lukeš — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 10:13:19 +0000

MF DNES Praha - Praha je šestým nejnavštěvovanějším místem v Evropě. „Ale když se podíváme na počet obyvatel, tak z první desítky turisticky atraktivních destinací je Praha suverénně nejmenší, proto je v centru několikanásobně vyšší koncentrace lidí než v jiných metropolích,“ vysvětluje Tomio Okamura z Asociace cestovních kanceláří a agentur.
Prague is the sixth most visited place in Europe, it seems (behind places like Paris, Rome, London, probably, the article doesn't say). But it is the smallest of the top ten most visited places and as a result most crowded. The one million three hundred thousand inhabitants are joined by another four million visitors every year who mostly come to visit the historic center which has one of the narrowest streets of the popular destinations. Part of the problem is the fact that the outskirts of Prague are not particularly appealing, ringed as it is by bland-looking apartment housing blocks (Note: which I personally find beautiful on many levels) so the tourists have no other outlets. (Note: this is not strictly speaking true there many places off the beaten track in Prague worth visiting but the concentrated beauty of the architectural Disneyland of the historic center makes them not as attractive.) read more »

Perceptions of bribery

Dominik Lukeš — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 16:42:34 +0000

Czech clerks take bribes from big firms -politicians, managers Prague- Clerks at Czech ministries and other central state offices take bribes most frequently, and primarily large Czech companies corrupt them, politicians and managers said in a poll released today. ... Politicians and businesspeople said in the poll that in their opinion corruption in the Czech Republic has not increased since 2001. According to them, the situation is slightly worse in Prague over a higher concentration of state offices in the capital. read more »

Richer Czechs adopt long distance

Dominik Lukeš — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:55:50 +0000

Češi propadli adopci na dálku - www.lidovky.cz Odborníci mají pro rostoucí zájem o adopce na dálku vysvětlení. Zatímco dříve byla z drtivé většiny motivace lidí dána výchovou – tedy že lidem v nouzi by se mělo pomáhat – nyní vstupuje do hry nový motiv. „I když ta touha pomáhat chudým převládá, motivace pramení i z dobrých materiálních poměrů Čechů, jejichž životní úroveň se každým rokem zvyšuje,“ konstatovala za občanské sdružení Adra Marie Racková. Organizace Adra zprostředkovala dálkové sponzorství pro 1100 dětí v Bangladéši.
read more »

One in five Czech primary school kids smoke

Dominik Lukeš — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 12:08:19 +0000

One in five Czech primary school kids smoke - expert - Prague Daily Monitor Brno, Jan 13 (CTK) - One-fifth of Czech elementary school pupils smoke regularly or occasionally and they most often start smoking in the fifth or sixth grade, that is aged 11-13, Veronika Zachovalova from Brno´s Masaryk University Faculty of Medicine told CTK today.
It's funny. Whenever I return to CR from England, I seem to be much less bothered by smoke than h read more »

Growth in Czech spending on science among fastest in Europe

Dominik Lukeš — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 17:32:59 +0000

Growth in Czech spending on science among fastest in Europe Brussels- The growth in spending on research and development in the Czech Republic is among the fastest in the European Union, Eurostat data out today have shown. ... More than half of the money spent on science in the Czech Republic comes from private resources, mainly from large companies.
Czech Republic has a very strong science and research tradition. Still, fast growth also means that there is a long way to go.
Still, read more »

Czechs lead in divorce race

Dominik Lukeš — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 20:05:19 +0000

Češi: rozvodoví rekordmani - Žena.cz Pevný manželský svazek vydrží v České republice jen zhruba třetině párů. Na každých 100 sňatků připadá celkem 67 rozvodových řízení. Češi jsou tak spolu s Belgičany a Estonci s přehledem "šampiony" v rozvodech v rámci celé Evropské unie.
Given the low religiosity of Czechs, it should perhaps not be surprising that the divorce rate is rather high. Two in three marriages end in divorce (67 divorces per 100 weddings - the EU average is 40). Czechs are bested only by Estonians and Belgians . read more »

More women politicians in Prague (and rest o CR)

Dominik Lukeš — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 17:15:04 +0000

