Athletes sign petition for a free Tibet
Forty of the world’s top athletes, including Czech runner Jakub Holuša, have signed a petition calling for a free Tibet.
In a public appeal to President Hu Jintao they urge a peaceful and democratic solution to the situation in Tibet, the release of all prisoners of conscience and respect for human rights. Twenty-year-old Jakub Holuša, who is Europe’s junior champion in the 3,000 metres steeplechase, said the appeal was in line with what the Olympic Games represented.
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Prague police bust group of dangerous bank robbers ... democracy in China
The Czech human rights organization Olympic Watch has appealed to all athletes taking part in the 2008 Olympics to support freedom and democracy in China, urging athletes to adopt a given prisoner of conscience and raise awareness of their fate. The Chinese regime refuses to link the games with human rights issues and has taken a tough line with protesters. Several people have been arrested and extradited for unfurling banners calling for human rights and freedoms.
Hepatitis alert
The Czech health authorities have warned of a heightened number of hepatitis A cases across the country. In the first seven months of this year the Health Ministry registered 130 patients with the disease, which is more than they had in the whole of 2007. Sixty-two hepatitis A cases were reported in the month of July alone. The illness is spreading mainly among drug addicts and the homeless and the majority of cases reported are in Prague, where the public has been warned not to underestimate the risk of infection. Vaccination of high risk groups is currently underway, but experts say it will be a while before the effects of that are felt.
Young girl dies of mushroom poisoning
A seven-year-old girl from Ostrava, in Moravia, has died after eating a meal of poisonous mushrooms. A hospital spokesperson said the child had been brought in suffering from severe stomach pains and that despite intensive treatment doctors had been unable to save her life. Mushroom picking is a popular summer pastime in the Czech Republic and millions of Czechs pick wild mushrooms in the forest rather than shopping for them in the supermarket. Despite repeated warnings of the dangers, several people die of mushroom poisoning every year.
Two British nationals arrested for real-estate swindle
Police have arrested two British nationals wanted for a two-million-pound real-estate swindle in their home country. The two men had bought property in the Czech Republic where they intended to settle down for a time. Both will be extradited to Britain.
Police collect fines for alcohol consumption in off-limits public places
Officers in Prague have collected 300,000 crowns in fines for alcohol consumption in public places where drinking is now off-limits. An alcohol ban was introduced in several parts of the city centre at the beginning of July of this year within the City Hall’s drive to make Prague a cleaner and safer city for both locals and tourists.
Weather
The heat-wave is expected to culminate today with afternoon highs hitting 33 degrees Celsius. A cold front expected on Friday should bring some relief with scattered showers and temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius.
(radio-Prague)
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