Političek v Praze přibývá - www.lidovky.cz PRAHA 10. ledna 2007 | 14:54 Karlovy Vary, Zlín, Havířov, Chomutov. Tam všude sedí v primátorském křesle ženy. Praha zatím nikdy svou primátorku neměla. Podle stoupajícího počtu žen v zastupitelstvu i podle přání veřejnosti se ale možná hlavní město v nedaleké budoucnosti své ženy v čele dočká.
Four important Czech municipalities (two in Bohemia and two in Moravia) are headed by a woman holding the post of primátor (mayor) or in their case primátorka. And there is a good chance that in the future Prague could join them. read more »

Czechs take the bus abroad to spend 13000 on holidays

Dominik Lukeš — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 09:32:53 +0000

Average Czech spends CZK 13,395 on holidays abroad in 2006-ACCKA - Prague Daily Monitor Prague, Jan 9 (CTK) - The average Czech spent CZK 13,395 on holidays abroad last year, five percent more than a year ago, Czech travel agencies association ACCKA spokesman Tomio Okamura has told CTK.
Given that that is slightly more than the half the average monthly salary, that's not a small sum. But given that it is only 500 EUR, it isn't that much (of course the figure includes all individuals including those who don't travel - I think). read more »

Czechs most like Slovaks, least Romanies

Dominik Lukeš — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 14:02:31 +0000

Czechs most like Slovaks, least Romanies-poll - Prague Daily Monitor Prague, Jan 8 (CTK) - Czechs consider themselves the most likeable of all ethnic groups living in the Czech Republic, according to a poll by the CVVM centre carried out last December and released today. Out of foreigners, Czech most like Slovaks and they also like Poles and Germans very much, while they harbour the least sympathy to Romanies and people from the Balkan countries are not very popular among Czechs, according to the poll. read more »

More than half of Czechs willing to move for work

Dominik Lukeš — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 13:24:33 +0000

Téměř polovina Čechů je ochotna odejít za prací - iDNES.cz Češi jsou již ochotnější stěhovat se za prací. Z výzkumu, který provedla Hypoteční banka, vyplývá, že téměř každý druhý v tom nevidí velký problém. Lidí, které by výhodná pracovní nabídka přiměla sbalit kufry a odstěhovat se, je dokonce více než těch, kteří si to nedovedou představit.
"Je lepší dvakrát vyhořet než se jednou stěhovat" (It is better to have your house burn down twice than to have to move once.) goes a Czech saying. read more »

Czech economic capital goes Dutch

Dominik Lukeš — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 09:49:47 +0000

Z cizinců drží nejvíce českého kapitálu Nizozemci - iDNES.cz Tuzemský kapitál patří z největší části do rukou Čechů. Ti drží celkem 59 procent všech investovaných podílů v tuzemských firmách. Z cizinců ukousli největší díl Nizozemci. Kapitál z Nizozemska ale do Česka plyne z velké části jen kvůli daňové optimalizaci.
59% of Czech capital value is in Czech hands and 25% of the rest is owned by the Dutch (followed by Germans, Austrians and Brits; with interest from Japan and Russia). read more »

Czechs say no to drugs

Dominik Lukeš — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 09:44:33 +0000

Every fourth Czech tried drug - poll in press - Prague Daily Monitor Prague, Jan 6 (CTK) - About 22 percent of Czechs have tried a drug at least once in their hitherto life, the share being 40 percent in the 18 to 24 years age category, according to a poll carried out by the Health Information and Statistics Institute. ... The poll at the same time revealed that Czechs are not tolerant of drugs, and a mere 17 percent of them would agree with marijuana´s legalisation.
read more »

Czech Gays in Partnerships and without Initiative in the New Year

Dominik Lukeš — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 13:32:23 +0000

Gay Marriages Growing In Czech Republic - World News - Playfuls.com - Business & World More than 200 gay and lesbian couples registered their partnerships in the Czech Republic in the past six months, Prague Radio said Tuesday. Jiri Hromada, of the Gay Initiative, said his non-governmental organization had expected "much less interest" in registered same-sex marriages, the Czech Mlada Fronta Dnes newspaper reported.
Czech Republic enters 2007 with 200 gay couples more (up from zero) than last year. What surprises me is that the number is relatively small and that the Gay Initiative expected even less. Part of the problem may be that gay unions are denied the right to adopt children. read more »

Every third Czech has been crime victim

Dominik Lukeš — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 16:59:18 +0000

Every third Czech has been crime victim - survey - Prague Daily Monitor Prague, Jan 1 (CTK) - Every third adult Czech has ever become victim of a crime in his/her life, which is about three million people, experts from the Criminology and Social Prevention Institute have told CTK referring to victimology surveys. The situation is roughly on European as well as U.S. level, Martin Cejp, from the institute said.
I was about to point out how lucky I was not to have been among the 33 percent of crime victims when I realized that I have had my apartment burgled in the late 1990s when I still lived in Prague. But overall I have to agree with the following statement: read more »

Czech GDP to reach EU average by 2013

Dominik Lukeš — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 10:36:23 +0000

Český HDP může dosáhnout průměru EU v roce Český hrubý domácí produkt by mohl dosáhnout průměru Evropské unie v roce 2013. Uvádí to studie francouzského Střediska pro mezinárodní studia a výzkum (CERI) o situaci v zemích střední a východní Evropy.
According to a French study the Czech gross domestic product will reach the EU average by 2013. One of the strong features of Czech economy is its positive import/export balance.

Czech nuclear power to all households

Dominik Lukeš — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 14:31:40 +0000

Proud z Dukovan by letos nasytil všechny domácnosti - iDNES.cz Jaderná elektrárna Dukovany letos vyrobila nejvíc elektřiny ve své jednadvacetileté historii. Produkce ráno poprvé převýšila hranici 14 miliard kilowatthodin. Právě takové množství proudu spotřebují za rok všechny domácnosti v Česku, přiblížil mluvčí elektrárny Petr Spilka.
The 21-year-old Czech nuclear powerplant Dukovany exceeded 14 billion kiloWatt hours this year. Which is enough to supply all Czech households with electricity. read more »

15 visits to doctors a Czech average

Dominik Lukeš — Sat, 30 Dec 2006 13:03:42 +0000

Ve zdravotnictví nás možná čeká velký „třesk“ - iDNES.cz Další velkou změnou je zavedení poplatků za recept či za návštěvu lékaře. Má to logiku: podle statistik Češi chodí k lékaři v průměru patnáctkrát ročně. Což je dvojnásobek průměru Evropské unie.
The new government is looking to introduce some healthcare system reforms to reduce the frequent visits Czechs make to consult their doctors which they do on average 15 times. This is 2 times the EU average. read more »

Magor book of 2006

Dominik Lukeš — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 02:40:49 +0000

www.lidovky.cz - Kniha roku 2006 Dvacet čtyři hlasů pro Magorovy dopisy je proto úspěch nesporný. Jejich autorovi Ivanu M. Jirousovi můžeme blahopřát i k tomu, že se od obnovení ankety LN v roce 1991 stává prvním, kdo pomyslný titul Kniha roku získává podruhé (v roce 1998 za Magorovu summu).
Magor, an underground generation poet and celebrated crazy man, beat Kundera in the annual Book of the Year poll conducted by Lidové Noviny. His book of letters he wrote from prison in the 70s and 80s gave him a unique second win since 1991. Havel's interview came in fourth place. read more »

U.S. turns to the Czech Republic for R&D

Dominik Lukeš — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 02:26:03 +0000

EETimes.com - U.S. turns to the Czech Republic for R&D LONDON — Over 60 percent of the 2006 foreign direct investments in the Czech Republic announced by U.S.-based companies are R&D projects in innovation industries, according to data collected by CzechInvest, an agency of the Ministry of Industry & Trade of the Czech Republic.
It is nice to see Czech Republic playing to its historical strengths. Research and small scale value-added manufacturing used to be the mainstays of the read more »

Christmas text torrent tears records

Dominik Lukeš — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 20:30:10 +0000

Před nadílkou vedly SMS, po ní obrázkové zprávy - iDNES.cz Češi i o letošním Štědrém dnu překonali rekord v počtu odeslaných zpráv SMS. Každý ze dvou největších operátorů jich zaznamenal kolem 26 milionů. Počet hovorů zůstal na zhruba stejné úrovni, ale lidé tentokrát hovořili déle. Oproti loňsku se zvýšil i počet multimediálních zpráv MMS.
Czech mobile companies have done it again. Measuring our affection they gathered that over 70 million SMSs were sent on Christmas Eve (the most important day of Christmas in Central Europe). read more »

Better than the Poles: Czechs through the eyes of old Europe

Dominik Lukeš — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 13:22:14 +0000

Co vím o Češích? Nic, a nechci vědět - iDNES.cz Co vše vědí občané ve "starých" členských státech Evropské unie o Češích, zjišťoval v několika z nich reportér MF DNES. Výsledek?
An informal survey conducted by a reporter from MF Dnes found that not much is known about the Czech Republic in the old Europe. The Germans see us as better than the Poles (maybe having less of a guilt towards the Czechs) and are mostly reminded of Prague and prostitution on the Czech-German border. The French, on the other hand, often don't even know the Czech Republic is in the EU. Brits are usually happy with Czech workers but often fail to distinguish them from other "Eastern" Europeans. Also, Czech football (soccer) has a much better reputation. read more »

Czech Romanies face discrimination at work, school

Dominik Lukeš — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 11:17:12 +0000

Czech Romanies face discrimination at work, school -- report According to the report by the European Network Against Racism (ENAR), there is both latent and open discrimination in the Czech Republic and it is most often Romanies who are its victims. But the report says that racism is not dramatic in the country. ... The Raxen report states that Romanies are discriminated against on the labour market mainly not because of their ethnicity, but because employers in general believe that they do not work well and do not attend work regularly. read more »

More immigration, birth + fewer deaths, abortions = population increase

Dominik Lukeš — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 12:33:24 +0000

V Česku žije stále víc lidí, především díky cizincům - iDNES.cz K nárůstu počtu Čechů přispělo i snížení počtu provedených a samovolných potratů. V prvních třech čtvrtletích 2006 lékaři provedli o 815 interrupcí méně než ve stejném období roku 2005. Statistici to mimo jiné vysvětlují trendem posunout plodnost žen do pozdějšího věku.
The title says it all. The preoccupation with population in the Czech press continues although the tone is shifting to cautious optimism. read more »

Beer a day

Dominik Lukeš — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 12:55:04 +0000

Czech beer output seen up at 19.8 million hectolitres in 2006 - Prague Daily Monitor Czech breweries are increasingly successful on foreign markets and the ratio of exports to total production grew to almost 18 percent in the first half of the year, against the global average of 6 percent. Germany was still the largest market for Czech beer exporters, covering 40 percent of the total volume. Slovakia came second. Vesely said output for the domestic market was likely to grow as well this year, mainly owing to a long, hot summer. read more »

Czech Greens ahead of Communists and Christian Democrats in polls

Dominik Lukeš — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 10:55:16 +0000

CVVM: Zelení by ve volbách porazili komunisty - iDNES.cz Volby by nyní podle modelu CVVM vyhrála ODS s 38 procenty. ČSSD by měla 23,5. Zelení s 12 % o půl bodu přeskočili KSČM. KDU má 11 procent hlasů.
Green over Red! A completely unexpected turn of events. The latest opinion polls suggest that the newly elected Green party, despite its many problems, would come in third if new elections were held today ahead of both Christian Democrats and the Communists. Given that the party only came into parliament for the first time in this year's elections after languishing at below the requisite 5% of the vote for years this is very impressive. read more »

Czechs aware of gender divide in politics

Dominik Lukeš — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 21:43:28 +0000

Too few women in Czech politics - poll Prague- Almost three-quarters of Czechs are of the view that women's representation in politics is insufficient, according to a poll conducted by the polling agency CVVM for the civic group Forum 50%% in November and released today.
There are many stories about the gender divide in Czech politics (see this category) but what is encouraging is that so many Czechs are aware of it. We'll see if this awareness translates into action and action into results (it did read more »

Domestic violence more common in CR than EU

Dominik Lukeš — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 12:47:38 +0000

Mlátit ženy je mezi českými muži rozšířené hobby

Poslanecká sněmovna parlamentu se zapojuje – protože musí, neboť její pánské vedení by to asi dobrovolně ani nenapadlo – do evropské kampaně proti násilí na ženách. Nezdá se to, ale Česká republika je, ač malá, přesto, co do násilí na ženách, výrazná. Zatímco evropský průměr, uváděný v materiálech Rady Evropy, je 12-15 procent žen, které se s násilím setkají, podle posledního průzkumu z roku 2003 (protože později již patrně nikomu nestálo za to jej dělat), se s násilím vůči sobě setkalo 38 procent českých žen.
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